Reaction of cyanuric chloride and its derivatives with polyamide fibres in non-aqueous medium

Polyamide fibres (Nylon 6) were treated with cyanuric chloride in organic solvents (tetrachloroethylene and xylene) under different conditions. This treatment caused an increase in the fibre nitrogen content. The magnitude of the latter was dependent upon the cyanuric chloride concentration, the time and temperature of the treatment as well as the nature of solvent. For instance an extra nitrogen content of 0.08% was obtained at a cyanuric chloride concentration (based on wt. of fabric) of 25%. This contrasts with 0.46% at 100% concentration of cyanuric chloride. Similarly and extra nitrogen content of 0.08% was achieved at 50°C while at 121°C it amounted to 1.18%. However, the cyanuric chloride treated nuylon failed to link covalently to dyestuffs containing labile hydrogen, indicating no chemical reaction between polyamide 6 and cyanuric chloride. This chemical reaction could only be achieved by use of 2-anilino-4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine instead of cyanuric chloride. Similarly a disperse dye containing a chlorotriazine ring as the reactive group was found to react chemically with polyamide 6.