42—NEW REACTIONS IN REDUCED WOOL FIBRES

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Abstract
The ·SH-groups in reduced wool react quickly and smoothly with vinyl sulphones as occurs with cysteine in model experiments. From this, an analytical method is developed for determining the extent of reduction in wool. Bifunctional divinyl sulphone leads to an extensive network formation in the fibres. Dimethyl maleate and N-p-phenetyl maleinimide also react quickly with ·SH-wool. These alkylating agenls replace the labile ·S·S·bonds in wool by stable thioether bonds. The ease of reaction of vinyl sulphones also allows the recognition of ·SH groups formed by the action of KCN and of NaOH on wool. ·SH-wool has also been treated with thiosulphinic acid esters, whereby unsymmetrically substituted ·S·S· bonds can be produced in wool. Cyclic thiosulphinic acid sters lead to a network formation in the fibre. It is thus possible for the first time to introduce additional ·S·S· bonds into wool with an increase in the total S content. Unsymmetrical disulphides and bis-disuiphides are recognised in the wool hydrolysates. Finally, ·SH-wool reacts with mono- and di-functional Bunte salts. Thus, in ·SH-wool, unsymmetrically substituted ·S·S· bridges are produced, and bis-disulphide bridges arise with polymethylene dithiosulphates which can produce a network structure in the fibre. Three separate available methods for the chemical modification of wool that proceed without destruction of the fibre structure are therefore discussed.