Grafting onto Wool. XXI. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Reduced Wool by Use of Manganese Acetylacetonate as Initiator

Abstract

In an attempt to ascertain the role of SH groups of wool fiber in graft copolymerization, methyl methacrylate (MMA) was graft co-polymerized onto reduced wool by using manganese acetylacetonate (Mn(acac)₃) as the initiator in an aqueous medium. The reduction of wool was carried out with thioglycollic acid (TGA) in an aqueous solution. The percentage of grafting was determined as a function of the concentration of Mn(acac)₃, MMA, and nitric acid; the extent of reduction of wool by TGA; and the time and temperature. Under optimum conditions methyl methacrylate was grafted to the reduced wool to the extent of 57.0%. Unreduced wool under optimum conditions was reported earlier to afford a maximum grafting of MMA to the extent of 82.5%. The reduction of wool does not promote grafting of MMA onto wool in the presence of Mn(acac)₃.