The chemical characteristics of a new class of catalysts have been investigated. The development of acidity has been shown to depend only on the catalyst concentra tion—a mechanism which gives the new catalysts special advantages in resin finishing. Another group of catalysts based on sulfonium compounds has also been developed. They have been shown to possess a "trigger" temperature, but the mechanistn of their behavior is obscure.

No abstract

Under alkalme conditions, Sulfix has been shown to cross-link cotton extremely rapidly at room temperature. The mitial product has excellent wet recovery, hut it also has the characteristic properties of an ion-exchange resin due to the presence of sul fonium atoms. This disadvantage can he overcome, and the wet recovery properties maintained, by a simple treatment which results in the formation of a novel betaine-type cross-link. This type of structure has been shown to he extremely stable to prolonged alkaline washing treatments.