N-Methylol-2-Pyrrolidone-5-Carborylic Acid, A Convenient Compound for Incorporating. a Carboxyl Group Onto Cellulose

Abstract

3545. The experiments which are claimed to show that zirconium dioxide is ineffective as a flame retardant are less than convincing [4]. No data are given on how much zirconium is incorporated into the fiber as zirconium dioxide. Furthermore, no evidence is presented to show in fact that zirconium dioxide can be formed in the fiber under these conditions. We have performed similar experiments and find, in fact, that very little zirconium is exhausted onto the fiber.6. There is no firm evidence, as distinct from supposition, presented in reference [1] that ZrOF2 is the active flame-retarding agent. A similar comment applies to Dx. Benisek's remarks concerning the mechanism of flame-retardation. ~ , 7. We contend that the question of the compatibility of the flame-retardant treatment with shrink-resist treatments is not clear in the references cited in our paper [2, 5]. Reference is made specifically to the second and third paragraphs, page 39 of reference [5], and to page 38 of reference [2]. Reference [5] clearly refers to inorganic complexes (paragraph 4, column 3, page 36). Further, reference [2] also describes both citrate and fluoride complexes, and the relevant section ' refers generally to I.W.S. Flame-Resist Treatments.Similarly, Figure 1 of reference [5] can hardly be claimed to clarify the situation when the same figure appears in reference [2] and refers to titanium treatments. In addition, a point is made that the situation is clarified in two other publications [6, 7J. Reference [6]-had not appeared when our paper was submitted, and reference [7] was not submitted 'till some months after ours. The problem of compatibility is now however presumably resolved. 8. Our work was primarily concerned with a mild treatment for the flame retardation of multi-colored Jacquards and checks. Dye migration occurred on levelling at high temperatures, and a mild treatment was sought. While we do not disagree with Dr.Benisek that a level treatment can be obtained using 10% HCI (37%) o.w.w. followed by heating between 50-70°C, we believe that the fact that a level, washfast, flame-retardant treatment can be obtained under very mild conditions is of genuine interest. Though we would suggest that many of Dr. Benisek's comments are based on speculation and misinterpretation, we wish to emphasize that our remarks should not be regarded as criticisms of the I.W.S. treatments. We fully endorse the efficacy of the treatments, which have clearly been highly successful, and believe that Dr. Benisek deserves full credit for the achievement;we regard our work merely as a possible useful extension of the I.W.S. treatments.. Literature Cited ' 1.