Reaction of Lithium Cellulosate with Episulfides

The reactions of propylene, ethylene, and styrene sulfide with cotton fabrics in the form of their lithium cellulosate derivative, obtained by metallation with lithium methoxide, were studied. Both graft and homo-polymerization took place and in the reaction with propylene and ethylene sulfide, cotton fabrics with high polysulfide content were obtained. With propylene sulfide 50% of the monomer polymerized was grafted. The effects of monomer concentration, cellulosate degree of substitution, reaction time, and solvent on the polymerization were investigated. In contrast with propylene and ethylene sulfide, only small conversions were obtained in the reaction with styrene sulfide. The results were attributed to steric effects.