The radiation-induced grafting of vinylpyridines to cellulose

A wide range of solvents have been examined for the radiation-induced grafting to cellulose of 2- and 4-vinylpyridines and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine by the mutual irradiation technique. The presence of a functional group containing a nitrogen and/or oxygen atom in the solvent is important for high grafting efficiency. The two most favourable groups are NH2 and OH, the former being the more effective. Inclusion of both groups in suitable positions in the one molecule, the aminoalkanols in particular (e.g. 2-aminoethanol), leads to maximum effect in grafting. Heterocyclic solvents such as pyridine and 3-picoline are also useful. Other variables affecting grafting and studied in these experiments were the effect of pK, as well as swelling, wetting and dielectric strength of solvents. The effect of surface area of cellulose on copolymerization was also examined. A novel ionic mechanism for the grafting reaction involving association between solvent and monomer is proposed. (Author)