23—GRAFT COPOLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLONITRILE IN WOOL

An improved method of utilizing bis(acetyl acetonato) copperII complexes as catalysts for grafting polyacrylonitrile in wool fibres has been found. The effects of variation of temperature and of the concentrations of copper, acrylonitrile, water, and additional co-catalysts on the grafting rate are described. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that polymerization may be brought about by a combination of ionic and free-radical mechanisms.