Investigation of the Reaction Mechanism between Bovine Collagen and a Triazine- Based Coupling Reagent

Content: The triazine-based coupling reagent 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride (DMTMM) is a promptly water-soluble white solid commonly used in chemical synthesis, which is proven to act as effective tanning agent. This research work provides an experimental evidence that the tanning ability of DMTMM is associated to an increase of the cross-linking density in the collagen molecule. As a result of the coupling reaction, DMTMM is converted into water-soluble by-products that can be removed by washing. Take-Away: chrome free tanning, reaction mechanism