The Esterification of Wool

Abstract

The reaction of wool with methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol in the presence of 0 ·IM HCI as catalyst has been found to be non-specific. In addition to the esterification of carboxyl groups, significant conversion of primary amide groups into esters occurs, especially with the higher alcohols. Experiments with [l4C]methanol show that the number of methyl groups bound during esterification considerably exceeds the methoxyl content, which in turn exceeds the ester content. Indirect evidence suggests that these extra methyl groups are introduced by Nand O-methylation of peptide bonds.