Synthesis of reactive polymers containing azo dyes as textile auxiliaries

The synthesis of hydrophilic reactive polymeric dyes was investigated, starting from commercial hydrophobic and new synthetic hydrophilic azobenzene derivatives. Two complementary strategies, based respectively on the polymerization of suitable monomers and on the post-functionalization of preformed polymers, were adopted. In both cases, polymers containing small amounts (< 10%) of the selected dyes were obtained. This result was attributed to the electron withdrawing effect of azo chromophores. On the other side, almost quantitative conversions were recorded in the reaction of maleic anhydride/methyl vinyl ether alternating copolymers with a commercial dye. Within the limits of the preliminary character of the reported investigation, most of the prepared polymeric dyes seem to be promising for textile applications