Textile finish and processes for its preparation and use

Abstract

A process for the preparation of a textile finish, the textile finish thus obtained and its use for the easy-care finishing of textiles containing, or consisting of, cellulose. The textile finish comprises an aqueous solution, of from 30 to 70 percent strength by weight, of a mixture of the conventionally formaldehyde-methylolated carbamates I and II ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen, or one is hydrogen and the other is methyl, in the weight ratio I:II of from 12:1 to 1:20. The textile finish is prepared by reacting a glycol or an alkylglycol of the formulae III and IV ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have the above meanings, with urea at above 100.degree. C., so as to eliminate ammonia and give carbamates, and subsequent conventional methylolation with formaldehyde, wherein, in a first stage, the glycol or alkylglycol of the formula III is reacted to the extent of at least 50% with urea, in the absence of a catalyst, at from 130.degree. to 160.degree. C., to give the carbamate I, and in a second stage, carried out either in the presence of an ion exchanger, containing nickel ions, as the catalyst, at from 130.degree. to 165.degree. C., or in the absence of a catalyst at from 150.degree. to 200.degree. C., the carbamate mixture in the weight ratio I:II of from 12:1 to 1:20, is prepared by addition of the glycol or alkylglycol of the formula IV and further urea.