Process for the preparation of etherified methylolaminotriazines

Abstract

An improved process for the preparation of methylolaminotriazines etherified with alkanols and having per mol of the aminotriazine, an analytically determined average of 0.6 n to 2 n preferably 0.7 to 2 n methylol groups, which are etherified to the extent of 30 to 60%, n being the number of amino groups in the aminotriazine, wherein an aminotriazine is warmed to 80.degree. to 130.degree. C. with 0.7 n to 3 n mols of formaldehyde, 2 n to 10 n mols alkanol or a mixture of alkanols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, the carbon chain of which, if having more than 2 carbon atoms, can also be interrupted by an oxygen atom, and 0 to 5 n mols of water, per mol of the aminotriazine, for 0.2 to 20 minutes, under elevated pressure, wherein the improvement comprises said aminotriazine being first heated to a temperature of 60.degree.-90.degree. C. in the presence of the formaldehyde and 0 to 30% by weight of the total amount of alkanol or alkanol mixture for 1 to 30 minutes at a pH 8 to 11 whereupon the remainder of the alkanol or alkanol mixture is added and the mixture is subsequently heated to 80.degree. to 130.degree. C. under elevated pressure in the presence of a strong inorganic or organic acid, at a pH of 3 to 8, for 0.2 to 20 minutes.