Formaldehyde cross-links groups

The use of hydroxyethyl (also hydroxypropyl) methacrylate as a monomer permits the introduction of reactive hydroxyl groups into the copolymers. This offers the possibility for subsequent cross-linking with an HO-reactive difunctional agent (diisocyanate, diepoxide, or melamine-formaldehyde resin). Hydroxyl groups promote adhesion to polar substrates. 

Amino Resins. Amino resins (qv) include both urea- and melamine—formaldehyde condensation products. They are thermosets prepared similarly by the reaction of the amino groups in urea [57-13-6] or melamine [108-78-1] with formaldehyde to form the corresponding methylol derivatives, which are soluble in water or ethanol. To form plywood, particle board, and other wood products for adhesive or bonding purposes, a Hquid resin is mixed with some acid catalyst and sprayed on the boards or granules, then cured and cross-linked under heat and pressure. 

Diol (60) is used to make easy care cotton fabrics as the two hydroxyl groups cross-link the cotton. It is obviously a formaldehyde adduct of (61) which Can be dis-... 

Fraenkel-Conrat H, Olcott HS. Reaction of formaldehyde with proteins. VI. Cross-linking of amino groups with phenol, imidazole, or indole groups. J. Biol. Chem. 1948 174 827-843. 

Fraenkel-Conrat H, Olcott HS. The reaction of formaldehyde with proteins. V. Cross-linking between amino and primary amide or guanidyl groups. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1948 70 2673-2684. 

Figure 12.3 Hydroxymethyl adducts from formaldehyde fixation form highly reactive imines in the presence of ethanol during tissue processing, giving off a molecule of water (upper). While still in alcohol, imines may either form more complex ethoxymethyl adducts or will cross-link to neighboring reactive groups (lower).

---