Synthesis and properties of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) macromolecular reactive dyes

To obtain a new type of macromolecular reactive dye with high fixation and good light fastness, poly(styrene- co -maleic acid) was synthesised by co-polymerisation of styrene and maleic anhydride, then, through nitration, reduction, diazotisation and coupling reaction, novel macromolecular reactive dyes were prepared with a solubility greater than 60 g/L. The dyes were used to dye cotton fabrics; the results showed their fixation was more than 92%, and both the rub and wash fastness of the dyes were good. The light fastness of the red and blue dyes with the ethoxy group on melamine was grade 4, and for the yellow dye reached grade 5. The poly(styrene- co -maleic acid) macromolecular reactive dyes exhibit very good application prospects in practice.