| Abstract: | A reactive melamine derivative, 2‐amino‐4‐chloro‐6‐hydroxy‐s‐triazine (ACHT), was synthesized through the controlled hydrolysis of 2‐amino‐4,6‐dichloro‐s‐triazine. The reaction was characterized with Fourier transform infrared study and elemental analysis. ACHT could react with cotton cellulose at room temperature with a cold‐pad‐batch treatment process. Upon chlorination reactions, the amino group of covalently bound ACHT could be transformed into an N‐halamine structure, providing potent, durable, and rechargeable antimicrobial activities against both gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. The chlorination mechanism and the structure–property relationship of the treated samples were further examined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3818–3827, 2004 |
