Synthesis and application of polymeric fluorescent whitening agents

From rho -toluic acid, a series of polymeric fluorescent whitening agents (FWA) was synthesized. In the paper are given the details for the synthesis of the FWA and their intermediates. The products are water-dispersible or water-soluble, have good affinity with hydrophobic fabrics, affect the soil-releasing effect on polyester, soiled or aged cotton fabrics, and can be incorporated into concentrated fabric conditioner, a product type using RNA that is being developed. Polymeric FWA add excellent brightness to polyester and soiled or aged cotton for which the usual anionic FWA have little effect.