Abstract

A number of bi- and poly-functional compounds comprising the linear dialdehydes with up to six C-atoms. tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride, dialdehyde starch, two di-isocyanates and a number of di-isocyanate generators and several chiorotriazine derivatives are assessed as cross-linking agents for collagen. Treat ments are mainly on kangaroo tail tendon and the number and relative stabilities of the cross-links are assessed by stress-strain analysis after hydrothermal denaturation of the specimens. All the compounds listed caused cross-linking in some degree. Aldehydes of more than one function offer the greatest promise. The simpler chlorotriazines are limited by low solubility in aqueous systems and the class as a whole by the relatively low reactivity of the final chlorine atom to be substituted in cross-link formation. The di-isocyanates with their predilection to polymerisation are not attractiveand their addition compounds do not introduce an effective number of cross-links.