CHM 585 / 490 Chapter 5
Chapter 5 Polystyrene PET Addition polymerization Condensation Polymerization
Polystyrene
How many “mers” Monomer Dimer Trimer Oligomer Polymer
Polystyrene
Polystyrene
Dow polystyrene plants
Polystyrene is a vinyl polymer made from vinyl monomers; that is, small molecules containing carbon-carbon double bonds. simplest vinyl polymer, polyethylene is made from ethylene
Addition Polymerization Addition polymerization if the entire monomer molecule becomes part of the polymer. Polystyrene is made by an addition polymerization Similarly polyethylene, polypropylene, and other vinyl polymers are addition polymers
Esterification
Esterification / Condensation
Polyethylene Terephthalate Condensation Polymer
Transesterification
PET by Transesterification
PET by Transesterification DMT is a distillable material Can be purified Melts at 140 C Can be shipped and transferred as a liquid
Catalysis Esterifications and transesterifications are acid catalyzed reactions. But!!!!! What else is an acid catalyzed reaction?
Ether Formation Acid catalyzed dehydration of alcohols
PET catalysts Typically not: Common catalysts: Often combinations used H2SO4, H3PO4 Common catalysts: Zinc acetate, Sb2O3, Ti(OR)4 Often combinations used Leave in catalyst