Acidolysis-condensation process

It is generally agreed that both processes, namely addition polymerization (the nature of active species still of much debate) and acidolysis/ condensation reaction, occur simultaneously in the cationic ring-opening polymerization [247,248], although the contribution of both mechanisms is still a matter of discussion. Kinetics of the acid-catalyzed condensation of silanol groups was studied in detail [249,250]. 

Polyesters, polyamides and other poly-condensation polymers can be chemically recycled simply by reversing their synthesis process by raising the process temperature, using traditional processes such as hydrolysis, ammonolysis, acidolysis, transesterification, etc. Bayer and other interested suppliers pioneered such processes that are beyond the scope of this book. Such processes can also be used for adjusting the MW required in one application (e.g. PET-bottles) to that needed in a different market (e.g. polyester fibres). 

The use of silicon-containing phenolic polymers with NDS compounds present as the photoactive polarity switch has been investigated. Formaldehyde condensation polymers with m-trimethyl-silylphenol (19) have been prepared. It is necessary to incorporate phenol as a comonomer in order to decrease the hydrophobicity of these resins so that they are soluble in aqueous base. The maximum silicon content obtainable is around 9% due to the acidolysis of the aromatic carbon-silicon bond during the acid-catalyzed polymerization process. Nevertheless, high resolution images with good oxygen etch resistance are obtained when these resins are formulated into resists with NDS derivatives present. 

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