Carbonic ester polymers

Aliphatic polycarbonates have few characteristics which make them potentially valuable materials but study of various aromatic polycarbonates is instructive even if not of immediate commercial significance. Although bisphenol A polycarbonates still show the best all-round properties other carbonic ester polymers have been prepared which are outstandingly good in one or two specific properties. For example, some materials have better heat resistance, some have better resistance to hydrolysis, some have greater solvent resistance whilst others are less permeable to gases. 

Both the chemical solubility and the electrical properties are consistent with those expected of a lightly polar polymer, whilst reactivity is consistent with that of a polymer containing hydrolysable carbonate ester linkages partially protected by aromatic hydrocarbon groupings. The influence of these factors on specific properties is amplified in subsequent sections. 

Although titanium does not form a stable bond with carbon, organotitanium polymers have been formed such as polyalkoxytitanoxanes and polymeric titanate esters (Figure 29.14). 

Production of carbonic esters can also take place via reactions between higher alcohols and CO2. These compounds find use in a variety of sectors, for example, organic synthesis, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, polymers, solvents, and lubricants [44]. 

Particularly noteworthy are the tyrosine-derived polycarbonates (27), a family of polymers based on alkyl esters of desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine. The lead polymer in this family is poly[desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine ethyl ester (DTE) carbonate], a polymer derived from desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine ethyl ester. Other polymers in this series of tyrosine-derived polycarbonates are poly[desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine butyl ester (DTB) carbonate], poly[desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine hexyl ester (DTH) carbonate], and poly [desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine octyl ester (DTO) carbonate], where the letters B, H, and O indicate the presence of butyl, hexyl, or octyl ester pendent chains, respectively. 

Polycarbonates and Polyurethanes The chemistry of carbonic acid derivatives is particularly important because two large classes of polymers are bonded by linkages containing these functional groups the polycarbonates and the polyurethanes. Polycarbonates are polymers bonded by the carbonate ester linkage, and polyurethanes are polymers bonded by the carbamate ester linkage. Lexan polycarbonate is a strong, clear polymer used in bulletproof windows and crash helmets. The diol used to make Lexan is a phenol called bisphenol A, a common intermediate in polyester and polyurethane synthesis. 

A polymer in which the monomer units are bonded together by carbonate ester linkages, (p. 1034)... 

Acrylic Acid, Acrylates, and Acrylonitrile. Acrylic acid [79-10-7], C3H402, and acrylates were once prepared by reaction of acetylene and carbon monoxide with water or an alcohol, using nickel carbonyl as catalyst. I11 recent years tliis process has been completely superseded in the United States by newer processes involving oxidation of propylene (2). I11 western Europe, however, acetylene is still important in acrylate manufacture (see Acrylic acid and derivatives Acrylic ester polymers). 

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