Dimethyl terephthalate Physical properties

Terephthahc acid (TA) or dimethyl terephthalate [120-61 -6] (DMT) reacts with ethyleae glycol (2G) to form bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate [959-26-2] (BHET) which is coadeasatioa polymerized to PET with the elimination of 2G. Moltea polymer is extmded through a die (spinneret) forming filaments that are solidified by air cooling. Combinations of stress, strain, and thermal treatments are appHed to the filaments to orient and crystallize the molecular chains. These steps develop the fiber properties required for specific uses. The two general physical forms of PET fibers are continuous filament and cut staple. 

The physical properties of the acids, the most important anhydrides, and the full methyl esters are summarized ia Tables 2, 3, and4. Detailed Hsts of physical properties for phthaUc acid and its anhydride, terephthaUc acid and dimethyl terephthalate, isophthaUc acid, trimeUitic acid and its anhydride, and pyromeUitic acid and its dianhydride/ are provided under the sections describiag these compounds. 

Physical and Chemical Properties. Tables 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 contain the more important physical and some chemical properties of terephthafic acid and dimethyl terephthalate. 

Derivatives. In general, the esters of terephthaHc acid derived from saturated alcohols undergo the same reactions as dimethyl terephthalate. Some physical properties of six of these esters are Hsted in Table 23. The di- -butyl and di-2-ethyIhexyl esters find use as plasticizers (qv). Terephthaloyl chloride, which is prepared by reaction of terephthaHc acid and thionyl chloride, is used to prepare derivatives of terephthaHc acid. 

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