High-performance polymer systems diacids

In the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins the polyester is synthesized and then diluted with a vinyl reactive monomer such as styrene (see POLYESTERS, UNSATURATED). A portion of the dibasic acid of the polyester is maleic or some other vinyl reactive diacid that can be polymerized with the styrene to yield a highly cross-linked, high performance polymer system. Other esters made with propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol are used as emulsifiers in foods, as plasticizers in polymer systems, and as part of acrylate resin systems. 

A large number of high-performance polymer systems are formed by the condensation reactions of diamines, or diols with aromatic diacids, or their derivatives. These include commercially successful products such as aramids, polyimides, poly(imide-amides), and polyesters. While some of the monomers used in the production of these polymers are readily available and made in large quantities, it is becoming more common to use smaller quantities of speciality monomers to tailor the properties of the resultant polymers to suit a specific application. To address this need, chemistries using unconventional monomers are being explored to offer alternative routes to a variety of polymeric systems. 

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