Methacrylic acid and derivatives

Processes have been developed whereby the oxygen is suppHed from the crystal lattice of a metal-oxide catalyst (5) (see Acrylonitrile Methacrylic acid AND derivatives). 

Acrylics. Acetone is converted via the intermediate acetone cyanohydrin to the monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) [80-62-6]. The MMA is polymerized to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to make the familiar clear acryUc sheet. PMMA is also used in mol ding and extmsion powders. Hydrolysis of acetone cyanohydrin gives methacrylic acid (MAA), a monomer which goes direcdy into acryUc latexes, carboxylated styrene—butadiene polymers, or ethylene—MAA ionomers. As part of the methacrylic stmcture, acetone is found in the following major end use products acryUc sheet mol ding resins, impact modifiers and processing aids, acryUc film, ABS and polyester resin modifiers, surface coatings, acryUc lacquers, emulsion polymers, petroleum chemicals, and various copolymers (see METHACRYLIC ACID AND DERIVATIVES METHACRYLIC POLYMERS). 

Dehydrogenation of Propionates. Oxidative dehydrogenation of propionates to acrylates employing vapor-phase reactions at high temperatures (400—700°C) and short contact times is possible. Although selective catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutyric acid to methacrylic acid have been developed in recent years (see Methacrylic ACID AND DERIVATIVES) and a route to methacrylic acid from propylene to isobutyric acid is under pilot-plant development in Europe, this route to acrylates is not presentiy of commercial interest because of the combination of low selectivity, high raw material costs, and purification difficulties. 

During processing at elevated temperatures, normal precautions are needed to prevent accidental bums. Sudyn ionomers have U.S. Food and Dmg Administration clearance for food contact. Information about ionomers can be found in the articles Ethylene Acrylic acid and derivatives and Methacrylic acid and derivatives. 

Polymerizations of methacrylic acid and derivatives are very energetic (MAA, 66.1 kj/mol MMA, 57.5 kJ/mol = 13.7 kcal/mol). The potential for the rapid evolution of heat and generation of pressure presents an explosion hazard if the materials are stored ia closed or poorly vented containers. 

Properties. Properties of many methacryhc esters are given in Table 1 of the article Methacrylic acid and derivatives. Some other properties of ... 

Acrylic Polymers. Although considerable information on the plasticization of acryUc resins is scattered throughout journal and patent hterature, the subject is compHcated by the fact that acryUc resins constitute a large family of polymers rather than a single polymeric species. An infinite variation in physical properties may be obtained through copolymerization of two or more acryUc monomers selected from the available esters of acryUc and methacryhc acid (30) (see Acrylic esterpolya rs Methacrylic acid and derivatives). 

Brackets signify a trivial name no longer ia use. At 101.3 kPa = 1 atm unless otherwise noted ia kPa as a subscript. At 20°C unless otherwise noted by a superscript number (°C). At 20°C unless otherwise noted. To convert to cal, divide by 4.184. 70°C. Heat of combustion (Uquid). At50°C. To convert kPa to mm Hg, multiply by 7.5. In the alkenoic series of molecular formula 2 2 metbacrylic, undecjlenic, oleic, and emcic acids have important appHcations (Table 2). Acryhc and metbacrylic acids have a petrochemical origin, and undecylenic, oleic, and emcic acids have natural origins (see Acrylic ACID AND DERIVATIVES Methacrylic acid and derivatives). Table 2. Physical Properties of the Straight-Chain Alkenoic Acids, (2n-2) 2 ... 

Acetone Cyanohydrin. This cyanohydrin, also known as a-hydroxyisobutyronitnle and 2-methyUactonitrile [75-86-5], is very soluble in water, diethyl ether, and alcohol, but only slightly soluble in carbon disulfide or petroleum ether. Acetone cyanohydrin is the most important commercial cyanohydrin as it offers the principal commercial route to methacrylic acid and its derivatives, mainly methyl methacrylate [80-62-6] (see Methacrylic acid AND derivatives). The principal U.S. manufacturers are Rohm and Haas Co., Du Pont, CyRo Industries, and BP Chemicals. Production of acetone cyanohydrin in 1989 was 582,000 metric tons (30). 

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