Poly , hydrolysis

Prepared generally by ester interchange from polyvinylacelate (ethanoate) using methanol and base also formed by hydrolysis of the acetate by NaOH and water. The properties of the poly(vinyl alcohol) depend upon the structure of the original polyvinyl acetate. Forms copolymers. Used as a size in the textile industry, in aqueous adhesives, in the production of polyvinyl acetates (e.g. butynal) for safety glasses. U.S. production 1980... 

N-Benzylamides are recommended when the corresponding acid is liquid and/or water-soluble so that it cannot itself serve as a derivative. Phe benzylamides derived from the simple fatty acids or their esters are not altogether satisfactory (see Table below) those derived from most hydroxy-acids and from poly basic acids or their esters are formed in good yield and are easily purified. The esters of aromatic acids yield satisfactory derivatives but the method must compete with the equally simple process of hydrolysis and precipitation of the free acid, an obvious derivative when the acid is a solid. The procedure fails with esters of keto, sul phonic, inorganic and some halogenated aliphatic esters. 

Mono- and di saccharides are colourless solids or sjrrupy liquids, which are freely soluble in water, practically insoluble in ether and other organic solvents, and neutral in reaction. Polysaccharides possess similar properties, but are generally insoluble in water because of their high molecular weights. Both poly- and di-saccharides are converted into monosaccharides upon hydrolysis. 

Poly(acrylic acid) and Poly(methacrylic acid). Poly(acryHc acid) (8) (PAA) may be prepared by polymerization of the monomer with conventional free-radical initiators using the monomer either undiluted (36) (with cross-linker for superadsorber appHcations) or in aqueous solution. Photochemical polymerization (sensitized by benzoin) of methyl acrylate in ethanol solution at —78° C provides a syndiotactic form (37) that can be hydrolyzed to syndiotactic PAA. From academic studies, alkaline hydrolysis of the methyl ester requires a lower time than acid hydrolysis of the polymeric ester, and can lead to oxidative degradation of the polymer (38). Po1y(meth acrylic acid) (PMAA) (9) is prepared only by the direct polymerization of the acid monomer it is not readily obtained by the hydrolysis of methyl methacrylate. 

About half of the wodd production comes from methanol carbonylation and about one-third from acetaldehyde oxidation. Another tenth of the wodd capacity can be attributed to butane—naphtha Hquid-phase oxidation. Appreciable quantities of acetic acid are recovered from reactions involving peracetic acid. Precise statistics on acetic acid production are compHcated by recycling of acid from cellulose acetate and poly(vinyl alcohol) production. Acetic acid that is by-product from peracetic acid [79-21-0] is normally designated as virgin acid, yet acid from hydrolysis of cellulose acetate or poly(vinyl acetate) is designated recycle acid. Indeterrninate quantities of acetic acid are coproduced with acetic anhydride from coal-based carbon monoxide and unknown amounts are bartered or exchanged between corporations as a device to lessen transport costs. 

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). 

Many of these reactions are reversible, and for the stronger nucleophiles they usually proceed the fastest. Typical examples are the addition of ammonia, amines, phosphines, and bisulfite. Alkaline conditions permit the addition of mercaptans, sulfides, ketones, nitroalkanes, and alcohols to acrylamide. Good examples of alcohol reactions are those involving polymeric alcohols such as poly(vinyl alcohol), cellulose, and starch. The alkaline conditions employed with these reactions result in partial hydrolysis of the amide, yielding mixed carbamojdethyl and carboxyethyl products. 

Under conditions of extreme acidity or alkalinity, acryhc ester polymers can be made to hydroly2e to poly(acryhc acid) or an acid salt and the corresponding alcohol. However, acryhc polymers and copolymers have a greater resistance to both acidic and alkaline hydrolysis than competitive poly(vinyl acetate) and vinyl acetate copolymers. Even poly(methyl acrylate), the most readily hydroly2ed polymer of the series, is more resistant to alkah than poly(vinyl acetate) (57). Butyl acrylate copolymers are more hydrolytically stable than ethyl acrylate copolymers (58). 

Emulsion Adhesives. The most widely used emulsion-based adhesive is that based upon poly(vinyl acetate)—poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers formed by free-radical polymerization in an emulsion system. Poly(vinyl alcohol) is typically formed by hydrolysis of the poly(vinyl acetate). The properties of the emulsion are derived from the polymer employed in the polymerization as weU as from the system used to emulsify the polymer in water. The emulsion is stabilized by a combination of a surfactant plus a coUoid protection system. The protective coUoids are similar to those used paint (qv) to stabilize latex. For poly(vinyl acetate), the protective coUoids are isolated from natural gums and ceUulosic resins (carboxymethylceUulose or hydroxyethjdceUulose). The hydroHzed polymer may also be used. The physical properties of the poly(vinyl acetate) polymer can be modified by changing the co-monomer used in the polymerization. Any material which is free-radically active and participates in an emulsion polymerization can be employed. Plasticizers (qv), tackifiers, viscosity modifiers, solvents (added to coalesce the emulsion particles), fillers, humectants, and other materials are often added to the adhesive to meet specifications for the intended appHcation. Because the presence of foam in the bond line could decrease performance of the adhesion joint, agents that control the amount of air entrapped in an adhesive bond must be added. Biocides are also necessary many of the materials that are used to stabilize poly(vinyl acetate) emulsions are natural products. Poly(vinyl acetate) adhesives known as "white glue" or "carpenter s glue" are available under a number of different trade names. AppHcations are found mosdy in the area of adhesion to paper and wood (see Vinyl polymers). 

Dry chlorine has a great affinity for absorbing moisture, and wet chlorine is extremely corrosive, attacking most common materials except HasteUoy C, titanium, and tantalum. These metals are protected from attack by the acids formed by chlorine hydrolysis because of surface oxide films on the metal. Tantalum is the preferred constmction material for service with wet and dry chlorine. Wet chlorine gas is handled under pressure using fiberglass-reinforced plastics. Rubber-lined steel is suitable for wet chlorine gas handling up to 100°C. At low pressures and low temperatures PVC, chlorinated PVC, and reinforced polyester resins are also used. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly(vinyhdene fluoride) (PVDE), and... 

Poly(ethylene oxide). The synthesis and subsequent hydrolysis and condensation of alkoxysilane-terniinated macromonomers have been studied (39,40). Using Si-nmr and size-exclusion chromatography (sec) the evolution of the siUcate stmctures on the alkoxysilane-terniinated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomers of controlled functionahty was observed. Also, the effect of vitrification upon the network cross-link density of the developing inorganic—organic hybrid using percolation and mean-field theory was considered. 

Almost all synthetic binders are prepared by an emulsion polymerization process and are suppHed as latexes which consist of 48—52 wt % polymer dispersed in water (101). The largest-volume binder is styrene—butadiene copolymer [9003-55-8] (SBR) latex. Most SBRlatexes are carboxylated, ie, they contain copolymerized acidic monomers. Other latex binders are based on poly(vinyl acetate) [9003-20-7] and on polymers of acrylate esters. Poly(vinyl alcohol) is a water-soluble, synthetic biader which is prepared by the hydrolysis of poly(viayl acetate) (see Latex technology Vinyl polymers). 

Many other polymerization processes have been patented, but only some of them appear to be developed or under development ia 1996. One large-scale process uses an acid montmorrillonite clay and acetic anhydride (209) another process uses strong perfiuorosulfonic acid reski catalysts (170,210). The polymerization product ia these processes is a poly(tetramethylene ether) with acetate end groups, which have to be removed by alkaline hydrolysis (211) or hydrogenolysis (212). If necessary, the product is then neutralized, eg, with phosphoric acid (213), and the salts removed by filtration. Instead of montmorrillonite clay, other acidic catalysts can be used, such as EuUer s earth or zeoHtes (214—216). 

Poly(lactide-coglycolide). Mixtures of lactide and glycolide monomers have been copolymerised in an effort to extend the range of polymer properties and rates of in vivo absorption. Poly(lactide- (9-glycolide) polymers undergo a simple hydrolysis degradation mechanism, which is sensitive to both pH and the presence of ensymes (32). 

The metabohc rate of poly(ester—amide) where x = Q has been studied in rats using carbon-14 labeled polymer. This study indicates that polymer degradation occurs as a result of hydrolysis of the ester linkages whereas the amide linkages remain relatively stable in vivo. Most of the radioactivity is excreted by urine in the form of unchanged amidediol monomer, the polymer hydrolysis product (51). 

Poly(orthoesters) represent the first class of bioerodible polymers designed specifically for dmg deUvery appHcations (52). In vivo degradation of the polyorthoester shown, known as the Al amer degradation, yields 1,4-cydohexanedimethanol and 4-hydroxybutyric acid as hydrolysis products (53). 

Reaction of olefin oxides (epoxides) to produce poly(oxyalkylene) ether derivatives is the etherification of polyols of greatest commercial importance. Epoxides used include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and epichl orohydrin. The products of oxyalkylation have the same number of hydroxyl groups per mole as the starting polyol. Examples include the poly(oxypropylene) ethers of sorbitol (130) and lactitol (131), usually formed in the presence of an alkaline catalyst such as potassium hydroxide. Reaction of epichl orohydrin and isosorbide leads to the bisglycidyl ether (132). A polysubstituted carboxyethyl ether of mannitol has been obtained by the interaction of mannitol with acrylonitrile followed by hydrolysis of the intermediate cyanoethyl ether (133). 

Poly(vinyl alcohol) used to manufacture the poly(vinyl acetal)s is made from poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymer (see Vinyl polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers Vinyl POLYMERS, vinyl acetate polymers). Hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymer produces a polyol with predominandy 1,3-glycol units. The polyol also contains up to 2 wt % 1,2-glycol units that come from head-to-head bonding during the polymeri2ation of vinyl acetate monomer. Poly(vinyl acetate) hydrolysis is seldom complete, and for some appHcations, not desired. For example, commercial PVF resins may contain up to 13 wt % unhydroly2ed poly(vinyl acetate). Residual vinyl acetate units on the polymer help improve resin solubiHty and processibiHty (15). On the other hand, the poly(vinyl alcohol) preferred for commercial PVB resins has less than 3 wt % residual poly(vinyl acetate) units on the polymer chain. 

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