Propylene glycol, styrene

Uses. About 35% of the isophthahc acid is used to prepare unsaturated polyester resins. These are condensation products of isophthahc acid, an unsaturated dibasic acid, most likely maleic anhydride, and a glycol such as propylene glycol. The polymer is dissolved in an inhibited vinyl monomer, usually styrene with a quinone inhibitor. When this viscous hquid is treated with a catalyst, heat or free-radical initiation causes cross-linking and sohdification. A range of properties is possible depending on the reactants used and their ratios (97). 

The properties of polymers formed by the step growth esterification (1) of glycols and dibasic acids can be manipulated widely by the choice of coreactant raw materials (Table 1) (2). The reactivity fundamental to the majority of commercial resins is derived from maleic anhydride [108-31-6] (MAN) as the unsaturated component in the polymer, and styrene as the coreactant monomer. Propylene glycol [57-55-6] (PG) is the principal glycol used in most compositions, and (i9f2v (9)-phthahc anhydride (PA) is the principal dibasic acid incorporated to moderate the reactivity and performance of the final resins. 

Propylene oxide [75-56-9] (methyloxirane, 1,2-epoxypropane) is a significant organic chemical used primarily as a reaction intermediate for production of polyether polyols, propylene glycol, alkanolamines (qv), glycol ethers, and many other useful products (see Glycols). Propylene oxide was first prepared in 1861 by Oser and first polymerized by Levene and Walti in 1927 (1). Propylene oxide is manufactured by two basic processes the traditional chlorohydrin process (see Chlorohydrins) and the hydroperoxide process, where either / fZ-butanol (see Butyl alcohols) or styrene (qv) is a co-product. Research continues in an effort to develop a direct oxidation process to be used commercially. 

Efficiency and pressure drop data for Siilzer BX metal gauze structured packing and for three test mixtures are shown in Fig. 14-7.5. For the ethyl benzene/styrene test mixture, the effect of operating pressure is shown. The high viscosity mixture, propylene glycoL/ethylene... 

The basic patent (US Patent 3256219) indicates that the system is viable with conventional resins although special grades have been developed that are said to be particularly suitable. One example in the patent recommends the use of a polyester prepared using a maleic acid, phthalic acid and propylene glycol ratio of 2 1 33 and with an acid value of 40. To 500g of such a resin are added 10g of benzoyl peroxide and 167 g of styrene. Water 600 g is then stirred in at 5-10°C until a white creamy water-in-oil emulsion is obtained. A solution of 0.8 g of dimethyl-p-toluidine in lOOg of styrene is stirred into the emulsion and the resin is cast between plates and cured at 50°C. 

As is often said, the simplest unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) is the condensation product of maleic anhydride and propylene glycol dissolved in styrene. 

An unsaturated polyester resin consists of a linear polyester whose chain contains double bonds and an unsaturated monomer such as styrene that copolymerizes with the polyester to provide a cross-linked product. The most common unsaturated polyester is made by step growth polymerization of propylene glycol with phthalic and maleic anhydrides. Subsequent treatment with styrene and a peroxide catalyst leads to a solid, infusible thermoset. 

Maleic and phthalic anhydrides with propylene glycol Cross-linked with free radical initiator and styrene... 

In this section we wiU consider the mechanism by which a harmless organic molecule can react with O2 at room temperature to form a potentially lethal system. Then we will discuss positive applications of this process, which are the primary processes by which such common chemicals such as acetone, phenol, isobutylene, styrene, and propylene glycol are made commercially. 

Thermoset polymeric esters consisting of neopentyl glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylol propane, adipic acid, maleic anhydride, and 2-ethyl hexanol were prepared by McAlvin et al. (3) and were used in blends containing styrene monomer. The mixture was cured by pultrusion and had improved weatherabil-ity characteristics. 

Polyol 3030 (6) Propyl acetate (iso-, n-) (13) Propylene glycol (6) Propylene glycol (6) Styrene (inhibited) (14) Acrylonitrile (inhibited) (14) Caustic soda solution (3) Acrylonitrile (inhibited) (14) Styrene (inhibited) (14) n-Butyl alcohol (6)... 

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. 

The distribution of styrene crosslinks in cured unsaturated polyesters based on maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol is found to be dependent on the molar ratio of styrene vs. maleic/fumaric unit. If the molar ratio is higher than 1, the dyad distribution is predominant lower molar ratios yield mostly styrene microdomains, i.e. n-ads with more than 2 styrene repeating units 232>. 

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