Trioxane, formaldehyde polymer Depolymerization

Tn the cationic polymerization and copolymerization of trioxane in the - melt or in solution, an induction period usually exists, during which no solid polymer is formed and the reaction medium remains clear. Nevertheless, reactions are known to occur during this period. By using BF3 or an ether ate as catalyst, in homopolymerization, Kern and Jaacks (I) reported the formation of formaldehyde via depolymerization of polyoxymethylene cations. 

Paraformaldehyde [30525-89-4] is a mixture of polyoxymethylene glycols, H0(CH20) H, with n from 8 to as much as 100. It is commercially available as a powder (95%) and as flake (91%). The remainder is a mixture of water and methanol. Paraformaldehyde is an unstable polymer that easily regenerates formaldehyde in solution. Under alkaline conditions, the chains depolymerize from the ends, whereas in acid solution the chains are randomly cleaved (17). Paraformaldehyde is often used when the presence of a large amount of water should be avoided as in the preparation of alkylated amino resins for coatings. Formaldehyde may also exist in the form of the cycHc trimer trioxane [110-88-3]. This is a fairly stable compound that does not easily release formaldehyde, hence it is not used as a source of formaldehyde for making amino resins. 

The polymer also can be made from trioxane (the trimer of formaldehyde), usually as a copolymer with ethylene oxide. The —CH2CH2— fragments in the copolymer chain prevent depolymerization acetal copolymer was developed by Celanese (10). 

The details of the commercial preparation of acetal homo- and copolymers are discussed later. One aspect of the polymerization so pervades the chemistry7 of the resulting polymers that familiarity with it is a prerequisite for understanding the chemistry of the polymers, the often subtle differences between homo- and copolymers, and the difficulties which had to be overcome to make the polymers commercially useful. The ionic polymerizations of formaldehyde and trioxane are equilibrium reactions. Unless suitable measures are taken, polymer will begin to revert to monomeric formaldehyde at processing temperatures by depolymerization (called unzipping) which begins at chain ends. 

Details of the procedures used in the preparation of commercial formaldehyde copolymers have not been fully disclosed. The principal monomer is trioxan and the second monomer is a cyclic ether such as ethylene oxide, 1,3-dioxolane or an oxetane ethylene oxide appears to be the preferred comonomer and is used at a level of about 2%. Boron trifluoride (or its etherate) is apparently the most satisfactory initiator, although many cationic initiators are effective anionic and free radical initiators are not effective. The reaction is carried out in bulk. The rapid solidification of the polymer requires a reactor fitted with a powerful stirrer to reduce particle size and permit adequate temperature control. The copolymer is then heated at 100°C with aqueous ammonia in this step, chain-ends are depolymerized to the copolymer units to give a thermally-stable product. The polymer is filtered off and dried prior to stabilizer incorporation, extrusion and granulation. 

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