Vinyl acetate, from decomposition

The most common polymer of a vinyl ester is poly(vinyl acetate), CAS 9003-20-7, with the formula [-CH2CH(OC(0)CH3)-]n. Other vinyl esters also are known, such as poly(vinyl butyrate), poly(vinyl benzoate) CAS 24991-32-0, and poly(vinyltrifluoroacetate), CAS 25748-85-0. Poly(vinyl acetate) is typically obtained from the monomer with radical initiators, either by emulsion or suspension polymerization. The polymer Is used in water-based emulsion paints, adhesives [22], gum base for chewing gum, etc. Also, poly(vinyl acetate) is used as a precursor for the preparation of other polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) or poly(vinyl acetals). Thermal decomposition of poly(vinyl acetate) starts at a relatively low temperature, around 200° C, some of the reports regarding its thermal decomposition being given in Table 6.5.8 [13]. The same table includes references for poly(vinyl butyrate) and poly(vinyl cinnamate), CAS 9050-06-0. 

Intermediate 37 can be transformed into ( )-thienamycin [( )-1)] through a sequence of reactions nearly identical to that presented in Scheme 3 (see 22— 1). Thus, exposure of /(-keto ester 37 to tosyl azide and triethylamine results in the facile formation of pure, crystalline diazo keto ester 4 in 65 % yield from 36 (see Scheme 5). Rhodium(n) acetate catalyzed decomposition of 4, followed by intramolecular insertion of the resultant carbene 3 into the proximal N-H bond, affords [3.2.0] bicyclic keto ester 2. Without purification, 2 is converted into enol phosphate 42 and thence into vinyl sulfide 23 (76% yield from 4).18 Finally, catalytic hydrogenation of 23 proceeds smoothly (90%) to afford ( )-thienamycin... 

At pressures above 25 Mpa and temperatures above 250°C, vinyl acetate admixture destabilises ethylene and increases the maximum explosion pressure from its decomposition. 

An example of the vinylogous reactivity is the reaction of 52 with cyclopentadiene (Tab. 14.9) [77]. Rhodium(II) acetate-catalyzed decomposition of 52 in dichloro-methane, yields a 2 1 mixture of the bicyclic system 53 derived from the [3-1-4] cycloaddition, and the bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene 54 resulting from electrophihc attack at the vinylic position followed by ring closure. When Rh2(TFA)4 is used as the catalyst, bicy-clo[2.2.1]heptene 54 becomes the dominant product, while the reactivity of the vinyl terminus is suppressed using a hydrocarbon solvent as observed in the Rh2(OOct)4-cat-alyzed reaction in pentane, which affords a 50 1 ratio of products favoring the [3-1-4] cycloadduct 53. 

Co-monomers can reduce or increase the critical temperature for runaway and decomposition. As an example, the influence of vinyl acetate, which is often used as a comonomer in the high-pressure polymerization of ethylene, is shown in Fig. 7.2-4. For this purpose, the critical temperature for decomposition during runaway from polymerization is... 

However, if in nonaqueous solutions (discussed next) the oxidations also proceed through oxypalladation adducts, then the two mechanisms of decomposition of the oxypalladation adducts would predict diflFerent products. First, let us consider the mechanism of Jira, Sedlmeier, and Smidt (Reactions 50-53). In this case OH in II (Reaction 52) is replaced by OR. Decomposition via Reaction 55 is impossible, so II must decompose by solvolysis. This would give 1,1-disubstituted ethanes from ethylene oxidation. On the other hand, the first suggestion (Reaction 48) would probably be more consistent with formation of the vinyl compounds since hydride elimination should be completed if a rapid rearrangement of electrons to give acetaldehyde cannot occur. Evidence exists that 1,1-disubstituted ethanes are the initial products in methanol, and in acetic acid it is claimed that both vinyl acetate and 1,1-diace-toxyethane are initial products this suggests that in this solvent competition exists between palladium (II) hydride elimination and acetate attack. However, until now there have been no detailed studies of the oxidation under conditions where 1,1-disubstituted products are formed. More work is needed before the course of the reaction under these conditions is completely understood. 

Pd (II) in acetic acid oxidizes ethylene mainly to vinyl acetate. This is the product expected from Pd( II)-hydride elimination from an oxy-palladation adduct. However, 1,1-diacetoxyethane has been reported to be a primary product under some conditions (33). Thus, as discussed above, decomposition of the adduct may not occur by simple Pd(II)-hydride elimination. 

Thus Pavllnec (26) detected grafting in a thermally degrading mixture of PP and poly(vinyl acetate) and Mlzutanl (19) found it In degrading mixtures of PP with PMMA, polystyrene and some related polymers. On the other hand McNeill and Nell (13) have shown that chlorine atoms from degrading poly(vlnyl chloride) are responsible for the accelerated decomposition of PMMA In mixtures of the two. 

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