Vinylic polymers

Section 1117 Polystyrene is a widely used vinyl polymer prepared by the free radical polymerization of styrene... 

For most vinyl polymers, head-to-tail addition is the dominant mode of addition. Variations from this generalization become more common for polymerizations which are carried out at higher temperatures. Head-to-head addition is also somewhat more abundant in the case of halogenated monomers such as vinyl chloride. The preponderance of head-to-tail additions is understood to arise from a combination of resonance and steric effects. In many cases the ionic or free-radical reaction center occurs at the substituted carbon due to the possibility of resonance stabilization or electron delocalization through the substituent group. Head-to-tail attachment is also sterically favored, since the substituent groups on successive repeat units are separated by a methylene... 

Figure 1.10 Helical conformations in polymer molecules, (a) A vinyl polymer with R substituents has three repeat units per turn, (b) The a helix of the protein molecule is stabilized by hydrogen bonding. [From R. B. Corey and L. Pauling,/ end. Inst. Lombardo Sci. 89 10 (1955).]...

In addition to existing as helices in crystals, there is evidence that certain vinyl polymers also show some degree of regular alternation between trans and gauche conformations in solution. In solution, the chain is free from the sort of environmental constraints that operate in a crystal, so the length of the helical sequence in a dissolved isotactic vinyl polymer may be relatively short. 

The special stability of the helix with three repeat units per turn for isotactic vinyl polymers in which the substituent is not too large was discussed in connection with Fig. 1.10a. Rodriguez has suggested a simple paper model which is also helpful in illustrating this structure. The following steps summarize this method additional details are available in this readily accessible reference. 

Vinyl polymers cross-linked with divinyl monomers, for example, polystyrene polymerized in the presence of divinyl benzene. 

AH the common monobasic (107) and dibasic esters (108) of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol have been prepared by conventional techniques the dibasic esters and some of the mono esters are effective as primary or secondary plasticizers for vinyl polymers. Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate [2399-48-6] and methacrjiate [2455-24-5] specialty monomers, have been produced by carbonylation (nickel carbonyl and acetylene) of the alcohol (109) as weU as by direct esterification (110—112) and ester interchange (111). 

This monomer polymerizes faster ia 50% water than it does ia bulk (35), an abnormaHty iaconsistent with general polymerization kinetics. This may be due to a complex with water that activates the monomer it may also be related to the impurities ia the monomer (eg, acetaldehyde, 1-methyl pyrroHdone, and 2-pyrroHdone) that are difficult to remove and that would be diluted and partitioned ia a 50% aqueous media (see Vinyl polymers, A/-VINYLAMIDE POLYPffiRS). 

Resin and Polymer Solvent. Dimethylacetamide is an exceUent solvent for synthetic and natural resins. It readily dissolves vinyl polymers, acrylates, ceUulose derivatives, styrene polymers, and linear polyesters. Because of its high polarity, DMAC has been found particularly useful as a solvent for polyacrylonitrile, its copolymers, and interpolymers. Copolymers containing at least 85% acrylonitrile dissolve ia DMAC to form solutions suitable for the production of films and yams (9). DMAC is reportedly an exceUent solvent for the copolymers of acrylonitrile and vinyl formate (10), vinylpyridine (11), or aUyl glycidyl ether (12). 

Liquid- and vapor-phase processes have been described the latter appear to be advantageous. Supported cadmium, zinc, or mercury salts are used as catalysts. In 1963 it was estimated that 85% of U.S. vinyl acetate capacity was based on acetylene, but it has been completely replaced since about 1982 by newer technology using oxidative addition of acetic acid to ethylene (2) (see Vinyl polymers). In western Europe production of vinyl acetate from acetylene stiU remains a significant commercial route. 

Once the principal route to vinyl chloride, in all but a few percent of current U.S. capacity this has been replaced by dehydrochlorination of ethylene dichloride. A combined process in which hydrogen chloride cracked from ethylene dichloride was added to acetylene was advantageous but it is rarely used because processes to oxidize hydrogen chloride to chlorine with air or oxygen are cheaper (7) (see Vinyl polymers). 

Uses. Union Carbide consumes its vinyl ether production in the manufacture of glutaraldehyde [111-30-8J. BASF and GAF consume most of their production as monomers (see Vinyl polymers). In addition to the homopolymers, the copolymer of methyl vinyl ether with maleic anhydride is of particular interest. 

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). 

Vinal fibers, or poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers, are not made in the United States, but the fiber is produced commercially in Japan, Korea, and China where the generic name vinylon is used. These materials are the subject of this article (see also Vinyl polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers). 

Water-Soluble Films. Water-soluble films can be produced from such polymers as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), methylceUulose, poly(ethylene oxide), or starch (qv) (see Cellulose ethers Polyethers Vinyl polymers). Water-soluble films are used for packaging and dispensing portions of detergents, bleaches, and dyes. A principal market is disposable laundry bags for hospital use. Disposal packaging for herbicides and insecticides is an emerging use. 

Cblorina.ted Pa.ra.ffins, The term chlotinated paraffins covers a variety of compositions. The prime variables are molecular weight of the starting paraffin and the chlorine content of the final product. Typical products contain from 12—24 carbons and from 40—70 wt % chlorine. Liquid chlotinated paraffins are used as plasticizers (qv) and flame retardants ia paint (qv) and PVC formulations. The soHd materials are used as additive flame retardants ia a variety of thermoplastics. In this use, they are combiaed with antimony oxide which acts as a synergist. Thermal stabilizers, such as those used ia PVC (see vinyl polymers), must be used to overcome the inherent thermal iastabiUty. 

In the case of poly(vinyl chloride) plastics, the FWA is mixed dry with the PVC powder before processing or dissolved in the plasticising agent (see Vinyl polymers). Polystyrene, acrylonitrile—butadiene—styrene (ABS), and polyolefin granulates are powdered with FWA prior to extmsion (2,78) (see... 

Chemical Stabilization Processes. This method is more versatile and thus has been used successfully for more materials than the physical stabilization process. Chemical stabilization is more adaptable for condensation polymers than for vinyl polymers because of the fast yet controUable curing reactions and the absence of atmospheric inhibition. 

One method (116) of producing cellular polymers from a variety of latexes uses primarily latexes of carboxylated styrene—butadiene copolymers, although other elastomers such as acryUc elastomers, nitrile mbber, and vinyl polymers can be employed. 

Raw Materials. PVC is inherently a hard and brittle material and very sensitive to heat it thus must be modified with a variety of plasticizers, stabilizers, and other processing aids to form heat-stable flexible or semiflexible products or with lesser amounts of these processing aids for the manufacture of rigid products (see Vinyl polymers, vinyl chloride polymers). Plasticizer levels used to produce the desired softness and flexibihty in a finished product vary between 25 parts per hundred (pph) parts of PVC for flooring products to about 80—100 pph for apparel products (245). Numerous plasticizers (qv) are commercially available for PVC, although dioctyl phthalate (DOP) is by far the most widely used in industrial appHcations due to its excellent properties and low cost. For example, phosphates provide improved flame resistance, adipate esters enhance low temperature flexibihty, polymeric plasticizers such as glycol adipates and azelates improve the migration resistance, and phthalate esters provide compatibiUty and flexibihty (245). 

Heat stabilizers protect polymers from the chemical degrading effects of heat or uv irradiation. These additives include a wide variety of chemical substances, ranging from purely organic chemicals to metallic soaps to complex organometaUic compounds. By far the most common polymer requiring the use of heat stabilizers is poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). However, copolymers of PVC, chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC), poly(vinyhdene chloride) (PVDC), and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), also benefit from this technology. Without the use of heat stabilizers, PVC could not be the widely used polymer that it is, with worldwide production of nearly 16 million metric tons in 1991 alone (see Vinyl polymers). 

Vinylation. Acetylene adds weak acids across the triple bond to give a wide variety of vinyl derivatives. Alcohols or phenols give vinyl ethers and carboxyHc acids yield vinyl esters (see Vinyl polymers). 

Vinyl acetate (ethenyl acetate) is produced in the vapor-phase reaction at 180—200°C of acetylene and acetic acid over a cadmium, 2inc, or mercury acetate catalyst. However, the palladium-cataly2ed reaction of ethylene and acetic acid has displaced most of the commercial acetylene-based units (see Acetylene-DERIVED chemicals Vinyl polymers). Current production is dependent on the use of low cost by-product acetylene from ethylene plants or from low cost hydrocarbon feeds. 

New photochromic dyes with electrocycHc reactions have been proposed on the basis of 1,5-electtocycHzation of heterogenous pentadienyl—anions (124). StiH newer are investigations into the photocycHzation of 2,4,6-tri-isoptopylbenzophenones for vinyl polymers ia the glassy state (133). 

---