Synthesis of Poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-isophthalate) by Copolymerization of Ethylene Isophthalate Cyclic Dimer and Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Ethylene isophthalate cyclic dimer (EI c-2mer) and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) were successfully copolymerized in the bulk state by microwave heating to give a polymer with M w > 20000. Terminal functionalities of the copolymers obtained were investigated by the MALDI-TOF mass analysis technique. The first stage of the copolymerization reaction involves homopolymerization of BHET. In the second stage, reactive end-group of poly(ethylene terephthalate) or BHET itself can attack the EI c-2mer and gradually produce an EI-terminated copolymer. In the third stage, the propagation reaction of EI-terminated copolymer occurs through the three types of elementary reaction route.

Microwave‐Assisted Polymer Synthesis: Recent Developments in a Rapidly Expanding Field of Research

“…The mechanical properties of the prepared composites were proportional to the molecular weight of the copolymers and not to the amount of dispersed particles. Nagahata et al have successfully explored a novel route for the synthesis of poly[(ethylene terephthalate)‐ stat ‐isophthalate] starting from an ethylene isophthalate cyclic dimer and bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate under microwave irradiation 59. However, the influence of microwave heating on this polymerization was not addressed in the current study.…”

A Rapid Eco‐Friendly Synthesis of Poly(butylene succinate) by a Direct Polyesterification under Microwave Irradiation

“…This catalyst has already been successfully used as a transesterification catalyst in the synthesis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly[(ethylene terephthalate)-co-isophthalate] by us. [7,9] We report here our findings on the effect of microwave irradiation on the polyesterification reaction, which has resulted in the dramatic increase in the rate of the reaction. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the microwave-assisted direct synthesis of polyesters.…”

“…[6] It offers a clean, cheap, and convenient method of heating, which often results in higher yields and shorter reaction times. Earlier, we used this technology for the synthesis of aromatic polyesters [7] and polycarbonates. [8] Hence we focused our attention towards the microwave-assisted synthesis of PBS using 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetrabutyldistannoxane as catalyst ( Figure 1).…”

Recent developments in microwave-assisted polymerization with a focus on ring-opening polymerization

“…Besides the copolymers containing CL or 2-oxazolines, MROCP of ethylene isophthalate cyclic dimer (EI c-2mer) and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) in bulk was also reported. 52 Poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-isophthalate) with M w . 20 000 g mol 21 was obtained, and the polymerization mechanisms were investigated by the MALDI-TOF MS.…”