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Solid state interchain transesterification reactions in macromolecules
Author(s) -
Economy J.,
Schneggenburger L. A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19981280103
Subject(s) - copolyester , transesterification , polyester , materials science , thermosetting polymer , ethylene glycol , oligomer , macromolecule , polymer chemistry , polymer science , polyethylene terephthalate , polymer , polyethylene glycol , organic chemistry , chemical engineering , methanol , chemistry , composite material , biochemistry , engineering
Interchain transesterification reactions (ITR) play an important role in high temperature synthesis of most linear polyesters. For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is prepared commercially by heating and distillation of ethylene glycol from a glycol capped oligomer of PET. In this paper, the potential importance of ITR to effect a much wider range of reactions and process is examined. For example, the ability to control the sequence distribution in linear copolyesters is described. In particular, it is shown that one can induce a random sequence distribution in copolyesters by ITR or, conversely, develop an ordered sequence from a random copolyester again by ITR. In one family of liquid crystalline copolyesters an unusual competition between ordering and a thermal Fries rearrangement is described. A whole new family of crosslinked copolyesters has been developed based on this knowledge of ITR. Solid state processing of cured copolyesters into finished articles by ITR has also been demonstrated. These crosslinked copolyesters can be depolymerized back to the starting oligomers by a reverse ITR, providing for the first time a recyclable thermosetting resin.