Model for predicting the composition of copolyesters: Polymerization of terephthalic acid, 2,2′-oxydiethanol,and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol

Copolyesters of two glycols and a dicarboxylic acid moiety are frequently made to obtain specific physical properties. In the synthesis of these polymers an excess of glycol is used in the ester-exchange reaction and then removed during the polycondensation reaction to form a high-molecular-weight product. A model has been developed to predict the final polymer composition. The derivation is based on equilibria of reaction species (free glycol, polymer chain ends, and ester links) and the relative vapor pressures of the two reacting glycols. Calculated results are compared with experimental results of poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene: 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene terephthalate)s. There is good agreement between calculated and experimental compositions. The model can be used to calculate the glycol concentrations that must be used to make a specific polymer composition. This model should also be useful in the calculation of other mole ratios of glycol to dicarboxylic acid that will make the same composition.