Kinetics for the catalyzed formation of poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN) by various metal compounds

The catalyzed transesterification between dimethyl 2,6-naphthalate and ethylene glycol and polycondensation of bis (2-hydroxyethyl) naphthalate have been investigated in the presence of various metal compounds as catalysts. The effect of the nature and concentration of these catalysts on both reactions has been studied. The observed overall rate of the transesterification was third order; first order with respect to dimethyl 2,6-naphthalate, ethylene glycol, and the catalyst including initial concentration of catalyst, respectively. The decreasing order in catalytic activity on the transesterification was the order of Pb(II) > Zn(II) > Mn(II) > Co(II) > Ti(IV) > Sn(II) > Mg(II) > Ca(II) > Na(I) > Sb(III). And also, the decreasing order in catalytic activity on the polycondensation was found to be Ti(IV) > mixtures of Ti(IV) and Sb(III) > Sn(II) > Sb(III) > Co(II) > Zn(II) > Pb(II) > Mn(II) > Mg(II). © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.