Preparation of PET using homogeneous catalysts. II. Effect of BHPP, NPG and PD in Sb2O3 glycol solution catalysts

In the polycondensation reaction of polyethyleneterephthalate(PET), Sb₂O₃ can react effectively as a catalyst, if physically transformed. Sb₂O₃ powder is transformed into liquid solution by dissolving in ethylene glycol(EG). Homogeneous catalyst is made by mixing this liquid solution with glycols having different solubility. The efficient reaction of PET polymerization is expected by using homogeneous catalyst. PET was synthesized using homogeneous catalysts of 4 wt.% Sb₂O₃ solution dissolved in glycol[EG, 2,2-bis(4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenol)propane(BHPP), neopentyl glycol(NPG), and 1,3-propandiol(PD)]. PET using EG-BHPP(Sb₂O₃) catalysts shows the highest I.V. within a reaction time of 120 min. In the p-d analysis, PET using EG-BHPP(Sb₂O₃) catalysts has the fastest propagation rate and slowest degradation rate. EG-BHPP(Sb₂O₃) catalysts are more efficient than EG(Sb₂O₃) catalysts and Sb₂O₃ powder catalysts.