SynopsisEquilibrium acid concentrations, [Ae], were determined in butylene adipate and caprolactone polyesters, of low molecular weight, and in thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers based on these polyesters. Values of [Ae] of the polyesters a t 85°C were 0.7,1.3, and 3-4 X mol/g a t relativehumidities (RH) of 25%,50%, and 93%, respectively.[Ae] of the thermoplastic elastomers a t 85°Cwere about 3 and 7 X lop4 mol/g at 10% and 25% RH, respectively. Values of [Ae] were not very dependent on temperature at constant RH. Equilibrated thermoplastic elastomers had low molecular weights and poor physical properties. Consequently, equilibration does not set a practical limit on hydrolytic degradation, even a t low RH. Equations were developed that described the variation in acid content with time. Rate constants for hydrolysis and esterification increased as RH decreased. Reesterification in the elastomers in the absence of water is too slow to be a useful method of decreasing hydrolytic damage.
Polystyrene was sulfonated with sulfur trioxide–triethyl phosphate complexes in dichloroethane, the object being to prepare polystyrene sulfonates substantially free of sulfone links between polymer chains. Variations in the sulfone content with reaction conditions were conveniently followed by exclusion chromatography, the sulfone peak appearing at about twice the molecular weight of the main peak. The desired products were obtained from polystyrenes with molecular weights between 1.1 × 105 and 8.7 × 105 by using (at −20 to +25°C) a 5:1 excess of a 1.5:1 complex, the last at a concentration of 0.5M. Completely soluble polystyrene sulfonate was also obtained from polystyrene of molecular weight 2.05 × 106. Requirements for the successful use of the 1.5:1 complex include careful purification of the dichloroethane and, if 2 g or more polystyrene is to be sulfonated, formation of the complex at −20°C. A method is given for measuring the sulfonating capability of the reagent before adding the polymer.
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