POLYCONDENSATION REACTION-KINETICS OF WHOLLY AROMATIC POLYESTERS

The kinetics of catalysed and uncatalysed acidolysis between hydroquin one diacetate-terephthalic acid (HT), hydroquinone diacetate-isophthal ic acid (HI) and resorcinol diacetate-terephthalic acid (RT) were inve stigated at 280, 290, 300, 310 and 320 degrees C. Two kinetic regimes were observed in the rate law plots. Kinetic behaviour in the two regi mes differed with the system. Simple second order rate law describes t he initial stage kinetics of these reactions most adequately. Activati on energy estimates indicate the presence of compensation effect in RT system. Oligomers isolated from HT and HI polyester samples display t hermotropic character. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.