KINETIC-ANALYSIS OF THE REACTION NETWORK IN THE CATALYZED POLYESTERIFICATION OF UNSATURATED CARBOXYLIC-ACIDS

A generally applicable model was developed for the kinetic analysis of the reaction network in the polyesterification of unsaturated dicarbo xylic acids with diols in the presence of homogeneous acid catalysts. The network consists of the esterification reactions as well as the si de reactions, i.e. the cis-trans isomerization and the double bond sat uration reactions. Rate equations based on plausible reaction mechanis ms were derived and the parameters of the rate equations were determin ed, with non-linear regresssion analysis using the polyesterification of maleic acid with propylene glycol at 140-190 degrees C as a demonst ration system. Comparisons of the model predictions with the experimen tal data showed that the approach provides a reasonable description of the polyesterification network.