EVIDENCE FOR THE FORMATION OF ETHER LINKAGES DURING THE SYNTHESIS OF POLY(ETHYLENE PHTHALATE)

C-13-NMR, both solution and solid-state (CP/MAS) and H-1-NMR evidence for the formation of ether linkages during the synthesis and thermal d egradation of poly(ethylene phthalate) is presented. The facile elimin ation of phthalic anhydride is evident during the polymerization of di methyl phthalate and ethylene glycol and is characterized by FTIR and HPLC. Qualitative analysis of elimination products did not detect acet aldehyde, an expected product of the thermal degradation of polyesters , at the reaction temperature employed.