Rex Eugene Murray

New catalytic route to vinyl esters

Abstract Higher vinyl esters (RC(O)OCHCH 2 , R > CH 3 ) are highly desirable monomers which can be transformed into a wide variety of end use polymer products. Even so, industrial availability in the USA has been historically limited to products imported from Europe. Union Carbide is responding to this market need through the introduction of VYNATE TM and VYNEX TM vinyl ester monomers. A novel, commercially viable technology has been discovered and developed which promotes the vinyl ester interchange (transvinylation) between vinyl esters and numerous carboxylic acids. The properties of the catalyst offer performance advantages over prior art technologies using palladium and mercury catalysts. Several vinyl esters can be manufactured by this technology. Examples include VYNATE TM aliphatic vinyl esters and aromatic vinyl esters, and VYNEX TM multireactants such as divinyl diesters and vinyl alkenoates.