| Abstract: | The synthesis of vinyl phenyl acetate, by an ester interchange reaction between phenyl acetic acid and vinyl acetate and utilizing a catalyst, is described. Copolymerization with vinyl chloride, in a suspension system and using a peroxide catalyst, is described on a laboratory and pilot plant scale. Monomer/copolymer compositions, for an initial charge consisting of vinyl chloride/vinyl phenyl acetate (80/20 by weight) are presented over a range of conversions, as an indication of reactivity ratios. Discs, molded from unstabilized copolymers, show very good clarity and color stability, which improve with increased comonomer loading. Some retention of unpolymerized vinyl phenyl acetate monomer occurred, and some increase in softening points resulted following two reprecipitations from acetone into excess methanol. Compound from a 96/4 vinyl chloride/vinyl phenyl acetate copolymer has better color stability than does an equivalent vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride copolymer compound. The enhanced color and heat stability of the copolymers is attributed to the aromatic character of the comonomer vinyl phenyl acetate. |
