Polycarbonate synthesis by the melt phase carbonate-ester interchange reaction of bisphenol-a diacetate with dimethyl carbonate

Abstract

The molecular weight of polycarbonate formed by the carbonate-ester interchange reaction of bisphenol-A diacetate (BPAC₂) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was found to depend on the composition of the oligomer formed in its first stage. At a [DMC] : [BPAC₂] ratio of 2, an oligomer with relatively higher acetate end group concentration was formed. This upon further polycondensation yielded a polycarbonate of inherent viscosity, 0.2-0.25 dL/g. Upon addition of DMC at a later stage in the oligomer-forming reaction, an oligomer containing relatively higher carbonate end groups could be obtained. These oligomers gave polycarbonates higher inherent viscosity, 0.4-0.5 dL/g. It is therefore proposed that oligomers having carbonate end groups are more reactive in self-polycondensation than those containing acetate end groups.