Polytetrahydrofuran

Polytetrahydrofuran, also called poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol or poly(tetramethylene oxide), is a chemical compound with formula (C
4H
8O)nOH2 or HO-(-(CH2)4O-)n-H. It can be viewed as a polymer of tetrahydrofuran, or as the polyether derived from 1,4-butanediol.

Poly(tetrahydrofuran)
Names
Other names
Poly(tetrahydrofuran), PolyTHF, polytetramethylene ether glycol, PTMEG, Terathane
Identifiers
ChemSpider
  • none
ECHA InfoCard 100.131.584
Properties
(C4H8O)n
Molar mass variable
Appearance white, waxy-like
Density 0.982 g/cm3 (30 °C)
Melting point 23 to 28 °C (73 to 82 °F; 296 to 301 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

The product is commercially available as polymers of low average molecular weights, between 250 and 3000 daltons. In this form it is a white waxy solid that melts between 20 and 30 °C. The commercial product can be processed further into polymers with molecular weights of 40,000 and higher.

The product is sold under various trade names including Terathane from Invista[1] and PolyTHF from BASF.[2] The BASF plant in Ludwigshafen at one point was producing 250,000 metric tons per year.[3]

Polytetrahyrofuran polyethylene glycol can be controlled for export from the U.S. under the Export Administration Regulations on the Commerce Control List and/or on export control regulations based on the Wassenaar Arrangement (ECCN: 1C111.b.5). Under these regulations export/transfer of the product may require a license or export authorization.

Applications
Terathane container owned by DuPont (before the business was sold to Invista).

The main use of polytetrahydrofuran is to make elastic fibers such as spandex (elastan) for stretchable fabrics[4] and for polyurethane resins. The latter are polyurethane prepolymers dissolved in solvent.[5] They are used in the manufacture of artificial leather. These elastomers are either polyurethanes made by reacting PTMEG with diisocyanates, or polyesters made by reacting PTMEG with diacids or their derivatives.[6]

The polymer is also a starting material for thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyesters, polyetheramide and cast polyurethane elastomers, used for instance in the wheels of roller skates and skateboards.

Synthesis
See also: Heteropoly acid

Polytetrahydrofuran is commonly prepared by acid-catalyzed polymerization of tetrahydrofuran.[4] The starting material is natural gas, which is converted to acetylene, then reacted with formaldehyde to make butynediol and then butanediol. The latter is turned into tetrahydrofuran by action of a catalyst and then polymerized.

PTMEG synthesis from THF
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References
  1. "Physical properties for the range of Terathane PTMEG polymers". Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  2. "BASF Intermediates". Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  3. "BASF: Global Player and Local Presence". Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  4. Pruckmayr, Gerfried; Dreyfuss, P.; Dreyfuss, M. P. (1996). "Polyethers, Tetrahydrofuran and Oxetane Polymers". Kirk‑Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  5. Ashford's Dictionary of Industrial Chemicals, third edition, 2011, page 7587
  6. "Uses of PTMEG polyols". Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
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