CA1051591A - Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid - Google Patents

Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid

Info

Publication number
CA1051591A
CA1051591A CA227,817A CA227817A CA1051591A CA 1051591 A CA1051591 A CA 1051591A CA 227817 A CA227817 A CA 227817A CA 1051591 A CA1051591 A CA 1051591A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
glycol
prepolymer
dicarboxylic acid
reaction product
bis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA227,817A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Henry L. King
John W. Mcgee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Monsanto Co
Original Assignee
Monsanto Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Monsanto Co filed Critical Monsanto Co
Priority to CA227,817A priority Critical patent/CA1051591A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1051591A publication Critical patent/CA1051591A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Fiber-forming cationic dyealble copolyesters are prepared continuously by reacting a low molecular weight glycol-dicarboxylic acid prepolymer having a carboxyl concentration of not more than 2000µeq/g and an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.10 with a glycol solution of a bis glycol ester of a difunctional aromatic compound possessing one or more metallo sulfonate groups and of such concentration that the resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1. 6; and non-continuously by reacting a low molecular weight glycol-dicarboxylic acid prepolymer having a carboxyl concentration of not more than 2000µ eq/g and an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.07 with a glycol solution of bis glycol ester of a difunctional aromatic com-pound possessing one or more metallo sulfonate groups and of such concentration that the resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6.

Description

~51~i9~ :
This invention relates to new and imprvved high molecular weight modified polyestexs. More particularly this invention relates to fiber-forming modified polyesters having improved dyeability and affinity for basic dyes, and to methods for making said modified polyesters.
Polymeric linear polyesters are readily prepared by heating together dihydric alcohols or functional derivatives thereof and dibasic carboxylic acids or polyester-forming derivatives thereof such as acid halides, salts, or simple esters of volatile alcohols. Highly polymerized polyesters can be formed into filaments, fibers, films and the like which can be permanently oriented. The most widely known and most important commercially of the polymeric polyesters is that prepared by the condensation of terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol. These polyester materials in drawn fiber or filament form cannot be satisfactorily dyed by the ordinary dyeing procedures used in dyeing cotton, wool, natural silk, and regenerated cellulose. It is recog-nized that unless the fiber-forming polyesters can be readily dyed by commercial dyeing processes, the utility of the polymer in the textile field will be limitedO The compact structure of po~yethylene terephthalate fibers, the molecules of which are closely packed along the axis of the fiber, makes it quite difficult, except with a limited number of dyes, and under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure, to obtain a satisfactory degree of dye-bath exhaustion, or to secure -satisfa~tory deep shades in the fibers. Absorption and pene-tration of the dye into the fiber core are limited by inherent properties of the fiber.
A number of methods have been proposed to increase the dyeability of the polyesters and particularly
-2~

~L~5159~
polyethylene texephthalate. However, the methods proposed to date have not proved to be entirely satisfactory.
Modification of the polyesters by incorporating dye sites in the polymers by selected comonomers ordinarily does not produce satisfactory fiber-forming materials, i.e., the dye affinity may be enhanced but other physical properties such as tenacity, melting point and the like are adversely affected. Accordingly, the art has striven for means to in-crease the dyeability of polyester structures, such as fiber, filaments, films, and the like without adversely affecting other necessary physical properties.
One such method used successfully to improve the `
dye affinity of polyesters for dispersed acetate dyes and basic dyes is to conduct the polyester reaction in the pre- ;;
sence of a small amount of a difunctional agent which pos, sesses a metallo sulfonate group or sulfonate-forming group and two functional or reactive groups such as hydroxyl or car-boxyl and esters thereof. By this novel technique, modified polyesters can be produced which not only possess improved dye `
affinity for dispersed acetate dyes and basic dyes under . - .
moderate temperature and pressure and~or with carriers, but ` `
also the modified polyesters have the necessary molecular ;;
weight required for fiber-forming polyesters and excellent physical properties in fiber form. However it has been found that when starting with terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, , -such modification of polyesters often fails to produce satis-factory fiber-forming materials. Attempts to conduct a con-tinuous esterification reaction of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol in the presence of such sulfonate-containing compounds as, for example, S-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid has resulted in excessive diethylene glycol formation,
-3 : ........ . ~.. - . :. . . . .

~5159~ :
resulting in a polymer with a low mel-ting point and poor heat and light stability in the fiber prepared therefrom.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method of continuously producing high molecular weight fiber-forming polyesters which have improved dyeing characteristics, including increased affinity for basic dye stuffs, which polyesters also have a useful balance of other desireable physical properties including high molecular weight, high melting point, and good heat and light stability.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the description thereof which follows.
The objects of this invention are accomplished by reacting continuously under polyesterification conditions an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a polymethylene glycol to form a prepolymer having a carboxyl level of not more than 2000~ `
eq/g and an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.10, which ;`~
is then reacted continuously with a glycol solution of a bis glycol ester of a difunctional aromatic compound possessïng one or more metallo sulfonate groups and of such concentration that the resulting total glycol/total dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6; or by reacting continuously or non-continuously under polyesterification conditions an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a polymethylene glycol to form a prepolymer having a carboxyl level of not more than 2000 eq/g and an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.07 which is then reacted non-continuously with a glycol solution of a bis glycol ester of a difunctional aromatic compound possessing one or more metallo sulfonate groups ancl of such concentration ~`
that the resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6. Excess glycol polymer obtained is equiva- ~ ;
lent to polymers obtained using dimeth~l terephthalate as a ` ~ `

,, . : :, : - .: :
- . .: . - . - : .
- .: ,, -. . :, . . :- : :

~5~5~
starting material, but does not contain the excessive diethylene glycol which otherwise results in the praparation of cationic dyeable polyesters starting from terephthalic acid.
Generally, the process for producing polyesters using the method of this invention ordinarily comprises pre-paration either continuously or batchwise forming a reaction mixture comprising an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and an excess of polymethylene glycol. Other additives, such as catalyst, chain branching agents, chain terminating agents and/or-cross -linking agents and the like may also be added with the initial ingredients if desired. In one embodiment of this invention the reaction mixture is then heated to an elevated temperature sufficient to start the reaction between the acid and the glycol, with the elevated temperature being maintained until ; ~ ~ `
the reaction is substantially completed as indicated by the ~ -cessation of the evolution of the water of reaction, whereby a small amount of monomer and a predominate amount of oligo~
mers and polymers of a low degree of polymerization are formed.
During this stage of the reaction, the temperature must be such that the water formed is continuously removed by dis- `~
tillation. It may be desirable, although certainly not necessary, to conduct this stage of the reaction under a pressure of from about S psig to 100 psig in order to acceler-ate the reaction and produce a low molecular weight prepoly-mer. At a point when the degree of esterification of the ~ -prepolymer is greater than 80%, as indicated by a carboxyl level of not more than ~000fL eq/g (ordinarily at above 80%
of esterification), and when the prepolymer has an intrinsic viscosity of not more than about 0.07, the preformed bis glycol ester of the sulfonate-containing compound is added in ~L()S1~93~
an amount and of such concentration that the resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6.
The temperature of the reaction mixture may be raised to remove excess glycol and to condense the resulting inter-mediate product to a highly polymerized polyester.
In another embodiment, the reaction mixture is metered continuously into a reactor operating at an elevated temperature sufficient to promote the reaction between the ;
acid and the glycol. Preferably the esterification reaction is substantially completed in a single stirred-tank reactor;
however, two or more reactors may be used to yield a product which normally consists of a small amount of monomer and a predominate amount of oligomers and polymers of a low degree of polymerization. During this stage of the reaction, the temperature must be such that the water formed is continu-ously removed by distillation. It may be desirable, although certainly not necessary, to conduct this stage of the reaction under a pressure of from about 5 ps:ig to 100 psig in order to accelerate the reaction and produce a low molecular weight prepolymer. At a point when the degree of esterification of the prepolymer, as indicated by a carboxyl level o~ not more than 2000~ eq/g tordinarily at about 78% esterificatinn), and when the prepolymer has an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.10, the preformed bis glycol ester of the sulfonate- -containing compound is added continuously as a glycol solu- ;`
tion or slurry of such concentration that the resulting total ;
glyc~l/total dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6.
In either process, the temperature of the reaction mixture may be raised ~the pressura decreased and/or a dry inert gas sweep used] to ramove excess glycol and to condense ~5~.59~
the resulting intermediate product to a highly polymerized polyester. The excess glycol present after the addition of bis glycol ester is removed under reiatively mild conditions --with the temperature not to exceed 300C and preferably not to exceed 260C in conjunction with low pressure or inert gas sweep -- in order to minimize etherification of the glycol.
The condensation reaction is preferably conducted in a series "
of two and preferably more than two reactors generally opera-ting at reduced pressure to aid in removal of the glycol con-densation by-product. The reaction preferably is carried out in an oxygen free atmosphere.
The dicarboxylic acid employed is preferably tere-phthalic acid in view of its commercial availability at a relatively low cost and in view of the desirable properties .
?
of the polymer that can be produced by using this specific `~
acid. Aromatic dicarboxylic acids which may be used in accor- ;
dance with the present invention include those having the `~
general formula ~ :~
HOOC - ~ ~(R)n - COOE~
wherein n is either zero or one, and R is a radical selected from the group consisting of ~a) an alkylene radical contain-ing 1 to 8 carbon atom~; `
(b) - ~ -wherein Rl is an alkylene group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
(d) - O - R2 ~ ~ ~

wherein R2 is an alkyle~e group containing 1 to 8 carbon :; . , : . : - ............................... : -. : : , , . , ~

1~51~9~
atoms; and (e) _ o - R3 - -wherein R3 is an alkylene group containing from 1 to 8 carbon ~;
atoms.
As examples of suitable aromatic p-dicarboxylic acids having the above general ~ormulas there may be named:
terephthalic acid, p,p'-dicarboxydiphenyl; p,p'-dicarboxy-diphenylmethane; p,p'-dicarboxydiphenylethane; p,p'-dicarboxy-diphenylpropane; p,p'-dicarboxydiphenylbutane; p,p'-dicarboxydi-phenylpentane; p,p'-dicarboxydiphenylhexane; p,p'-dicarboxy-diphenylheptane; p,p'-dicarboxydiphenyloctane; p,p'-dicarboxy-diphenoxymethane; p,p'-dicarboxydiphenoxyethane; p,p'-dicar-boxydiphenoxypropane; p,p'-dicarboxydiphenoxybutane; p,p'- ~
dicarboxydiphenoxypentane; p,p'-dicarboxydiphenoxyhexane and ~`
the like. Other useful aromatic dicarboxylic acids that may be used include naphthalene dicarboxylic acids such as 2,6-dicarboxynaphthalene, 2,7-dicarboxynaphthalene, and the like. `~
Copolyesters can also be prepared in accordance with - the present invention. For example, mixtures of the aromatic p-dicarboxylic acids defined above or these acids mixed with `
up to 50 weight percent of an aromatic m-dicarboxylic acid such as isophthalic acid or xylidinic acid may be employed to make a polyester having particularly desirable physical properties. It is necessary that the sole reactive gro~ps of the acid be the two carboxyl groups. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the aromatic dicaxboxylic acid may contain substituents that do not enter into the polycondensation reaction. For example, durene, 1,4-dicarboxylic acid may be employed. The invention also includes processes as des- `~

cribed above wherein polyesters can be prepared by replacing in part the aromatic dibasic carboxylic acid with up to ~, -8~

~5~L591 30 percent by weight of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, such as succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, alpha, alpha~dimethylglutaric acid, itaconic acid, beta-oxydipropionic acid, alpha, alpha-oxydibutyric acid, fumaric acid, and the --like. Longer chain aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as 1,20~
eiconsanedioic acid, 8-ethyl-1, 18-octadecanedioic acid, a ~ ~-mixture thereof, and the like may also be substituted in part for the aromatic dicarboxylic acid. For the purposes of this invention, "polyesters" will be considered to include at least `
85~ by weight of the ester of a dihydric alcohol and a dicar-boxylic acid.
:- ,',,: :' The polymethylene glycol employed in the process of the present invention may be any glycol containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms or polyester-forming derivatives thereof, and more preferably are polymethylene glycols of the general formula ~O(CH2)nOH, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 10 and cyclohexane dimethanol. Illustrative of suitable aliphatic ~ycols that may be used for the purposes of this invention ~ -are ethylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,~-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol! 1,8-octanediol, l,9-nonanediol, l,10-decanediol and the like. It is preferred that the glycol used be ethylene glycol.
At least about one molar proportion of the glycol per molar proportion of the acid is employed. However, a molar excess o the glycol is usually employed in the prepara-tion of polyesters. Normally, from about 1.3 to 5 moles of glycol per mole of acid are used.
The sul~onate-containing compound of which the bis-ester is employed, is any organic compound containing at least ;~
one sulfonate group and capable of entering into a polyesteri-fication reaction. The sulfonate-containing additive will _g_ : ~ , ~, . . .

.. . . . ~ .: :

1~5159~
react with the dicarboxylic acid and the polymethylene glycol prepolymer and will form an integral part of the polymer structure.
Illustrative of sulfonate-containing compounds which may be employed for the purposes of this invention are com-pounds of the formula r 2)n (Y)y~X~(Z)y~ - (CH2) , - ~B) 3 )x wherein (a) -X- ~-(SO3M)X ~ ~;

is a member of the class consisting of a metallic salt of a divalent arylene radical, each being of such character that the - SO3M - groups present are separated from ester-forming ~ `~
units by at least 3 carbon atoms ancl x is an integer of 1 to 2, , .... . .
(b) Y and Z are selected from the group consisting ~ -`
of oxyalkyl~ oxyaryl, oxyalkyleneoxyaryl and poly(oxypoly-methylene) oxyaryl radicals and y and y' are integers of 0 to (c) n and n' are integers of 0 to 10, and (d) A is a member selected from the ester-forming units COOH, COOR, R representing a lower alkyl group of 1 to S carbon atoms, B is a member selected from the group con-sisting of A and hydrogen, and r is an integer of 1 to 2, with the proviso that when r is 2, then B must be hydrogen.
These compounds are well known in the prior art, `
and descriptions of such compounds may be found in U.S.

patents 3,018,272; 3,033~824; 3,077,493; 3,164,566; 3,164,567;
3,164,570; 3jl84,434; 3,166,531; and 3,185,671. Preferred c is the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid, '~' .-.

': :

~51591 which is prepared separately from dimethyl-5-sodium sulfo isophthalate and ethylene glycol or by esterification of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid. The bis glycol ester is pre-pared as a solution in ethylene glycol and fed to the pre-formed acid glycol prepolymer as described above.
It is difficult to prepare the cationic dyeable ~ ;~
polyester polymer from terephthalic acid (as opposed to dimethyl terephthalate) employing, for example, 5-potassium sulfo isophthalic acid or 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid because of excessive side reactions in which diethylene glycol ~ `
(DEG) is produced. Efforts to minimize these side reactions have resulted in the finding that the addition of certain basic salts such as lithium acetate to the formulation greatly `
reduced DEG formation, but the use of basic salts to depress the formation of DEG in continuous processes was not às suc-cessful as in batch processes and some cationic dyeability was lost.
Other attempts to minimize formation of diethylene glycol in preparing cationic dyeable polyesters from tereph~
thalic acid included the use of esters such as dimethyl-5- `potassium sulfo isophthalate in lieu of the free acid, 5- ~;
potassium sulfo isophthalic acid in an attempt to lower DEG
formation by using a less acidic reaction media during esteri-fication, it being known that DEG formation is acid catalyzed.
High levels of DEG were generated, and a generally poor polymer was produced. Low melting point, poor spinning and drawing were noted.
The following examples are cited to illustrate the invention. They are not intended to limit it in any way.

: : ; . . . .. .

;31 591 - :

For the preparation of the bis glycol ester from the dimethyl ester, a three-gallon (11~35 liters) stirred-tank reactor equipped with rectification column and condenser was charged with 3333 grams of sodium 5-sulfo-dimethylisophthalate, 5586 grams of ethylene glycol and 22.8 grams of lithium acetate dihydrate. The reactor was purged with nitrogen and put under a 5 psig ~.21 kgs per square cm gauge) nitrogen blanket prior to start of the heating cycle. When the reaction mixture temperature reached 140C, which is slightly below the temperature at which significant transesterification takes place, the reactor pressure was reduced to atmospheric by -gradually releasing nitrogen through the rectification column and condenser. In approximately 45 minutes after beginning the heating cycle, the reaction mixt~lre reached 180~. After maintaining this temperature for 10 minutes, the temperature was increased to 200C at a rate of 5C per 10 minutes. To minimize loss of ethylene glycol during distillation of the methanol by-product, the top of the packed rectification column was maintained at 66 to 70C by controlling the reflux rate to the column. The mixture was held at 200C for 40 minutes, the heat to the reactor and reflux to the column ..~. .
were stopped and the batch forced by nitrogen pressure through a nominal 5~ glass fiber filter into a nitrogen blanketed receiver. The solution containing approximately 48 weight percent of the bis-glycol ester was cooled and further diluted with ethylene glycol to 21 weight percent. The theoretical ;1 degree of polymeri2ation of the bis-glycol ester was 1.14.
Analytical tests showed a carboxyl concentration of 13f*eq~gm ;~
of the bis glycol ester, a carboxylate concentration of 60 eq/gm of the bis glycol ester and a diethylene glycol concen~
tration (DEG) of 0.56 weight percent based on weight of the -12- ' ;

. . . .: .- .. - .. . .

105~9~ -'.. , ' bis glycol ester.
While this example employs a mole ratio of ethylene ~ ~ -glycol to dimethyl-5-sodium sulfo isophthalate of 8 to l, other mole ratios can be employed, so long as there is an `
excess of ethylene glycol. Ratios of 4:1 have been effectively employed. Any common ester-interchange catalyst may be used.
For storage at ambient temperature over long periods of time it is advantageous to dilute the reaction product to 20-22%
bis glycol ester to prevent crystallization of the bis glycol ester.

For the preparation of the bis glycol ester from the acid, a three-gallon (11.35 liters) stirred-tank reactor equipped with rectification column and condenser was charged with 3,018 grams of sodium-5-sulfoisophthalic acid, 5,586 grams of ethylene glycol and 30.0 grams of lithium acetate dihydrate. The reactor was purged with nitrogen and put under a 5 psig (0.21 kgs per square cm gauge) nitrogen blanket prior `~
to start of the heat-up cycle. When the reaction mixture `
temperature reaehed 180C, which is slightly below the tempera-ture at which significant esterification takes place, the reactor pressure was reduced to atmospheric by gradually releasing nitrogen through the rectification column and con~
denser. In approximately 35 minutes after beginning th heat-up cycle, the reaction mixture reached 190C. After maintaining this temperature for 10 minutes, the temperature was increased to 205C at a rate of 5C per lO minutes~ To minimize loss of ethylene glycol during distillation of the water by-product, the top of the packed rectification column was maintained at 101 to 106C by controlling the reflux rate ."~

~ ~ .

~L~51S9~L -to the column. The mixture was held at 205 C for 60 minutes then the heat to reactor and the reflux to the column were stopped, 50 grams of the product marketed under the trade -mark "Darco G-60" activated carbon were added to the hot batch and mixed for 20 minutes. (Due to the presence of i~purities in the sodium-5-sulfo-isophthalic acid, it was necessary to ;~
decolorize the solution to obtain an almost colorless, clear product.) The batch was then forced by nitrogen pressure from the reactor through a Sparkler filter precoated with analytical grade product marketed under the trade mark "Celite" filter aid to a nitrogen blanketed receiver. The solution containing approximately 48 weight percent of the bis-glycol ester was cooled and further diluted with ethylene glycol to approxi-mately 20 weight percent. The theoretical degree of polymeri-zation o~ the bis glycol ester was 1.14. Analytical results ~;
gave a carboxyl concentration of 108~*cq/gm of the bis glycol ester, a carboxylate concentration of 86~ cq~gm of the bis -~
glycol ester and a diethylene glycol concentration of 10 weight percent based on weight o~ the bis glycol ester.
In the above reaction, esterification was condùcted i~-at 205C. Lower reaction temperatures may be employed in con-junction with longer reaction times. The lithium acetate is ~ ~ -employed to suppress formation of diethylene glycol, and the amount employed is not critical.

This example describes the preparation of a cationic dyeable polyester via a continuous terephthalic acid (TA) process using the ethyle~e glycol (EG) solution of the bis `-glycol ester described in Example 1.

, ' '', : - .. . :' ., ~.~
~ 1 ~ ,,, - :
- - .... . .

~s~s9~ :
A TA-EG slurry batch containing 40.0 lbs (18143.6 g) of TA, 30.0 lbs. (13607.7g3 o EG, 2.24 grams of penta-erythritol, 16.80 grams of triphenyl phosphite, 13.44 grams of lithium acetate dihydrate, 1.00 gram of a commercial antifoam agent ~otherwise non functional) known as ~ntifoam l'A", 220.6 grams of a monohydroxyl alkoxy poly(oxyalkylene)glycol having the structural formula:
H H
C14_15H29_31-(C ~ I ~ )1~ ~ H
H H
4.75 grams of manganese acetate tetrah~drate, 11.20 grams of 2,2'-ethylenedioxy-bis(1,3,2-dioxyastibolane) and 67.2 grams of titanium dioxide was metered at 55.0 gm/min into a stirred_ tank reactor operating at 250C under a pressure of 20 psig ~ ` ;
(97.6 kg/m2) with a residence time of 2.5 hours. The product ~-from this reactor had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.07 and a carboxyl end group concentration of 760~eq/gm. By-product water and EG were continuously distilled from the reactor and condensed. ~ ~
This prepolymer along with 7.26 gm/min of the `;
solution of bis glycol ester described in Example 1 were metered into a second stirred-tank reactor operating at 230C
under a reduced pressure of 260 mm Hg with a residence time of 2.3 hours. The molar ratio of total EG to TA entering the second reactor was 1.82 and the ratio of total EG to total dicarboxylic acid was 1.77. The product from reactor 2 had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.~9 and a carboxyl end grou~ concen- ~ -tration of lOO~eq/gm. Water and EG were continuously distilled from the reactor and condensed.

:.

9~
The prepolymer was further condensed in a bubble- ~ -cap column operating at atmospheric pressure with a counter-current flow of nitrogen at 0.34 standard cubic feet per minute (0.160 ~/sec.). The column product was at 260C and had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.18 and a carboxyl end group concentration of 4~ eq/gm. Condensation was completed in a rotating cage finisher operating at 1.6 mm Hg and 265C with a residence time of 1.9 hours and product rate of 37.8 gm/min.
This copolymer was spun and drawn into a continuous filament yarn having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.54, a carboxyl end group concentration of 20~eq/gm, a diethylene glycol (DEG) concentration of 1.5 wt. percent and melting point of 249C. ;
The yarn had a tenacity of 3.5 gm/denier, a sulfonate group concentration of 108~eq/gm and a basic dye uptake of 103~ eq/
gm.

;l In these examples, the same process equipment was employed as above, with introduction of the ethylene glycol solution containing the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid to the reactor tails of the first reactor. ~-~
The reactor tail products and the fibèr are described in the -~
following table:
-,~

. ... .,.. ,, , ,. ", . , , , ~ , , , ~05~591 Q~O ~ o a:
o C~l ~ U) O O ~ o ~I N
.
~, ~10 . N O 0 1 ~ 0 ~ ~ 1` o o . . . . . .
X ~ O N
~ N 1``

Q)N
~,~ O Ll~ ~ ~ ~ I` - O, ~D O O ~ ~ 1~) 0 CO N O ~I d' W ~ N N . ~ `

~ ~ O ` ;`
X It~ ~ ~ 0 0~) N O
H li3 ~Sl N N a~ N ;; : :
~ , . ,~
a~ :: .
~ o a~ d' 0 ~0 ~D O O "
xe ~ N ~ ~ ~) O O

o ~e ~
h ~; ` ` ` ~ :~ ` .
`R ` ~ ~ .
~1 U ~
O f~ rl U
:~ u ~ 'I ~ O . . ~ .. :~ `
: ~ QS~ne Q ~1 0-~ 1 ~) , ~:
o h o~l 1 è IH u 3 ~ e~ g ~ h ~ e E~ ~ o '~ P~ e : ~ ~
. ~ ~ q-l ~ ~ O ~ X ~ ~
o ~ - o 3 ~ ~ ~o ~ R ~ S ~

~1 u.~ u a~ . ~ .,,, :
U r~ U ~ U U ~15 ~ S: ~ ~~ n o s~ a o ~ ~ H ~ ~E ~ C ~ ~ s~o U ~ ' `' ~L051~i93~ ~

.

O u~ ~D ~ O
~ CO ~D O ~r ~ o a~
X ~ ,, o ~ ~ o~

--I d' ~`` : `' ~ O u~ ~ ~ OD
E ....
I~ to o ~ ~1 ~P o X ~ ~1 o u~
, a "
~ o n ~ ~:n nl '' ' X ~ o ~i ~i 0 ~

. . ~
,1 1~ , ..
o In ~I ,I d' ' ' "'' "
~ U7CO O O ~ I~ d' ~1 ~1 1` '"~
W ~ :~ `
..:
. . .: .-,`~, ,1 ~ ~ .~.
Q.o u~
.a ~ a~ o o ~1 ~ ~ a~ ~ 1` :' X t`~ o ~ ~
' ~ ~ , .
' ~ :' .` '. .``' ~.

.

~q :

O U E
~ ~ ~ t hh ~ ~ ~ $~ ,1~ ~ .
~ ~ -.l E
,1 O O ~ O ~-.
O ~1 ~ 0 m ~

l~S~SC~
Example 4 shows utilization of a relatively high intrinsic viscosity in the prepolymer. In this example some depolymeri7ation was permitted in the second reactor prior to the continuation of the condensation reaction. Example 5 shows utilization of a relatively high carboxyl prepolymer with satisfactory results, however, in general a product with lower diethylene glycol concentration can be produced using a prepolymer having a lower carboxyl end group concentration. s In Example 5, a relatively low molecular weight prepolymer was employed for the addition of the sulfonate-containing monomer followed by subsequent condensation in reactor 2. Example 6 illustrates the necessity for adequate mixing after addition of the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid.
In Example 6 the four inch diameter second reactor impeller, w`hich had been rotated at 950 rpm in Example 5, was not in motion. The polymer was not spinnable because of large globules of additive in the polymer. Example 7 illustrates a process in which no net polycondensation or depolymerization takes place in reactor 2. ~xample 8 illustrates that a satis-factory polymer can a~so be produced using the bis glycol ester additive prepared b~ esterification of sodium sulfo isophthalic acid as described in Example 2.
~XAMPLES 9~
In these examples, the equipment described in ~-Example 3 was operated without using the second stirred-tank reactor. The bis glycol ester solution was metered into either reactor 1 or into the transfer line upstream of a 21 element Kenics static mixer inst~lled between reactor 1 and the column.
, ~
-19- :
~::

.. . .

lOS:~S9~

TA9LE II ~
:
ExampleExample ~xample Reactor 1 Product C~ ] 0.1000.071 ~.081 COOH, ~ eq/gm 586 536 430 DEG, wt. % - - 6.4 % Esterification 94 94 95 Injection rate of bis - ~
glycol ester of ~ -sodium sulfo isophtha- -lic acid, gm/min. 1.35 1.63 1.18 Ethylene glycol injected ;~
with bis glycol ester, ;
gm/min. 1.21 4.57 1.05 Molar ratio of EG to total dicarboxylic ~-~
acids in column feed 1.2 1.8 1.7 :
PolYmer Product -Flow rate, gm/min. Unreacted37.8 25.0 C~ ] bis glycol 0.54 0.58 `
COOH ~ eq/gm ester 22.3 DEG wt. % additive1.8 5.6 --SO ~a,~ eq/gm plugged - - ~ s-Mel~ point, C column 244 214 Brightness 82 80 Purity 2.8 5.2 Chemstrand Whiteness 82 51 Example 9 illustrates the addition of a relatively concentrated bis glycol ester solution to a prepolymer having a relatively high molecular weight. This combination gave a ~ -feed to the column having a molar ratio of total EG to total ~;?
dicarboxylic acids of only 1.2 and resulted in globules of unreacted additive plugging the column. Example 10 illus-trates the addition o~ a more dilute bis glycol ester solution .
-20- ~ ;
"'' ~ ' ' .

.:, ~-:
~, - . .

:l~S~ii91 to a prepolymer having a relatively low molecular weight.
This combination gave a molar ratio of total EG to total dicarboxylic acids of 1.8 and resulted in a spinnable, homo- ~-geneous polymer. Example 11 illustrates the addition of the bis glycol additive into reactor 1. This resulted in a pre-polymer having high DEG content and a spinnable, homogeneous polymer having an undesirably low melting point and high DEG
content.

This example describes the preparation of a cationic dyeable polyester via a batch terephthalic acid (TA) process using an ethylene glycol (EG) solution of the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid.
A reactor was charged with 162 grams terephthalic acid, 152 grams ethylene glycol, 0.10 grams of antimony glycoloxide, 1.97 grams of an alkoxy polyoxyalkalene glycol chain terminator having a general formula R-O[G-O]X-H where R equals 14-15 and x equals 14, 0.02 grams pentacrythritol, and 0.04 grams lithium acetate. The mixture was esterified by heating ~or 90-minutes at a temperature of 240C during which time water and ethylene glycol were continually removed. ~;
After completion o esterification 37.6 grams of a 24%
solution in ethylene glycol of the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid was added, the temperature ;
increased to remove excess ethylene glycol and polymerization completed at,a temperature o 280C with a vacuum of less than 1 mm. The polymer obtained after 30 minutes polymerization time had a speci~ic viscosity of 0.275, a DTA melting point of 250C, and contained 0.65 weight percent diethylene glycol.

30 The polymer was spun and drawn 5.1 times to a yarn of excellent ~ ~
,,.

'.
',, .. , . . : - ~ - . .. .. .

~515~ :
whiteness. Microscopic examination revealed that no aggre- `
gates of the dye additive were present in the yarn. The ~
fiber dyed to a dark shade with Sevron Blue 2G (CI Name: -Basic Blue 22); (no CI number) cationic dye. ~ ~

Two hundred gram portions of a prepolymer having an -~
intrinsic viscosity of 0.07, a carboxyl level of 535 ~eqjg, -~
containing 0.35 weight % of diethylene glycol, and having an -EG/TA moiety ratio of 1.33/, were heated to a melt in 900 ml capacity autoclaves and ethylene glycol solutions of the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid added prior to completion of polymerization. The following results were obtained.

Grams Bis Resulting Ex. Glycol Grams Temp. at EG/TA Results After No Ester EG Addition Moiety Ratio Polymerizinq 13 9 28.6 230 1092/l ~o aggregation `~
Spun Well 14 9 10 240 1.54/1 Aggregated ~ot spinnable 9 10 260 1.54/1 Aggregated ~ot spinnable `

16` 9 22.5 240 1.79/1 No aggregation Spun Well 17 9 16.3 240 1.66/1 ~o.aggregation Spun Well (1) 9 38 240 1.92/1 Aggregated ~ `~
Not spinnable ~l)In this Example the EG/TA moiety ratio was reduced from 1.38/1 to 1.15/1 by removal of additional EG under vacuum at 240C prior to addition of the EG solution of bis glycol ester.
At the time of reaction of the prepolymer with the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sùlfo isophthalic acid, the prepolymer had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.10 and a carboxyl level of 243 eq/g--22- -~
- . ,~ ':

~S~59~

The composition described in example 12 was prepared continuously in an 8 liter capacity reactor. The -product from the reactor had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.081, and a carboxyl level of 370~ eq/g. 200 grams of this reactor product was heated to a melt in a 900 ml capacity autoclave and 38 grams of a 20% solution of the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid in-ethylene glycol added and polymerization completed. The polymer obtained was border-line in spinnability due to the presence of particles in the polymer melt.

Example 19 was repeated except that 15 ml of ethylene glyco:L was added to the prepolymer and allowed to equilibrate for 15 minutes before addition of the GSSIo The addition of the ethylene glycol increased the EG~TA moiety ratio above 1.35/1 and decreased the intrinsic viscosity.
3~ grams of a 20% solution of the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid was added to this adjusted pre-polymer and polymerization completed. The resulting polymer was free of aggregates and spun and drew normally. ;

This example is intended to show that materials other than the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid can be added to the preformed prepolymer. A 900 ml capacity autoclave was charged with 163 grams terephthalic acid, 154 grams ethylene glycol, 0.1 grams of antimony glycoloxide and 1.0 grams of lithium acetate dihydrate. ;~
Esterification to form low molecular prepolymer was performed as in Example 3. This prepolymer had an ethylene glycoI-TA ~

-23- ~`

.: - ,, :: . . .

lOSlS9~ ~ ~
moiety ratio of 1.32/l. 1.97 Grams of the same chain ter-minator as employed in Example 3 and 0.02 grams of penta-erythritol were dissolved in 37.6 grams of a 24% solution of the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid. To this solution was added 2.3 grams of a 30% slurry of titanium dioxide in ethylene glycol and the resulting mixture slurried.
This slurry was added, at 240C, to the abo~e prepolymer and polymerized completely as before.
The polymer obtained melted at 250 (DTA) and spun and drew well. Microscopic examination showed it to be free of aggregates and the titanium dioxide delustrant was well dispersed throughout the yarn.

This example is intended to show that it is impera-tive that the bis glycol ester of 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid be added to the preformed prepolymer and not as part of `
the original charge. In the present example the bis glycol ester, instead of being added to the prepolymer, was included in the original charge to the reactor. Polymerization to form a cationic dyeable polyester proceeded normally and no .
aggregation of dye additive was present. The bis glycol ester had entered into reaction with the terephthalic acid ;~
and ethylene glycol to ~orm a true copolymer. This method of addition, however, was found to have one serious drawback.
Large quantities of diethylene glycol (greater than 7 mole percent) were formed and yarn prepared melted at 214C (DTA). ;
This is a dramatic contrast with the 245-250C melting point obtained when adding the bis glycol ester after prepolymer ~ ;' formation.

'' ~';~, ".

'-'.:.:; ` . ' ' .

~5~59~l Tristimulus color was measured in a tristimulus colorimeter, Kollmorgen Corp. (IDL~ large sphere color-eye.
Relative brightness is indicated directly by the value of Y.
Chromaticity coordinates x and y are calculated from the reflectance measurements, as well known in the art of colori-metry, and more particularly, as described at pages 9-10 of the Massach~setts Institute of Technology Handbook of Colori-metr~ ~1936 - The Technology Press, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts). From the values x and Yl purity (percent) and dominate wavelength (D~L in nm) is determined from chart 12a in the above cited publication.
Chemstrand whiteness (Wc) is calculated using the following equation:
W = 10 (y _ 2p2)1/2 where: Y = YCIE
p = purity The number of dye sites actually present in the `~
filament, in terms of microequivalents per gram t-S03~a), may be determined as follows. An accurately weighed polymer 20 sample of about 0.001 grams is placed in a 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask fitted with a ground glass stopper. 25 ml of a melted xylenol-chloroform is piped into the flask, and the sample is refluxed on a water-cooled condenser until it dissolves in about 15 minutes. The sample is then cooled to 40C or below and 75 ml chloroform is added through the condenser. The sample is then stirred and run through an ion exchange column at a rate of about 8 ml/minute. The sample is then washed ~ , with about 300 ml chloroform at the same rate of elution. ;
The sample and washings are collected in a 500 ml flask. ~`
S drops of neutralized thymol blue indicator are added, and -~5-- - - -~ . . . : ..

lalS~5~L
the sample is ~itrated with a standard ethanolic KOH using a 1 ml microburet and magnetic stirring. Titration is to a pure yellow color.
The polymer solvent is 2,6 dimethyl phenol (xylenol) of which 500 grams is added to 85 ml of chloroform, the solvent being melted in a water bath at about 60C just prior to use.
The ethanolic KOH titrant is prepared by dissolving 14 grams of reagent grade (85%) potassium hydroxide in 1000 ~?
cc of absolute ethanol. It is standardized against potassium hydrogen phthalate using phenolphthalein indicator, and pro- `
tected against atmospheric carbon dioxide.
~ y measuring specific viscosity (nsp) at 25C and at a given concentration (1/2-4%) of the prepolymer in a solvent having a molar ratio: 2 phenol/l trichlorophenol, ~
the intrinsic viscosity (~) is then calculated using the ;~ ;
relationship ~ = ( ~ ) [~ sp - 1 n~ rel] ~ rel = 1 + ~sp As is well known in the art, the carboxyl end group concen-tration can be determined by titration of the prepolymer withpotassium hydroxide. Ethylene glycol/dicarboxylic acid molar ratios can be determined, as is well known in the art, by . ~ :
material balance. -;
:.. : .
DEG is determined by gas chromatographic analysis after saponification of the polymer or prepolymer. ~ ~ `
Melting points were determined from endotherms ~ `
obtained with a duPont Differential Thermal Analyzer.
The carboxyl concentration of 2000~ eq/g is roughly equivalent to a percentage of esterification of about 78.
The theoretical lower limit on the intrinsic viscosity of the .
; ' ~

~5~S~ -prepolymer which is suitable for the addition of the bis glycol ester of the difunctional aromatic compound possessing the sulfonate group is the intrinsic viscosity of a prepoly-mer consisting entirely of monomer. Such a prepolymer would not normally be obtained and the intrinsic viscosity would not normally be less than about 0.05 with a degree of poly-merization of about 2 to 6.
It must be appreciated that although the intrinsic viscosity of the prepolymer should not exceed about 0.1 (or 0.07 as appropriate), an equivalent process may employ a prepolymer of yet higher viscosity provided that subsequent extreme depolymerization measures are taken so that depoly-merization occurs to an intrinsic viscosity of 0.1 (or 0.07) or below, in the presence of the difunctional aromatic com-pound possessing the sulfonate group.
It is understood that changes and variations may -~
be made in the present inventions without departing from the ~`

spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.
, -~7-- - : - . ..

Claims (25)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclu-sive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A method for producing fiber-forming modified polyesters which comprises (1) forming a reaction product prepolymer consisting of at least 85% by weight of the polyester of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a polymethylene glycol selected from the group consisting of those having the formula HO(CH2)nOH, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 10, and cyclohexane dimethanol, by reacting said acid and said glycol under esterification conditions until said reaction product has a carboxyl level of not more than 2000 µ eq/g and an intrisic viscosity of not more than 0.10; and (2) reacting with said reaction product prepolymer a glycol solution of a bis glycol ester of a difunctional aromatic compound possessing a metallo sulfonate group of such concen-tration that when said bis glycol ester is mixed with said prepolymer, the resùlting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6; and copolymerizing and poly-condensing said reactants at a temperature in the range of from about 65°C to about 325°C until the resulting polymer attains an intrinsic viscosity in the range of about 0.3 to 0.8.
2. A method for producing fiber-forming modified polyesters which comprises (1) forming a reaction product prepolymer consisting of at least 85% by weight of the poly-ester of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a polymethylene glycol selected from the group consisting of those having the formula HO(CH2)nOH, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 10, and cyclohexane dimethanol, said reaction product prepolymer having a carboxyl level of not more than 2000µ eq/g and an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.10, and (2) continu-ously reacting with said reaction product prepolymer a glycol solution of a bis glycol ester of a difunctional aromatic compound possessing a metallo sulfonate group of such con-centration that when said bis glycol ester is mixed with said prepolymer, the resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6; and copolymerizing and polycon-densing said reactants at a temperature in the range of from about 120°C to about 300°C until the resulting polymer attains an intrinsic viscosity in the range of about 0.3 to 0.8.
3. The method of Claim 2 wherein said carboxyl level of the prepolymer is about 500-900µeq/g.
4. The method of Claim 2 wherein the intrinsic vis-cosity of said prepolymer is about 0.06-0.08.
5. The method of Claim 2 wherein the content of diethylene glycol in said prepolymer is not more than about 0.60 percent by weight.
6. The method of Claim 2 wherein the resulting total glycol/total dicarboxylic acid prepolymer reaction product moiety ratio is about 1.3/1.
7. The method of Claim 2 wherein said resulting total glycol/total dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio after addition of sulfonate containing additive is 1.6-1.9/1.
8. The method of Claim 2 wherein said aromatic com-pound possessing a sulfonic acid group is 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid.
9. The method of Claim 2 wherein said reaction product prepolymer consisting of at least 85 of the weight of the polyester of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and polymethylene glycol is produced continuously starting with the dicarboxylic acid and the polymethylene glycol.
10. The method of Claim 2 wherein excess glycol is removed from the reaction product prepolymer after addition of the bis glycol ester at a temperature not to exceed 260°C.
11. The method of Claim 10 wherein excess glycol is removed at sub-atmospheric pressure.
12. The method of Claim 10 wherein excess glycol is removed under an inert gas.
13. The method of Claim 2 wherein all phases are con-ducted continuously.
14. The method of Claim 2 wherein the dicarboxylic acid is terephthalic acid.
15. The method of Claim 2 wherein the glycol is ethylene glycol.
16. A method for producing fiber-forming modified polyesters non-continuously which comprises (1) forming a reaction product consisting of at least 85° by weight of the polyester of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a poly-methylene glycol selected from the group consisting of those having the formula HO(CH2)nOH, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 10, and cyclohexane dimethanol, said reaction product having a carboxyl level of not more than 2000µueq/g and an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.07; and (2) reacting with said reaction product a glycol solution of a bis glycol ester of a difunctional aromatic compound possessing a metallo sulfonate group of such concentration that when said bis glycol ester is mixed with said prepolymer, the resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio is at least about 1.6;
and copolymerizing and polycondensing said reactants at a temperature in the range of from about 65°C to about 325°C
until the resulting polymer attains an intrinsic viscosity in the range of about 0.3-0.8.
17. The method of Claim 16 wherein said carboxyl level is about 500-900µeq/g.
18. The method of Claim 16 wherein the intrinsic viscosity of said prepolymer is about 0.07O.
19. The method of Claim 16 wherein the content of diethylene glycol in said prepolymer is about 0.60% DEG.
20. The method of Claim 16 wherein the resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid reaction product moiety ratio is about 1.33/1.
21. The method of Claim 16 wherein said resulting glycol/dicarboxylic acid moiety ratio after addition of sulfonate containing additive is 1.66-1.92/1.
22. The method of Claim 16 wherein said aromatic com-pound possessing a sulfonic acid group is 5-sodium sulfo isophthalic acid.
23. The method of Claim 16 wherein said reaction product consisting of 85% by weight of the polyester of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and polymethylene glycol is pro-duced continuously starting with the dicarboxylic acid and the polymethylene glycol.
24. The method of Claim 16 wherein the dicarboxylic acid is terephthalic acid.
25. The method of Claim 16 wherein the glycol is ethylene glycol.
CA227,817A 1975-05-27 1975-05-27 Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid Expired CA1051591A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA227,817A CA1051591A (en) 1975-05-27 1975-05-27 Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA227,817A CA1051591A (en) 1975-05-27 1975-05-27 Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1051591A true CA1051591A (en) 1979-03-27

Family

ID=4103165

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA227,817A Expired CA1051591A (en) 1975-05-27 1975-05-27 Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1051591A (en)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR100984908B1 (en) Ester-modified Dicarboxylate Polymers
US4377682A (en) Copolyesters
US3922250A (en) Late addition of alkali metal sulfonate dye receptivity additive in polyesterification process
US3558557A (en) Copolyesters,their production and uses
US6316586B1 (en) Copolyether composition and processes therefor and therewith
US3899470A (en) Continuous process for preparation of basic dyeable polyester
JPH01172425A (en) Preparation of modified polyester
US3936389A (en) Bis glycol ester of sodium sulfo isophthalic acid from its dimethyl ester
US3381058A (en) Poly(1, 4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) fiber having nonfiberforming polyester dispersed therein
US4001190A (en) Acid-dyeable fibers of polyester modified with tetramethylpiperidine polyether glycols
EP1477506A1 (en) Polymerization catalyst for preparing polyesters, preparation of polyethylene terephthalate and use of polymerization catalyst
US3900527A (en) Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid
US3821169A (en) Cationically dyeable polyesters with hydroxyalkylated isethionic acid
CA1051591A (en) Production of basic dyeable polyester from terephthalic acid
US4211678A (en) Copolyester yarns and fibers dyeable without carrier at atmospheric pressure
KR100254695B1 (en) Copolyester resin and its preparation method
US3025266A (en) Polyesters prepared from a mixture of
US3185671A (en) Acyloxymetallosulfophthalate containing dyeable polyesters
US4079045A (en) Esterification of terephthalic acid with an alkylene glycol in the presence of a pyridine dicarboxylic acid compound
US3048565A (en) Polyester having basic dye sites
US3525715A (en) Cross-linked copolyesters and process of making them
JPH0563506B2 (en)
US3867479A (en) Thermoplastic linear fiber forming polyester resins having improved anionic dyeability
CA1121544A (en) Copolyesters of phthalic acids and hydantoins
JPH01103650A (en) Improved polyester composition