Ethyl Acetate → Vinyl Acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To 100 g of the same copolymer was added 1500 ml of ethyl acetate, 40 ml of concentrated ammonium hydroxide and 40 ml of water. After two days with stirring, the polymer dissolved to give a gel. During the next three weeks at room temperature, a progressive decrease in viscosity of the solution was noted. At this time the solution was heated to remove ammonia, giving a partially saponified polymer of composition 32.4 wt % vinyl acetate, 16.4 wt % vinyl alcohol, 38 wt % TFE, and 13.2 wt % HFP in a 27.4 wt % solids solution in ethyl acetate.

Provenance & Evidence