Method for controlling the effective level of catalyst during the preparation of a polycarbonate polymer by transesterification

摘要

A method for determining the effective level of catalyst for the preparation of a polycarbonate polymer by a transesterification reaction is disclosed. The method involves measurement of the leaving group by-product (usually phenol) produced in a test reaction between an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a carbonic acid diester, in the presence of a known amount of transesterification catalyst. The by-product production values can be compared with by-product reference values to calculate the effective level of catalyst. This data can be used to efficiently control catalytic activity in a production scale reaction for producing polycarbonate polymer.