Process for making poly(2-methyl-1,3-propanediol)

摘要

A process for making poly(2-methyl-1,3-propanediol) is disclosed. The process comprises heating 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol in the presence of an etherification catalyst at a temperature within the range of about 100 DEG C. to about 210 DEG C. The resulting poly(2-methyl-1,3-propanediol) has a degree of polymerization within the range of about 2 to about 20, and a number average molecular weight within the range of about 150 to about 2000. The process enables the synthesis of dimers and trimers of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, which are useful as reactive diluents or chain extenders for polyurethanes and as diol components for unsaturated polyester resins and thermoplastic polyesters.