Abstract
Kinetics of the reaction between terephathalic acid and ethylene oxide, catalysed by triethylamine, was studied in a high-pressure reactor without using solvent. This reaction was carried out at a temperature range of 80–100°C and at a pressure range of 10–15 Kg/cm 2 beyond the corresponding vapor pressure of ethylene oxide. Effects of temperature, catalyst concentration, mole ratio of ethylene oxide to terephthalic acid, particle size of terephthalic acid, pK value of the tertiary amine and stirrer speed were experimentally investigated on the yield of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate and reaction rates. It was found that the bulk reaction of terephthalic acid with ethylene oxide occurred in the liquid phase. Based on experimental results a reaction mechanism to synthesize bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate from terephthalic acid and ethylene oxide in a nonsolvent system was proposed, and rate constants were obtained with a model based on this proposed reaction mechanism. The activation energy of the reaction was found to be between 3.67–8.28 kcal/mole in the temperature range of 80–95°C.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
