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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Stoian on January 04, 2011, 11:01:00 AM

Title: reaction mechanism of the esterfication reaction
Post by: Stoian on January 04, 2011, 11:01:00 AM

Does anyone know the reaction mechanism for the reaction:

Terephthalic acid + Ethylene glycol ---> bis(2-hydroxyetil)terephthalat (no cathalyst,aprox 180-200ºC)
and

dimethylterephthalate + Ethylene glycol ---->bis(2-hydroxyetil)terephthalat
(aprox.270ºC,cathalyst: Sb2O3 ).


please help me!

Title: Re: reaction mechanism of the esterfication reaction
Post by: MissPhosgene on January 04, 2011, 12:44:26 PM

Both reactions are acyl substitutions.

Title: Re: reaction mechanism of the esterfication reaction
Post by: Stoian on January 05, 2011, 05:30:46 PM

could you be more explicit? show me!

Title: Re: reaction mechanism of the esterfication reaction
Post by: MissPhosgene on January 06, 2011, 12:13:08 AM

Quote from: Stoian on January 05, 2011, 05:30:46 PM

could you be more explicit? show me!

Okay.

Why does the catalyst you specified facilitate the reaction?

Do you know how to prevent polymerization?

Title: Re: reaction mechanism of the esterfication reaction
Post by: Stoian on January 10, 2011, 12:59:47 PM

Thanks a lot for the reaction mechanism!
i need this for a project( the synthesis of the poly ethylene terephthalate).

i think i was wrong about the catalyst.i didn't know much at the time. the catalyst used is a Zn acetate.

the polymerization should not be a problem in this process.