Ethylene glycol-soluble Ti/Mg-citrate complex catalyst for synthesis of high intrinsic viscosity poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Antimony-free poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been synthesized through polycondensation of p-phthalic acid and ethylene glycol, then subjected to a viscosity-increasing process by liquid-state (LSP). For both these processes, novel environmentally benign glycol-soluble Ti/Mg bimetal (TM) catalyst used. The structure the TM comprehensively characterized its catalytic activity in reaction evaluated compared with those other titanium-based catalysts. results reveal that is chelated complex high for afford PET without significant side reactions. Indeed, LSP catalyzed affords product intrinsic viscosity suitable industrial yarn production (1.08 dL/g) within 60 min, exhibits higher thermostability increasing viscosity. Finally, kinetics TM-catalyzed probed based on variation time.