METHOD FOR POLYMERIZING FORMALDEHYDE

1336828 Catalyst for formaldehyde polymerization UBE INDUSTRIES Ltd 30 May 1972 [19 Oct 1971] 25131/72 Heading C3P Formaldehyde is polymerized by using bis-(3- phenylacetylacetone) copper as the catalyst. The reaction is carried out in an inert organic solvent containing 10-9 to 5 Î 10-7 mole/litre of the catalyst, formaldehyde (containing not more than 1% of water) being either continuously blown into the solution or dissolved in the solvent prior to addition of the catalyst. The resulting slurry should contain 30 to 150 g./l. of polymer. The polymers thus obtained may be stabilized, with a reduction in their molecular weight, by reaction with acetic anhydride in the presence of BF 3 . They may then be compounded with a malonic acid-xylylene diamine condensate (as a heat stabilizer) and 2,21-methylenebis - (4 - methyl - 6 - t - butylphenol). Comparative examples describe the use of various other metal complexes of acetylacetone or 3-phenylacetylacetone as the catalyst.