Polyethylene Teraphthalate

Done by: Hazael Barrera, Jordi Catzim, Isidro Chan

Presented to: Mrs. kayla Thompson
Date: November 20th 2018
Subject: Organic Chemistry
Introduction

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), a strong, stiff synthetic fibre and resin, and a member of
the polyester family of polymers. PET is spun into fibres for permanent-press fabrics, blow-molded
into disposable beverage bottles, and extruded into photographic film and magnetic recording tape.
• At a slightly higher molecular weight, PET is made into a high-strength plastic that can be shaped by
all the common methods employed with other thermoplastics. Magnetic recording tape and
photographic film are produced by extrusion of PET film
When and by whom was it invented?

• PET was first prepared in England by J. Rex Whinfield and James T. Dickson of the Calico Printers
Association during a study of phthalic acid begun in 1940.
• Because of wartime restrictions, patent specifications for the new material were not immediately
published.
• Production by Imperial Chemical of its Terylene-brand PET fibre did not begin until 1954
• Meanwhile, by 1945 DuPont had independently developed a practical preparation process from
terephthalic acid, and in 1953 the company began to produce Dacron fibre.
• In the 1970s, improved stretch-molding procedures were devised that allowed PET to be made into
durable crystal-clear beverage bottles
How was it invented/How was it discovered?
Is it an addition or condensation polymer?
 How is it prepared today?

• is produced by the polymerization of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

• When heated together under the influence of chemical catalysts, ethylene glycol
and terephthalic acid produce PET in the form of a molten, viscous mass that can be spun
directly to fibres or solidified for later processing as a plastic.
• This overall reaction is as follows:

• The presence of a large aromatic ring in the PET repeating units gives the polymer notable
stiffness and strength
What is it used for?
Two interesting facts

• PET does not contain BPA: Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a compound used to make polycarbonate, a
different type of plastic found in some baby bottles, the lining of metal cans, and reusable sports
bottles. PET does not contain BPA and never has.
• PET contains no phthalates: Phthalates are not used in PET, nor is PET a phthalate. Plasticizer
phthalates are sometimes used to soften other types of plastic, and are believed by some to be
potential endocrine disruptors although this is unproven. The confusion seems to come from PET's
chemical name, polyethylene terephthalate.
• PET contains no dioxins
• PET contains no endocrine disruptors
• PET contains no lead or cadmium
Pictures and relevant diagrams
References