The Synthetic Routes of Poly(epichlorohydrin)

Poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) is a synthetic polymer that is widely used in various industrial applications due to its unique chemical properties such as its high strength, excellent thermal stability, and good resistance to acid and alkaline solutions.
It is commonly used in applications such as water treatment, flocculation, and adsorption.

Synthesis of PECH is typically carried out through two main synthetic routes, which are the epichlorhydrine route and the chlorine route.
Both routes involve the reaction of epichlorhydrine with chlorine, but they differ in the starting material and the reaction conditions.

The Epichlorhydrine Route

The epichlorhydrine route is the most commonly used method for the production of PECH.
This route involves the reaction of epichlorhydrine, which is an epoxy compound, with chlorine.
The reaction takes place in the presence of a solvent, such as water or methanol, and a catalyst, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.
The reaction can be represented as follows:

2 epichlorhydrine + 2 chlorine + 2 H2O → PECH + 2 HCl

The main advantage of the epichlorhydrine route is that it produces a higher molecular weight PECH with better mechanical properties and a higher thermal stability compared to the chlorine route.
However, the production of PECH through this route requires the use of toxic and expensive raw materials, such as epichlorhydrine and chlorine.

The Chlorine Route

The chlorine route is an alternative method for the production of PECH, which involves the direct reaction of chlorine with a compound that contains an active hydrogen atom, such as an alcohol or an amine.
The reaction takes place in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide or sodium chloride, and is usually carried out in a batch or continuous process in the presence of a solvent, such as water or methanol.
The reaction can be represented as follows:

2 CH2OH + 2 Cl2 + 2 NaOH → PECH + 2 H2O

The main advantage of the chlorine route is that it is less expensive and less hazardous to produce PECH compared to the epichlorhydrine route, since it does not require the use of toxic and expensive raw materials.
However, the disadvantage of this route is that it produces a lower molecular weight PECH with lower mechanical and thermal properties.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PECH

Poly(epichlorohydrin) has a number of advantages that make it an ideal material for various industrial applications.
Its high molecular weight, excellent thermal stability, and good resistance to acid and alkaline solutions make it a versatile material that can be used in a wide range of industrial applications.

One of the main advantages of PECH is its high strength, which makes it ideal for use in water treatment applications.
It can be used to remove suspended solids and colloidal particles from water, which makes it an ideal material for use in the production of drinking water.

Another advantage of PECH is its excellent thermal stability, which makes it ideal for use in high temperature applications.
It can be used in applications such as the production of chemicals and polymers, where high temperatures are required for the reaction to take place.

However, PECH also has some disadvantages that must be taken into account when considering its use in industrial applications.
One of the main disadvantages is its high reactivity, which makes it difficult to handle and store.
It is also relatively expensive to produce, which can make it less cost-effective than other synthetic materials.

Conclusion

Poly(epichlorohydrin) is a synthetic polymer that is widely used in various industrial applications due to its unique chemical properties