NO. 15 OF A SERIES

P u b l i s h e d b y A I V I E R I C A N C Y A N A M I D C O M P A N Y , P e t r o c h e m i c a l s D e p a r t m e n t

3 0 R o c k e f e l l e r P l a z a , Ν e w Yo r k 2 Ο , Ν. Υ.

90 Cars Move Acrylonitrile Coast to Coast , Ί

Large volume production and efficient distribution are essential par tners in modern industry. An example of this basic law in action is the growth of Cyanamid's acrylonitrile tank car fleet . . . expanded since the first bulk ship­ment of this commodity chemical in 1940, to a force of 90 cars. These 8000-g-allon and 10,000-gallon tank cars pro­vide f a s t and ef f ic ient a c r y l o n i t r i l e service throughout the United S ta tes and Canada. Most Cyanamid cars a r e

equipped for both top and bottom unloading, though top unloading is the recommended procedure. Careful maintenance and inspection for clean­liness are carried out by Cyanamid personnel before each loading. Purity of product is thus protected r igh t to the point of usage.

Customers not equipped for bulk storage, can, of course, obtain drum shipments — and promptly !

Acrylonitrile in Methylstyrene Plastics

Methylstyrene polymerizes to form a. molding compound similar in many respects to polystyrene but having sig­nificantly improved thermal character­istics. Sold by Cyanamid as CYMAC® 400 methylstyrene molding compound, i t has good moldability, rigidity, clar­ity, freedom from color, and good elec­trical properties.

Acrylonitrile, when copolymerized

with methylstyrene, yields a product with similar high resistance to heat but having a greater degree of tough­ness and hardness along with improved solvent and craze resistance. Offered by Cyanamid as CYMAC 201 methyl­styrene molding compound, it is sug­gested when exceptional ruggedness in service is an important requirement. Examples are washing machine parts, combs, automotive interior p a r t s , ap­pliance and business machine housings, ice pails, tumblers, tableware, watch crystals and radio cabinets.

Polymerization of Acrylamide

Like many vinyl monomers, Acrylamide i s capable of producing homopolymers with a wide range of uses. Most nota­ble among the areas of application are adhes ives , d i spersan t s , f loccula t ing agen t s and thickening agents. Since in many instances the end use of the poly­mer dictates the method of preparation t o he employed, the polymerization techniques must, of necessity, be as var ied as the end use pattern itself.

Water-soluble polyacrylamides of controlled molecular weights are ob­ta ined by polymerizing Acrylamide in démineralized water containing five to forty per cent by volume of a water-mi sc ib l e a lcohol such a s i sopropyl alcohol. Using an ini t iator such as potassium persulfate, the polymeriza­tion is allowed to proceed a t 75-80°C. for two hours. The reaction product is a clear, colorless solution having a viscosity of about 3500 cps. a t 25°C.

Although most conveniently carried ou t in aqueous solution, Acrylamide polymerization also may be run in organic solvents such as alcohol, Cello-solve, dioxane and acetonitrile. Em­ploying benzoyl peroxide or Porofor Ν a s catalyst, the polymerization is run a t temperatures not exceeding 80' C. and depending upon the boiling point of the solvent. Depletion of the mono­mer is essentially complete within two hours and polymers with molecular w e i g h t s of l e s s t h a n 300,000 a r e obtained.

Condensa t ion t ype po lymers a r e f o r m e d when f-butanol c o n t a i n i n g dissolved sodium is heated with Acryl­a m i d e in the presence of a vinyl polymerization inhibitor. Conversion of th is linear polymer to ^-alanine in good yield has been reported.

Polyacrylamide in several molecular weights is available from Cyanamid's Marke t Development Department.

Polymerization and other reactions of Acrylamide a re discussed in Cyana­mid's Technical Bulletin Chemistry of Acrylamide. Send for your copy.

Note: The foregoing shall not be construed to imply the mendation to practice any Invention covered by any patent i-existence of

.neil by American cons t i tu te a permission. Inducement hou t authority from the owner of th or recorn-

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