xxxxx - 14-5-2008 at 15:05
currently spandex is produced by reacting nylon monomers with phosgene and adding a glycol to the diisocyanate groups which are formed. the
disadvantage to this process is that the carbonyl group from the phosgene is included in the polymer as an amide ester of carbonic acid which is the
weakest link in the polymer as it is the most easily hydrolysed. indeed carbonic acid does not exist at standard temperatures and pressures, but
decomposes spontaneously to form carbon dioxide and water.
this is demonstrated by spandex being decomposed by body acids such as butric acid over comparatively short periods of time.
i would like to propose reacting 1,6 diamino hexane with 6 hydroxy hexanoic acid to form a trimer ho-c5h10-co-nh-c6h12-nh-oc-c5h10-oh, which is
then reacted with adipic acid to complete the polymer chain.