Dimethyl terephthalate
| Dimethyl terephthalate | |
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Dimethyl terephthalate |
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1,4-Dimethyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate |
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Other names
1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester Dimethyl 4-phthalate |
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| Identifiers | |
| Abbreviations | DMT |
| CAS number | 120-61-6  |
| PubChem | 8441, 12241382 (2H4) |
| ChemSpider | 13863300 |
| EC number | 204-411-8 |
| MeSH | Dimethyl+4-phthalate |
| RTECS number | WZ1225000 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1107185 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 Image 2 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C10H10O4 |
| Molar mass | 194.18 g mol−1 |
| Exact mass | 198.083015792 g mol-1 |
| Appearance | white solid |
| Density | 1.2 g/cm³, ? |
| Melting point |
142 °C, 415 K, 288 °F |
| Boiling point |
288 °C, 561 K, 550 °F |
| Acidity (pKa) | -7.21 |
| Basicity (pKb) | -6.60 |
 (verify) (what is:  / ?)Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(CO2CH3)2. It is the diester formed from terephthalic acid and methanol. It is a white solid that melts to give a distillable colourless liquid.[1]
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[edit] Production
DMT has been produced in a number of ways. Conventionally and still of commercial value is the direct esterification of terephthalic acid. Alternatively, it can be prepared by alternating oxidation and methyl-esterification steps from p-xylene via methylp-toluate.[1]
[edit] Use
DMT is used in the production of polyesters, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polytrimethylene terephthalate. It consists of benzene substituted with carboxymethyl groups (CO2CH3) at the 1 and 4 positions. Because DMT is volatile, it is an intermediate is some schemes for the recyclic of PET, e.g. from plastic bottles.
Hydrogenation of DMT affords the diol cyclohexanedimethanol, which is a useful monomer.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Richard J. Sheehan "Terephthalic Acid, Dimethyl Terephthalate, and Isophthalic Acid" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2005.doi:10.1002/14356007.a26_193
[edit] External links
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