Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol, PolyTHF, Terathane, Polytetrahydrofuran, Polybutylene Glycol, PTMEG, PTHF, 25190-06-1

Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol, PolyTHF, Terathane, Polytetrahydrofuran, Polybutylene Glycol, PTMEG, PTHF, 25190-06-1

🧪 Chemical Properties of Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol (PTMEG)

• Chemical formula: (C₄H₈O)ₙ

• CAS number: 25190-06-1

• Appearance: White, viscous liquid or waxy solid

• Density: 0.982 g/cm³

• Melting point: 23–28 °C

• Solubility: Low solubility in water (approx. 0.2 g/100 mL at 20 °C)

🏭 Production

PTMEG is typically synthesized through the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The process involves:

• Polymerization type: Cationic ring-opening polymerization

• Catalysts: Strong acidic catalysts such as boron trifluoride (BF₃) or triflic acid

• Reaction conditions: Controlled temperature under inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon)

• Chain termination: Usually with water or alcohol

• Purification: Vacuum distillation or solvent extraction

⚙️ Applications

Thanks to its flexibility and durability, PTMEG is widely used across various industries:

• Elastomers: Tires, seals, gaskets

• Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU): Shoe soles, sports gear, medical devices

• Adhesives and coatings: Waterproof textiles, outdoor apparel, tents

• Spandex (elastane) production: Core component for stretchable fabrics

🔁 Alternative Names

• PolyTHF

• Terathane

• Polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF)

• Polybutylene glycol

📊 PTMEG Application Table