Poly(vinyl alcohol), a hydrophilic polymer used in aqueous adhesives, is made by polymerizing vinyl acetate and then hydrolyzing the ester linkages.
(a) Give the structures of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol).
(b) Vinyl acetate is an ester. Is poly(vinyl acetate) therefore a polyester? Explain.
(c) We have seen that basic hydrolysis destroys the Dacron® polymer. Poly(vinyl acetate) is converted to poly(vinyl alcohol) by a basic hydrolysis of the ester groups. Why doesn't the hydrolysis destroy the poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer?
(d) Why is poly(vinyl alcohol) made by this circuitous route? Why not just polymerize vinyl alcohol?