Polyvinyl acetate

Lore & Background

The monomer, vinyl acetate, was first produced on an industrial scale by the addition of acetic acid to acetylene in the presence of a mercury(I) salt acting as a catalyst, but it is now primarily made by palladium-catalyzed oxidative addition of acetic acid to ethylene. Polyvinyl acetate is prepared by the polymerization of vinyl acetate monomer via free-radical vinyl polymerization.

Reader's Guide

Polyvinyl acetate is significant as a widely used adhesive for porous materials such as wood, paper, and cloth, and as a consolidant for porous building stone, particularly sandstone. It is considered food-safe and is used in food packaging, as a gum base in chewing gum, and as a coating on Gouda cheese. Its applications also include bookbinding, handicrafts, envelope and wallpaper adhesives, primer for drywall, and as an adhesive for cigarette paper. The polymer is sensitive to base hydrolysis, converting into polyvinyl alcohol and acetic acid, and its glass transition temperature ranges from 30 to 45 °C. Polyvinyl acetate is also the raw material for making polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate phthalate. Its use on the Archimedes Palimpsest during the 20th century hindered later preservation efforts because the glue was stronger than the parchment.

Did You Know?

• Its ester groups are sensitive to base hydrolysis, slowly converting PVAc into polyvinyl alcohol and acetic acid.
• A number of microorganisms, including filamentous fungi, algae, yeasts, lichens, and bacteria, can degrade polyvinyl acetate.
• The use of PVAc on the Archimedes Palimpsest hindered disbinding and preservation because the glue was stronger than the parchment.