Polycarbonate

Polycarbonates are particular group of polymers that are moldable under heat. As such these plastics are very widely used in modern manufacturing. The most widely used industrial polycarbonate is bisphenol A. Sometimes the general term polycarbonate is used synomously with this particular chemical.

Polycarbonate is a very durable material, and can be laminated to make bullet-proof glass, though bullet-resistant would be more accurate. Polycarbonate is becoming more common in housewares. Products made from polycarbonate include sunglass lenses and compact discs.

Synthesis

Polycarbonate can be synthesized from bisphenol A and phosgene. The first step in the synthesis of polycarbonate from bisphenol A is treatment of bisphenol A with sodium hydroxide. This deprotonates the hydroxyl groups of the bisphenol A molecule. The deprotonated oxygen reacts with phosgene through a back-side attack to create a tetrahedral intermediate followed by elimination of a chloride ion as a leaving group to form a stub. You can help BambooWeb by .