Effect of the type of hydrogen bonding on the reactivity of hydroxyl groups in the acetalization of poly(vinyl alcohol) with butanal

The parameters of hydrogen bonds formed during acetalization of poly(vinyl alcohol) with butanal are determined via computer-simulation methods. It is shown that alcohol groups involved in the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds are the least active in acetalization reactions. The kinetics of the acetalization reactions in 2,4-pentanediol-water-butanal and (vinyl alcohol)-water-butanal systems are studied at various concentrations of alcohols that model a change in the ratio of hydrogen bonds of various types and are realized in the aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl butyral). The calculated rate constants are in agreement with the computer-simulation-based order of reactivity of alcohol groups involved in hydrogen bonds of various types. It is proposed that the reactivity of residual alcohol groups in a poly(vinyl butyral) macromolecule should increase when a certain conversion of the polymer is attained.