What is Purified Terephthalic Acid
Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(CO2H)2. It is one of the three isomers of benzenedicarboxylic acid, the others being phthalic acid and isophthalic acid. PTA is a white crystalline powder with a high melting point (402 °C) and a high boiling point (402 °C). It is soluble in alkaline solvents. It is produced by catalytic oxidation of p-xylene using acetic acid as a solvent.
The application of Purified Terephthalic Acid
PTA is mainly used as a raw material for the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, which is a synthetic polymer that has many applications in various industries, such as clothing, textiles, packaging, and bottles. PTA is also used as a raw material for the production of other types of polyester resins, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), which have similar properties to PET resin but different melting points and crystallization rates.
PTA is also used as a raw material for the synthesis of other organic compounds, such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. For example, PTA can be used to make azo dyes, which are widely used in textile, leather, and paper industries. PTA can also be used to make terephthalic acid esters, which are used as plasticizers, solvents, and perfumes. PTA can also be used to make herbicides, such as amitrole, which are used to control weeds in agriculture.