Product Profile: 1,4 cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) is a monomer used in the manufacture of co polyesters in the specialty plastic segment, due to growing co polyesters demand. 1,4-CHDM is an excellent intermediate for the synthesis crystalline resins for pelletized molding compounds. Product characteristics • Chemical name : 1,4–Cyclohexanedimethanol;1,4- Bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane • CAS No : 105-08-8 • Molecular formula : C6H10(CH2OH)2 • Appearance : White waxy solid • Molecular weight : 144.21 • Odour : Sweet Applications • CHDM is the major gycol used to prepare PCT, PCTG and PCTA polyesters, but is the major glycol in the PETG composition. CHDM is manufactured by catalytic hydrogenation of dimethyl teraphthalate. It is one of the most important co monomers for production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyethylene terephalic ester (PETE), from which plastic bottles are made. • CHDM is a symmetrical, high molecular weight cycloaliphatic glycol used to make saturated and unsaturated polyester resins. It is commonly used as a glycol modifier for resins. It can be used in unsaturated polyester resins for gel coats, sheet molding compounds and injection moldable fiberglass reinforced plastics. Good chemical, stain, humidity and corrosion resistance is achieved, when using CHDM-D in polyester-melamine baking enamels for appliance, general metal and automotive coatings. • The areas of applications include the following: Chemical and pharmaceutical intermediate, Coating resins for heat sensitive substrates, Cosmetic polymer intermediate, Polyester polyols for polyurethane coatings, Polyester melamine baking enamels, Unsaturated polyester resins and Waterborne polyester resins Production of Cyclohexane Dimethanol(CHDM) CHDM is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). The reaction conducted in two steps beginning with the conversion of DMT to the diester dimethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DMCD). In the second step DMCD is further hydrogenated to CHDM. The cis/trans ratio of CHDM is differ according to the catalyst, 80:20 for Cu4Ru12 catalyst, 65:35 in case of the RuPt catalyst, 88:12 for the Ru-Sn catalyst, 30:70 in case of the copper chromite catalyst usually used in industrial processing. C6H4(CO2CH3)2 + 3 H2 ? C6H10(CO2CH3)2 C6H10(CO2CH3)2 + 4 H2 ? C6H10(CH2OH)2 + 2 CH3OH Most of the commercial CHDM has cis/trans ratio of 30:70.