What happens to polyester slacks if aqueous naoh is spilled on them? What happens to polyester slacks if aqueous is spilled on t

Question

Pavel [41]

3 years ago

12

What happens to polyester slacks if aqueous naoh is spilled on them? What happens to polyester slacks if aqueous is spilled on t

hem?

Chemistry

1 answer:

Helga [31] · Answer 1 · 2022-06-28T19:53:35+03:00

Polyester is a condensation polymer of dicarboxylic acid and diol. Example : Polethylene terphthalate is polymer of ethylene glycol and tere phthallic acid. When a strong acid like HCl or a strong base like NaOH comes in contact with polyester (like spilled on slacks) it causes hydrolysis of polyester and it get converted back to dicarboxylic and diol(the monomers). the general reaction will be RCOOR' ---> RCOOH + R'OH Thus slacks will get teared.