Homogeneous Methylolation of Melamine: Mathematical Modeling

Abstract

A novel mathematical model is presented on the methylolation of melamine with formaldehyde at 48 ºC and pH 9.0. The model assumes an instantaneous hydration/dehydration of formaldehyde and the methylolation mechanism of Gordon et al. [J Appl Polym Sci 1966, 10, 1153]. The 24 kinetic constants were adjusted to experimental measurements by B. Tomita [J Polym Sci 1977, 15, 2347]. The model predicts the evolutions of the comonomers and the 9 methylolated species. This is the first article of a series that aims at developing a detailed model for the industrial synthesis of melamine-formaldehyde resins.