vinylesteri

Vinyl esters, sometimes referred to by the term vinylesteri in non-English contexts, are a class of esters in which the vinyl group is bound to the ester oxygen, giving the general structure CH2=CH-O-CO-R. The best-known example is vinyl acetate (R = CH3). Other common vinyl esters include vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, and vinyl versatates. In polymer chemistry, these monomers polymerize by free-radical mechanisms to form poly(vinyl esters), which are used in adhesives, coatings, textiles, and packaging. The pendant ester group influences properties such as adhesion, flexibility, and hydrolytic stability, and copolymerization allows tuning of performance.

Vinyl esters are also employed as specialized resins known as vinyl ester resins, particularly in fiber-reinforced composites and protective coatings. These resins are typically prepared by reacting epoxy resins with acrylic acid to introduce vinyl ester functionality, and they cure using amine or anhydride initiators. They aim to combine the toughness and ease of processing associated with polyester systems with the chemical resistance characteristic of epoxy resins, yielding materials with good resistance to water, acids, and solvents. Applications include marine laminates, chemical-processing equipment, and oil-field components, often reinforced with glass or carbon fiber.

Safety and handling: vinyl esters as monomers are generally volatile and flammable, and exposure can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract. Processing requires appropriate ventilation, protective equipment, and controls to prevent premature polymerization, such as inhibitors or stabilizers.