ABSTRACT
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was first produced by ICI in the mid-1930s; following further development, this technology forms the basis of the acetone cyanohydrin process used. Several companies have carried out research to find alternative routes to MMA avoiding the use of hydrogen cyanide. All production of MMA is based on acetone cyanohydrin technology in West Europe and the US. The MMA-methyl alcohol mixture is washed with alkali to neutralize any residual acid, condensed and excess water removed. The organic layer is distilled to give pure MMA, and methyl alcohol is recovered from the aqueous layer. Crude MMA is purified by distillation to remove excess methyl alcohol and low boilers. Almost all MMA is polymerized to form homopolymers or copolymers with a wide range of mixed monomers. A growing market for MMA is in partial replacement of styrene in unsaturated polyester resins to give better weather resistance and longer life.
