Article
Article
Polyacetal
Article By:
Manson, John A. Formerly, Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.533450
A polyether derived from aldehydes (R
CH2 or CHR′) or ketones [RC(R′R′)] and containing 
ORO groups in the main chain. Of the many possible polyacetals, the most common is a polymer or copolymer of formaldehyde, polyoxymethylene (OCH2 )n. While the substance paraformaldehyde contains oligomers or low-molecular-weight polyoxymethylenes (n very small), high-molecular-weight, crystalline polyoxymethylenes constitute an important class of engineering plastics that, in commerce, is often simply referred to as polyacetal. Cellulose and its derivatives also have a polyacetal structure. For discussion of other polyethers and polymers containing acetal side groups. See also: Acetal; Cellulose; Formaldehyde; Polyether resins; Polyvinyl resins
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