Process for producing cation exchangers

Abstract

Strongly acidic cation exchangers with high mechanical, osmotic and oxidation stability can be prepared by sulfonating bead polymers formed from one or more vinylaromatic monomer(s), one or more crosslinker(s) and from 0.2 to 20% by weight of one or more vinyl ethers and/or vinyl esters.

1 . Strongly acidic cation exchangers obtained by sulfonating bead polymers formed from vinylaromatic monomers, crosslinkers and from 0.2 to 20% by weight of vinyl ethers and/or vinyl esters. 
     
     
         2 . Strongly acidic cation exchangers according to  claim 1 , wherein the bead polymers are copolymers of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated, aromatic monomer, at least one crosslinker and at least one vinyl ether or vinyl ester. 
     
     
         3 . Strongly acidic cation exchangers as claimed in  claim 1  having a monodisperse particle size distribution. 
     
     
         4 . Strongly acidic cation exchangers as claimed in one of  claim 1  obtained from bead polymers having been prepared by the seed-feed process. 
     
     
         5 . A process for producing strongly acidic cation exchangers, wherein:
 a) monodisperse or heterodisperse bead polymers are prepared from vinylaromatic monomers, crosslinkers and from 0.2 to 20% by weight of vinyl ethers and/or vinyl esters by suspension polymerization and   b) these bead polymers are converted to strongly acidic cation exchangers by the action of sulfuric acid, sulfur trioxide and/or chlorosulfonic acid.   
     
     
         6 . A method of using of the strongly acidic cation exchangers according to  claim 1  in drinking water treatment, in the production of power water and ultrapure water, for chromatographic separation of glucose and fructose, and as catalysts for various chemical reactions. 
     
     
         7 . A method of using as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the strongly acidic cation exchangers are used as catalysts in the bisphenol A preparation from phenol and acetone. 
     
     
         8 . Strongly acidic cation exchangers as claimed in  claim 1  having a microporous particle size distribution.