Poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol

Poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol is a polyether polyol. It is also known as PTMEG or polytetrahydrofuran and various tradenames such as "Terathane" and "PolyTHF". One of its CAS Registry Numbers is [25190-06-1] .

It is prepared by acid-catalyzed polymerization of tetrahydrofuran.cite encyclopedia |year=1996 |title =Polyethers, Tetrahydrofuran and Oxetane Polymers by Gerfried Pruckmayr, P. Dreyfuss, M. P. Dreyfuss |encyclopedia=Kirk‑Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology |publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc |location= |id= ] . The polymers are of moderate size, usually having number average molecular weights of between 250 and 3000 da, for example see the "Terathane" series of PTMEG from Invista [cite web |url=http://terathane.invista.com/e-trolley/page_10759/index.html|title=Physical properties for the range of Terathane PTMEG polymers|accessdate=2007-09-06] or "PolyTHF" from BASF [cite web |url=http://www.intermediates.basf.com|title=BASF Intermediates|accessdate=2008-08-22] .

The main use for PTMEG polymers is to make elastomeric fibers such as Spandex. These elastomers are either polyurethanes made by reacting PTMEG with diisocyanates, or polyesters made by reacting PTMEG with diacids or their derivatives [cite web|url=http://terathane.invista.com/e-trolley/page_10324/index.html|title=Uses of PTMEG polyols|accessdate=2007-09-06] .

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