Vinyl neodecanoate (trade name VeoVa 10) is a vinylic monomer that is virtually always used in combination with other monomers to create lattices or emulsion polymers.[1] The trade name is an acronym of Vinyl ester of Versatic Acid with the number 10 meaning 10 carbons in the molecule. It has a medium to low glass transition temperature of -3 °C. Chemically, it is a mixture of isomeric vinyl esters of neodecanoic acid.
Vinyl neodecanoate is mainly used as a modifying monomer in conjunction with other monomers and particularly the manufacture of vinyl acetate based polymer emulsions by the process of emulsion polymerization.[2] Vinyl neodecanoate-containing polymers are used in decorative emulsion paints, plasters and renders especially in Europe.[3] Vinyl neodecanoate, like most vinyl ester monomers, is very hydrophobic and the structure is highly branched with a tertiary substituted α-carbon. It is used as a hydrophobic co-monomer. This structure renders the polymers produced from it, very resistant to alkali degradation as there is no hydrogen (thus proton producing species) on the α-carbon.[4] They have good resistance to degradation from ultraviolet light.[5] The monomer has even been used to produce vibration dampening resins.[6] It is claimed to produce coatings with high liquid stain repellency.[7]