Ch E 490 Fall 2013 Yuerui Huang

Outline  Arcylated Epoxidized Soybean OiL Synthesis  Poly-Styrene Synthesis  Diblock Synthesis

AESO synthesis  Epoxidized Soybean Oil (SBO) is mixed with hydroquinoe as inhibitor, pyridine as catalyst, toluene and acrylic acid. The ratio of each chemical is shown in another file.  The reaction is carried at 95 °C and allowed to keep for 14 hours.  After the reaction is done and cools down, excess sodium bicarbonate should be added to neutralize the system. Diethyl ether is also added into the system in order to make the liquid less viscous.  Then, pack the column with silica gel and aluminum oxide. Use the column to filter out the impurities and salts remain in the product.  The solvent is then removed by rotation evaporation.  Transfer the product into a vial and put in the oven. Let it dry overnight.  NMR should be done to make sure the acrylation number per chain.

AESO_Fun_2.36

AESO_Fun_2.326

AESO_Fun_3

Poly-Styrene Synthesis  Monomer styrene should be further purified before use. Pack the column with silica gel and aluminum oxide. Pass the styrene through the column.  Dioxane is used as solvent and should be purified as well. The procedure is the same as the one for styrene.  A certain amount of styrene, dioxane, AIBN and Chain Transfer Agent (CTA) are placed in a flask.  Seal the flask with rubber stopper and purge with argon for at least 20 min while stirring.  Set the temperature to 75 °C and let the reaction keep for 24 hours.  After the reaction is done, rotavap (rotation evaporation) out some of the solvent.  Precipitate the polymer by pouring the product into a beaker filled with methanol, while stirring.  Add ethanol in to the beaker and let it stir for 3 hours. Transfer the polymer into a container and dry in the oven overnight.  GPC and NMR should be tested.

PS_21kDa

PS 94kDa

Diblock synthesis  Certain amounts of AESO and polystyrene are placed in a flask. AIBN and dioxane are added as well.  Seal the flask with rubber stopper and purge with argon for at least 20 min while stirring.  Set the temperature to 75°C and the let the reaction keep for 3 hours. After the third hour, attention should be paid to see whether the system gels up.  Normally, around 4 to 5 hours, stop the reaction.  After the reaction is done, rotavap (rotation evaporation) out some of the solvent.  Precipitate the polymer by pouring the product into a beaker filled with methanol, while stirring.  Add ethanol in to the beaker and let it stir for 3 hours. Transfer the polymer into a container and dry in the oven overnight.  GPC and NMR should be tested.

PS-AESO_Fun_2.36

PS-AESO_Fun_3