zeolite2008 - 23-11-2007 at 13:37
A paper says Furfuryl alcohol can be polymerized, but no details.
I wonder what is the suitable polymerization condition for furfuryl alcohol, at what temperature?
someone says the acid is advantageous for polymerization, liquid acid is OK, but for solid acid such as zeolite is it OK?
any suggestions are welcome!
12AX7 - 23-11-2007 at 15:09
Wikipedia says it's acid catalysed.
One might suppose, given the double bonds, that it could react via radical substitution (as other polyolefins are), but I'm supposing there are good
reasons why this doesn't work, or is grossly impractical.
Tim
vulture - 24-11-2007 at 06:39
You can bet your ass that acid catalyzed polymerizations are never of radical nature. You're probably looking at a cationic mechanism.
guy - 24-11-2007 at 11:30
As you can see, furfural has a nice aldehyde, which when protonated is a good electrophile. Then the other furfurals have pi bonds which can act as
nucleophiles. According to an article on furfural I have, the 5-carbon will be the nucleophile
Fleaker - 24-11-2007 at 12:28
Shucks, this polymerization might be why it's used in in phenolic resin casting sands. As I recall, the binder is phosphoric acid.
One can order furfuryl alcohol by the gallon for pretty cheap from a foundry supply house...