Hydrolysis of zirconium n-propoxide study by gas chromatography

Abstract

The hydrolysis of zirconium n-propoxide is followed by gas chromatography. The ratio of moles of water to moles of metal alkoxide is designated h. The ratio for hydrolysis is h = 1.5. For this value it is found that polymerization takes place and a gel rather than a precipitate is obtained in time. An esterification reaction between acetic acid and propanol permits production of water in situ. The experimental degree of hydrolysis is only 0.55. This leads to the molecule Zr(OPr) 2.71 (CH 3CO 2) 0.74(OH) 0.55 and the polymer size is n = 5.1. Residual water is present in solution.