Production of a low molecular weight polymer from the cometathesis reaction of palm oil and cyclooctene

Abstract

Cometathesis of cyclooctene (CO) with triolein (TO) and palm oil (PO) leads to the formation of a low molecular weight polymer. Various ratios of TO to CO and PO to CO were studied (8:1 - 1:8). With a ratio of 8:1 - 1:1 (TO or PO:CO) the cometathesis products are in the form of a liquid. However, when the amounts of CO were increased (1:2 - 1:8) the cometathesis products in the form of white solid were produced. The FTIR spectra of both liquid and solid products are similar but differ in terms of intensities only. The FTIR spectral pattern consists of a combination of bands due to TO and CO or PO and CO. These observations were supported by the presence of the CO band at 1747 cm −1 from the TO or triglycerides (PO) or the ester group. Content of the cis and trans products in the cometathesis of TO and CO or PO and CO were also estimated from the intensities of the CH trans (966 cm −1) and CH cis (725 cm −1) bands in the FTIR spectra. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis of the solid products gave the weight average molecular weight, M ̄ w ranging from 14 000 up to 29 000 and the number average molecular weight, M ̄ n from 9000 to 17 000. From the GPC data obtained solid products are proposed to be polymeric materials. Melting temperatures of the solid products were also obtained from the DTA analysis.