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Synthesis of a novel polythiourethane‐based acid and its catalytic activity
Author(s) -
Du Yijun,
Li Chunqing,
Sun Xudong,
Liang Xuezheng,
Qi Chenze
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
asia‐pacific journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.348
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1932-2143
pISSN - 1932-2135
DOI - 10.1002/apj.476
Subject(s) - catalysis , sulfonic acid , chemistry , reusability , thio , solvent , organic chemistry , environmentally friendly , copolymer , computer science , ecology , software , biology , programming language , polymer
Acid catalysts are very important in the production of many industrial chemicals. The novel polythiourethane‐based solid acid has been synthesized via two steps. The copolymerization of tolylenediisocyanate (TDI) and 1,2‐bis[(2‐mercaptoethyl)thio]‐3‐mercapto‐propane (MR) was carried out as the first step, and the amount of free mercarpto groups in the polythiourethane was controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of TDI and MR. The second step was the formation of the sulfonic acid groups by oxidation of the free mercapto groups. Possible catalytic activity was investigated through the traditional acid‐catalyzed reactions including acetylation and synthesis of Schiff base. The results showed that this novel catalyst was very efficient for these reactions and produced high yields. Use of this catalyst simplifies process operations by not requiring any solvent, plus low usage amounts and low cost of the catalyst used with high yields, in particular, wide applicability and reusability are key features. The novel solid acid catalyst also has great potential for more environmental‐friendly processes as it can be recycled and reused (easily separated) without any loss of activity. © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.