Stabilisation of polyethylene and polypropylene glycol through inhibition of a beta-positioned hydroxyl group relative to an ether group. A study of modified triethylene and tripropylene glycols

摘要

Polyethers are subject to oxidative degradation. An examination of the possible degradation mechanisms suggests a protective substitution, which has been shown to be effective on short chain polyglycols. Inserting a methylene group at the end of triethylene and tripropylene glycols, between the hydroxyl and ether groups, has a stabilising effect on their degradation in air. At 70 degreesC, degradation is completely stopped in modified triethylene glycol, while modified tripropylene glycol shows diminished degradation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [References: 26]