Application of acidic resins with new formulations as catalysts in solketal synthesis

Abstract

This project aims use an acidic polymeric resin as a catalyst in the acetalization of glycerol with acetone to produce solketal and/or related reactions. The synthesis of the polymeric resin is part of the FAPESP Project 2021/103505, which is valid until 05/2024, being coordinated by the author of this scholarship application. The development of a new polymeric resin formulation will take place in the first year of the aforementioned project. Next, we intend to test the polymeric catalyst in different organic reactions, one of which is the production of solketal. This step will be carried out with the research group of Dr. Nuno Graça and Prof. Dr. Alírio Rodrigues (FEUP - Portugal), who have expertise in the subject. The polymeric supports will be synthesized through free radical copolymerization of styrene and different crosslinkers such as Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate (TMPTA). The particles obtained in the copolymerization will be sulfonated for insertion of catalytic sites (sulfonic groups). Once sulfonated, the particles will act as a catalyst in organic reactions, whose evolution will be quantified by techniques such as chromatography and titration. Specifically for the internship abroad, the glycerol acetalization to produce solketal will be studied, a process that has already been studied with commercial resins by the aforementioned research group. Mathematical models will be developed in order to predict the structure of the polymeric network and its role as a catalyst in glycerol acetalization. (AU)