Soybean Oil Based Allyl Acrylates and Methacrylates: Synthesis, Characterization, and Polymerization

In this study, a simple synthesis method for the allylic acrylates and methacrylates of soybean oil is evaluated. As a model compound, allylic acrylation and methacrylation of methyl oleate is also studied. IR and ¹H NMR techniques are used in order to characterize all the allylic esters. Although homopolymerization of allylic esters is unsuccessful, copolymers of the allylic esters with acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, n butyl acrylate, and styrene are obtained as low load bearing solids. Copolymerization products of acrylated soybean oil (ACSO) and methacrylted soybean oil (METACSO with styrene show rubbery properties. METACSO-Styrene and ACSO-styrene copolymers exhibit 35.3 and 24.9 kPa tensile strengths with more than 200% of elongation. Thermal stabilities of the synthesized polymers are measured by TGA technique. The copolymers of methyl oleate-based allyl acrylates and methacrylates exhibit higher 5% weight loss temperature than the copolymers of allylic acrylate and methacrylate of soybean oil.