Autoxidation of polypropylene glycol and its catalysis with ferric acetylacetonate

The autoxidation of polypropylene glycol (PPG) alone and with ferric acetylacetonate (FeAA) was studied in air at 75, 85 and 93°C. The overall time-conversion follows an exponential equation. These results were confirmed by GPC, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The atuoxidation of polymer shows that ester, ketone, alcohol and formate compounds are also formed. Calculated activation energy of autoxidation of PPG is 84 kJ mol−1 and the average activation energy for PPG-FeAA autoxidation is 64 kJ mol−1. The induction period of autoxidation of PPG with catalyst is very short, while the rate of autoxidation is faster.