Solvents are ubiquitous in nearly every reaction performed in chemistry. Solvents serve not only as the media in which the reaction occurs, but also serve to control the concentration of reactants as well as to control the thermal environment. However, at the end of reactions, solvents must be separated from the products. Existing solvents sometimes pose environmental, health, or safety hazards. Thus, there is an interest in alternative greener solvents. Polymeric solvents have been used as replacements for traditional solvents. Polymeric solvents, such as polyethylene (PE), polyisobutylene (PIB) and poly(a-olefin)s (PAOs) have all been studied as replacements for alkane solvents. Such solvents have advantages over traditional solvents, including lower volatility, lower flammability, lower toxicity, and higher recyclability. PAOs have been shown to lower the leaching of PIB-supported dyes compared to heptane. Here, we report reactions performed in a PAO and compare the reactions to those done in heptane to test the usability of PAOs as solvents.

Reactions in poly(a-olefin)s: A replacement for alkane solvents

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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