Abstract

Polyol production from chemical modification of date seeds has been investigated through oxypropylation and liquefaction techniques (using organic solvents in the presence of a catalyst). The obtained products were characterized using infrared spectroscopy analysis, (1)H NMR, thermogravimetric analysis and other parameters such as hydroxyl number (I(OH)) and viscosity. Results showed that 93% of the solid substance was converted into polyol in the oxypropylation reaction at the date seeds/propylene oxide ratio of 0.25 and 10% potassium hydroxide at 160 degrees C. The oxypropylated product has I(OH) of 779 mg KOH/g and viscosity of 6.9 Pa s. Regarding the liquefaction technique, results show that a yield of 95% was obtained at the date seeds/liquefying solvent ratio of 0.25 in 60 min of reaction at 160 degrees C. The liquefied product shows I(OH) of 336 mg KOH/g and viscosity of 0.9 Pa s. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.