Citric Acid → HCID 86600456, compound

Participants

Reaction Steps

As a control experiment, we also synthesized a copolymer using a 3:1 molar ratio of citric acid to D-sorbitol, but first dissolving the reactants in water. Citric acid and D-sorbitol were dissolved in a minimal amount of water, and then dried in a force air oven at 80° C. overnight. The resulting solid was ground, then polymerized under vacuum at 150° C. The resulting polymer displayed a water absorbance index (WAI) value within experimental error of the dry synthesis (Table 1). Water solubility and acid titration values show a larger extent of reaction in this system, probably due to reaction occurring during the drying process. Overall, there appears to be little advantage to using water in this system.

Provenance & Evidence