Lactic Acid → Sorbitol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

The poly(lactic acid) was made by adding 102.77 grams of 85% lactic acid into a 4000 ml beaker. 3.03 grams of 85% phosphoric acid was then added. The mixture was heated to 120° C. for four hours until it was apparent that the water had been removed. After the water was removed, 11.75 grams of sorbitol was added and the polylactate continued to react for another 2 hours. The phosphoric acid was neutralized with 1.0 gram of magnesium oxide. A total of 66.47 grams of sorbitol hexapolylactate was produced. The sorbitol hexapolylactate is the hardest and thickest of the three esters.

Provenance & Evidence