Polyol production by chemical modification of date seeds

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, H-1 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.