Single step room temperature oxidation of poly(ethylene glycol) to poly(oxyethylene)-dicarboxylic acid

Abstract

Poly(oxyethylene)-dicarboxylic acids were obtained in high yields by room temperature oxidation of poly(ethylene glycol)s of molecular weights in the 4000–100,000 range using Jone's reagent (CrO3 and H2SO4) as the oxidizing agent. Oxidation by-products from the reaction mixture were eliminated by adsorbing chromium salts onto activated charcoal. The acid values of poly(oxyethylene)-dicarboxylic acids so synthesized were in agreement with the theoretical values. Poly(oxyethylene)-dicarboxylic acids were characterized by 1H-NMR, IR spectroscopy. Spectral data were in agreement with the proposed structures of products. In summary, a convenient, one pot method for the synthesis of a wide range of poly(oxyethylene)-dicarboxylic acids was developed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 883–890, 1998