Mild Approach for Non‐Catalytic Hydrogenation of Liquid Natural Rubber Using 2,4,6‐Trimethylbenzenesulfonyl Hydrazide as the Diimide Source

Abstract

This article reports an efficient, mild‐temperature method for the hydrogenation of liquid natural rubber ( LNR ). The hydrogenation of LNR was studied using diimide generated in situ from the thermolysis of 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzenesulfonyl hydrazide ( MSH ) in o ‐xylene at 100°C. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, solvent, and MSH / LNR weight ratio on the percentage of hydrogenation were evaluated. 1 H NMR analysis revealed that ~80% hydrogenation was achieved with a weight ratio of MSH : LNR = 1:1 at 100°C in o ‐xylene within 60 min.