Synthesis and Characterization of a Tris(phenolate)amine Ligand for the Production of an Iron(III)-centered Catalyst

Poster Presentations

The use of tris(phenol)amines in the synthesis of iron(III)-based catalysts has been essential to the production of semi-aromatic polymers from epoxides and cyclic anhydrides. In order to create the iron(III)-centered catalytic compound, (ArMeO)3NFe(DMAP), however, we must first be able to reliably create it’s uncoordinated organic ligand in high yields. The goal of this project is to find the variables that optimize the synthesis of the tris(2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylbenzyl)amine using hexamethylenetetramine, 2,4-dimethylphenol, and catalytic amounts of p-toluenesulfonic acid. We have performed experiments on the molar ratios of reactants, atmosphere, temperature, purification, and stirring for the synthesis. We have also characterized the results via 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and melting point analysis.