The Effect of Reaction Temperature on Retaining Oxirane Oxygen Contents in the Synthesis of Epoxidized Diethanolamides

Epoxidized diethanolamides were synthesized by reacting diethanolamine (DEA) with mixture of Epoxidized Palm Olein (EPOo ,40% w/w) and Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Kernel Olein (RBDPKOo , 60% w/w) at 1:3 molar at 80°C for 5 h and continued at 110°C for another 4 h of reaction time. Synthesized diethanolamides with high content of epoxides were reacted with isocyanate in the presence of AlCl₃-THF complex catalyst to produce oxazolidone linkages in polyurethane network. The rigid polyurethane foam produced is of better quality as compared to the commercially available foam.