Novel multifunctional antioxidants for polymers using eugenol as biogenic building block

Novel molecular and polymeric antioxidants (AO) were successfully synthesized using eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) as biogenic starting material. The structure of the novel stabilizers was confirmed by 1H-, 13C NMR spectra and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). Furthermore, the polymeric stabilizers are characterized by Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed high temperature stability above 250 °C proving potential suitability as stabilizers for polyolefins. The impact of the molecular and polymeric antioxidants on the processing behavior and degradation of polypropylene (PP) was examined by prolonged extrusion experiments and oxidation induction time (OIT) measurements. Moreover, the long-term oxidative stability of the PP compounds during accelerated aging was investigated. The novel antioxidants provide excellent processing stability of PP.