Catalytic polymerization of anthracene oil with aluminium trichloride

A commercial anthracene oil was polymerized with anhydrous aluminium trichl oride in the temperature range of 250-325 degrees C. The kinetics of the pr ocess and the conversion of anthracene oil were monitored by thermogravimet ric analysis, solubility parameters and carbon yield. The reactivity of the major anthracene oil components was monitored by gas chromatography. The c okes obtained at 900 degrees C from reaction products were characterized in terms of optical texture and air reactivity. The results showed that the t reatment of anthracene oil with aluminium trichloride led to pitch-like mat erials, temperature and aluminium trichloride concentration being the contr olling parameters of anthracene oil conversion. The residue obtained by the rmogravimetric analysis at 350 degrees C was used as a measure of the degre e of anthracene oil conversion. Cokes obtained by carbonization of reaction products, in which aluminium trichloride had previously been removed, show ed an optical texture of a larger size and a lower air reactivity than coke s from reaction products where aluminium trichloride was present. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.