Catalytic polymerization of anthracene oil with aluminium trichloride

A commercial anthracene oil was polymerized with anhydrous aluminium trichloride in the temperature range of 250-325 degrees C. The kinetics of the process and the conversion of anthracene oil were monitored by thermogravimetric analysis, solubility parameters and carbon yield. The reactivity of the major anthracene oil components was monitored by gas chromatography. The cokes obtained at 900 degrees C from reaction products were characterized in terms of optical texture and air reactivity. The results showed that the treatment of anthracene oil with aluminium trichloride led to pitch-like materials, temperature and aluminium trichloride concentration being the controlling parameters of anthracene oil conversion. The residue obtained by thermogravimetric analysis at 350 degrees C was used as a measure of the degree of anthracene oil conversion. Cokes obtained by carbonization of reaction products, in which aluminium trichloride had previously been removed, showed an optical texture of a larger size and a lower air reactivity than cokes from reaction products where aluminium trichloride was present. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.