I have been doing an end-group reaction of polymer. The former step of this is a substitution reaction using NaH(I used it directly without removal of the mineral oil). However, after many times of trying, the conversion ratio of the end-group is nearly zero! I wonder that is it the mineral oil from the former step that covered the end-group of the polymer chains leading to a rather low conversion ratio?
Thanks.
Chao,
In what solvent do you carry out the reaction? Beyond that, how well do you trust the NaH you have? How old is it? You could test your concern about the mineral oil issue by washing it away with the reaction solvent before doing the reaction. I am very skeptical that the mineral oil would have any effect on the reaction unless the solvent you are using doesn't do a good job solubilizing the oil. So coating the NaH is more the problem than covering the end group.
Dear Chao,
You better remove the mineral oil before doing the experiment by washing with pet. ether (40-60 0C) and or/ 60-80 0C), however, i don't think that is the reason of the conversion ratio of the end-group is nearly zero. It may be something else.
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