Formation and structure of tris(alumatranyloxy-i-propyl)amine directly from Al(OH)3 and triisopropanolamine

Recently, a new one step method was developed for synthesizing a methyl substituted alumatrane directly from aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3] and triisopropanolamine (TIS). The structure of TIS-Al was characterized using DSC, TGA, FAB+-MS, NMR (1H-, 13C-, 27Al-), and FTIR. Triethylenetetramine (TETA), a stronger base than TIS, was found to act as a catalyst to accelerate the Al(OH)3 dissolution rate. The kinetics of TIS-Al formation were studied as a function of different conditions. The activation energy of reaction was 24±2 kJ mol−1.