A procedure was developed for preparing a plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride compounds from the fraction of dioxane alcohols. The main physicochemical properties of the new plasticizer were determined. Items prepared from formulations containing the new plasticizer were fabricated and tested in laboratory.Since the discovery of the dioxane method for preparing isoprene, the utilization or reprocessing of dioxane alcohols has been topical problem.The world's annual production of isoprene reaches now 1000 31100 thousand tons, of which 250 thousand tons (23325% of the total amount) is produced by the dioxane method. In Russia, the annual production of isoprene is 700 3800 thousand tons, of which 190 thousand tons (24 327% of the total amount) is produced by the dioxane method. In this method, the amount of dioxane alcohols (by-products) reaches 100 3110 kg per ton of isoprene. Thus, formation of large amounts of dioxane alcohols is inevitable [1].The fraction of dioxane alcohols from the production of isoprene rubber is a colorless or light yellow mobile liquid containing 50 370 wt % dioxane alcohols; the boiling onset temperature is no less than 225oC, and the flash point, no less than 120oC. The fraction belongs to hazard class 3, recommended value of MPC (with respect to dioxane alcohol) 10 mg m !3 , LD 50 for mice 2700 mg kg !1 [2]. The fraction of dioxane alcohols contains three isomeric alcohols: C HOCH 2 CH 2 O Ä CH 2 CH 3 i ei O Ä CH 2 ÄCH 2 e ie 4-Methyl-4-hydroxyethyl-1,3-dioxane (I) C O Ä CH 2 i ei O Ä CHÄCH 2 e ie CH 3 CH 3 g g CH 2 OH 4,4-Dimethyl-5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxane (II) CH 3 ÄCÄCH e CH 2 ÄO i g g g g CH 3 OH i e CH 2 CH 2 ÄO ethyl)-1,3-dioxane (III) 5-(1-Methyl-1-hydroxy-The major component (60 370% of the sum of the isomers) is 4-methyl-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-dioxane I.A number of possible applications of dioxane alcohols have been outlined in the literature: as an efficient solvent for nitrocellulose, nitrocellulose lacquers, rosin, lac, for bakelite, epoxy, and polyvinyl chloride resins, and for insulating lacquer; as a component of epoxy hardener [3 3 8]. One of promising ways of processing of the fraction of dioxane alcohols is preparation of plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride resins and rubbers [9 313].However, proper utilization of this large-tonnage waste remains a matter of current interest.We believe that the presence of hydroxy and acetal groups in molecules of dioxane alcohols, their low toxicity, absence of odor and color, and high boiling and flash points make these compounds interesting both as objects for theoretical studies (reactivity) and as potential raw materials for chemical industry.Our goal was to examine the possibility of preparing esters from dioxane alcohols and carboxylic acids, as potential plasticizers.
