No abstract

Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) was prepared by an alkali oxygen oxidation of anthracite and selectively decarboxylation of pyromellitic acid (PA). Tetraoctyl Pyromellitate (TOPM) was synthesized by the esterification of PMDA with isooctyl alcohol. The influence of temperature and time on the yield of PMDA was discussed. The effect of the amount of catalyst, weight ratio of PMDA and isooctyl alcohol on the percent conversion of TOPM was also investigated. The results indicate that worthy chemicals such as PMDA and TOPM can be prepared from coal.