Synthesis and characterization of trimethoxy boroxine

Trimethoxy boroxine is used in fire extinguishing tubes because of its smoke suppressant properties and it is also used as an auxiliary catalyst in olefin polymerization, in lithium ion cells as an electrolyte additive, in welding and soldering works, in protective coating production and in hardening of epoxide resins. It has become a desirable material because of its superior properties and it has gained importance how to synthesize it cheaper and easier. In this study, trimethoxy boroxine was synthesized from the reactions of boric acid and trimethyl borate. In the first step, boric acid reacted with methanol in order to obtain trimethyl borate as a precursor. The best reaction yield was obtain by using 1:2 ratio of boric acid and trimethyl borate in cyclohexane. Trimethoxy boroxine was synthesized from boric acid and trimethyl borate in azeotropic distillation set-up containing Dean-Stark apparatus. It was characterized by H-NMR and FT-IR.