Mechanochemical synthesis of polypropylene-based macromolecular stabilizers

A mechanochemical process is proposed as an innovative approach to the synthesis of polypropylene-based macromolecular stabilizers with outstanding thermal behavior. Properly designed butylated hydroxytoluene antioxidants (BHT) and hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) are covalently linked to polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) using a ball-mill apparatus under mild and solvent-free conditions. The study reports a quantitative evaluation of the degree of functionalization based on ATR-FTIR quantification technique and the solid-state NMR spectroscopy characterization of the ensuing materials. This strategy is a significant step towards safe and sustainable chemical synthesis in the field of macromolecular materials.