Quaternary Ammonium Spiroborate Esters and Mixed Anhydrides Derived from Aliphatic ?-Hydroxy Acids and Diacids and their Wood Protection Properties

Abstract

The preparation of tetra-n-butylammonium spiroborates derived from the aliphatic α-hydroxy acids glycolic and (S)-(+)-mandelic acid, and the spiroborate mixed anhydrides derived from the dicarboxylic acids oxalic, malonic, succinic, and phthalic acid was investigated. The target ammonium spiroborates were obtained in pure form from glycolic, (S)-(+)-mandelic, and oxalic acids and were tested for their potential as wood preservatives. The spiroborates derived from glycolic acid and (S)-(+)-mandelic acid show promise and are worthy of further investigation. Useful information about the order of stability of the spiroborate mixed anhydrides derived from the dicarboxylic acids has been obtained and a new oxalato triborate related in structure to borax has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography.