ALUMINUM SOAPS AS HIGH POLYMERS

Abstract

Viscosity and osmotic pressure measurements were carried out on dilute benzene solutions of aluminum dicaprylate, dilaurate, dimyristate, dipalmitate, distearate, and monostearate. From the results it is concluded that these soaps are polymers of high molecular weight formed by weak intermolecular links which are assumed to be hydrogen bonds. Lowering of the molecular weight by dissociation of these bonds is responsible for decreases in solution viscosities. Variations of the molecular weights obtained (60,000 to 900,000) are due, in the main, to the effect of concentration and aging on the extent of this dissociation.