Studies on the Acetone Extraction of Raw Rubber. VII. The Time of Acetone Extraction of Raw Rubber and the Saponification Value of the Acetone Extract and Residue
Abstract During acetone extraction of pale crepe, the free acids and saponifiable matter were extracted almost completely in 1 or 2 hours. The saponification value (A) had a tendency to decrease rapidly and to reach a minimum after 12 hours (in non-continuous extraction) or after 16 hours (in continuous extraction). The cause of the decrease of the saponification value (A) from the commencement of extraction up to the time mentioned is thought to be due to a gradual increase in the amount of extracted non-acidic compounds and unsaponifiable matter with increasing time of extraction, and to the neutralization of acids by other compounds, as by esterification. After reaching the minimum point, the saponification value (A) had a tendency to increase gradually. This increase is thought to be due to (1) a gradual increase of ester extracted, (2) the formation of acids by oxidation, and (3) the formation of free acids by decompositions of esters, though the last factor does not increase materially the saponification value. The change of saponification value of the acetone extract with increasing time of extraction is not due to any change in the type of compounds gradually extracted, but to a change in the acetone extract in the acetone solution during extraction. This is in agreement with the acid value. It was observed in a previous paper (III) that almost all of the free acids contained in pale crepe were extracted by acetone in 1 hour. But by extraction for 1 or 2 hours, a small portion of the saponifiable matter still remain unextracted. This remaining part could not be extracted even by prolonged extraction. It is believed, therefore, that the free fatty acids are dissolved in the saponifiable matter, and that the latter are dissolved in the rubber hydrocarbon. As the acetone extract is very labile, so far as the change of acetone extract is concerned, the acetone extract, whether it be dried or left in solution, should not be stored for too long a time. The results obtained by such long extraction by acetone as multiples of ten hours, as used by Whitby and Winn (J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 41, 336T (1923)), are thought to be quite unreliable.