Hydrogenation Hood

Area	Specially designated fume hood
Gas(es)	Hydrogen (H2) Deuterium (D2)
Additional equipment	Parr reactor

Safely creating stronger polymer materials

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Hydrogenation is a common reaction adding hydrogen into organic compounds, such as polymers, in order to saturate areas of unsaturation or reductively cleave bonds. In polymer materials, hydrogenation reactions can enhanced polymer resistance to oxidants, heat, and ionizing and UV radiation. Such modifications can also change the polymer’s physical properties, resulting in higher melting temperatures and greater tensile strength.

Alternatively, deuterium, an isotopic variation of hydrogen, can be incorporated. Deuterium induces similar physical changes as hydrogen to the polymer–in terms of enhanced physical strength and durability–but also introduces unique chemical changes that can be more easily measured. Changes such as altered vibrational frequencies, reduced hydrogen bonding, and slight mass increases, especially when directly compared to its non-isotopically labeled variation, allow for chemical characterization of the material by analytical means, such as spectroscopy (e.g., FT-IR, Ramon, etc.) and mass spectrometry (e.g., MALDI, LC-MS, GC-MS, etc.).

However, hydrogenation is inherently hazardous. Hydrogen gas itself is flammable and can pose an explosive risk, as do many of the additional reactants used in the hydrogenation process. To mitigate some of the hazards involved, we have designated a specific area towards the hydrogenation process. By having a specific fume hood designated to hydrogenation only, additional fire hazards are removed and users can perform the reaction more safely.

To aid in hydrogenation, a Parr reactor is also available. This device allows for continuous stirring in an elevated temperature and pressure environment for faster and easier hydrogen incorporation.