Allyl- is the
prefix for the univalent organic group, -CH2=CHCH2. Allyl alcohol is
an example, CH2=CHCH2OH, clear, pungent liquid, boiling at 96 C; soluble in
water. It is prepared from allyl chloride by hydrolysis. Allyl compound,
an alkene hydrocarbon, has a vinyl group, CH2=CH-, attached to a methylene -CH2.
Because of the highly reactive double bond, allyl can undergo free radical addition to double bond which
readily combine with themselves or other monomers to form homopolymers or co-polymers
which are used in the production of coatings, adhesives and elastomers. In addition
to free radical addition,
allyl compounds can participate in a wide variety of reactions
including electrophilic additions, allylic substitution
and oxidation. Allyl,
an unsaturated bond, imparts a characteristic
odor in some compounds. An example is allyl
isothiocyanate which is the main ingredient of black mustards.
(white mustard consists principally of
p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate). Allyl
isothiocyanate is called mustard oil.
Allyl esters
are involved in fragrance, flavor, or odor.
Trimethylolpropane
diallylether,
containing
one
hydroxyl group and two allyl bonds in a quaternary mole
structure, is a clear liquid. It
is applied in unsaturated
polyesters
and resins (epoxy, ion-exchange and polyurethane and
polyacrylate resins) to improves heat resistance, color stability, balance
between toughness
and flexibility. Allyl group functionality gives the advantage to inhibit oxygenation from surface tackiness in curing
resins.
It is also used in lubricating oils and plasticizers.