Binary solid-liquid phase diagram of the two diastereomer racemates of triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC)

Triglycidyl isocyanurate [2451-62-9] as a trifunctional epoxy monomer is mostly used as curing agent. It exists in the form of two diastereomer racemates according to the configuration of the three chiral carbon atoms in the molecule, i.e. beta- or RRR/SSS and alpha- or RRS/SSR. The binary solid-liquid phase diagram of the two diastereomer racemates has been determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The two diastereomer racemates have different crystalline structures and are physical mixtures with an eutectic phase diagram. The eutectic mixture melts at 92.3 ± 1.0 °C and has alpha-TGIC content of 93.44% by mass or mole. With the help of the phase diagram the ratio of the two diastereomer racemates in TGIC may be determined. The binary phase diagram shows that beta-TGIC can be separated with efficiency from the mixture and may serve for enantiomer synthesis of high optical activity giving rise to the development of novel polymers.