Synthesis of POPOP, a Scintillator Used in the Nuclear Radiation Detectors

Scintillators are materials which exhibit scintillation)luminescence property(when excited by ionizing radiation. Luminescent materials, when struck by an incoming particle, absorb its energy and scintillate. POPOP, 1,4-bis- (5-phenyl-oxazolyl-2)-benzene, is one of the organic scintillators that have applications in detecting the nuclear rays and charged particles. Herein, the synthesis of POPOP have been reconsidered and some synthetic methods have been investigated and a new and efficient method for the preparation of POPOP is presented. An intermediate was synthesized by the reaction of 2-aminoacetophenone with terphethaloyl dichloride. The oxazole rings in the final product (POPOP) were then formed by the reaction of this intermediate with concentrated sulfuric acid.