what can be added to oleo to make plastic?

Answer 1

As stated earlier, oleo is composed of triglycerides as are any vegetable oil.

There are a number of different strategies for making polymeric materials from triglycerides commercially.

A two part method: (1) Conversion of the triglycerides to monoglycerides by transesterification. This amounts to reacting the triglyceride with glycerine using an acid catalyst. Depending on the fatty acid composition, the method will convert a small part of the triglyceride to tar. (2) reaction of the resulting monoglyceride (diol) with a diprotic acid such as terephthalic acid.

In some cases, conjugated double bonds in the fatty acids allow for polymerization through the fatty acids alone. This is usually only feasible for things like linseed oil.

It is not a simple technology and the properties of the polymer are not going to be like that everyday plastics most people are accustomed to.

Answer 2

Oleo (oleomargarine) is mostly made up of triglycerides.
Plastics are made from polymers of various organic compounds, including ethylenes, propylenes, carbonates, and others. The essential structure of triglycerides consists of long chain carboxylic acids bound to a glycerol backbone. The long chain fatty acids can theoretically be chemically modified to produce the precursor molecules for plastic production. However, this is not a straightforward situation of simply adding a chemical to oleo and *voila!* getting plastic.

Answer 3

stomach acid.