Synthesis and properties of homo- and copolymers of trifluoropropyldimethylsilyl-1-propyne with trimethylsilyl-1-propyne

Homopolymerization of 1-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyldimethylsilyl)-1-propyne is investigated in the presence of catalysts based on tantalum (V) chloride and niobium (V) pentachloride with various cocatalysts. As a result of homopolymerization, an insoluble polymer is formed. It is established that the insolubility of the homopolymer is connected with the presence in the polymer of “pseudocrystalline” regions playing the role of physical links. Copolymerization of 1(3,3,3-trifluoropropyldimethylsilyl)-1-propyne and trimethylsilyl-1-propyne under the action of the TaCl₅-Ph₃Bi system is studied. The relative activity constants of monomers, whose ratio points to the formation tendency of copolymers enriched with trimethylsilyl-1-propyne at the early stages of polymerization, are estimated. It is shown that the structures and solubilities of the obtained copolymers depend on their compositions. Gas-transport and hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties for soluble samples are studied. Soluble copolymers have good film-forming properties, improved hydrophobicity, stability against hydrocarbons, and high levels of gas permeability: properties that make them promising materials for the separation of various liquids and gaseous water-organic media.     

Copolymerization of 4-methyl-2-pentyne with 1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne and 1-trimethylgermyl-1-propyne with Nb-containing catalysts

It has been shown that the copolymerization of 4-methyl-2-pentyne with 1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne or 1-trimethylgermyl-1-propyne with the use of niobium pentachloride-based catalytic systems in the presence of Ph₃Bi, Et₃SiH, and Bu₄Sn as cocatalysts yields corresponding copolymers of various compositions. The technique of determining the composition of copolymers from their IR spectra has been developed. The reactivity ratios of the monomers have been estimated. It has been demonstrated that these values increase in a sequence 4-methyl-2-pentyne > 1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne > 1-trimethylgermyl-1-propyne.     

A novel efficient Ti(O-<Emphasis Type="Italic">iso</Emphasis>-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>H<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>-based olefin polymerization catalyst system

The polymerization of ethylene and propylene and the copolymerization of ethylene and hexene-1 with a Ti(O-iso-Pr)₄–AlR₂Cl/MgBu₂ catalyst system have been studied. The advantages of this system over metallocene and postmetallocene catalysts are high activity, low cost, and ease of synthesis. The resulting polymers and copolymers are characterized by a broad molecular-mass distribution, which reflects the heterogeneity of the active sites with respect to kinetic parameters. As a consequence, the ethylene/hexene-1 copolymers exhibit compositional heterogeneity. The active sites of the system produce copolymers with a pronounced tendency toward alternation of monomer units. The propylene polymerization product is mostly amorphous atactic polypropylene.     

Crosslinked α-olefin-diene copolymers prepared using a metallocene catalyst deposited on the surface of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-modified Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Ferromagnetic oil sponges

The structure of zirconocene is determined experimentally. Zirconocene is found to catalyze effectively the copolymerization of α-olefins with nonconjugated dienes in the presence of minimal amounts of methylalumoxane as an organoaluminum activator. On the basis of a highly ferromagnetic carrier (a product of the reaction between Fe₃O₄ microparticles and Si(OEt)₄), a deposited zirconocene catalyst is obtained. Using the latter, copolymers of α-olefins (1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene) with 1,7-octadiene and 1,4- di(3-butenyl)benzene are synthesized. The obtained ferromagnetic copolymers demonstrate properties of effective absorbents of hydrocarbons, namely, oil sponges. A copolymer of 1-octene and 1,4-di(3-butenyl) benzene is found to possess the maximum adsorption capacity (up to 8) in the studied series.     

Living Polymerization of 1-Trimethylsilyl-1-propyne and 4-Methyl-2-pentyne by NbCl5-Based Catalysts

Sequential homopolymerization of disubstituted acetylenes 1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne and 4-methyl-2-pentyne by NbCl₅–Ph₃SiH was investigated and the main evidence of living polymerization, namely, continuation of chain propagation after addition of a new portion of monomer was observed. AB and BA type block copolymers of 1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne and 4-methyl-2-pentyne were synthesized by sequential polymerization of these monomers in presence of NbCl₅–based catalytic systems.     

Copolymerization of styrene and 1-hexene with a TiCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al(C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>13</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> · Mg(C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>13</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalytic system

The copolymerization of styrene and 1-hexene with the TiCl₄-Al(C₆H₁₃)₃ · Mg(C₆H₁₃)₂ catalytic system has been investigated. The microstructure of polymer chains, molecular-mass characteristics, and thermophysical properties of the resulting copolymers have been studied. These copolymers contain 15 to 65 mol % styrene and mostly consist of isotactic polystyrene and poly(1-hexene) blocks.     

Membranes for gas separation based on poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)–silica nanocomposites

Nanocomposite membranes based on poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) and silica were synthesized by sol–gel copolymerization of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with different organoalkoxysilanes in tetrahydrofuran solutions of PTMSP. The influence of the synthesis parameters (type and concentration of organoalkoxysilanes, temperature and time) on the silica conversion and the gas permeation performance of PTMSP–silica nanocomposite membranes was investigated and discussed in this paper. The nanocomposite membranes were characterized by single and mixed gas permeation, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The butane permeability and the butane/methane selectivity increased simultaneously when high silica conversion was obtained and the size of particle was in the range 20–40 nm. For the sake of comparison, nanocomposite membranes based on PTMSP were also prepared by dispersing silica particles with different functional groups into the PTMSP casting solution. The addition of fillers to the polymer matrix can be performed up to a higher content of silica (30% silica-filled PTMSP in contrast to 6 wt.% for the in situ-generated silica). In this case, the simultaneous increase in butane permeability and butane/methane selectivity was significantly higher when compared to the nanocomposite membranes prepared by sol–gel process. The addition of fillers with 50% of surface modification with hydrophobic groups (Si–C₈H₁₇ and Si–C₁₆H₃₃) seems not to lead to a significant increase of the butane/methane selectivity and butane permeability when compared to the silica with hydrophilic surface groups, probably because of the unfavorable polymer/filler interaction, leading to an agglomeration of the long n-alkyl groups at the surface of the polymer. An increase of butane permeability up to six-fold of unfilled polymer was obtained.     

Synthesis of propylene-ethylene copolymers in liquid propylene using <Emphasis Type="Italic">ansa</Emphasis>-metallocenes of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript> symmetry

The copolymerization of ethylene with propylene in the liquid propylene initiated by ansa-metallocenes of the C ₁ symmetry, rac-[1-(9-η⁵-fluorenyl)-2-(5,6-cyclopenta-2-methyl-1-η⁵-indenyl)ethane]zirconium dichloride and rac-[1-(9-η⁵-fluorenyl)-2-(5,6-cyclopenta-2-methyl-1-η⁵-indenyl)ethane]hafnium dichloride, activated by methylaluminoxane has been studied. Triisobutylaluminum has been used as a cocatalyst. The propylene-ethylene copolymers thus prepared contain 5–60 mol % ethylene units. The reactivity ratios have been measured. In the case of the zirconocene-based catalyst, the molecular mass of the copolymers decreases with an increase in the content of ethylene units. The reverse situation is observed in the case of the hafnocene-based catalytic system. The copolymers are characterized by the low T _g values (down to ?45°C). Incorporation of a small amount of ethylene units (5 mol %) results in a rise in the elastomeric behavior of the polymers.     

Phase equilibrium and rheology of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) solutions

The phase equilibrium and rheological properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) solutions obtained with tantalum catalysts are studied. For three polymers with different molecular masses, phase diagrams are determined in a number of solvents. From these diagrams, the Hansen solubility parameters of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are calculated by the method proposed in this work. Dilute solutions of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) behave as Newtonian liquids, whereas the viscosity of viscoelastic concentrated systems decreases as the shear rate grows. The molecular and rheological characteristics of studied poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) samples are compared with the samples prepared with NbCl₅ catalysts. Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) obtained with a catalytic system involving tantalum pentachloride is characterized by high intrinsic viscosity and solution viscosity compared to poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) prepared with niobium catalyst. The difference in properties is due to the dissimilar ratios of cis and trans units in the samples.     

Chemical modification of poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) using highly reactive metallating systems

Poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are metallated using normal and secondary butyllithium chelate complexes with tetramethylethylenediamine and superbases based on complexes of normal and secondary butyllithium with potassium tert-pentoxide as metallating agents. Optimal conditions ensuring metallation of poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) with a high yield without degradation of macrochains are determined. Poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are functionalized via reactions of metallated polymers with CO₂, trimethylsilyl chlorosulfone, diethyl disulfide, and ethylene oxide. COOH, SO₃H, OH, and thioester groups are introduced into poly(vinyltrimethylsilane), and SO₃H and COOH groups are incorporated into poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne). Upon introduction of carboxyl groups into poly(vinyltrimethylsilane), its hydrophilicity and permselectivity with respect to H₂O/N₂, H₂O/H₂, and H₂O/CH₄ pairs increase. The introduction of SO₃H groups into poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) and poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) leads to the appearance of proton conductivity of these polymers.     

The polymerization of 3-chloro-1-propyne and 3-bromo-1-propyne with Mocl5 and WCL6 based initiators and the structure of the resulting polymers

The WCl₆ and MoCl₅ initiated polymerizations of 3-chloro-1-propyne and 3-bromo-1-propyne were performed in both halogenated and aliphatic non-nucleophilic and in aromatic nucleophilic solvents. The structure of the obtained polymers suggested that the polymerization reaction occurs in two steps. In both nucleophilic and non-nucleophilic solvents, the first step consists of the metathesis polymerization of 3-chloro(bromo)-1-propyne followed by electrophilic cis–trans isomerization leading to polymers containing trans-cisoidal allyl chloride or bromide structural units. When the polymerization is performed in non-nucleophilic solvents, in the second step an intramolecular electrophilic addition followed by elimination takes place. The resulting polymers contain a highly conjugated cyclopentadiene ladder structure. When the polymerization is performed in nucleophilic aromatic solvents, the intramolecular electrophilic addition competes with the electrophilic substitution of the solvent resulting in polymers containing high concentrations of arylpropenyl structural units. Subsequently, depending on the nucleophilicity of the polymerization solvent, the polymer structure contains structural units based on cyclopentadiene and/or arylpropenyl groups.     

SYNTHESIS,CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE COPOLYMERS OF C_(60) AND 1-PHENYL-1-PROPYNE*

While WCl_6-Ph_4Sn fails to polymerize 1-phenyl-1-propyne (PP) at room temperature, highmolecular weight (M_w up to 410×10~3) polymers are obtained in high yields (up to 80%) when thepolymerizations of PP are carried out in the presence of C_(60) using the W catalyst under the same conditions.The polymers are soluble in common organic solvents such as THF, chloroform, and toluene. Molecularstructures of the polymers are characterized by FT-IR, UV, NMR, GPC and XRD, and it is found that C_(60) iscopolymerized with PP. Thus C_(60) plays the dual roles of comonomer and cocatalyst in the polymerizationreaction. C_(60) contents of the copolymers can be easily changed by varying the C_(60) amounts in the feedmixtures. The copolymers effectively limit strong 532 nm laser pulses, whose limiting performance issuperior to that of parent C_(60).     

Heat capacities and absolute entropies of UTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> and CeTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Summary As part of a larger study of the physical properties of potential ceramic hosts for nuclear wastes, we report the molar heat capacity of brannerite (UTi₂O₆) and its cerium analog (CeTi₂O₆) from 10 to 400 K using an adiabatic calorimeter. At 298.15 K the standard molar heat capacities are (179.46±0.18) J K^-1 mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and (172.78±0.17) J K^-1 mol^-1 for CeTi₂O₆. Entropies were calculated from smooth fits of the experimental data and were found to be (175.56±0.35) J K^-1 mol^-1 and (171.63±0.34) J K^-1 mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and CeTi₂O₆, respectively. Using these entropies and enthalpy of formation data reported in the literature, Gibb’s free energies of formation from the elements and constituent oxides were calculated. Standard free energies of formation from the elements are (-2814.7±5.6) kJ mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and (-2786.3±5.6) kJ mol^-1 for CeTi₂O₆. The free energy of formation from the oxides at T=298.15 K are (-5.31±0.01) kJ mol^-1 and (15.88±0.03) kJ mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and CeTi₂O₆, respectively.     

Porous,hollow Li<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.53</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> microspheres as a positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries

A porous, hollow, microspherical composite of Li₂MnO₃ and LiMn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3O₂ (composition: Li_1.2Mn_0.53Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂) was prepared using hollow MnO₂ as the sacrificial template. The resulting composite was found to be mesoporous; its pores were about 20 nm in diameter. It also delivered a reversible discharge capacity value of 220 mAh g^?1 at a specific current of 25 mA g^?1 with excellent cycling stability and a high rate capability. A discharge capacity of 100 mAh g^?1 was obtained for this composite at a specific current of 1000 mA g^?1. The high rate capability of this hollow microspherical composite can be attributed to its porous nature.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with hexene-1 on supported metallocene catalysts based on (C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Zr and methylaluminoxane

New supported metallocene catalysts based on tetrakis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium + methylaluminoxane (MAO) were prepared and tested for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with hexene-1. It was shown that silica gel of the Davison 952 brand is the best support for such catalysts. The maximum catalyst activity was achieved on the support impregnated with the (C₅H₅)₄Zr-MAO complex. The addition of hexene-1 into the liquid phase resulted in acceleration of polymerization and an increase in the product yield. The morphological, rheological, and other properties of polymers and copolymers were studied. The test catalytic system can be used for manufacture of low-, medium-, and high-density polyethylenes with various stress-strain characteristics.     

The crystal structure of Ho<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>11</Subscript>In<Subscript>20</Subscript>

The polycrystalline Ho₄Ni₁₁In₂₀ was obtained by arc-melting of the elements. The subsequent high temperature procedure was used for single crystal growth. Crystal structure of the compound was investigated by X-ray single crystal method: U₄Ni₁₁Ga₂₀ type, C 2/m, a = 22.4528(17), b = 4.2947(3), c = 16.5587(13) Å, β = 124.591(5)°, R1 = 0.0276, wR2 = 0.0493 for 1989 independent reflections with [I>2σ(I)].The structure is composed of three-dimensional network from Ni and In atoms in which Ho atoms fill distorted pentagonal channels. Open image in new window     

On the Dynamic Interaction of n‐Butane with Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids

The impact of a reactant from the gas phase on the surface of a liquid and its transfer through this gas/liquid interface are crucial for various concepts applying ionic liquids (ILs) in catalysis. We investigated the first step of the adsorption dynamics of n‐butane on a series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ILs ([C_nC₁Im][Tf₂N]; n=1, 2, 3, 8). Using a supersonic molecular beam in ultra‐high vacuum, the trapping of n‐butane on the frozen ILs was determined as a function of surface temperature, between 90 and 125 K. On the C₈‐ and C₃‐ILs, n‐butane adsorbs at 90 K with an initial trapping probability of ≈0.89. The adsorption energy increases with increasing length of the IL alkyl chain, whereas the ionic headgroups seem to interact only weakly with n‐butane. The absence of adsorption on the C₁‐ and C₂‐ILs is attributed to a too short residence time on the IL surface to form nuclei for condensation even at 90 K.     

Influence of pressure on the electrical and electrochemical behaviour of high-temperature steam electrolyser La<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> anode

This paper is dedicated to the impact of pressure on the electrochemical behaviour of LSCF (La_1-xSr_xCo_yFe_1-yO_3-δ) anode in high-temperature electrolysers. This study was carried out with symmetrical cells associating LSCF electrodes to a 3YSZ (yttrium-stabilised zirconia) electrolyte. Impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed using a three-electrode configuration, at temperature as high as 700 to 800 °C, in a pressure range from 1 to 30 bar. A clear improvement in terms of electrode resistance decrease is highlighted, mainly due to faster oxygen adsorption/desorption kinetics and a better supply of gas to electrochemical reaction sites. Other assumptions were considered and analysed, such as the impact of pressure on LSCF electrical conductivity and on the mechanical contacts. Thus, three contributions were determined as limiting steps at low pressure, up to 5 bar, whilst for higher pressure, the optimised conditions in operation are reached. This study completes a previous one related to a modelling approach.     

Conductivity of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-NiO composites

The conductivity and transport number of oxygen ions of Bi₂O₃-(10, 30, 50) vol % NiO composites are measured using the four-probe and coulomb-volumetric methods at various temperatures. It is shown that the Bi₂O₃-50 vol % NiO composite exhibits a high mixed ionic-electronic conductivity in the temperature range from 730 to 800°C.     

Novel Biodegradable Copolymers with a Periodic Sequence Structure Derived from Succinate Butan‐1,4‐diol,and Butan‐1,4‐diamine

Summary: Novel biodegradable copolymers derived from succinate, butan‐1,4‐diol, and butan‐1,4‐diamine were synthesized by two‐step polycondensation reactions. The obtained copolymers had a periodical‐sequence structure consisting of ester and amide units, and the melting temperatures of the periodic copolymers increased with an increase in amide content. The crystalline structure of the periodic copolymers differs from that of butylene succinate homopolymer (PBS), and these results suggest that the periodically introduced amide units are included in the crystalline phase forming a novel crystalline structure.

Periodic copolyester‐amides derived from succinate, butane‐1,4‐diol, and butan‐1,4‐diamine