Incorporating glycidyl methacrylate into block copolymers using poly(methacrylate‐ran‐styrene) macroinitiators synthesized by nitroxide‐mediated polymerization

Methyl methacrylate/styrene (MMA/S), ethyl methacrylate/styrene (EMA/S) and butyl methacrylate/styrene (BMA/S) feeds (>90 mol % methacrylate) were copolymerized in 50 wt % p‐xylene at 90 °C with 10 mol % of additional SG1‐free nitroxide mediator relative to unimolecular initiator (BlocBuilder^®) to yield methacrylate rich copolymers with polydispersities _w/ _n = 1.23–1.46. k_pK values (k_p = propagation rate constant, K = equilibrium constant) for MMA/S copolymerizations were comparable with previous literature, whereas EMA/S and BMA/S copolymerizations were characterized by slightly higher k_pK's. Chain extensions with styrene at 110 °C initiated by the methacrylate‐rich macroinitiators (number average molecular weight _n = 12.9–33.5 kg mol^?1) resulted in slightly broader molecular weight distributions with _w/ _n = 1.24–1.86 and were often bimodal. Chain extensions with glycidyl methacrylate/styrene/methacrylate (GMA/S/XMA where XMA = MMA, EMA or BMA) mixtures at 90 °C using the same macroinitiators resulted frequently in bimodal molecular weight distributions with many inactive macroinitiators and higher _w/ _n = 2.01–2.48. P(XMA/S) macroinitiators ( _n = 4.9–8.9 kg mol^?1), polymerized to low conversion and purified to remove “dead” chains, initiated chain extensions with GMA/MMA/S and GMA/EMA/S giving products with _w/ _n ～ 1.5 and much fewer unreacted macroinitiators (<5%), whereas the GMA/BMA/S chain extension was characterized by slightly more unreacted macroinitiators (～20%). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2574–2588, 2009     

Film Growth and Surface Roughness with Effective Fluctuating Covalent Bonds in Evaporating Aqueous Solution of Reactive Hydrophobic and Polar Groups: A Computer Simulation Model

Summary: A computer simulation model is proposed to study film growth and surface roughness in aqueous (A) solution of hydrophobic (H) and hydrophilic (P) groups on a simple three dimensional lattice of size with an adsorbing substrate. Each group is represented by a particle with appropriate characteristics occupying a unit cube (i.e., eight sites). The Metropolis algorithm is used to move each particle stochastically. The aqueous constituents are allowed to evaporate while the concentration of H and P is constant. Reactions proceed from the substrate and bonded particles can hop within a fluctuating bond length. The film thickness ( ) and its interface width ( ) are examined for hardcore and interacting particles for a range of temperature ( ). Simulation data show a rapid increase in and followed by its non‐monotonic growth and decay before reaching steady‐state and near equilibrium ( ) in asymptotic time step limit. The growth can be described by power laws, e.g., with a typical value of in initial time regime followed by at . For hardcore system, the equilibrium film thickness ( ) and surface roughness ( ) seem to scale linearly with the temperature, i.e., at low and at higher . For interacting functional groups in contrast, the long time (unsaturated) film thickness and surface roughness, and decay rapidly followed by a slow increase on raising the temperature.

Growth of the average film thickness at a temperature .     

Cluster ions in the secondary ion mass spectrometry of choline and acetylcholine halides

Liquid secondary ion mass spectra of choline and acetylcholine halides exhibit several series of cluster ions whose origins were investigated using B/E and B²/E linked-scan techniques. In the case of choline halides three series of cluster ions were identified as (Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OH + nM), (Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OMe + nM) and (Me₃N$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OH · Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂O^? + nM), while (CH₃COOCH₂CH₂$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $Me₃ + nM), (Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OH + nM) and (CH₂ = CH$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $Me₃ + nM) were observed in the spectra of acetylcholine halides. For these cluster ions, bimolecular reactions induced on ion bombardment under secondary ion mass spectrometric conditions are discussed.     

Lewis acid‐base properties of cellulose acetate butyrate by inverse gas chromatography

The dispersive component of the surface‐free energy, , of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) has been determined using the net retention volume, V_N, of n‐alkanes (C₅? C₈) probes in the temperature range 323.15–393.15 K. The values decrease nonlinearly with increase in temperature, and the temperature coefficients of are ? 0.32 (mJ/m²K) and ? 0.10 (mJ/m²K) in the range 323.15–353.15 K and 353.15–393.15 K, respectively. This variation in has been attributed to the structural changes that take place on the surface of CAB at ～353.15 K. The specific components of the enthalpy of adsorption, , and entropy of adsorption, , calculated using V_N of polar solutes are negative. The values are used to evaluate Lewis acidity constant, K_a, and Lewis basicity constant, K_b, for the CAB surface. The K_a and K_b values are found to be 0.126 and 1.109, respectively, which suggest that the surface is predominantly basic. The K_a and K_b results indicate for the necessary surface modifications of CAB which act as biodegradable adsorbent material. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combining Modular Ligation and Supramolecular Self‐Assembly for the Construction of Star‐Shaped Macromolecules

A well‐defined random copolymer of styrene (S) and chloromethylstyrene (CMS) featuring lateral chlorine moieties with an alkyne terminal group is prepared (P(S‐co‐CMS), = 5500 Da, PDI = 1.13). The chloromethyl groups are converted into Hamilton wedge (HW) entities (P(S‐co‐HWS), = 6200 Da, PDI = 1.13). The P(S‐co‐HWS) polymer is subsequently ligated with tetrakis(4‐azidophenyl)methane to give HW‐functional star‐shaped macromolecules (P(S‐co‐HWS))₄, = 25 100 Da, PDI = 1.08). Supramolecular star‐shaped copolymers are then prepared via self‐assembly between the HW‐functionalized four‐arm star‐shaped macromolecules ( P(S‐co‐HW )) ₄ and cyanuric acid (CA) end‐functionalized PS (PS–CA, = 3700 Da, PDI = 1.04), CA end‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA–CA, = 8500 Da, PDI = 1.13) and CA end‐functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG–CA, = 1700 Da, PDI = 1.05). The self‐assembly is monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and light scattering analyses.     

Radical Ions of a Bishomobinaphthylene Containing two 1,6-methano[10]annulene moieties: An ESR and ENDOR study

The radical cation and the radical anion of ‘syn’-cyclobuta[1,2-c:3,4-c′]di-1,6-methano[10]annulene (‘syn’-4a,12a:6a, 10a-bishomobinaphthylene; 3 ) have been characterized by their hyperfine data. The highly resolved ESR spectrum of $ 3^{+ \atop \dot{}} $ is dominated by a triplet splitting from the outer pair of methano β-protons (H_o). In contrast, the ESR spectrum of $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $ is poorly resolved with the largest coupling constants arising from perimeter α-protons. The different hyperfine features of $ 3^{+ \atop \dot{}} $ and $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $ are rationalized by MO models. The SOMO of $ 3^{+ \atop \dot{}} $ ψ_SA(b₁), has substantial LCAO coefficients of the same sign at the bridged atoms C(1), C(6), C(11), and C(16), whereas in the SOMO of $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $, ψ_SS(a₁), the four atoms lie in the vertical nodal planes. The large width and the reluctance to saturation of the lines in the ESR spectrum of $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $ are attributed to the near-degeneracy of the lowest antibonding MO's. Due to their similar nodal properties, the SOMO's of $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $ and the radical anions of binaphthylene ( 4 ), 1,6-methano[10]annulene ( 1 ), and naphthalene ( 2 ) are interrelated. Moreover, because the cyclic π-systems in 3 and 1 deviate in the same way from planarity, the effect of such distortions on the coupling constants, a_Hμ, of the perimeter α-protons in $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $ and $ 1^{- \atop \dot{}} $ should be comparable. Indeed, on going from $ 4^{- \atop \dot{}} $ to $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $, the |a_Hμ| values are reduced exactaly by half as much as the corresponding values on passing from $ 2^{- \atop \dot{}} $ to $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $, of which the cyclic π-systems are twice contained in $ 4^{- \atop \dot{}} $ and $ 3^{- \atop \dot{}} $ respectively.     

Ab initio molecular orbital study on the structures and energetics of CH3OH\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$_{2}^{+}$\end{document}(H2O)n and CH3SH\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$_{2}^{+}$\end{document}(H2O)n in the gas phase

The purpose of this study was to calculate the structures and energetics of CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n in the gas phase: we asked how the CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$ and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$ moieties of CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n change with an increase in n and how can we reproduce the experimental values ΔH°_n−1,n. For this purpose, we carried out full geometry optimizations with MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) for CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n (n=0,1,2,3,4,5) and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n (n=0,1,2,3,4). We also performed a vibrational analysis for all clusters in the optimized structures to confirm that all vibrational frequencies are real. All of the vibrational frequencies of these clusters are real, and they correspond to equilibrium structures. For CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n, when n increases, (1) the C O bond length decreases, (2) the C H bond lengths do not change, (3) the O H bond lengths increase, (4) the OCH bond angles increase, (5) the COH bond angles decrease, (6) the charge on CH₃ becomes less positive, and (7) these predicted values, except for the O H bond lengths of CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n, approach the corresponding values in CH₃OH. The C O bond length in CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)₅ is shorter than that in CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$ in the gas phase by 0.061 Å at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) level. Except for the S H bond lengths in CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n, however, the structure of the CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$ moiety does not change with an increase in n. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 125–131, 2001     

Rearrangements of Radical Cations of [2.2]Paracyclophanes and of a bridged [14]annulene to those of pyrenes: An ESR and ENDOR study

ESR and ENDOR studies have been carried out on the radical cations obtained consecutively by reaction of trans-10b, 10c-dimethyl-10b, 10c-dihydropyrene ( 4 ) with AlCl₃ in CH₂C1₂. The primarily formed ${\bf 4}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$ rearranges at 253 K to the radical cation(s) of 1,6- ( 5a ) and/or 1,8-dimethylpyrene ( 5b ). At 323 K, the spectra of ${\bf 5a}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$/${\bf 5b}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$ are replaced by that of the highly persistent radical cation of 1,3,6,8-tetramethylpyrene ( 6 ). Surprisingly, ${\bf 6}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$ is also the only observable paramagnetic product resulting from a treatment of 4,5,7,8- ( 1 ), 4,7,13,16- ( 2 ), and 4,5,12,13-tetramethyl[2.2]paracyclophane ( 3 ) with AlCl₃ in CH₂Cl₂ at 353 K. The structures of the intermediates in the rearrangement [${\bf 1}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$, ${\bf 2}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$, ${\bf 3}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$] → ${\bf 6}^{+ \atop \dot{}}$ are discussed.     

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of (1R,2R)‐(−)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (DACH) with various carboxylato ligands and their cytotoxicity evaluation

Several palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes analogous to oxaliplatin, bearing the enantiomerically pure (1R,2R)‐(?)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (DACH) ligand, of the general formula {MX₂[(1R,2R)‐DACH]}, where M = Pd or Pt, X (COO)₂, CH₂(COO)₂, , , {1,1′‐C₅H₈(CH₂COO)₂}, [1,1′‐C₆H₁₀(CH₂COO)₂], [1,1′‐(COO)₂ferrocene], , , , MeCOO and Me₃CCOO, were synthesized. All the complexes prepared were characterized physicochemically and spectroscopically. Some selected complexes were screened in vitro against several tumor cell lines and the results were compared with reference standard drug, oxaliplatin. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Iodostannate(II) mit kettenförmigen [SnI3]–‐Anionen – der Übergang von fünffach zu sechsfach koordinierten SnII‐Zentralatomen

Iodostannates(II) with Anionic [SnI₃]^– Chains – the Transition from Five to Six‐coordinated Sn^II The iodostannates (Me₄N) [SnI₃] ( 1 ), [Et₃N–(CH₂)₄–NEt₃] [SnI₃]₂ ( 2 ), [EtMe₂N–(CH₂)₂–NEtMe₂] [SnI₃]₂ ( 3 ), [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NH–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H] [SnI₃]₂ ( 4 ), [Et₃N–(CH₂)₆–NEt₃] [SnI₃]₂ ( 5 ) and [Pr₃N–(CH₂)₄–NPr₃]‐ [SnI₃]₂ · 2 DMF ( 6 ) with the same composition of the anionic [SnI₃]^– chains show differences in the coordination of the Sn^II central atoms. Whereas the Sn atoms in 1 and 2 are coordinated in an approximately regular octahedral fashion, in compounds 3 – 6 the continuous transition to coordination number five in (Pr₄N) [SnI₃] ( 7 ) or [Fe(dmf)₆] [SnI₃]₂ ( 8 ) can be observed. Together with the shortening of two or three Sn–I bonds, the bonds in trans position are elongated. Thus weak, long‐range Sn…I interactions complete the distorted octahedral environment of SnI₄ groups in 3 and 4 and SnI₃ groups in 5 and 6 . Obviously the shape, size and charge of the counterions and the related cation‐anion interactions are responsible for the variants in structure and distortion.     

Structure and Bonding of the Hexameric Platinum(II) Dichloride,Pt6Cl12 (β‐PtCl2)

The crystal structure of Pt₆Cl₁₂ (β‐PtCl₂) was redetermined ( a_h = 13.126Å, c_h = 8.666Å, Z = 3; a_rh = 8.110Å, α = 108.04°; 367 hkl, R = 0.032). As has been shown earlier, the structure is in principle a hierarchical variant of the cubic structure type of tungsten (bcc), which atoms are replaced by the hexameric Pt₆Cl₁₂ molecules. Due to the 60° rotation of the cuboctahedral clusters about one of the trigonal axes, the symmetry is reduced from to ( ). The molecule Pt₆Cl₁₂ shows the (trigonally elongated) structure of the classic M₆X₁₂ cluster compounds with (distorted) square‐planar PtCl₄ fragments, however without metal‐metal bonds. The Pt atoms are shifted outside the Cl₁₂ cuboctahedron by Δ = +0.046Å ( (Pt—Cl) = 2.315Å; (Pt—Pt) = 3.339Å). The scalar relativistic DFT calculations results in the full symmetry for the optimized structure of the isolated molecule with d(Pt—Cl) = 2.381Å, d(Pt—Pt) = 3.468Å and Δ = +0.072Å. The electron distribution of the Pt‐Pt antibonding HOMO exhibits an outwards‐directed asymmetry perpendicular to the PtCl₄ fragments, that plays the decisive role for the cluster packing in the crystal. A comparative study of the Electron Localization Function with the hypothetical trans‐(Nb₂Zr₄)Cl₁₂ molecule shows the distinct differences between Pt₆Cl₁₂ and clusters with metal‐metal bonding. Due to the characteristic electronic structure, the crystal structure of Pt₆Cl₁₂ in space group is an optimal one, which results from comparison with rhombohedral Zr₆I₁₂ and a cubic bcc arrangement.     

Rheology of poly(vinyl chloride) melts. II. Shear rate-dependent properties

Four samples containing 40, 60, 80, and 97 wt-% of poly(vinyl chloride), the rest being plasticizer and stabilizer, were tested by using the Weissenberg Rheogoniometer in the steady-shearing mode at temperatures between 155 and 235°C and rates of shear \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \dot \gamma = 0.01 - 400 $\end{document} sec^?1. The viscosity η versus \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \dot \gamma $\end{document} follows Graessley's theoretical dependence for infinitely entangled system. The primary normal-stress difference coefficient ψ versus \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \dot \gamma $\end{document} is well described by the same theoretical function, used with the square of its argument. The temperature dependence of η₀ and ψ₀ shows discontinuities at T = T_b. The numerical values of T_b can be calculated from the theory of the melting point depression due to diluent. The activation energy of viscous flow E_η below T_b is 5–9 times as large as above this temperature. The activation energy of normal stress is found to be Eψ ≈ 5E_η. The characteristic relaxation times τ_o, ψ_p, calculated from superposition of η versus \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \dot \gamma $\end{document} and ψ versus \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \dot \gamma $\end{document} data, respectively, onto Graessley's master curves, and τ_N, computed from zero shear parameters η₀ and ψ₀, differ in their sensitivity to the melting of microcrystalline regions. It is postulated that in the systems investigated, aggregates with long lifetimes are being formed, increasing the effective molecular weight and introducing changes in the effective polydispersity.     

Synthesis,characterization and thermal behaviour of four homoleptic titanium silanolates

Four titanium silanolates Ti(OSiR₂R′)₄ (1, R = Ph, R′ = ^tBu; 2, R = R′ = Ph; 3, R = R′ = ⁱPr; 4, R = Me, R′ = ^tBu) were synthesised starting from Ti(OⁱPr)₄ and the corresponding silanol, and their thermally induced decomposition was studied. Colourless single crystals of Ti(OSiPh Bu) CHCl C₇H₈ ( CHCl C₇H₈) were obtained from a mixture of chloroform and toluene (1:1) at ?20 °C. The compound crystallizes in the space group R3 c with Z = 18. The metal atom shows an almost ideal tetrahedral coordination, as is demonstrated by the O? Ti? O angles of 108.4(1)–111.1(1)°. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The first normal stress difference and viscosity in shear of liquid crystalline solutions of hydroxypropylcellulose: new experimental data and theory

The constitutive equations for liquid crystalline polymers recently proposed by one of us [1] are applied here to interpret the behaviour of the shear viscosity η and the first normal stress difference N₁() measured for liquid crystalline (LC) solutions of hydroxypropylcellulose in acetic acid. N₁( ) is observed to change from positive to negative and again to positive, as the shear rate increases, at lower concentrations, in the LC phase. The -values at which N₁ changes sign depend on the molecular mass (degree of polymerization) and on the concentration. η shows a small Newtonian plateau at low shear rates and a strong shear-thinning at higher values of . The rate of decrease of η in this region shows an “hesitation” similar to one previously observed in LC solutions of poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate PBLG. All these observations can be rationalized within the frame-work of Martins' theory. The expressions for N₁() and η derived from this theory fit very well (quantitatively) to the experimental data and some fundamental viscoelastic parameters of the system under study are thereby obtained for the first time.     

Electrochemical Characterization of Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrodes by Modification with Chitosan Oligomers

The kinetics on the current amplification of the disposable screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) by modification with chitosan oligomers (COs), coupled with the Fe(CN) redox system, were characterized with the variation of electron‐transfer rate constant (k°) and the electroactive area (A_ea) at electrode surface. The nonlinear response characteristics of peak currents with increase in Fe(CN) bulk concentrations complicated the estimation of A_ea in cyclic voltammetric analysis. Upon the modification with COs, the rate constant of SPCEs was not much influenced and the current amplification was characterized with the increase of a better estimated A_ea, obtained from electrochemical impedance measurements and verified with the reciprocal of electron‐transfer resistances linearly proportional to the Fe(CN) bulk concentrations. It is hereby provided for an evaluation of the carbon based electrodes with modification.     

The Radical Cations and the Radical Anions of Some Weitz-Type S-Donors

The radical cations and the radical anions of 1,6-dithiapyrene ( 1 ) and 3,10-dithiaperylene ( 2 ) as well as those of three further Weitz-type S-donors 3 , 4 , and 5 have been studied by ESR spectroscopy. The experimental findings for (widths and behaviour on saturation of hyperfine lines) suggest that the ground state of this radical anion is effectively degenerate. With the exception of , the ESR studies of all radical ions could be complemented by the use of the ENDOR and general TRIPLE resonance techniques. In addition to proton hyperfine data, ³³S coupling constants have been determined for (0.53mT), (0.46mT), and (0.34mT); they are in agreement with the predicted substantial π-spin populations at the S-atoms.     

Direct Cyclodextrin‐Mediated Ring Opening Polymerization of ϵ‐Caprolactone in the Presence of Yttrium Trisphenolate Catalyst

Unmodified β‐cyclodextrin has been directly used to initiate ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone in the presence of yttrium trisphenolate. Well‐defined cyclodextrin (CD)‐centered star‐shaped poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)s have been successfully synthesized containing definite average numbers of arms (N_arm = 4–6) and narrow polydispersity indexes (below 1.10). The number‐average molecular weight ( ) and average molecular weight per arm ( ) are controlled by the feeding molar ratio of monomer to initiator. The prepared star‐PCL with of 2.7 × 10³ is in fully amorphous and that with of 13.3 × 10³ is crystallized. In addition, the obtained poly(e‐caprolactone) (PCL) stars with various molecular weights have different solubilities in methanol and tetrahydrofuran, which can be applied for further modifications.     

Direct and Reverse Limiting Series of Transition Metal Phosphides with Ordered Defects and Metal/Non Metal Ratio Close to 2

Two new limiting series of ternary compounds with ordered defects have been evidenced, which crystallize with hexagonal symmetry, space group P6m2. The first one (direct series) shows one metal vacancy and corresponds to the chemical formula □R T X . The compounds α‐UCr₆P₄ (n = 0) and Zr₄Co₁₃Si₉ (n = 1) are the first members of the series. X‐ray single crystal determination and/or electron microprobe analysis confirm the ternary phosphides Ce₉Ni₂₅P₁₃ and Ce₁₆Ni₃₆P₂₂ to be the following members. The second family (reverse series) with chemical formula R□ T X comprises the ternaries α‐UCr₆P₄ (in fact member n = 0 in both series) and UMo₁₃P₉ (n = 1), the structure of which has been determined on a single crystal. The limiting structures to which the two series converge have been found to be YbPtP (direct) and WC (reverse). The structural relationships between the direct and reverse series have been discussed in terms of metal vacancies and coordination polyhedra. Moreover, a general crystal chemical rule has been established that permits prediction of the different members for the two series and their structural definition in terms of lattice parameters, atomic coordinates and theoretical X‐ray diffraction patterns. Finally, this rule permits to give for each member the number of metal vacancies as well as the distribution of the metalloid polyhedra occupied by the metal atoms (trigonal prisms, pyramids, tetrahedra, triangles).     

Controlled Synthesis of a Chitosan‐Based Graft Copolymer Having Polysarcosine Side Chains Using the NCA Method with a Carboxylic Acid Additive

Summary: A novel chitosan derivative with polysarcosine side chains, i.e., chitosan‐graft‐polysarcosine [chitosan‐graft‐poly(N‐methylglycine)], was synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of sarcosine N‐carboxyanhydride (NCA) with chitosan as a macroinitiator in the presence of carboxylic acids in dimethyl sulfoxide at 27 °C. Degree of substitution ( ) for polysarcosine side chains introduced to chitosan was controlled successfully by the feed amount of the additive nicotinic acid ( = 0.21–0.71). Independent of control, degree of polymerization ( ) for polysarcosine side chains was controlled by adjusting feed ratios of NCA monomer to chitosan ( = 14–43). Kinetic analysis of the propagation of sarcosine NCA was conducted by measuring CO₂ evolution. Apparent k_p values decreased with increased feed amounts of nicotinic acid, supporting the theory that propagation of NCA in the presence of nicotinic acid proceeds via equilibrium between active amine and dormant ammonium species.

Propagation mechanism of carboxylic acid‐mediated polymerization of sarcosine N‐carboxyanhydride.     

The gas-phase kinetics of the reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl iodine with HI: The C?I bond dissocation energy in 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide

The kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide with hydrogen iodide has been studied over the temperature range of 525°K to 602°K and a tenfold variation in the ratio of CF₃CH₂I/HI. The experimental results are in good agreement with the expected free radical-mechanism: An analysis of the kinetic data yield: where θ =2.303RT in kcal/mol. If these results are combined with the assumption that E₂ = 0 ± 1 kcal/mol, then one obtains DH (CF₃CH₂? I) = 56.3 kcal/mol. This result may be compared with DH(CH₃CH₂? I) = 52.9 kcal/mol and suggests that substitution of three fluorines for hydrogen in the beta position strengthens the C? I bond slightly.