Poly(?-caprolactone)-based ‘green’ plasticizers for poly(vinyl choride)

A series of proposed plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) with octanoate and benzoate-terminal groups, were synthesized with various microstructures and molecular weights (MW) and tested for biodegradability as well as for mechanical performance, and leaching resistance in blends with PVC. The plasticization efficiency of each was characterized by measuring the glass transition temperature (T_g) and tensile properties of PCL/PVC blends. The PCL-octanoate plasticizers demonstrated plasticization efficiency similar to di(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) with the same plasticizer loading. PCL-benzoate/PVC blends had much higher T_gs (∼20 °C higher) compared to PCL-octanoate/PVC and DEHP/PVC blends. Yield stresses were about two times higher for PCL-benzoate/PVC blends compared to PCL-octanoate/PVC and DEHP/PVC blends, reflecting the stiffer nature of such blends. Biodegradation was rapid for all PCL-octanoates, with the exception of linear PCL-octanoates with arm molecular weights >10³ g mol⁻¹. Biodegradation rates of PCLs by Rhodococcus rhodocrous were not affected by microstructure for the range of PCL topologies studied (linear versus three or four arms) but were slower for PCLs made from commercial PCL-diols that had a central ether linkage due to the initiator used to make these compounds. Leaching resistance was higher as PCL molecular weight increased and, for pairs of comparable sized species, significantly less PCL-benzoate leached out compared to the PCL-octanoate. For the range of PCL topologies studied, the number of arms did not significantly affect leaching resistance. In summary, both the end group and the molecular weight influenced the leaching resistance of the PCL. PCL-octanoates were comparable plasticizers to DEHP in terms of the mechanical properties examined, and were rapidly degraded by a common soil microorganism.     

Influence of polyesterurethane plasticizer on the kinetics of poly(vinyl chloride) decomposition process

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), plasticized by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), medium molecular mass polyesterurethane (PU) or by both plasticizers, was thermally degraded under dynamic thermogravimetric conditions and the kinetics of decomposition was studied by isoconversional methods and by non-linear regression. It has been found that the initial decomposition temperature is higher for PVC plasticized with PU, as compared with PVC plasticized with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) or plasticized with PU/DEHP, and thermal degradation shows features of a multi-step complex process. Application of polymeric plasticizer leads to the increase and a 'smoothing' effect in the course of energy of activation and pre-exponential factor at the initial stage of decomposition indicating thus the hindered migration of medium molecular mass compound from PVC matrix (in comparison with PVC containing monomeric DEHP) due to steric hindrances as well as due to specific interactions between C=O and Cl groups along the macrochains. Kinetic model function of the decomposition process of PVC/DEHP and PVC/DEHP/PU blends was found to be a two-stage autocatalyzed reaction of n^th order; autocatalytic effect is associated most likely with the role of HCl formed during PVC decomposition. For PVC/PU blend best fit was found by non-linear regression for a two-stage scheme in which first stage was Prout-Tompkins model and the second was autocatalytical model of n^th order - the first one involves particle disintegration, which was promoted by product generation at branching PVC 'pseudo-crystals' nuclei, thus exposing more surface on which decomposition reaction proceeds.     

Synthesis of methyl furan-2-carboxylate and dimethyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate by copper-catalyzed reactions of furans with CCl4 and MeOH

Methyl furan-2-carboxylate and dimethyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate were obtained in high yields by copper-catalyzed reactions of furan, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, and furan-2-carboxylic acid with CCl₄ and MeOH.     

GC/MS and ESI/MS identification of the new generation plasticizers - cis and trans isomers of some 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid di(n- and isononyl) esters

1,2-Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester is also known as diisononyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) is a complex mixture of the hydrogenation products of diisononyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINP). They are the new generation plasticizers used instead of the dialkyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate in order to improve the flexibility of polymers (mainly PVC) and strongly reduce the toxic effects on human health during their release from polymers to the environment. The identification of these compounds was done by syntheses of some DINCH constituents, i.e. cis and trans isomers of three di(n- and isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylates, such as di(3,5,5-trimethylhexyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylates, di(2-methyloctyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylates and dinonyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylates by catalytic hydrogenation of appropriate DINP and their analyses by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and electrospray - mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) methods. Both GC data (values of the retention times t_R and arithmetic retention indices I_A) and mass spectra obtained for these isomers allowed to determine their chemical structures. ESI/MS mode of analysis of these compounds gives the knowledge about their mass fragmentation without the differentiation between individual cis and trans isomers.     

Covalently Linked Plasticizers: Triazole Analogues of Phthalate Plasticizers Prepared by Mild Copper‐Free “Click” Reactions with Azide‐Functionalized PVC

Copper‐free azide‐alkyne click chemistry is utilized to covalently modify polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Phthalate plasticizer mimics di(2‐ethylhexyl)‐1H‐triazole‐4,5 dicarboxylate (DEHT), di(n‐butyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate (DBT), and dimethyl‐1H‐triazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate (DMT) are covalently attached to PVC. DEHT, DBT, and DMT have similar chemical structures to traditional plasticizers di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di(n‐butyl) phthalate (DBP), and dimethyl phthalate (DMP), but pose no danger of leaching from the polymer matrix and forming small endocrine disrupting chemicals. The synthesis of these covalent plasticizers is expected to be scalable, providing a viable alternative to the use of phthalates, thus mitigating dangers to human health and the environment.

     

Non-phthalate plasticizer from camphor for flexible PVC with a wide range of available temperature

A bio-based plasticizer, (1′,7′,7′-trimethyldispiro [ [1,3]dioxolane-2,2′-bicyclo [2.2.1]heptane-3′,2″- [1,3]dioxolane]-4,4″-diyl)bis (methylene) dioctanoate (abbreviated as CDO), was designed to replace a traditional phthalate-based plasticizer. The structure of CDO was analyzed by ¹H NMR. The characteristics of CDO plasticizers, which were judged to have excellent compatibility with PVC due to their solubility parameters, were evaluated by thermal and mechanical analyses and compared with dioctylphthalate (DOP). PVC with 20% CDO added was thermally stable up to 251.9 °C and exhibited excellent strength and flexibility with a high T_g derived from its robust and bulky structure. In addition, since CDO is intertwined with the polymer chain, it shows excellent migration properties in many solvents. The results of our study suggest that CDO can be applied to produce flexible PVC and to expand PVC coverage due to the improved migration resistance.     

Synthesis of a bio-based plasticizer from oleic acid and its evaluation in PVC formulations

The bio-based plasticizers have been extensively developed due to their high compatibility and low toxicity. In this study, the bio-based plasticizers of methyl 10-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethansulfonyl) octadecanoate (MDA) and ethyl 10-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethanesulfonyl) octadecanoate (EDA) were synthesized from the oleic acid and thioglycolic acid and characterized by ¹HNMR and FT-IR. The prepared materials were applied as plasticizers in Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and their properties were compared with the commercial plasticizer, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DOP). The viscosities of prepared plastisols from novel designed plasticizers were lower than DOP. The results of mechanical properties showed that the synthesized plasticizers of MDA and EDA have the ability of plasticizing effects similar to DOP on PVC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that both MDA and EDA have higher thermal stability than DOP. Two polar ester as well as polar sulfone groups in the chemical structure of MDA and EDA led to lower migration, volatility and exudation than DOP.     

Performance testing of a green plasticizer based on lactic acid for PVC

In order to develop alternative green plasticizers, a bio-based plasticizer, acetylated lactic acid 1,4-cyclohexanedimethyl ester(ALCH), with novel molecule geometry was synthesized from l-lactic acid and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The prepared ALCH was mixed with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as plasticizer and the results indicated that the PVC films plasticized by ALCH have better migration and volatility stability than acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). In addition, ALCH could endow PVC products with excellent performance of strength, elongation and elasticity. With the substitution of ALCH for ATBC, glass transition temperature (Tg) of PVC films decreased gradually from 61.3°C to 55.0 °C. The self-polymerization of lactic acid gives ALCH better plasticizing effectiveness than ATBC.     

邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯和偏苯三酸三辛酯在临床不同药液中溶出量的比较

聚氯乙烯(PVC)材质的医疗器械产品中需要加入增塑剂以改善柔韧性,目前最常用的增塑剂是邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(DEHP)和偏苯三酸三辛酯(TOTM)。本文考察了PVC一次性使用输液器产品在脂溶性药液(紫杉醇注射液)、肠外营养液(脂肪乳)、酸性药液(左氧氟沙星,pH 3.0~5.0)和碱性药液(呋塞米,pH 8.0~9.0)中的DEHP和TOTM溶出量,并进行对比分析。先建立了一种高效液相色谱-紫外检测(HPLC-UV)方法测定增塑剂的溶出量,并利用该方法对增塑剂的溶出量进行了分析。实验结果表明,增塑剂在不同药液中均有一定的溶出情况,其中紫杉醇注射液对增塑剂的溶出量要高于脂肪乳,并远高于左氧氟沙星和呋塞米注射液。通过对比DEHP和TOTM的溶出量可以看出,在相同的浸提条件下,TOTM的溶出量远低于DEHP的溶出量。利用紫杉醇注射液浸提24 h,PVC输液器产品DEHP的溶出量为21.14 mg,而TOTM的溶出量仅为0.078 mg。DEHP的溶出量为TOTM溶出量的270倍。因此,TOTM具有的较好耐迁移性,是一种潜在的DEHP替代增塑剂。     

13C and 1H NMR analysis of structural defects in PVC: Application to the production of defects at various polymerization stages

High resolution ¹H and ¹³C NMR data were obtained on PVC and PVC reduced with Bu₃SnH. The reduction is never complete and CH₂Cl groups preferentially remain. It causes almost complete formation of cyclopentane structures from both internal and chain end unsaturation. ¹H NMR gives total unsaturation as well as chain end unsaturation except if there are interferences with initiator residues; in that case, its combination with ¹³ C NMR of reduced PVC gives the chain end unsaturation. By the last method short branches and long ends are determined. Residual primary chlorine in all kinds of branches (methyl, ethyl, butyl, long ends) is taken into account. Long end contents are to be corrected (factor around 1.5), due to incomplete relaxation in standard analysis conditions. ¹H NMR of reduced PVC can be used to get the total non-reduced structures, both -CH₂Cl and -CHCl-. PVC was prepared by suspension or solution (trichlorobenzene) polymerization at 55° C, using dicetyl peroxydicarbonate as an initiator. The initiator residue content is higher in suspension PVC at very low conversion, and then levels off at a low value; in solution polymerization, it chiefly depends on the monomer/initiator ratio. At low conversion, more chain end and less short branches are present in suspension polymerization. Otherwise, only the butyl branch content shows a definite trend to increase with conversion. In solution polymerization, the number of defects is chiefly dependent on the initial monomer concentration; it is generally much higher than in suspension, except for the chloromethyl branches where both processes give about the same results.     

Kinetics of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)

Extensively studied thermal degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) occurs with formation of free hydrogen chloride and conjugated double bonds absorbing light in visible region. Thermogravimetric monitoring of PVC blends degradation kinetics by the loss of HCl is often complicated by evaporation and degradation of plasticizers and additives. Spectroscopic PVC degradation kinetics monitoring by absorbance of forming conjugated polyenes is specific and should not be affected by plasticizers loss. The kinetics of isothermal degradation monitored by thermal gravimetric analysis in real time was compared with batch data obtained by UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy. Effects of plasticizer on kinetics of polyene formation were examined. Thermal degradation of PVC films plasticized with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and 1,2,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, tri-(3-ethylhexyl) ester (TOTM) was monitored by conjugated double bonds light absorption at 350 nm at 160, 180, and 200 °C. Plasticizer-free PVC powder degradation kinetics and that of plasticized films were also obtained thermogravimetrically at temperatures ranging from 160 to 220 °C. Plasticizer-free PVC powder degradation and spectroscopically monitored degradation of plasticized PVC films occurred with the same apparent activation energy of ≈150 kJ mol⁻¹. No difference in degradation kinetics of films plasticized with DEHP and TOTM was detected.     

Selective Oxidation of 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural to Furan-2,5-dicarbaldehyde with Sodium Nitrite in Phosphoric Acid

5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural is readily oxidized to furan-2,5-dicarbaldehyde with sodium nitrite in phosphoric acid at room temperature (25°C). The best selectivity for furan-2,5-dicarbaldehyde is achieved using 2.5 equiv of sodium nitrite with respect to the substrate. In this case, nearly quantitative yield of furan- 2,5-dicarbaldehyde is attained in 1 h, the substrate conversion being complete. Due to high selectivity in combination with low cost and toxicity of phosphoric acid, the system NaNO₂–H₃PO₄ is more convenient than NaNO₂–CF₃COOH for the preparative synthesis of furan-2,5-dicarbaldehyde.     

Sum frequency generation and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopic studies on plasma-treated plasticized polyvinyl chloride films

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used polymer to which various phthalates are extensively applied as plasticizers. PVC materials are often treated with plasma to vary the hydrophobicity or for cleaning purposes, but little is known of the nature of the surface molecular structures after treatment. This research characterizes molecular surface structures of PVC and bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)-plasticized PVC films in air before annealing, after annealing, and after exposure to air-generated glow discharge plasma using sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. In addition, we compare the vibrational molecular signatures on the surfaces of PVC with DEHP (at a variety of percent loadings) to those of the bulk detected using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements have been used to analyze PVC surfaces to supplement SFG data. Our results indicate that DEHP was found on the surfaces of PVC films even at low weight percentages (5 wt %) and that DEHP segregates on surfaces after annealing. The treatment of these films with glow discharge plasma resulted in surface-sensitive reactions involving the removal of chlorine atoms, the addition of oxygen atoms, and C-H bond rearrangement. CARS data demonstrate that the bulk of our films remained undisturbed during the plasma treatment. For the first time, we probed the molecular structure of the surface and the bulk of a PVC material using combined SFG and CARS studies on the same sample in exactly the same environment. In addition, the methodology used in this research can be applied to characterize various plasticizers in a wide variety of polymer systems to understand their surface and bulk structures before and after systematic applications of heat, plasma, or other treatments.     

The influence of the compatibility of plasticizers with polymer ionic conductors on ionic conduction

The influence of the compatibility of plasticizers on the aggregated structure and the ion-conductive behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)/lithium methoxy di (ethyleneoxy) phenylsulfonate (EO₂PSLi) complex were studied using two plasticizers with different polarity, γ-butyrolactone (BL) and 2,5-di(methyl diglycol)-1,4;3,6-dianhydrous sorbitol ether (DGS), a novel pincer-like plasticizer synthesized in this paper. The DGS can effectively destroy the PEO crystalline phase in PEO/EO₂PSLi complex and increase the amorphous area in which Li⁺ cations transport, depending on polymeric segmental movement. However, in BL-plasticized PEO/EO₂PSLi complex, the highly polar BL hardly disrupts PEO crystals and only forms a BL-rich phase, a kind of liquid electrolyte tunnel in which Li⁺ mainly transfers. Received: 2 September 1997 / Accepted: 14 January 1998     

One-step in-syringe dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and GC-FID determination of trace amounts of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and its metabolite in human urine samples

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is used as plasticizer in polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastics. Its metabolites and the parent phthalates are considered toxic. As the DEHP plasticizers are not chemically bound to PVC, they can migrate, evaporate or be leached into indoor air and atmosphere, foodstuff, and other materials. We have reported a novel, easy and available analytical method for the determination of DEHP and its metabolite, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) in human urine samples by the in-syringe dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method coupled with gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. The limits of detection and precision (RSD) were 2.5 μg/L and 1.4% for DEHP and 1.1 μg/L and 3.0% for MEHP, respectively. This method could be utilized for routine monitoring of the trace DEHP and MEHP in urine of human exposure to plasticizers.     

Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with Di‐n‐Propyl ether and Di‐n‐Butyl ether and their deuterated analogs

Using relative rate methods, rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with di‐n‐propyl ether, di‐n‐propyl ether‐d₁₄, di‐n‐butyl ether and di‐n‐butyl ether‐d₁₈ have been measured at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air. The rate constants obtained (in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ units) were: OH radical reactions, di‐n‐propyl ether, (2.18 ± 0.17) × 10⁻¹¹; di‐n‐propyl ether‐d₁₄, (1.13 ± 0.06) × 10⁻¹¹; di‐n‐butyl ether, (3.30 ± 0.25) × 10⁻¹¹; and di‐n‐butyl ether‐d₁₈, (1.49 ± 0.12) × 10⁻¹¹; Cl atom reactions, di‐n‐propyl ether, (3.83 ± 0.05) × 10⁻¹⁰; di‐n‐propyl ether‐d₁₄, (2.84 ± 0.31) × 10⁻¹⁰; di‐n‐butyl ether, (5.15 ± 0.05) × 10⁻¹⁰; and di‐n‐butyl ether‐d₁₈, (4.03 ± 0.06) × 10⁻¹⁰. The rate constants for the di‐n‐propyl ether and di‐n‐butyl ether reactions are in agreement with literature data, and the deuterium isotope effects are consistent with H‐atom abstraction being the rate‐determining steps for both the OH radical and Cl atom reactions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 425–431, 1999     

Internal plasticization of poly(vinyl) chloride using glutamic acid as a branched linker to incorporate four plasticizers per anchor point

Internal plasticization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using thermal azide‐alkyne Huisgen dipolar cycloaddition between azidized PVC and electron‐poor acetylenediamides incorporating a branched glutamic acid linker resulted in incorporation of four plasticizing moieties per attachment point on the polymer chain. A systematic study incorporating either alkyl or polyethylene glycol esters provided materials with varying degrees of plasticization, with depressed T_g values ranging from ?1 °C to 62 °C. Three interesting trends were observed. First, T_g values of PVC bearing various internal plasticizers were shown to decrease with increasing chain length of the plasticizing ester. Second, branched internal plasticizers bearing triethylene glycol chains had lower T_g values compared to those with similar length long‐chain alkyl groups. Finally, thermogravimetric analysis of these internally plasticized PVC samples revealed that these branched internal plasticizers bearing alkyl chains are more thermally stable than similarity branched plasticizers bearing triethylene glycol units. These internal tetra‐plasticizers were synthesized and attached to PVC‐azide in three simple synthetic steps. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 1821–1835     

Das erste Oxatetraphospholan, (PBut)4O

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 244. The First Oxatetraphospholane, (PBu^t)₄O Under suitable conditions, the reaction ot tri‐tertbutylcyclotriphosphane, (PBu^t)₃, with di‐tert‐butylperoxide gives rise to a mixture of 2,3,4,5‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2,3,4,5‐oxatetraphospholane, (PBu^t)₄O ( 1 ), and 1,2‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐di‐tert‐butoxidiphosphane, [Bu^t(Bu^tO)P]₂ ( 2 ). Both compounds have been isolated in the pure state. The oxatetraphospholane 1 is a constitutional isomer of 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1‐oxocyclotetraphosphane, which has been reported recently [1]. The corresponding reaction of tetra‐tert‐butylcyclotetraphosphane furnishes only small amounts of 1 because of the kinetic stability of (PBu^t)₄. The diphosphane 2 is presumably a secondary product of primarily formed oxocyclotetraphosphanes (PBu^t)₄O_1–4. The NMR parameters of 1 and 2 are reported and discussed.     

Mesoporous Silica‐coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Mixed Hemimicelles Solid‐phase Extraction of Phthalate Esters in Environmental Water Samples with Liquid Chromatographic Analysis

To extract, preconcentrate and determine the trace level of environmental contaminants, a novel mixed hemimicelles solid‐phase extraction (MHSPE) method based on mesoporous silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/meso‐SiO₂ NPs) as adsorbent was developed for extraction of phthalate esters from water samples. The Fe₃O₄/meso‐SiO₂ NPs were synthesized by using a combination of hydrothermal method and sol‐gel method. The obtained Fe₃O₄/meso‐SiO₂ NPs possessed a large surface area (570 m²/g), superparamagnetism, and uniform mesopores (2.8 nm). MHSPE parameters, such as the amount of surfactant, pH of sample, shaking and separation time, eluent and breakthrough volume that may influence the extraction of analytes greatly, were further investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction was completed in 20 min and a concentration factor of 500 was achieved by extracting 250 mL water sample. Detection limits obtained of butyl‐benzyl phthalate (BBP), di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DnBP), di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di‐n‐cotyl phthalate (DnOP) were 12, 21, 12, and 32 ng/L, respectively. The proposed method exhibited high extraction efficiency and relatively short time for extracting the target compounds.     

The synthesis of bis(benzo-crown ether)s and their incorporation into potassium-selective PVC membrane electrodes

Five bis(benzo-15-crown-5) derivatives connected with different bridge chains were synthesized as neutral carriers in K⁺-selective electrodes. Potassium ion-selective PVC membrane electrodes based on these bis(crown ether)s were prepared using dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as plasticizers of the PVC membrane. The selectivity coefficients (K _M ⁿ⁺:K _K+) for various alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions were measured. The electrodes based on the bis(crown ether)s are more selective for K⁺ than those based on monomeric crown ethers. The selectivity of one of the prepared potassium selective electrodes was higher than that of the electrode based on valinomycin and three of them were stable over a wide pH range.