Free-radical vinyl polymerization in bulk: Conversion dependence of initiation efficiency

The systematic array of data concerning the conversion C dependence of initiation rate constants k _i has been collected for the first time via direct experimental measurements (via the inhibitor method) of the rate of initiation in the course of free-radical polymerization carried out at various temperatures (50, 60, and 70°C) for three most representative monomers (styrene, methyl methacrylate, and vinyl acetate) in the presence of AIBN as a typical initiator. The k _i = f(C) dependence demonstrates an exponential behavior with a sharp change in the exponent at a certain critical point C _cr whose position on the conversions scale correlates with the kinetic features of polymerization for each of the monomers. The results of this study are necessary for correction of approaches useful for development of a new generation of mathematical models of free-radical polymerization processes, since, in terms of previously advanced models, the values of k _i are assumed as conversion-independent. On the basis of the experimental data, the mechanisms of some physical processes that occur in monomerpolymer systems and determine diffusion-controlled chemical transformations are discussed. Specifically, factors controlling the diffusion exit of initiator radicals from the Franck-Rabinowitch cage and factors governing the quadratic termination of growing polymers chains are compared.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and kinetics of thermal decomposition of the Zn(II) complex with vanillin

A complex [Zn(C₈H₇O₃)₂(H₂O)₂] (C₈H₈O₃ is vanillin) has been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction single-crystal analysis. The crystals are monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 22.236(8) Å, b = 10.594(2) Å, c = 7.8190(16) Å, α = 89.90(3)°, β = 106.87(4)°, γ = 89.99(3)°, V = 1762.6(8) ų, Z = 4, F(000) = 832, S = 1.079, ρ _c = 1.521g cm^?3, R = 0.0221, R _w = 0.0604, μ = 1.433 mm^?1. The Zn²⁺ ion is six-coordinated with a distorted octahedron geometry. The complex forms a three-dimensional network through intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The thermal decomposition kinetics of the complex for the second stage was studied under non-isothermal conditions by the TG and DTG methods. The kinetic equation can be expressed as dα/dt = Ae^?E/RT 2(1 ? α)[1 ? ln(1 ? α)]^1/2. The kinetic parameters (E, A), activation entropy ΔS ^≠, and activation free-energy ΔG ^≠ were also gained.     

Synthesis of isotactic polystyrene-block-polyethylene by the combination of sequential monomer addition and hydrogenation of 1,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-polybutadiene block

Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of a well-defined diblock copolymer consisting of isotactic polystyrene (iPS) and linear polyethylene, isotactic polystyrene-block-polyethylene (iPS-b-PE), by the combination of sequential monomer addition and hydrogenation. Isospecific living polymerization of styrene and living trans-1,4-polymerization of 1,3-butadiene were catalyzed by 1,4-dithiabutandiyl-2,2′-bis(6-cumenyl-4-methylphenoxy) titanium dichloride (complex 1) activated by triisobutyl aluminum modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) at room temperature to provide highly isotactic polystyrene (iPS) and 1,4-trans-polybutadiene (1,4-trans-PBD) with narrow molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, the iPS-b-1,4-trans-PBD was synthesized via sequential monomer addition in the presence of complex 1 and MMAO. The hydrogenation of the 1,4-trans-PBD block was promoted by RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ used as a catalyst to produce iPS-b-PE.     

Heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of bismuth orthovanadate in the temperature range 356–980 K

The molar heat capacity of BiVO₄ has been measured in the range 356–980 K by the differential scanning calorimetry method. There is an extreme point in the C_p = f(T) curve at about T = 532 K, which is caused by the existence of a phase transition. The thermodynamic properties of bismuth orthovanadate have been determined from the experimental data.     

High-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of pyrovanadate Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and orthovanadate Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The heat capacities of Pb₂V₂O₇ and Pb₃(VO₄)₂ as a function of temperature in the range 350–965 K have been studied by the differential scanning calorimetry method. The C_P = f(T) curve for Pb₂V₂O₇ is described by the equation C_p = (230.76 ± 0.51) + (73.60 ± 0.50)×10^-3T ? (18.38 ± 0.54)×10⁵T^-2 in the entire temperature range. For Pb₃(VO₄)₂, there is a well-pronounced extreme point in the C_P = f(T) curve at T = 371.5 K, which is caused by the existence of a structural phase transition. The thermodynamic properties of the oxide compounds have been calculated.     

Synthesis and study of high-temperature heat capacity of erbium orthovanadate

Orthovanadate ErVO₄ has been prepared by solid-phase synthesis from a stoichiometric mixture of high pure V₂O₅ and chemically pure Er₂O₃ by multistage calcination in air in the temperature range 873–1273 K. The effect of temperature (380–1000 K) on the heat capacity of orthovanadate ErVO₄ was studied by hightemperature calorimetry. Thermodynamic properties of erbium orthovanadate (enthalpy change H°(T)–H°(380 K), entropy change S°(T)–S°(380 K), and reduced Gibbs energy Φ°(T)) have been calculated from the experimental C_p = f(T) data. It has been shown that the specific heat varies in a row of oxides and orthovanadates of Gd-Lu naturally depending on the radius of the R³⁺ ion within the third and fourth tetrads.     

Synthesis of Block Copolymers of Styrene with <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-Lactide by the Sequential Controlled Cationic Polymerization and Ring-Opening Anionic Polymerization

The cationic polymerization of styrene initiated by the system 2-chloro-2-phenylpropane–TiCl₄–pyridine is studied in a mixture CH₂Cl₂–n-hexane at a temperature of –80°С. It is shown that under these conditions polymerization occurs via the living mechanism at [monomer]: [initiator] ≤ 100. The method of preparing polystyrenes with terminal primary hydroxyl groups (M_n = 4000–10000 g/mol) by the sequential controlled cationic polymerization of styrene and the in situ alkylation of 4-phenoxy-1-butanol by polystyrene macrocations is proposed. The resulting functionalized polystyrenes are used as macroinitiators of anionic-coordination ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide in the presence of tin bis(2-ethyl hexanoate) [Sn(Oct)₂] in toluene at 80°С. Copolymers polystyrene-block-poly(D,L-lactide) with the controlled length of the poly(D,L-lactide) block (M_n = 10000–17000 g/mol) and a relatively low molecular-weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.6–1.8) are synthesized. Formation of the block copolymers is confirmed by ¹Н NMR spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, and atomic force microscopy.     

The inductive effect of a radical center and transferability of the properties of functional groups in <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkyl radicals

Electron density distribution in n-alkyl radicals (from ethyl to n-octyl) was studied by the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) DFT method. The theory of atoms in molecules was used to show that the inductive effect of a free valence extends to two neighboring CH₂ groups. The electronegativities χ(C^?H₂) > χ(CH₃) > χ(CH₂) of groups and χ(C^?) > χ(H) > χ(C) atoms were qualitatively determined. The group method for calculating the enthalpies of formation of n-alkyl radicals Δ_f H°(n-C _n H_{2n+ 1}, n > 5) was substantiated.     

Crystal structures of two one-dimensional coordination polymers constructed from Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions,chelating hexafluoro-acetylacetonate anions,and flexible bipyridyl bridging ligands

The syntheses and crystal structures of two one-dimensional coordination polymers, [Mn(C₅HO₂F₆)₂(C₁₆H₂₀N₂)] _n (1) and [Mn(C₅HO₂F₆)₂(C₂₀H₂₀N₂)] _n (2), are described, where C₅HO₂F₆ ^? is the hexafluoro acetylacetonate anion, C₁₆H₂₀N₂ is 1,6-bis(4-pyridyl)-hexane, and C₂₀H₂₀N₂ is 1,4-bis[2-(3-pyridyl)ethyl]-benzene. In both phases, the metal ion lies on a crystallographic twofold axis and is coordinated by two chelating C₅HO₂F₆ ^? anions and two bridging bipyridyl ligands to generate a cis-MnN₂O₄ octahedron. The bridging ligands, which are completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry in both compounds, connect the metal nodes into zigzag [20 1 ] chains in 1 and contorted [001] chains in 2. Intrachain C–H???O interactions occur in 1 but not in 2, which may be correlated with the relative orientations of the ligands. Crystal data: 1, C₂₆H₂₂F₁₂MnN₂O₄, M _r = 709.40, monoclinic, C2/c (No. 15), a = 9.3475(2) Å, b = 16.6547(3) Å, c = 18.3649(4) Å, β = 91.1135(8)°, V = 2858.50(10) ų, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.030, w R(F ²) = 0.075. 2, C₃₀H₂₂F₁₂MnN₂O₄, M _r = 757.44, monoclinic, C2/c (No. 15), a = 19.9198(2) Å, b = 10.6459(2) Å, c = 16.8185(3) Å, β = 119.8344(8)°, V = 3093.91(9) Å3, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.032, w R(F ²) = 0.078.     

The thermodynamic properties of 5-vinyltetrazole and poly-5-vinyltetrazole over the temperature range from <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> → 0 to 350 K

The temperature dependences of the heat capacities of 5-vinyltetrazole and poly-5-vinyltetrazole were measured by adiabatic vacuum calorimetry over the temperature range 6-(350–370) K with errors of ～0.2%. The results were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions of the compounds, C _p ^° , H ^°(T) - H ^°(0), S ^°(T), and G ^°(T) - H ^°(0), over the temperature range from T → 0 to 350–370 K. The energy of combustion of 5-vinyltetrazole and poly-5-vinyltetrazole was measured in an isothermic-shell static bomb calorimeter. The standard enthalpies of combustion Δ _c H ^° and thermodynamic characteristics of formation Δ_f H ^°, Δ_f S ^°, and Δ_f G ^° at 298.15 K and p = 0.1 MPa were calculated. The results were used to determine the thermodynamic characteristics of polymerization of 5-vinyltetrazole over the temperature range from T → 0 to 350 K.     

Rate constants of substantial initiation in free-radical polymerization: A new method for determination of conversion dependences

A new method for determination of the conversion dependence of substantial initiation rate constants k _i = f(C) in free-radical polymerization processes has been developed. On the basis of the known data on k _i1 = f(C) dependences for initiator I₁ and the kinetic analysis of a single trivial and simple experiment, this method allows one to calculate k _i2 = f(C) function for any other initiator I₂ under the same conditions (monomer, temperature). The reference experiment includes measurements of polymerization rates in the presence of initiator I₁ in a wide conversion range from 0 to 100% and in the presence of I₂, on the condition that the rates of initiation are equal w _i1 = w _i2, thus ensuring equal initial rates of polymerization. The above-described approach has been approved for the polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate, and vinyl acetate initiated with AIBN and benzoyl peroxide.     

A quantum-chemical study of the thermodynamic properties of the CNOH<Subscript>3</Subscript> isomers

The B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) DFT method was used to determine the geometry and vibrational frequencies for the formamide, formaldoxime, nitrosomethane, oxaziridine, and formimide. The potential energy functions of the hindered internal rotations were calculated. The conformers of formaldoxime and formimide were determined. For all the molecules, including the conformers, the thermodynamic characteristics Δ_f H° (298 K), S°(298 K), C _p(298 K), and Δ_f G° (298 K) were determined. The temperature dependences C _p(T) within 298–1500 K were represented in the form of cubic polynomials.     

Synthesis and heat capacity of NdVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in the temperature range of 384–859 K

Heat capacity of NdVO₄ was determined in the temperature range of 384–859 K using differential scanning calorimetry. The thermodynamic functions (H°(T)–H°(384 K), S°(T)–S°(384 K), and Φ°) of neodymium orthovanadate were calculated using the experimental C_p = f(T) values. The structure of NdVO₄ was studied at 298 and 973 K.     

Heat capacity of GdBiGeO<Subscript>5</Subscript> in the temperature range 373–1000 K

Ternary oxide GdBiGeO₅ was synthesized by a ceramic method. The heat capacity of crystalline gadolinium bismuth germanate as a function of temperature in the range 373–1000 K has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. It has been demonstrated that the temperature dependence of the heat capacity can be described by the classical Maier–Kelley equation. From the experimental C _P = f(T) data, the thermodynamic functions (the change in enthalpy and entropy) of ternary oxide GdBiGeO₅ have been calculated.     

High-temperature heat capacity of erbium titanate with a pyrochlore structure

Erbium titanate with a pyrochlore structure has been synthesized by a ceramic method from stoichiometric Er₂O₃–TiO₂ mixtures at 1673–1773 K. The high-temperature heat capacity of Er₂Ti₂O₇ (320–1000 K) has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermodynamic functions of this oxide compound—enthalpy and entropy changes and reduced Gibbs—have been calculated from the experimental dependence C _P = f(T).     

Phase diagram of the NaCl–MgCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system at 25–75°C and its application for MgCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O purification

The co-saturation line for the solid phases NaCl_(s) and MgCl₂ · 6H₂O_(s) in aqueous solution has been measured by a phase equilibrium at various temperatures. It was found that the Y _b (Y _b = w(NaCl)/(w(NaCl) + w(MgCl₂))) value of the co-saturation line increase with increasing temperature. A new recrystallization approach has been suggested for the purification of MgCl₂ · 6H₂O_(s) containing quite amount of impurity NaCl, i.e., dissolving the crude sample at low temperatures, followed by evaporating and phase separating at high temperatures. Applying the proposed approach a crude MgCl₂ · 6H₂O_(s) sample can be purified to the level of Y _b = 0.17% by only one crystallization process.     

Electron diffraction and quantum-chemical studies of the molecular structure of 2-methylbenzenesulfochloride

A combined electron diffraction and quantum-chemical (MP2/6-31G**) study of the molecular structure of 2-methylbenzenesulfochloride at 336(5) K was carried out. It was found that the gas phase contained only one conformer, C ₁. The following structural parameters were obtained: r _h1(C-H)_av = 1.095(8) Å, r _h1(C-C)_Ph = 1.402(4) Å, r _h1(C_Ph-C_meth) = 1.507(13) Å, r _h1(C_Ph-S) = 1.763(6) Å, r _h1(S=O) = 1.418(4) Å, r _h1(S-Cl) = 2.048(5) Å, ∠(H-C-H)_meth/av = 107.3(96)°, ∠(Cl-S-O)_av = 106.4(3)°, ∠C_Ph-S-Cl = 100.8(9), ∠O=S=O = 120.8(10)°. The C_C-C_S-S-Cl torsion angle that defines the position of the S-Cl bond relative to the plane of the benzene ring is 75.6(20)°. The B3LYP/6-311+G** calculated barriers of internal rotation of the methyl and sulfochloride groups are 1.2 kcal/mol and V ₀₁ = 10.2 (V ₀₂ = 4.1) kcal/mol, respectively.     

New Phosphate-Sulfates with NZP Structure

NaZr_2–xB_x(PO₄)_3–2x(SO₄)_2x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, B = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and NaZr_2–xR_x(PO₄)_3–x(SO₄)_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, R = Al, Fe) phosphate-sulfates series have been prepared by a sol–gel process. These compounds belong to the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (NZP) structure family and crystallize in hexagonal crystal system, space group R\(\bar 3\)c. Limited solid solution series were found to exist; their formation temperatures and thermal stability limits were determined. Particle sizes as determined by microstructure observation were 50–200 nm, and for Cu- and Zn-containing samples, 200–500 nm. The thermal expansion of phosphate-sulfate NaZr_1.25Cu_0.75(PO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5 was studied in the range 25–700°C. Thermal expansion coefficients and thermal expansion anisotropy were found to be α_a =–5.40 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_с = 18.88 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_avg = 2.69 × 10^–6 °C^–1, and Δα = 24.28 × 10^–6 °C^–1.     

Synthesis and study of the heat capacity of orthovanadate TbVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in the range 5–859 K

The heat capacity of TbVO₄ has been measured by the adiabatic calorimetry (5–346 K) and differential scanning calorimetry (344–859 K) methods. The C_p = f(T) plot has an extreme point (32 K). The thermodynamic properties of the oxide compounds have been calculated from the experimental data. A general equation that describes the heat capacity of terbium orthovanadate as a function of temperature in the range 35–859 K has been derived.     

Standard Thermodynamic Functions of Crystalline Arsenate Mg<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(AsO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the Range from <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> → 0 to 670 K

The temperature dependence of heat capacity C^° _p = f(T) of crystalline arsenate Mg_0.5Zr₂(AsO₄)₃ was studied by precision adiabatic vacuum and differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range 8?670 K. The standard thermodynamic functions C^° _p (T), H°(T)–H°(0), S°(T), and G°(T)–H°(0) of the arsenate for the range from Т → 0 to 670 K and the standard formation entropy at Т = 298.15 K were calculated from the obtained experimental data. Based on the low-temperature capacity data (30–50 K) the fractal dimension D of the arsenate was determined, and the topology of its structure was characterized. The results were compared with the thermodynamic data for the structurally related crystalline phosphates M_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ni) and arsenate NaZr₂(AsO₄)₃.