Formation of C7-species pyrolysis products from ethylene-propylene heterosequences of poly(ethylene-co-propylene)

Properties of ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPM) are determined by ethylene/propylene ratio and degree of block and random sequences. EPM was pyrolyzed and the pyrolysis products were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to examine pyrolysis products formed from the ethylene-propylene heterosequences. Pyrolysis products formed from EPM were compared with those formed from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) to determine the pyrolysis products formed from ethylene-propylene heterosequences of EPM. Principal pyrolysis products formed from ethylene-propylene heterosequences were 3-methyl-1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 2-methyl-1-hexene, and 2-heptene. Order of the relative intensity of the pyrolysis products was 2-methyl-1-hexene > 4-methyl-1-hexene > 3-methyl-1-hexene > 2-heptene. The relative abundances of the pyrolysis products decreased as the pyrolysis temperature increased. Relative abundances of the specific pyrolysis products formed from ethylene-propylene heterosequences may be used for determination of the relative degree of random sequences of EPM as well as ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM).     

Cationic and free-radical polymerization of optically active 1-olefins

The AlCl₃-initiated cationic polymerization of optically active 1-olefins yields polymers of varying optical rotatory power. Polymers of (+)-3-methyl-1-pentene and (?)-4-methyl-1-hexene prepared between ?78 and ?55°C. in CH₂Cl₂ or n-heptane are almost completely optically inactive. Under identical reaction conditions (+)-5-methyl-1-heptene gives polymers of significant optical rotatory power. Alternating SO₂copolymers of the same olefins, formed in reactions which proceed through free-radical intermediates, yield optically active products with specific rotations similar to those of low molecular weight analogs. These results are consistent with a cationic polymerization mechanism in which the growing chain undergoes intramolecular hydride shift and the asymmetric carbon atoms are converted into carbonium ions. The data also provide evidence for the lack of rearrangement in free-radical polymerization. By comparing the specific rotations of the cationic and free-radical polymers, the extent of rearrangement during cationic polymerization can be estimated. The calculations show that the 1,2-polymer in cationic poly-3-methyl-1-pentene is less than 2%, the sum of 1,2- and 1,3-polymer in cationic poly-4-methyl-1-hexene is less than 4%, and the sum of 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-polymer in cationic poly-5-methyl-1-heptene is 14–20%.     

Niederdruck-Oligomerisation von Mono-Olefinen mit löslichen Nickel/Aluminium-Bimetallkatalysatoren Teil III. Reaktionskinetische Untersuchungen über die Dimerisation und Trimerisation des Áthylens

The kinetics of the di- and trimerization of ethylen in organic solvents under the influence of a homogeneous catalyst containing π-tetramethylcyclobutadiene-nickeldichloride and a prereacted mixture of ethylaluminiumdichloride and tri-n-butylphosphine are reported. The primary reaction product is 1-butene, which is isomerized to 2-butene (cis/trans) during the reaction. The C₆-Olefins are formed by the reaction of ethylene with 1-butene and with the 2-butenes. The following primary reaction products are obtained: 3-hexene (cis/trans), 1-hexene, 2-ethyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene and 3-methyl-2-pentene (cis/trans). The effect of other phosphines on the reaction was also studied. The relative composition of the reaction product is strongly dependent upon the amount and the LEWIS base strength of the phosphine present. The results are in accordance with a coordinative mechanism on nickel.     

The thermal reaction of 2-pentene around 500°C at low extent of reaction

The thermal reaction of 2-pentene (cis or trans) has been performed in a static system over the temperature range of 470°–535°C at low extent of reaction and for initial pressures of 20–100 torr. The main products of decomposition are methane and 1,3-butadiene. Other minor primary products have been monitored: trans-2-pentene, trans- and cis-2-butenes, ethane, 1,3-pentadienes, 3-methyl-1-butene, propylene, 1-butene, hydrogen, ethylene, and 1-pentene. The initial orders of formation, 0.8–1.1 for most of the products and 1.5–1.8 for 1-pentene, increase with temperature. The formation of the products and the influence of temperature on their orders can be essentially explained by a free radical chain mechanism. But cis–trans or trans–cis isomerization and hydrogen elimination from cis-2-pentene certainly involve both molecular and free radical processes. The formation of 1-pentene mainly occurs from the abstraction of the hydrogen atom of 2-pentene by resonance stabilized free radicals (C₅H₉.).     

Raman Structural Study of Copolymers of Propylene with Ethylene and High Olefins

Nascent form of random copolymers of propylene with ethylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 4-methyl-1-pentene was studied by Raman spectroscopy. The most significant spectral alterations with a change in propylene content were observed in two lines at 809 and 841 cm⁻¹. The first line corresponds to vibrations of polypropylene helical chains in the crystalline phase, while the second one is associated with vibrations of polypropylene helical chains having isomeric defects. Raman data confirm that conformational composition and phase state of copolymer macromolecules strongly depend on the comonomer content as well as on the size of the comonomer units.     

Homo-polymerization of alpha-olefins and co-polymerization of higher alpha-olefins with ethylene in the presence of CpTiCl2(OC6H4X-p)/MAO catalysts (X = CH3, Cl)

Cyclopentadienyl-titanium complexes containing -OC6H4X ligands (X = Cl,CH3) activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) were used in the homo-polymerization of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene, and also in co-polymerization of ethylene with the alpha-olefins mentioned. The -X substituents exhibit different electron donor-acceptor properties, which is described by Hammett's factor (sigma).The chlorine atom is electron acceptor, while the methyl group is electron donor. These catalysts allow the preparation of polyethylene in a good yield. Propylene in the presence of the catalysts mentioned dimerizes and oligomerizes to trimers and tetramers at 25 degrees C under normal pressure. If the propylene pressure was increased to 7 atmospheres,CpTiCl2(OC6H4CH3)/MAO catalyst at 25 degrees gave mixtures with different contents of propylene dimers, trimers and tetramers. At 70 degrees C we obtained only propylene trimer.Using the catalysts with a -OC(6)H(4)Cl ligand we obtained atactic polymers with M(w) 182,000 g/mol (at 25 degrees C) and 100,000 g/mol (at 70 degrees C). The superior activity of the CpTiCl2(OC6H4Cl)/MAO catalyst used in polymerization of propylene prompted us to check its activity in polymerization of higher alpha-olefins (1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene)and in co-polymerization of these olefins with ethylene. However, when homo-polymerization was carried out in the presence of this catalyst no polymers were obtained. Gas chromatography analysis revealed the presence of dimers. The activity of the CpTiCl2(OC6H4Cl)/MAO catalyst in the co-polymerization of ethylene with higher alpha-olefins is limited by the length of the co-monomer carbon chain. Hence, the highest catalyst activities were observed in co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene (here a lower pressure of the reagents and shorter reaction time were applied to obtain catalytic activity similar to that for other co-monomers). For other co-monomers the activity of the catalyst decreases as follows: propylene >1-butene > 1-pentene > 1-hexene. In the case of co-polymerization of ethylene with propylene, besides an increase in catalytic activity, an increase in the average molecular weight M(w) of the polymer was observed. Other co- monomers used in this study caused a decrease of molecular weight. A significant increase in molecular weight distribution (M(w)/M(n)) evidences a great variety of polymer chains formed during the reaction.     

Catalytic isomerization of 1-hexene on hy zeolite

The isomerization of 1-hexene on 70/80 mesh HY zeolite was studied at 200°C. The observed reaction products are formed via a variety of processes including double bond shift, cis–trans isomerization, skeletal rearrangement, cracking, hydrogen transfer, polymerization, cyclization, and coke formation. By applying the time-on-stream theory, the products have been classified as primary, secondary, or both, according to their OPE curves on product selectivity plots. 2-Ethyl-1-butene, which is present as an impurity in the feed, is found to react about 30 times faster than 1-hexene. Both 2-hexenes and 3 hexenes are formed primarily from 1-hexene, while 3 methyl 2 pentenes and 3-methyl-1-pentene formed from 2-ethyl-1-butene. The ratio of the initial rate of deprotonation to that of hydrogen shift in these reactions is ～15 and ～100, respectively. All products of skeletal rearrangement are observed to be secondary. Cracking products are produced mainly from precoke, which is also the source of hydrogen in the formation of paraffins. A detailed reaction network along with its associated mechanisms are presented and discussed.     

The features of syndiotactic polypropylene

The mechanism of stereoselectivity of propylene insertion in propylene-ethylene copolymerization on a C_S symmetrical zirconium complex i-Pr(Cp) (Flu) ZrCl₂ catalyst is discussed. Calculation results indicate that not only the β-carbon in the growing chain end of the polymer but also the substituent of the β-carbon play an important role in the selectivity of the prochiral face of the next-coming propylene monomer. The stereoregularity of propylene units connected to an ethylene unit (PPE) in propylene-ethylene copolymer was observed to be lower than that in propylene sequences (PPP) in the ¹³C NMR spectrum, which supports the calculation results. Furthermore, the structure and properties of propylene-olefin (ethylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, and 4-methyl-1-pentene) copolymers prepared with the i-Pr(Cp) (Flu) ZrCl₂ catalyst system were studied. Propylene-1-butene copolymer exhibits peculiarly lower melting point depression because 1-butene units enter into the unit cell of the crystal structure of syndiotactic polypropylene.     

Hafnocene catalysts for selective propylene oligomerization: efficient synthesis of 4-methyl-1-pentene by beta-methyl transfer

A series of hafnocene complexes (eta5-C5Me4R1)(eta5-C5Me4R2)HfCl2 with [R1, R2] = [H, H] (1), [Me, H] (2), [Me, Me] (3), [Et, Me] (4), [(i)Pr, Me] (5), [SiMe(3), Me] (6), [(t)Bu, Me] (7), [(n)Bu, Me] (8), [(i)Bu, Me] (9), [Et, Et] (10), [(n)Bu, (n)Bu] (11), [(i)Bu, (i)Bu] (12) was tested as catalyst precursors for propylene oligomerization. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane or [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]/Al(i)Bu(3), complexes 2-4 and 8-12 catalyzed the dimerization of propylene to produce 4-methyl-1-pentene with selectivities ranging from 23.9 to 61.6 wt % in the product mixture. The selectivity was dependent on the nature of the substituents R(1) and R(2), with the highest value found for (eta5-C5Me4(i)Bu)2HfCl2 (12). Rapid deactivation was observed for 5-7, whereas (eta5-C5Me4H)2HfCl2 (1) polymerized propylene. 4-Methyl-1-pentene is proposed to form by repeated 1,2-insertion of propylene into the hafnocene methyl cation, followed by selective beta-methyl elimination. Detailed analysis of the byproduct distribution (isobutene, 1-pentene, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 2,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-heptene, 4,6-dimethyl-1-heptene), determined by gas chromatography, was performed with the aid of a stochastic simulation involving rate constants for the propagation by insertion, beta-hydride elimination, and beta-methyl elimination. The rate of termination is dependent on the structure of the growing chain of the active species as well as on the bulkiness of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. The selectivity highly depends on the reaction conditions (pressure, temperature, concentration of methylaluminoxane). The rates of beta-methyl elimination leading to 4-methyl-1-pentene were proportional to propylene pressure for 2-4 and 8-10 but practically independent from propylene pressure for the sterically bulkier derivatives 11-12.     

Isomerization of alkenes in the presence of Pd(acac)2-BF3OEt2 catalytic system

Positional isomerization of alkenes was studied in the presence of Pd(acac)₂ + 20BF₃OEt₂ catalytic system. The reactivity of alkenes decreases in the following order: 1-hexene > 1-heptene > 2-methyl-1-pentene > 4-methyl-2-pentene (cis + trans).     

Polymer reactions—Part VII: Thermal pyrolysis of polypropylene

Polypropylene has been pyrolysed in a carrier stream of helium from 388° to 900°C in both the programmed heating and flash pyrolysis modes. The products were on-line identified and quantitatively analysed by an interfaced GC peak identification system. The first order rate constants for pyrolysis are 3·7 × 10^?4 sec^?1 and 4·0 × 10^?4 sec^?1, respectively, for atactic and isotactic polypropylene at 388°C; the corresponding overall activation energies are 56 ± 6 and 51 ± 5 kcal mole^?1. The main products in decreasing yields are 2,4-dimethyl-1-heptene, 2-pentene, propylene, 2 methyl-1-pentene and 2,4,6-trimethyl-1-nonene. Also isolated, but in much smaller quantities, are: ethane, isobutylene, 4,6-dimethyl-2-nonene, 2,4,6-trimethyl-1-heptene, 3-methyl-3,5-hexadiene and methane. Propylene is the product of an unzipping reaction. Most of the other products can be accounted for by a mechanism involving first, random scission of carbon-carbon bonds to produce methyl, primary and secondary alkyl radicals, followed by intramolecular hydrogen transfer processes. Methane and ethane are formed from the methyl radicals. All the products found in high yields are derived from the secondary alkyl radicals.     

Determination of the adsorption model of alkenes and alcohols on sulfonic copolymer by inverse gas chromatography

The determination of a number of adsorption sites on sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer for alkenes (propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, isobutene, 2-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-2-butene, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 2-methyl-2-pentene and 2-methyl-2-hexene) and alcohols (methanol, ethanol and n-propanol, n-butanol, 2-butanol and tert-butanol) was performed by the saturation copolymer with vapors of adsorbate, by removing the excess of adsorbate from copolymer by blowing the inert gas through copolymer bed and by the desorption of adsorbed alcohol in the programmed increase of temperature. The adsorption measurements were performed on sulfonated ion-exchange resin (Amberlyst 15) with different concentrations of the acid group, which means with a varying number of adsorption sites. The following adsorption models for alkenes were suggested: the first in which one molecule of alkene is adsorbed by two sulfonic groups, for linear alcohols, the second in which one sulfonic group can adsorb one molecule of alcohol and for non-linear alcohols the third where one molecule of alcohol is adsorbed by two or more sulfonic groups.     

Hydroformylation of naphthas with a rhodium complex in biphasic medium

The chlorocarbonyl bis-[butylphenyl (meta-sulfonate-phenyl)phosphine] rhodium (I) complex shows catalytic hydroformylation activity in toluene/water biphasic medium for 1-hexene, cyclohexene, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and 2-methyl-2-pentene, their binary mixtures and a real Venezuelan naphtha, under standardized reaction conditions (1000 psi of syngas (1:1 H₂/CO), 100°C, substrate/catalyst molar ratio (600:1) and 4 h reaction time), obtaining high percent conversion to oxygenated products.     

Synthesis of isotactic copolymers of 4-methyl-1-pentene by living polymerization catalyzed by zirconium non-metallocene complexes

Amorphous isotactic poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) was synthesized from 4-methyl-1-pentene in the presence of the zirconium complex (η⁵-C₅Me₅)ZrMe[PhCH₂NC(Me)N-tert-Bu][B(C₆H₅)₄] as a catalyst of living polymerization and characterized. A number of linear isotactic copolymers of 4-methyl-1-pentene with 1-hexene and functionalized olefins, such as 5-(trialkylsiloxy)-1-pentene, were prepared under similar conditions. The feasibility of chemical modification of the functionalized copolymers to yield hydroxylated copolymers was studied. All the polymers obtained were characterized by means of the GPC, DSC, X-ray diffraction, and ¹³C and ¹H NMR techniques.     

Proton magnetic resonance investigation of structure of ω-alkyl-α-olefin/SO2 copolymers

The 100 MHz proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectra of free radical alternating ω-alkyl-α-olefin/SO₂ copolymers has been investigated. The data obtained from the quantitative evaluation of the spectra are consistent with a copolymer structure containing unrearranged olefinic monomer units. The 4-methyl-1-pentene/SO₂ copolymer shows a quadruplet resonance in the CH₃ proton region. This multiplicity, observed also in the analogous 1,2-dichloro-4-methylpentane and 1,2-dibromo-4-methylpentane, arises from the presence of magnetically nonequivalent CH₃ protons located in the vicinity of the asymmetric carbon atoms of the main chain. There is no detectable nonequivalency of CH₃ protons in the 5-methyl-1-hexene/SO₂ copolymer, probably because the center of asymmetry is further removed from the isopropyl group. In poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, prepared with Ziegler-Natta catalyst, the polymer structure around the main chain tertiary carbons is fairly symmetrical; and, as expected, the CH₃ protons of the isopropyl group are magnetically equivalent.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reaction of C5?C10 alkenes with ozone

The gas-phase reaction of ozone with C₅? C₁₀ alkenes(eight 1-alkenes, four 1,1-disubstituted alkenes, and cyclohexene) has been investigated at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature (285–293 K). Cyclohexane was added to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which forms as a product of the ozone-alkene reaction. The reaction rate constants, in units of 10^?18 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, are 9.6±1.6 for 1-pentene, 9.7±1.4 for 1-hexene, 9.4±0.4 for 1-heptene, 12.5±0.4 for 1-octene, 8.0±1.4 for 1-decene, 3.8±0.6 for 3-methyl-1-pentene, 7.3±0.7 for 4-methyl-1-pentene, 3.9±0.9 for 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene, 13.3±1.4 for 2-methyl-1-butene, 12.5±1.1 for 2-methyl-1-pentene, 10.0±0.3 for 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene, 13.7±0.9 for 2-ethyl-1-butene, and 84.6±1.0 for cyclohexene. Substituent effects on alkene reactivity are examined. Steric effect appear to be important for all 1,1-disubstituted alkenes as well as for those 1-alkenes that bear s-butyl and t-butyl groups. The results are briefly discussed with respect to the atomospheric persistence of the alkenes studied. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Targeted synthesis of homo-and copolymers of propylene in liquid propylene initiated by highly efficient homogenous metallocene catalysts

Studies devoted to the homo-and copolymerization of propylene with ethylene and higher olefins (1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene) in liquid propylene under the action of homogeneous metallocene catalysts of various types are surveyed in brief. The main kinetic features of the processes and the properties of the polymers are discussed. The optimal conditions for the highly efficient syntheses of isotactic, syndiotactic, hemiisotactic, and stereoblock PPs are described. It is shown that the combined cocatalyst—polymethylaluminoxane coupled with (i-Bu)₃Al—shows promise for the processes under consideration. Depending on the type of catalyst used, the copolymerization of propylene with ethylene yields copolymers with a block, random, or close to alternating distribution of comonomer units in a polymer chain. The copolymerization of propylene with higher olefins in the monomer bulk initiated by highly active sterically hindered isospecific catalytic systems shows an ideal character, and the reactivity ratios are r ₁ ≈ r ₂ ≈ 1; that is, the composition of the copolymer is equal to the composition of the monomer mixture at all comonomer ratios. It is demonstrated that the synthesis of homo-and copolymers of propylene in the monomer bulk in the presence of modern homogeneous catalysts is promising for highly efficient production of both traditional and new polymer materials with a unique combination of mechanical and thermal properties.     

Addition of the phenoxathiin cation radical to alkenes and nonconjugated dienes. Formation of (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes and (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)dienes on basic alumina

Addition of phenoxathiin cation radical (PO*+) to acyclic alkenes in acetonitrile (MeCN) solution occurred stereospecifically to form bis(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkane adducts. Stereospecific trans addition is ascribed to the intermediacy of an episulfonium cation radical. The alkenes used were cis- and trans-2-butene, cis- and trans-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-methyl-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-octene, trans-3-hexene, trans-3-octene, trans-5-decene, cis-2-hexene, and cis-2-heptene. The erythro bisadducts (compounds 6) were obtained with trans-alkenes, while threo bisadducts (compounds 7) were obtained with cis-alkenes. The assigned structures of 6 and 7 were consistent with their NMR spectra and, in one case, 6c (the adduct of trans-4-methyl-2-pentene) was confirmed with X-ray crystallography. Additions of PO*+ to 1,4-hexa-, 1,5-hexa-, 1,6-hepta-, and 1,7-octadiene gave bis(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes (compounds 8), the assigned structures of which were consistent with their NMR spectra. Each of these adducts lost a proton and phenoxathiin (PO) when treated with basic alumina in MeCN solution. Compounds 6 (from trans-alkenes) gave mixtures of (Z)- (9) and (E)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes (10) in which the (Z)-isomers (9) were dominant. On the other hand, compounds 7 (from cis-alkenes) gave mixtures of 9 and 10 in which, with one exception (the adduct 7c of cis-4-methyl-2-pentene), compounds 10 were dominant. The path to elimination is discussed. The alkenes 9 and 10 were characterized with NMR spectroscopy and, in one case (9a), with X-ray crystallography. Reactions of 8b-d with basic alumina gave mixtures of (E)- (13) and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)dienes (14), in which compounds 13 were dominant. The configuration of the product from 8a (the adduct of 1,4-hexadiene) could not be settled. Noteworthy features in the coupling patterns and chemical shifts in the NMR spectra of some of the adducts and their products are discussed and related to adduct conformations.     

Fluorocarbon polymers with alternating oxyalkylene and oxysilylene units

Linear polymers were prepared by the condensation of bis(dimethylamino)dimethylsilane and 1,4-bis(dimethylaminodimethylsily)benzene with fluorocarbon diols. 1,5-Dihydroxy-3-methyl-1,1,5,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene, the cis addition product of hexafluoroacetone and isobutylene, with the silylbenzene monomer gave a polymer that cured at room temperature to a rubber exhibiting a glass transition temperature of 0°C, low swelling in hydrocarbons, and excellent resistance to hydrolytic, oxidative, and thermal degradation, retaining its flexibility after exposure to air for 3 hr at 305°C. The polymers obtained by condensing 1,5-dihydroxy-1,1,5,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene, the trans addition product of hexafluoroacetone and propylene, with the silylbenzene and the silane monomers had glass transition temperatures of ?12 and ?50°C respectively, and greater resistance to swelling in hydrocarbons.     

Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with alkyl substituted olefins

Relative rate constants for the reactions of hydroxyl radicals with a series of alkyl substituted olefins were measured by competitive reactions between pairs of olefins at 298 ± 2 K and 1 atmospheric pressure. Hydroxyl radicals were produced by the photolysis of H₂O₂ with 254-nm irradiation. The obtained rate constants were (× 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1): 2.53 ± 0.06, propylene; 5.49 ± 0.17, cis-2-butene; 5.47 ± 0.1, isobutene; 6.46 ± 0.13, 2-methyl-1-butene; 6.37 ± 0.16, cis-2-pentene; 6.23 ± 0.1, 2-methyl-1-pentene; 8.76 ± 0.14, 2-methyl-2-pentene; 6.24 ± 0.08, trans-4-methyl-2-pentene; 10.3 ± 0.1, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene; 9.94 ± 0.1, 2,3-dimethyl-2-pentene; 5.59 ± 0.07, trans-4,4-dimethyl-2-pentene. A trend in alkyl substituent effect on the rate constant was found, which is useful to predict k_OH on the basis of the number of alkyl substituents on the double bond.