Highly Efficient Depolymerization of Waste Polyesters Enabled by Transesterification/Hydrogenation Relay Under Mild Conditions

The efficient depolymerization of polyesters under mild conditions remains a significant challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a highly efficient strategy for the degradation of a diverse array of waste polyesters as low to 80 °C, 1 bar H₂. The key to the success of this transformation relied on the initial transesterification of macromolecular polyester into more degradable oligomeric fragments in the presence of CH₃OH and the subsequent hydrogenation by the use of the rationally designed quinaldine-based Ru complex. Controlled experiments and preliminary mechanistic studies disclosed the quinaldine-based catalysts could be hydrogenated to the eventually active species, which has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and directly used as a catalyst in the hydrogenolysis of polyester. The strong viability and high activity of this new species in protic solvent were explained in detail. Besides, the crucial role of CH₃OH in promoting reaction efficiency during the whole process was also elucidated. The synthetic utility of this method was further illustrated by preparing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) from waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET).     

A combination of POSS and polyphosphazene for reducing fire hazards of epoxy resin

Extensive application of epoxy resins (EPs) is highly limited by their intrinsic flammability. Combining EPs with nanoparticles and phosphorus‐nitrogen flame retardants is an effective approach to overcome the drawback. In this work, simultaneous incorporation of octa‐aminophenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (OapPOSS) and polyphosphazene into EP was reported for the first time. Significantly, reduced peak of heat release rate and UL‐94 V‐0 rating were achieved by tuning suitable ratios of polyphosphazene and OapPOSS for EP composites. During combustion, polyphosphazene promoted char formation and released nonflammable gases such as CO₂, NH₃, and N₂ to dilute oxygen concentration and cool pyrolysis zone. Moreover, numerous phosphorus‐containing species acting as free radical scavengers were generated during degradation. Silicon dioxide evolving from OapPOSS protected char residues from thermal degradation. This study provides a novel method to fabricate high‐performance flame‐retardant EP composites, which have potential applications in the field of electrics and electronics.     

Ultra‐Long Crystalline Red Phosphorus Nanowires from Amorphous Red Phosphorus Thin Films

Heating red phosphorus in sealed ampoules in the presence of a Sn/SnI₄ catalyst mixture has provided bulk black phosphorus at much lower pressures than those required for allotropic conversion by anvil cells. Herein we report the growth of ultra‐long 1D red phosphorus nanowires (>1 mm) selectively onto a wafer substrate from red phosphorus powder and a thin film of red phosphorus in the present of a Sn/SnI₄ catalyst. Raman spectra and X‐ray diffraction characterization suggested the formation of crystalline red phosphorus nanowires. FET devices constructed with the red phosphorus nanowires displayed a typical I–V curve similar to that of black phosphorus and a similar mobility reaching 300 cm² V^?1 s with an I_on/I_off ratio approaching 10². A significant response to infrared light was observed from the FET device.     

Solid-state 13C-NMR analysis of hypercrosslinked polystyrene

Hypercrosslinked polystyrenes, synthesized by reaction of linear or lightly crosslinked polystyrene with chloromethyl methyl ether (CME) and a Lewis acid in a good solvent, swell even in nonsolvents for polystyrene. Structures and dynamics of hypercrosslinked polystyrenes in both dry solid and solvent-swollen gel states have been determined by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. Deconvolution of ¹³C solid-state CP/MAS spectra gave the relative numbers of quaternary carbon atoms in monosubstituted and disubstituted benzenes. A typical sample, crosslinked by reaction of a mixture containing 0.5 mol of CME per mol of repeat units, contains 35% of unreacted and 65% of crosslinked aromatic rings, and no residual chloromethyl groups. Gels swollen in CDCl₃ and in CH₃OH have residual static dipolar interactions enabling crosspolarization and require magic angle spinning (MAS) and high power ¹H decoupling to reduce chemical shift anisotropy from ∼ 10⁴ Hz to ∼ 10³ Hz. A single proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame measured from all peaks in the ¹³C spectra of dry samples indicates homogeneity on a nanometer scale. Proton NMR line widths indicate no substantial molecular motions in a dry hypercrosslinked polystyrene up to at least 200°C. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 695–701, 1997     

Sol–gel synthesis and enhanced properties of a novel transparent PMMA based organic–inorganic hybrid containing phosphorus,nitrogen and silicon

A novel flame-retardant silane containing phosphorus and nitrogen, tetramethyl(3-(triethoxysilyl)propylazanediyl) bis(methylene) diphosphonate (TMSAP), is firstly synthesized and then incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix through sol–gel method to produce organic–inorganic hybrids. The chemical structure of TMSAP was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ³¹P NMR spectra. The hybrids obtained maintain relatively high transparency, and exhibit a significant improvement in thermal properties, mechanical performance and flame retardancy when compared to pure PMMA, including increased glass transition temperature (T _g ) by 11.4 °C, increased onset thermal degradation temperature (T_0.1) by 82.6 °C, increased half thermal degradation temperature (T_0.5) by 42.0 °C, increased hardness, increased limited oxygen index and decreased heat release rate. Morphological studies of hybrids by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ²⁹Si MAS NMR suggest that cross-linked silica network is formed in the hybrids and the inorganic silica particles are distributed well in the polymer matrix. Thermal degradation behaviors investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and char structure analysis studied by SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrate the catalytic charring function of TMSAP, and synergistic effect between phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon element. The formation of network structure, homogeneous distribution of silica and the char formation during degradation play key roles in these property enhancements. Detailed mechanisms for these enhancements are proposed.     

Effect of urea additive on the thermal decomposition of greige cotton nonwoven fabric treated with diammonium phosphate

This study showed that greige cotton nonwoven fabric can effectively be flame retardant by applying the phosphorus of diammonium phosphate (DAP) as low as 0.8 wt% with the addition of urea. At such a low content of phosphorus, the char length and limiting oxygen index (LOI) were continuously decreased and increased, respectively, as the concentration of urea increased. The effect of urea additive on the thermal decomposition of flame retardant greige cotton nonwoven fabric was investigated by thermogravimetry, ATR-FTIR, XRD, ¹H → ¹³C CP/MAS NMR, and SEM. The results indicated that, upon heating, urea not only facilitated the phosphorylation reaction of DAP but also introduced carbamate groups into cellulose to decrease the degree of crystallinity prior to the decomposition of the crystalline cellulose. Compared with DAP treatment alone, the addition of urea accelerated the decomposition of glycosyl units, which resulted in a slight increase of weight loss and decrease of char yield. The char morphology observed after LOI tests indicates that urea released nonflammable gases, which blew the carboneous char layer to protect the underlying substrate.     

In situ generated stabilized phosphorus ylides mediated a mild and efficient method for the preparation of some new sterically congested electron-poor N-vinylated heterocycles

Protonation of the highly reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the reaction between triphenylphosphine and an acetylenic ester by a N-H acid (4-phenylphthalazin-1(2 H)-one, 5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione) leads to the formation of a vinyltriphenylphosphonium salt. The cation of the salt undergoes an addition reaction with the counter anion in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature to yield the corresponding stabilized phosphorus ylide. Elimination of triphenylphosphine from the stabilized phosphorus ylides leads to the formation of corresponding electron-poor N-vinylated heterocycles in moderate to high yields (67–95%). The reaction is completely regio- and stereoselective.     

Intramolecular Diastereoselective Cascade Cyclization Reaction of N,N′-Bis(Salicylidene)Cyclohexanediimine with Phosphoryltrichloride to a Bis(Chlorophosphorylated) Decahydro-2,4-DI (2-Hydroxyphenyl)Benzo[d][1,3,6]oxadiazepine

Abstract

A new type of cascade cyclization was observed in the phosphorylation reaction of (R,R)- or (S,S)-N,N′-bis(salicylidene)cyclohexanediimine with phosphoryltrichloride, which resulted in the formation of bis(chlorophosphorylated) decahydro-2,4-di(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzo[d][1,3,6]oxadiazepine with two new stereogenic phosphorus atoms and two new stereogenic carbon atoms in the oxadiazepine ring in the β-position to phosphorus. During the synthesis, the N atom attacks the phosphorodichloridate group with the formation of the P–N bond to give an asymmetric phosphorus atom and an iminium ion. This compound with six stereogenic centers crystallizes in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group P2₁/c and the crystal structure together with solution and solid-state MAS ¹³C and ³¹P NMR studies reveals a preferential formation of stereoisomers.     

Polycondensation rate of poly(ethylene terephthalate). I. Polycondensation catalyzed by antimony trioxide in presence of reserve reaction

The technique of G. Challa was employed for following the reaction of oligomeric poly(ethylene terephthalate) in the presence of antimony trioxide. This technique is based on determining the changes in glycol and bishydroxyethyl terephthalate concentrations with time at a given temperature. The linear trimer of ethylene terephthalate, prepared from terephthaloyl chloride and bishydroxyethyl terephthalate, was employed as starting material. Rate constants were not corrected for catalyst concentrations. The reaction was studied over the temperature range 221–251°C. The equilibrium constant k_p/k′ for the polycondensation reaction was found to be 0.36. Observed reaction rates were low but faster than in the uncatalyzed reaction studied by Challa. At 231°C. the values of the rate constants found in the presence of 0.025% by weight antimony trioxide were k_p = 0.151.mole^?1 hr.^?1 and k′ = 0.33 l./mole-hr., and the redistribution rate constant was k_R = 0.11 l./mole-hr. From data at four temperatures the estimated activation energies were E_p = 29 kcal. and E_R = 24 kcal. The polycondensation rates were low compared with rates calculated from literature data. A mechanism to explain the difference requires that bishydroxyethyl terephthalate endgroups compete successfully with oligomer endgroups for antimony trioxide catalyst and that the bishydroxyethyl terephthalate catalyst product is unreactive in polymerization.     

Polycarboxylic acids as network modifiers for water durability improvement of inorganic-organic hybrid tin-silico-phosphate low-melting glasses

We investigated the water durability of the inorganic-organic hybrid tin-silico-phosphate glasses Me₂SiO-SnO-P₂O₅ (Me designs the organic methyl group) doped with organic acids (salicylic acid (SA), tartaric acid (TA), citric acid (CA) and butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA)) containing one or more of carboxylic groups per molecule. The structure, thermal properties and durability of the final glasses obtained via a non-aqueous acid-base reaction were discussed owing to the nature and the concentration of the acid added. ²⁹Si magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR and ³¹P MAS NMR spectra, respectively, showed clearly a modification of the network in the host glass matrix of the Me₂SiO-SnO-P₂O₅ system. The polycondensation enhancement to form -P-O-Si-O-P- linkages (PSP) and the increase of the Q² unit (two bridging oxygens per phosphorus atom) over the Q³ unit (three bridging oxygens per phosphorus atom) as a function of the acid in the order SA<TA<CA<BTCA, suggest the formation of a chain-like structure which contrasts with the high cross-linkage in the Me₂SiO-SnO-P₂O₅ matrix. In addition, this structural change is accompanied by a decrease of the coefficient of thermal expansion and an increase of the water durability of the glasses with the acids containing a large number of carboxylic groups per molecule. The presence of carboxylic groups of the acid acting as network modifier may retard the movement of water molecules through the glasses due to the steric hindrance strengthening the PSP connections in a chain-like structure.     

Flame retardant polycyanurate thermosets from the cyanate esters of triphenylphosphine oxide

Three cyanate esters containing phosphorus are synthesized in good overall yields starting from bromoanisoles. Di‐ and tricyanates with meta configuration are most stable while para is less so. The para dicyanate ester isomer is particularly affected by water from the atmosphere. The meta dicyanate ester 2 has good thermal properties with glass transition at 268 °C and char yield of 65% in air at 600 °C. All three phosphorus‐containing cyanate esters are low flammability in an open flame. They make highly combustible cyanate esters resins less flammable simply by blending. Mixing 10 wt% dicyanate ester 2 into bisphenol A or E dicyanate esters makes them rate V‐0. Published 2018.^† J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1100–1110     

Thermal degradation behaviors of epoxy resin/POSS hybrids and phosphorus–silicon synergism of flame retardancy

Epoxy resin (EP)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) hybrids were prepared based on octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OVPOSS) and phosphorus‐containing epoxy resin (PCEP). The PCEP was synthesized via the reaction between bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA) and 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO). The structure and morphology of PCEP/OVPOSS hybrids were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the PCEP/OVPOSS hybrids possessed higher glass transition temperatures than that of PCEP. The thermal stability of the PCEP/OVPOSS hybrids was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA results illustrated the synergistic effect of phosphorus–silicon of flame retardancy: phosphorus promotes the char formation, and silicon protects the char from thermal degradation. The thermal degradation mechanism of the PCEP/OVPOSS hybrids was investigated by real time Fourier transform infrared spectra and pyrolysis/gas chromatogram/mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS) analysis. It was found that OVPOSS migrated to the surface of the matrix and then sublimed from the surface in nitrogen; whereas, the vinyl groups of OVPOSS were oxidated to form a radical trap which could react with pyrolysis radicals derived from PCEP to form the branched and crosslinked structure in air. The combustion behaviors of the hybrids were evaluated by micro combustion calorimetry. The addition of OVPOSS obviously decreased the value of peak heat release rate and total heat release of the hybrids. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to explore the char residues of the PCEP and the hybrids. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 693–705, 2010     

Dual crosslinked phenylethynyl end‐capped sulfonated polyimides via the ethynyl and sulfonate groups promoted by PEG

Typically, phenylethynyl (PE) end‐capped oligomides require a temperature of 370 °C for 1 h to develop a crosslinked system. A published method using poly(ethylene glycol)s (DM‐PEG‐250 and PEG‐400) as cosolvents with NMP was effective in crosslinking the ethynyl end‐caps at 250 °C/3 h in nonsulfonated oligomides. The application of this novel crosslinked method to PE end‐capped sulfonated oligomides was effective but caused a secondary crosslinked network via the sulfonic acid groups and ethylene glycol solvents. The solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectral data on ¹³C‐labeled end‐caps in the PE‐3F‐SPI‐3 oligomide provide evidence for the ethynyl to ethynyl and ethylene oxide sulfonate ester dual crosslinked structure. Infrared spectroscopy of model compounds also provides evidence for the presence of crosslinked sulfonate ester and appended sulfonate ester side chains. ¹³C NMR also provided quantitative data on the extent of the ethynyl to ethynyl crosslinking reaction and sulfonate ester crosslinks and side chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Preparation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in the presence of a telechelic perfluoropolyether

Polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) has been prepared from dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol in the presence of various amounts of a telechelic fluorinated macromer with methyl ester end-groups using Ti(OBu)₄ as the catalyst. The final products are heterophasic with a perfluoropolyether phase embedded in a PETP matrix. The effects of the fluorinated polymer on the reaction rates in the first and second stages of the reaction and on some properties (T_g, T_m, and contact angle) are discussed.     

Regioselective and Stereoselective Addition of Tetrazole Derivatives to Electron‐poor Acetylenic Esters in the Presence of Triphenylphosphine

Protonation of the highly reactive 1:1 intermediates produced in the reaction between triphenylphosphine and acetylenic esters by tetrazole derivatives leads to the formation of vinyltriphenylphosphonium salts. The cation of these salts undergoes an addition reaction with the counter anion in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature to yield the corresponding stabilized phosphorus ylides. Elimination of triphenylphosphine from the stabilized phosphorus ylides leads to the corresponding electron‐poor N‐vinyl tetrazoles in fairly high yields. Structures of N‐vinyl tetrazoles were determined by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and single crystal X‐ray structure analyses. The reaction is fairly regioselective and stereoselective.     

Geminal poly(silyl ester)s: Highly labile degradable polymers

Geminal silyl ester linkages were used for the backbone construction of linear polymers, which exhibit rapid cleavage in the presence of atmospheric water. A series of poly(gem-silyl ester)s with two ester groups flanking each silicon atom were synthesized, in order to probe the effects of different silyl-substituted side-chain groups upon the physical and chemical properties. The transsilylation condensation reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl) terephthalate with dichlorodiisopropylsilane, dichlorodicyclohexylsilane, dichloromethyl-n-octadecylsilane, and dichloromethyl-4-methylphenethylsilane gave the four poly(gem-silyl ester)s with two isopropyl, two cyclohexyl, one methyl plus one octadecyl, and one methyl plus one 4-methyl-phenethyl side-chain groups per silicon, respectively. The polymers were characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si), infrared spectroscopy (IR), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Hydrolytic degradation studies of the polymers solvated in tetrahydrofuran and as bulk samples in the solid state were performed in the presence of atmospheric water as the nucleophilic cleavage agent, and the molecular weight loss was monitored by SEC. Poly(diisopropylsilyl terephthalate) (1a) and poly(dicyclohexylsilyl terephthalate) (1b) were found to be more stable towards nucleophilic degradation in comparison to poly(methyl-n-octadecylsilyl terephthalate) (1c) and poly(methyl-4-methylphenethylsilyl terephthalate) (1d), due to the presence of sterically bulky isopropyl or cyclohexyl groups attached to the silicon atoms. All of the polymers degraded into small molecules upon hydrolysis, with the exception that the degradation products of 1c and 1d self-condensed in the solid state to form the respective polysiloxanes. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3606–3613, 1999     

Reaction of O,O-dialkyl alkylphosphonates with thionyl chloride. A remarkable effect of the O-(2-dialkylamino)ethyl substituent

Reaction of dialkyl alkylphosphonates with SOCl₂ in the presence of DMF, reported by Maier, can serve as a convenient route to simple monoalkyl alkylphosphonochloridates. However, when a substrate contains a (2-dialkylamino)ethyl group as one of the ester functions, the course of the reaction is determined by the nature of the N-alkyl groups. With the NMe₂ group present, reaction with SOCl₂ occurs at nitrogen, and no exchange of groups at phosphorus takes place. The NEt₂ group, on the other hand, directs the reaction to phosphorus, and the Maier reaction of the exchange of one ester group OR for Cl proceeds in high yields. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Hydrodeoxygenation of Oxygen-Containing Aromatic Plastic Wastes to Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers

To address the global plastic pollution issues and the challenges of hydrogen storage and transportation, we report a system, based on the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of oxygen-containing aromatic plastic wastes, from which organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) can be derived. We developed a catalytic system comprised of Ru-ReO_x/SiO₂+HZSM-5 for direct HDO of polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), and their mixtures, to cycloalkanes as LOHCs, with high yields up to 99 %, under mild reaction conditions. The theoretical hydrogen storage capacity reaches ca. 5.74 wt%. The reaction pathway involves depolymerization of PC into C₁₅ aromatics and C₁₅ monophenols by direct hydrogenolysis of the C−O bond between the benzene ring and ester group, and subsequent parallel hydrogenation of C₁₅ aromatics and HDO of C₁₅ monophenols. HDO of cyclic alcohol is the rate-determining step. The active site is Ru metallic nanoparticles with partially covered ReO_x species. The excellent performance is attributed to the synergetic effect of oxophilic ReO_x species and Ru metallic sites for C−O hydrogenolysis and hydrogenation, and the promotion effect of HZSM-5 for dehydration of cyclic alcohol. The highly efficient and stable dehydrogenation of cycloalkanes over Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ confirms that HDO products can act as LOHCs.     

Photodegradation of poly(4,4′-isopropylidine diphenylene carbonate)

The effect of UV radiation (253.7 nm) on poly(4,4-isopropylidine diphenylene carbonate) in the presence of air has been studied by TG, UV and IR sprctroscopy and analytical methods. Thermal degradation in air is found to be a two-step process: oxidative degradation and oxidation and char formation of the crosslinked product, with activation energies of 125 and 230 kJmol^–1, respectively. UV, IR and analytical methods suggest that polycarbonate undergoes a photo-Fries process and salicylate, benzophenone and phenyl hydroxy terminal chains are produced. The results are consistent with a photo-aging mechanism in which side chain and ring photo-oxidation occur by the photo-Fries process, resulting in chain scission and the crosslinked reaction.     

Variable temperature 1H, 23Na,and 29Si MAS NMR studies on sodium silicate hydrates of composition Na2O · SiO2 · nH2O (n = 9, 6, 5): Local structure in crystals,melts, supercooled melts,and glasses

The local structure in crystals, melts, supercooled melts, and glasses of sodium silicate hydrates of composition Na₂O · SiO₂ · nH₂O (n = 9, 6, 5) is studied by variable temperature ¹H, ²³Na, and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy. Detailed in situ investigations on the melting process of the crystalline materials reveal the importance of H₂O motion in the melting mechanism. Depending on the local coordination, crystallographically distinct Na sites show different behaviour during the melting process. Upon melting, the monomer silicate anions present in the crystalline hydrates undergo condensation reactions to oligomeric silicate anions. No recrystallization but glass formation occurs at low temperature if the melts were heated initially about 10 K above the melting point. In the glasses also oligomeric silicate anions are present with a preference for cyclotrimer species. In situ MAS NMR investigations and electric conductivity measurements of the melts, supercooled melts, and glasses suggest the distinction of three temperature ranges characterized by different local structure and dynamics of the sodium cations, water and silicate anions. These ranges comprise a glass and glass transition range A at low temperatures, an aggregation region B at intermediate temperatures, and a solution or electrolyte region C at high temperatures. In region B aggregation of sodium water complexes to hydrated polycation clusters is suggested, the dynamic behaviour of which is clearly different to that of the silicate anions, indicating that no long-lived contact ion pairs between sodium cations and silicate anions are formed.