Kinetics of the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene in liquid carbon dioxide

The γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene with the use of liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent, was studied from the viewpoint of kinetics. The polymerization was carried out at conversions less than 10% under the pressure ranging from 100 to 400 kg./cm.², dose rates 1.3 × 10⁴?1.6 × 10⁵ rad/hr., and temperatures of 20–90°C. The concentration of carbon dioxide varied up to 84.1 mole-%. The polymerization rate and the polymer molecular weight were observed to increase with reaction time. This observation, however, becomes less pronounced with increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and with rising temperature. The exponents of the pressure and the dose rate were determined to be 2.3 and 0.85 for the rate, and 2.0 and ?0.20 for the molecular weight, respectively. From the kinetic considerations for these results, the effect of carbon dioxide on the initiation and termination reaction in the polymerization was evaluated.     

Tetraaryl‐Substituted Benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dipyrroles: Synthesis,Properties, and Applications to Hole‐Injection Materials in OLED Devices

Yes, HIMs can! A series of 2,3,6,7‐tetraarylbenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dipyrroles (BDPs) were synthesized using zinc‐mediated double cyclization. Organic light‐emitting diodes consisting of BDP:PPB as a hole‐injection layer could be driven at a lower voltage than a PEDOT:PSS‐based device. Correlation of the IP values with the driving voltage shed some light on the mechanism of hole‐injection processes.

     

Microdetermination of halogens in organic compounds

Summary Safford andStragand have described a method for the microdetermination of halogens using a silver-gauze-absorbent. The procedure is very simple, but unfortunately the results are not precise enough to enable the method to be recommended.The method has been modified. The sample is burned in an atmosphere of oxygen using a platinum catalyst, and the halogen formed is quantitatively absorbed on electrolytic silver wool in a special absorption-funnel, which is then weighed. The method is precise and accurate (standard deviation of the results: 0.12 per cent). Silver wool presents a much greater surface than silver-gauze and absorbs on an average 160 mg of chlorine per gram, i. e. forty or fifty times as much as a piece of silvergauze of the same dimensions. The charge in an absorption-funnel therefore has a long life for routine analysis of halogen compounds. The operating temperature range of the silver-wool is wide, so that precise control is not neccessary. The method compares favourably in accuracy, precision and simplicity with established methods.

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Zusammenfassung Safford undStragand veröffentlichten eine Methode zur Mikro-Halogenbestimmung mit Hilfe eines Silberdrahtnetzes als Absorptionsmittel. Dieses Verfahren ist sehr einfach, aber seine Resultate leider nicht genau genug, um es zu empfehlen. Die Methode wurde daher modifiziert. Die Substanz wird in einer Sauerstoff-Atmosphäre über einem Platinkontakt verbrannt, das Halogen quantitativ in einem besonderen Absorptionsröhrchen über elektrolytischer Silberwolle absorbiert und dann gewogen. Diese Methode ist genau und verläßlich (mittlere Abweichung der Resultate: 0,12%). Silberwolle bietet eine viel größere Oberfläche als Silberdrahtgeflecht und absorbiert durchschnittlich 160 mg Chlor pro Gramm, das heißt 40- bis 50mal mehr als Silberdrahtgeflecht gleichen Ausmaßes. Die Füllung eines Absorptionsr öhrchens reicht daher für viele Serienanalysen von Halogenverbindungen. Das geeignete Temperaturbereich für Silberwolle ist groß, eine genaue Kontrolle daher nicht nötig. Die Genauigkeit und Einfachheit der Methode ist auch im Vergleich mit bekannten Analysenverfahren durchaus zufriedenstellend.

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Résumé Safford etStragand ont décrit une méthode de microdosage des halogènes par fixation sur toile d'argent. La technique en est très simple mais elle ne permet pas d'obtenir des résultats de précision suffisante. Elle a été modifiée par les auteurs.La prise d'essai est brûlée en atmosphère d'oxygène en présence d'un catalyseur de platine et les halogènes formés sont quantitativement fixés sur de la laine d'argent électrolytique dans un tube d'absorption spécial qui est ensuite pesé. La méthode est précise et exacte (l'écart type des résultats est égal à 0,12 pour cent). La laine d'argent présente une surface beaucoup plus élevée que la toile d'argent et fixe en moyenne environ 160 mg de chlore par gramme, soit, pour le même encombrement, quarante à cinquante fois plus que la toile d'argent. Il en résulte une longue durée de la charge du tube d'absorption lors d'analyses en série des composés halogénés. La température de la laine d'argent peut varier dans un large domaine de sorte qu'il n'est pas nécessaire d'en assurer une régulation précise. La méthode se compare favorablement aux méthodes classiques quant à son exactitude, sa précision et sa simplicité.

     

STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF BROWN MEMBRANE BY X-RAY DIFFRACTION, CIRCULAR DICHROISM AND ABSORPTION SPECTRA

Abstract— Time course of formation and crystallization of bacteriorhodopsin upon the addition of retinal to brown apo-membrane has been studied by X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and absorption spectra. The rate of formation of bacteriorhodopsin decreases markedly at low pH (4.8) and low temperature (5°C). Furthermore, the formation of bacteriorhodopsin does not proceed in fully dried membranes. The half-time of the increase of exciton CD band is about 70s at 17°C and pH 7.0, and is comparable to that of the formation of bacteriorhodopsins (∼48s). The crystallization of bacteriorhodopsin proceeds to a large extent within 30 min at pH 7.0 and 5°C.
The bilobed CD band of the brown holo-membrane attributed to exciton coupling of bacteriorhodopsin molecules becomes negligibly small at pH 4.8, even though X-ray diffraction pattern indicates the lattice structure to be similar to that of the native purple membrane.     

Effect of acetylene on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene

The effects of acetylene on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene were studied from the viewpoint of the gaseous products and polymer structure. The experiments were carried out under a pressure of 400 kg/cm²; the temperature was 30°C; the does rate was 1.1 × 10⁵ rad/hr; and the acetylene content was 0–20%. The solid polymer was obtained in the polymerization of ethylene containing 2.2% acetylene, while the monomer containing 19.7% acetylene gave a yellowish viscous oil. The polymer yield and molecular weight decreased remarkably with acetylene content. The main gaseous product was hydrogen, and trace amounts of butane, butene-1, butadiene-1,3, and benzene and its derivatives were also observed. The rate of formation of hydrogen was almost independent of acetylene content and there was no difference in acetylene contents before and after the irradiation was found. The infrared spectra of the polymers showed the presence of vinylidene, trans-vinylene, and terminal vinyl unsaturations, 1,4-disubstituted benzene, and carbonyl groups. The contents of trans-vinylene, terminal vinyl, and methyl groups increased with acetylene content, and that of vinylidene was independent of acetylene content. The monomer reactivity ratios of ethylene and acetylene were evaluated as 45.5 and 66.0, respectively. On the basis of the results, the effects of acetylene on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene were discussed.     

Efficient peroxide decoloration of azo dye catalyzed by polyethylene glycol-linked manganese chlorin derivative

We reported here that polyethylene glycol (PEG)-linked manganese pyrochlorophyllide a (PEG-MnPChlide a) possesses remarkable catalytic activity comparable to horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The PEG-MnPChlide a catalyzed the oxidation decoloration reaction of C.I. Acid Orange 7 by hydrogen peroxide under a mild aqueous condition, pH 8.0 at 25 °C. The manganese pyrochlorophyride a methylester (MnPChlide a ME) dissolved in a Triton X-100 micellar solution also exhibited the catalytic activity, indicating the micellar environment plays an important role in the catalytic reaction. The reaction rate was accelerated by addition of imidazole. The catalytic reactions were analyzed by Michaelis–Menten kinetics, revealing that the higher reactivity of catalyst–substrate complex is responsible for the present catalytic reaction system.     

Effect of oxygen on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene

The effects of oxygen on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene were studied at a temperature of 30°C.; the pressure was 400 kg./cm.², the dose rate was 1.9 × 10⁵ rad/hr.; and oxygen content was from 1–2000 ppm. The main product was solid polymer, and no liquid product was found. The gaseous products were hydrogen, acetylene, higher hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, aldehydes, and acids. Several kinds of carbonyls similar to those formed in γ-ray oxidized polyethylene were observed in the polymer. The polymer yield and the degree of polymerization decreased markedly with increasing oxygen content, while the amount of carbonyls in the polymer increased. The number of moles of polymer chain and the amounts of hydrogen and acetylene were found to be almost independent of the oxygen content. The polymerization of pure ethylene was not affected by carbon dioxide and formic acid. On addition of acetaldehyde, the polymer yield and the degree of polymerization decreased markedly, while the number of moles of polymer chain increased. In the polymerization of ethylene containing oxygen, both the rate of oxygen consumption and the carbonyl content of the polymer increased, while the inhibition period decreased by the addition of acetaldehyde. It was found that the degree of polymerization after the inhibition period is almost independent of the reaction time in the presence of acetaldehyde, while it increases with the time in the absence of acetaldehyde.     

UCST‐type phase transition driven by protein‐derived polypeptide employing gelatin and chitosan

Here, we describe the thermosensitive reversible phase transition behaviors of polyelectrolyte complex composed of gelatin and chitosan (G/C complex). An aqueous dispersion of the G/C complexes showed a clear upper critical solution temperature (UCST) at around 30°C. The thermosensitive phase transition behavior showed excellent reversibility and large thermal hysteresis as a usual phenomenon based on the intra‐ and inter‐molecular interaction change. A high correlation was observed between the UCST of the G/C complex and the helix‐melting temperature of gelatin by circular dichroism, which suggested that the phase transition of the G/C complex corresponded to the secondary structure (helix‐coil) transition of gelatin. Notably, the UCST of the G/C complex shifted to lower temperatures in the presence of urea, which is well known to destabilize gelatin, whereas the addition of salt led to the dissolution of the G/C complex. It is envisaged that the results of this study will have a significant impact on the fabrication of UCST‐type thermosensitive materials, which can be utilized under aqueous physiological conditions using well‐known biopolymers. This protein‐derived functional material, which responds to the secondary structure transition, could also be used for the development of novel UCST‐type thermosensitive biomaterials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of an energy‐domain 57Fe‐Mössbauer spectrometer using synchrotron radiation and its application to ultrahigh‐pressure studies with a diamond anvil cell

An energy‐domain ⁵⁷Fe‐Mössbauer spectrometer using synchrotron radiation (SR) with a diamond anvil cell (DAC) has been developed for ultrahigh‐pressure measurements. The main optical system consists of a single‐line pure nuclear Bragg reflection from an oscillating ⁵⁷FeBO₃ single crystal near the Néel temperature and an X‐ray focusing device. The developed spectrometer can filter the Doppler‐shifted single‐line ⁵⁷Fe‐Mössbauer radiation with a narrow bandwidth of neV order from a broadband SR source. The focused incident X‐rays make it easy to measure a small specimen in the DAC. The present paper introduces the design and performance of the SR ⁵⁷Fe‐Mössbauer spectrometer and its demonstrative applications including the newly discovered result of a pressure‐induced magnetic phase transition of polycrystalline ⁵⁷Fe₃BO₆ and an unknown high‐pressure phase of Gd⁵⁷Fe₂ alloy placed in a DAC under high pressures up to 302 GPa. The achievement of Mössbauer spectroscopy in the multimegabar range is of particular interest to researchers studying the nature of the Earth's core.