Hydrogen-Bonded Crystalline Molecular Machines with Ultrafast Rotation and Displacive Phase Transitions

Two new crystalline rotors 1 and 2 assembled through N−H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds by using halogenated carbazole as stators and 1,4-diaza[2.2.2]bicyclooctane (DABCO) as the rotator, are described. The dynamic characterization through ¹H T₁ relaxometry experiments indicate very low rotational activation barriers (E_a) of 0.67 kcal mol⁻¹ for 1 and 0.26 kcal mol⁻¹ for 2 , indicating that DABCO can reach a THz frequency at room temperature in the latter. These E_a values are supported by solid-state density functional theory computations. Interestingly, both supramolecular rotors show a phase transition between 298 and 250 K, revealed by differential scanning calorimetry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The subtle changes in the crystalline environment of these rotors that can alter the motion of an almost barrierless DABCO are discussed here.     

Propagation rate coefficients of isobornyl acrylate,tert‐butyl acrylate and 1‐ethoxyethyl acrylate: A high frequency PLP‐SEC study

Pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) coupled to size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is considered to be the most accurate and reliable technique for the determination of absolute propagation rate coefficients, k_p. Herein, k_p data as a function of temperature were determined via PLP‐SEC for three acrylate monomers that are of particular synthetic interest (e.g., for the generation of amphiphilic block copolymers). The high‐T_g monomer isobornyl acrylate (iBoA) as well as the precursor monomers for the synthesis of hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid), tert‐butyl acrylate (tBuA), and 1‐ethoxyethyl acrylate (EEA) were investigated with respect to their propagation rate coefficient in a wide temperature range. By application of a 500 Hz laser repetition rate, data could be obtained up to a temperature of 80 °C. To arrive at absolute values for k_p, the Mark‐Houwink parameters of the polymers have been determined via on‐line light scattering and viscosimetry measurements. These read: K = 5.00 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.75 (piBoA), K = 19.7 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.66 (ptBA) and K = 1.53 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.85 (pEEA). The bulky iBoA monomer shows the lowest propagation rate coefficient among the three monomers, while EEA is the fastest. The activation energies and Arrhenius factors read: (iBoA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 7.05 and E_A = 17.0 kJ mol⁻¹; (tBuA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 7.28 and E_A = 17.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and (EEA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 6.80 and E_A = 13.8 kJ mol⁻¹. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6641–6654, 2009     

Kinetics and Mechanism Study of the Substitution Reactions of the Chloride Ligand in Dichloro(5,10,15,20)‐tetraphenyl‐21H,23H‐porphinato)tin(IV) by Organic Bases in Dimethylformamide Solvent

Substitution reactions of a Cl⁻ ligand in [SnCl₂(tpp)] (tpp=5,10,15,20‐tetraphenyl‐21H,23H‐porphinato(2−)) by five organic bases i.e., butylamine (BuNH₂), sec‐butylamine (^sBuNH₂), tert‐butylamine (^tBuNH₂), dibutylamine (Bu₂NH), and tributylamine (Bu₃N), as entering nucleophile in dimethylformamide at I=0.1M (NaNO₃) and 30–55° were studied. The second‐order rate constants for the substitution of a Cl⁻ ligand were found to be (36.86±1.14)⋅10⁻³, (32.91±0.79)⋅10⁻³, (22.21±0.58)⋅10⁻³, (19.09±0.66)⋅10⁻³, and (1.36±0.08)⋅10⁻³ M ⁻¹s⁻¹ at 40° for BuNH₂, ^tBuNH₂, ^sBuNH₂, Bu₂NH, and Bu₃N, respectively. In a temperature‐dependence study, the activation parameters ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ for the reaction of [SnCl₂(tpp)] with the organic bases were determined as 38.61±4.79 kJ mol⁻¹ and −150.40±15.46 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for BuNH₂, 40.95±4.79 kJ mol⁻¹ and −143.75±15.46 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for ^tBuNH₂, 30.88±2.43 kJ mol⁻¹ and −179.00±7.82 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for ^sBuNH₂, 26.56±2.97 kJ mol⁻¹ and −194.05±9.39 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for Bu₂NH, and 39.37±2.25 kJ mol⁻¹ and −174.68±7.07 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Bu₃N. From the linear rate dependence on the concentration of the bases, the span of k₂ values, and the large negative values of the activation entropy, an associative (A) mechanism is deduced for the ligand substitution.     

The vibrational spectra,molecular structure and conformation of organic azides—IX. Azidoethane

A safe method for the synthesis of azidoethane from ethylbromide is given and ¹H and ¹³C NMR data are reported.The i.r. and Raman spectra of azidoethane have been recorded in the region 4000-40 cm⁻¹ and interpreted in terms of two conformers, anti and gauche, present in the vapour and in the liquid and of the gauche conformer in the crystalline solid. Matrix isolation studies reveal the gauche conformation to be the more stable in argon and in nitrogen matrices and probably also more stable in the vapour. The enthalpy difference between the conformers is calculated to be ΔH⁰_a→g (N₂ matrix) ≈ ΔH⁰_a→g (vap.) = −0.56(10) kJ mol⁻¹, and the barrier to rotational isomerism (anti → gauche) as 9.0(10) kJ mol⁻¹ in the nitrogen matrix and less than 6 kJ mol⁻¹ in the argon matrix. Careful Raman studies of the liquid at 140–290 K reveal the gauche conformation to be the more stable in the liquid phase as well, the enthalpy difference being ΔH⁰_a→g (liq.) = − 1.15 (5) kJ mol⁻¹.The majority of the fundamentals for both conformers have been assigned with the aid of normal coordinate calculations using previously developed scaled quantum mechanical force fields which are also presented.     

Kinetics of D,L–Lactide Polymerization Initiated with Zirconium Acetylacetonate

The kinetic of D,L-lactide polymerization in presence of biocompatible zirconium acetylacetonate initiator was studied by differential scanning calorimetry in isothermal mode at various temperatures and initiator concentrations. The enthalpy of D,L-lactide polymerization measured directly in DSC cell was found to be ΔH=−17.8±1.4 kJ mol⁻¹. Kinetic curves of D,L-lactide polymerization and propagation rate constants were determined for polymerization with zirconium acetylacetonate at concentrations of 250–1000 ppm and temperature of 160–220 °C. Using model or reversible polymerization the following kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated: activation energy E_a=44.51±5.35 kJ mol⁻¹, preexponential constant lnA=15.47±1.38, entropy of polymerization ΔS=−25.14 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The effect of reaction conditions on the molecular weight of poly(D,L-lactide) was shown.     

Complexation equilibria and spectrophotometric determination of zinc (II) with 2-(4′-methyl-2′-thiazolylazo)-4,6-dimethylphenol

2-(4′-methyl-2′-thiazolylazo)-4,6-dimethylphenol has been synthesized and its acid—base behaviour (pK_a1=0.03 ± 0.01, pK_a2=9.70±0.09) and complexation equilibria with zinc (logβ₁₀₁=6.70±0.04, logβ₁₀₂ = 13.70±0.02) studied in a 40% (v / v) ethanol—water medium at I=0.25 M NaClO₄. A spectrophotometric method for the determination of 0.2–1.5 ppm of zinc has been developed (ε=1.83 × 10⁴ 1. mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 590 nm) and applied to its determination in lubricating oils.     

Kinetic study of the ligand substitution on the trimethylplatinum(iv) complexes with unidentate ligands

Ligand substitution kinetics for the reaction [Pt^IVMe₃(X)(NN)]+NaY=[Pt^IVMe₃(Y)(NN)]+NaX, where NN=bipy or phen, X=MeO⁻, CH₃COO⁻, or HCOO⁻, and Y=SCN⁻ or N₃⁻, has been studied in methanol at various temperatures. The kinetic parameters for the reaction are as follows. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OMe)(phen)] with NaSCN: k₁=36.1±10.0 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=65.9±14.2 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=6±47 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.0355±0.0034 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=63.8±1.1 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−58.8±3.6 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=148±19. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OAc)(bipy)] with NaN₃: k₁=26.2±0.1 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=60.5±6.6 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=−14±22 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.134±0.081 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=74.1±24.3 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−10±82 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=0.479±0.012. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OAc)(bipy)] with NaSCN: k₁=26.4±0.3 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=59.6±6.7 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=−17±23 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.174±0.200 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=62.7±10.3 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−48±35 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=1.01±0.08. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OOCH)(bipy)] with NaN₃: k₁=36.8±0.3 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=66.4±4.7 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=7±16 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.164±0.076 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=47.0±18.1 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−101±61 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=5.90±0.18. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OOCH)(bipy)] with NaSCN: k₁ =33.5±0.2 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=58.0±0.4 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=−20.5±1.6 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.222±0.083 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=54.9±6.3 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−73.0±21.3 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=12.0±0.3. Conditional pseudo-first-order rate constant k₀ increased linearly with the concentration of NaY, while it decreased drastically with the concentration of NaX. Some plausible mechanisms were examined, and the following mechanism was proposed. [Note to reader: Please see article pdf to view this scheme.] © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 523–532, 1998     

Temperature dependence of the rate constants of the reactions of oxygen atoms with 1-pentene, 1-hexene,cis-2-pentene,and trans-2-pentene

The kinetics of the reactions of ground state oxygen atoms with 1-pentene, 1-hexene, cis-2-pentene, and trans-2-pentene was investigated in the temperature range 200 to 370 K. In this range the temperature dependences of the rate constants can be represented by k = A′ Tⁿ exp(− E′_a/RT) with A′ = (1.0 ± 0.6) · 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ s⁻¹, n = 1.13 ± 0.02, E′_a = 0.54 ± 0.05 kJ mol⁻¹ for 1-pentene: A′ = (1.3 ± 1.2) · 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ s⁻¹, n = 1.04 ± 0.08, E′_a = 0.2 ± 0.4 kJ mol⁻¹ for 1-hexene; A′ = (0.6 ± 0.6) · 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ s⁻¹, n = 1.12 ± 0.05, E′_a = − 3.8 ± 0.8 kJ mol⁻¹ for cis-2-pentene; and A′ = (0.6 ± 0.8) · 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ s⁻¹, n = 1.14 ± 0.06, E′_a = − 4.3 ± 0.5 kJ mol⁻¹ for trans-2-pentene. The atoms were generated by the H₂-laser photolysis of NO and detected by time resolved chemiluminescence in the presence of NO. The concentrations of the O(³P) atoms were kept so low that secondary reactions with products are unimportant. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Gold Nanoparticles Formation via Au(III) Complex Ions Reduction with l‐Ascorbic Acid

In this paper, the kinetics and mechanism of gold nanoparticles formation during the redox reaction between [AuCl₄]− complex and l ‐ascorbic acid under different conditions were described. It was also shown that reagent concentration, chloride ions, and pH influence kinetics of nucleation and growth. To establish rate constants of these stages, the model of Finke and Watzky was applied. From Arrhenius and Eyring dependencies, the values of activation energy (22.5 kJ mol⁻¹ for the nucleation step and 30.3 kJ mol⁻¹ for the growth step), entropy (about −228 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for the nucleation step and −128 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for the growth step), and enthalpy (19.8 kJ mol⁻¹ for nucleation and 27.8 kJ mol⁻¹ for particles growth) were determined. It was also shown that the disproporationation reaction had influence on the rate of nanoparticles formation and may have impact on final particles morphology.     

A calorimetric contribution to the study of polymorphism in tetramethylammonium chloride

The heat capacity of tetramethylammonium chloride has been measured from 115 to 498 K, both for the thermodynamically stable modifications and for the form II, which is metastable below 407 K. The entropy gains at the IV → III λ-transition and at the III → II first-order transition are estimated to be 1.19 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and 4.16 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. At 125 K, the entropy of the metastable phase II exceeds that of the stable modification IV by only 1.76 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. If, as has been suggested, each cation in phase II has two possible orientations, it would seem that at 125 K this disorder in phase II is largely, if not wholly, suppressed, without the appearance of any transition or thermal anomaly.Results are also recorded of test measurements of the heat capacity of the NBS sample of synthetic sapphire (α-Al₂O₃) from 138 to 515 K.     

Halogenation and amination dual properties of haloamines in Raschig environment: A chlorine transfer reaction between chloramine and 3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]octane

The chlorine transfer reaction between 3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]octane “AZA” and chloramine was studied over pH 8–13 in order to follow both the amination and halogenation properties of NH₂Cl. The results show the existence of two competitive reactions which lead to the simultaneous formation of N-amino- and N-chloro- 3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]octane by bimolecular kinetics. The halogenation reaction is reversible and the chlorine derivative obtained, which is thermolabile and unstable in the pure state, was identified by electrospray mass spectrometry. These phenomena were quantified by a reaction between neutral species according to an apparent S_N2-type mechanism for the amination process and a ionic mechanism involving a reaction between chloramine and protonated amine for the halogenation process. Amination occurs only in strongly basic solutions (pH ≥ 13) while chlorination occurs at lower pH's (pH ≤ 8). At intermediate pH's, a mixture of these two compounds is obtained. The relative proportions of the products are a function of intrinsic rate constants, pH and pK_a of the reactants. The rate constants and thermodynamic activation parameters are the following: k₁ = 45.5 × 10⁻³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; ΔH₁^0# = 59.8 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^0# = − 86.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for amination; k₂ = 114 × 10⁻³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; ΔH₂^0# = 63.9 kJ mol⁻¹; and ΔS₂^0# = − 48.3 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for chlorination. The ability of an interaction corresponding to a specific (NH₃Cl⁺/RR′NH) or general (NH₂Cl/RR′NH) acid catalysis has been also discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

1H NMR studies of binary and ternary dapsone supramolecular complexes with different drug carriers: EPC liposome,SBE‐β‐CD and β‐CD

Binary and ternary systems composed of dapsone, sulfobutylether‐β‐cyclodextrin (SBE‐β‐CD), β‐CD and egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) were evaluated using 1D ROESY, saturation transfer difference NMR and diffusion experiments (DOSY) revealing the binary complexes Dap/β‐CD (K_a 1396 l mol^?1), Dap/SBE‐β‐CD (K_a 246 l mol^?1), Dap/EPC (K_a 84 l mol^?1) and the ternary complex Dap/β‐CD/EPC (K_a 18 l mol^?1) in which dapsone is more soluble. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heat capacity of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)

The heat capacity of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) has been measured using adiabatic calorimetry, standard differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC). The heat capacities of the solid and liquid states of semicrystalline PTT are reported from 5 to 570 K. The semicrystalline PTT has a glass transition temperature of 331 K. Between 340 and 480 K, PTT can show exothermic ordering depending on the prior degree of crystallization. The melting endotherm of semicrystalline samples occurs between 480 and 505 K, with a typical onset temperature of 489 K (216°C). The heat of fusion of the semicrystalline samples is about 15 kJ mol⁻¹. For 100% crystalline PTT the heat of fusion is estimated to be 30 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹. The heat capacity of solid PTT is linked to an approximate group vibrational spectrum and the Tarasov equation is used to estimate the heat capacity contribution due to skeletal vibrations (θ₁ = 550.5 K and θ₂ = θ₃ = 51 K, N_skeletal = 19). The calculated and experimental heat capacities agree to better than ±3% between 5 and 300 K. The experimental heat capacities of liquid PTT can be expressed by: $ C^L_p(exp) $ = 211.6 + 0.434 T J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and compare to ±0.5% with estimates from the ATHAS data bank using contributions of other polymers with the same constituent groups. The glass transition temperature of the completely amorphous polymer is estimated to be 310–315 K with a ΔC_p of about 94 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. Knowing C_p of the solid, liquid, and the transition parameters, the thermodynamic functions enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs function were obtained. With these data one can compute for semicrystalline samples crystallinity changes with temperature, mobile amorphous fractions, and resolve the question of rigid-amorphous fractions.© 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 36: 2499–2511, 1998     

Thermodynamic properties of potassium metasilicate (K2SiO3)

The standard enthalpy of formation of potassium metasilicate (K₂SiO₃), determined by hydrofluoric acid solution calorimetry, was found to be ΔH^o_f,298 = −363.866±0.421 kcal mol⁻¹ (−1522.415±1.762 kj mol⁻¹). The standard enthalpy of formation from the oxides was found to beΔH^o₂₉₈ = −64.786±0.559 kcal mol⁻¹ (−271.065±2.339 kJ mol⁻¹).These experimentally determined data were combined with data from the literature to calculate the Gibbs energies of formation and equilibrium constants of formation over the temperature range of the literature data. The standard enthalpies of formation and Gibbs energies of formation are given as functions of temperature. The standard Gibbs energy of formation is ΔG_f,298.15⁰ = −341.705 kcal mol⁻¹ (−1429.694 kJ mol⁻¹).     

London Dispersion Effects in a Distannene/Tristannane Equilibrium: Energies of their Interconversion and the Suppression of the Monomeric Stannylene Intermediate

Reaction of {LiC₆H₂−2,4,6-Cyp₃⋅Et₂O}₂ (Cyp=cyclopentyl) ( 1 ) of the new dispersion energy donor (DED) ligand, 2,4,6-triscyclopentylphenyl with SnCl₂ afforded a mixture of the distannene {Sn(C₆H₂−2,4,6-Cyp₃)₂}₂ ( 2 ), and the cyclotristannane {Sn(C₆H₂−2,4,6-Cyp₃)₂}₃ ( 3 ). 2 is favored in solution at higher temperature (345 K or above) whereas 3 is preferred near 298 K. Van't Hoff analysis revealed the 3 to 2 conversion has a ΔH=33.36 kcal mol⁻¹ and ΔS=0.102 kcal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, which gives a ΔG^{300 K}=+2.86 kcal mol⁻¹, showing that the conversion of 3 to 2 is an endergonic process. Computational studies show that DED stabilization in 3 is −28.5 kcal mol⁻¹ per {Sn(C₆H₂−2,4,6-Cyp₃)₂ unit, which exceeds the DED energy in 2 of −16.3 kcal mol⁻¹ per unit. The data clearly show that dispersion interactions are the main arbiter of the 3 to 2 equilibrium. Both 2 and 3 possess large dispersion stabilization energies which suppress monomer dissociation (supported by EDA results).     

Two Three‐Dimensional Metal‐Organic Frameworks Constructed from Alkaline Earth Metal Cations (Sr and Ba) and 5‐Nitroisophthalicacid – Synthesis,Charaterization, and Thermochemistry

Two MOFs of [Sr^II(5‐NO₂‐BDC)(H₂O)₆] ( 1 ) and [Ba^II(5‐NO₂‐BDC)(H₂O)₆] ( 2 ) have been synthesized in water using alkaline earth metal salts and the rigid organic ligand 5‐NO₂‐H₂BDC. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectrum, thermal analysis, and X‐ray crystallography. Crystal structure analyses have shown that the two complexes are isostructural as evidenced by IR spectra and TG‐DTA. Both compounds present three‐dimensional frameworks built up from infinite chains of edge‐sharing twelve‐membered rings through O–H···O hydrogen bonds. The specific heat capacities of the title complexes have been determined by an improved RD496‐III microcalorimeter with the values of (109.29 ± 0.693) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and (81.162 ± 0.858) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 298.15 K, and the molar enthalpy changes of the formation reactions of complexes at 298.15 K were calculated as (4.897 ± 0.008) kJ mol⁻¹ and (2.617 ± 0.009) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

A proton magnetic resonance study of ligand exchange on hexakis(1,1,3,3-tetramethylurea) thulium(III)

A ¹H NMR study of the rate of exchange of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylurea (tmu) on [Tm(tmu)₆]³⁺ is found to be independent of [tmu] over a five-fold variation in CD₃CN solution, and to be characterized by k(298.2 K) = 145 ± 1 s⁻¹, ΔH^# = 29.3±0.3 kJ mol⁻¹, and ΔS^# = 105±1 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. These data are discussed in conjunction with data from related lanthanide and pseudo-lanthanide systems and the mechanistic implications are considered.     

Volume dependence of thermal conductivity and bulk modulus for poly(propylene glycol)

The thermal conductivity λ and heat capacity per unit volume of poly(propylene glycol) PPG (0.4 and 4.0 kg·mol⁻¹ in number-average molecular weight) have been measured in the temperature range 150–295 K at pressures up to 2 GPa using the transient hot-wire method. At 295 K and atmospheric pressure, λ = 0.147 W m⁻¹K⁻¹ for PPG (0.4 kg·mol⁻¹) and λ = 0.151 W m⁻¹K⁻¹ for PPG (4.0 kg·mol⁻¹). The temperature dependence of λ is less than 4 × 10⁻⁴ W m⁻¹K⁻² for both molecular weights. The bulk modulus has been measured in the temperature range 215–295 K up to 1.1 GPa. At atmospheric pressure, the room temperature bulk moduli are 1.97 GPa for PPG (0.4 kg·mol⁻¹) and 1.75 GPa for PPG (4.0 kg·mol⁻¹). These data were used to calculate the volume dependence of $ \lambda ,g\, = - \left( {\frac{{\partial \lambda /\lambda }}{{\partial V/V}}} \right)_T $. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure (liquid phase) we find g = 2.79 for PPG (0.4 kg·mol⁻¹) and g = 2.15 for PPG (4.0 kg·mol⁻¹). The volume dependence of g, (∂g/∂ log V)_T varies between −19 to −10 for both molecular weights. Under isochoric conditions, g is nearly independent of temperature. The difference in g between the glassy state and liquid phase is small and just outside the inaccuracy of g of about 8%. The theoretical model for λ by Horrocks and McLaughlin yields an overestimate of g by up to 120%. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36 : 345–355, 1998     

Evolution of crystallinity in photodegraded polyethylene films studied by ft-raman spectroscopy

FT-Raman spectroscopic studies of photodegraded polyethylene films have enabled the evolution of the crystallinity process to be measured. Commercial polyethylene films of M_w=90 000 were exposed in a weathering UV-chamber under known conditions of exposure time and radiant energy. The spectral profiles were modelled using Fourier methods. The relative amounts of the orthorrombic crystalline phase, α_c, the amorphous phase, α_a and the interphase, α_b, were calculated using Raman bands at 1416 cm⁻¹ characteristic of the crystalline phase and the bands at 1080, 1305 cm⁻¹, characteristic of the amorphous phase. The interphase content can be calculated from the relationship αb= 1-(α_c+α_a). It was found that the weathering process affects only the relative intensities of the bands attributed to crystalline and amorphous fractions; the crystalline content increases at the expenses of the amorphous fraction. These results are discussed in terms of the changes in the intermolecular forces caused by radiation exposure.