Electron spin resonance study of poly-3,3-bis(chloromethyl) oxetane irradiated with electron beams and ultraviolet light

Poly-3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane (poly-BCMO) was irradiated at ?196°C with electron beams and ultraviolet light, and observed ESR spectra were compared. A three-line spectrum (coupling constant of about 21 gauss) and a two-line spectrum (coupling constant of about 18 gauss) were observed after irradiation with electron beams in vacuo. They were attributed to free radicals and respectively. On the other hand, a three-line spectrum (coupling constant of about 20 gauss) and an asymmetric singlet spectrum were observed after ultraviolet irradiation in vacuum. They were assigned to free radicals and ? CH₂? O·, respectively. Mechanisms of radical formation were discussed in each case. When poly-BCMO was irradiated with electron beams at ?196°C in the presence of air, peroxy radicals were produced after subsequent treatment at ?78°C. The reaction between alkyl radicals and oxygen molecules was found to be diffusion-controlled.     

ESR studies of some γ-irradiated organic crystals

Acrylamide, N-tert-butylacrylamide, and propionamide crystals were irradiated at ?196°C and the structures of radicals studied by ESR spectroscopy at various temperatures. The γ-irradiated acrylamide crystals show a five-line spectrum which is similar in shape to the signal obtained from the γ-irradiated propionamide crystals. Two types of radicals are produced in irradiated acrylamide and propionamide crystals at ?196°C. When the irradiated samples are kept at ?78°C the spectrum of propionamide remains the same, except in intensity. In contrast to this, the acrylamide spectrum changes to a triplet because of dimerization. Upon warming the irradiated acrylamide sample to between ?50 and ?30°C, some small new peaks become apparent on either side of the triplet. These new peaks disappear above ?20°C and the spectrum changes to a triplet because of polymerization. To observe the changes in the ESR spectra of γ-irradiated N-tert-butylacrylamide we kept the sample at various temperatures from ?196 to 100°C. From ?196°C to about room temperature the spectrum is a quintet. At and above 35°C, the spectrum changes to a triplet with shoulders on either side of the main peaks. With further warming above 80°C the spectrum changes to a broad triplet.     

Formation of free radicals in photoirradiated cellulose. V. Effect of temperature

ESR spectra of purified and ferric ion-sensitized celluloses irradiated with ultraviolet light in vacuo at 45, 20, ?80, and ?196°C were recoreded and compared. Generally, several kinds of spectra, viz., singlet, three-line, five-line, and seven-line spectra, were observed. At higher temperatures, only singlet and three-line spectra of stable free-radical species were detected, whereas at lower temperatures such as at ?196°C, two doubled spectra of formyl radicals and hydrogen atoms were also detected in addition to cellulose radicals. It is believed that the intricate spectra observed at low temperatures are superimposed upon spectra generated by free radicals which may or may not be stable at high temperatures. During reirradiation at ?196°C with an alternative light sources, i.e., λ > 2537 Å and λ > 3400 Å, of samples which were irradiated at 20°C or at ?196°C, phenomena indicative of radical transformation and formation of new radicals or of decay of radicals in terms of ultraviolet bleaching were observed on studying the changes of line-shapes and relative signal intensities of the spectra.     

Comparison of photo- and radiation-induced radical formation in polyethylene by ESR spectroscopy

The behaviors of free radicals produced in polyethylene irradiated with ultraviolet light and electron beams were compared in connection with primary processes of radical formation and trapping regions of free radicals. In the case of irradiation with ultraviolet light, an ESR spectrum observed at ?196°C immediately after irradiation is an eight-line spectrum due to alkyl radicals of the type ? CH₂? ?H? CH₃, while in the case of ionizing radiation, a six-line spectrum due to ? CH₂? ?H? CH₂? was observed. The former radicals are produced by the Norrish type I reaction of the carbonyl groups contained in the polymer, followed by radical rearrangement; and the latter are formed by dissociation of hydrogen atom from the excited state of the polymer or ion-molecular reactions. From the sensitivity to oxygen molecules, it was deduced that free radicals are trapped in amorphous regions after ultraviolet irradiation, but mainly in crystalline regions after irradiation with electron beams. Saturation studies of ESR spectra seem to support this conclusion.     

Electron spin resonance study of poly-3,3-bis-(chloromethyl)oxetane irradiated with ultraviolet light

When poly-3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane has been irradiated at ?196°C in a nitrogen atmosphere with ultraviolet light, a triplet spectrum is observed. After warming the sample, both a doublet and a singlet ESR spectra are observed. These spectra are attributed to and ? CH₂? O, respectively. The formation mechanism of these free radicals is discussed. It is concluded that the main process of radical formation is the dissociation of chemical bonds from the excited state of the polymer produced through the energy absorption by irregular groups acting as sensitizers. In the presence of oxygen, the radical yield at ?196°C is greater than that in nitrogen atmosphere. This is attributed to the extra absorption of light by the charge transfer complexes of polymers with oxygen molecules. It is also proposed that participation of a charge transfer complex in photooxidation of ether is important in the primary radical formation step. When a polymer sample irradiated in vacuum with ultraviolet light is treated at ?78°C for a few minutes in the presence of air, peroxy radicals form. This shows that oxygen molecules diffuse very easily into this polymer, even at this low temperature.     

Electron spin resonance studies of polycarbonate irradiated by γ-rays and ultraviolet light

Paramagnetic species produced in polycarbonate (PC) by γ- or ultraviolet irradiation were investigated by ESR. In γ-irradiation, scissions of carbonate groups in the main chain occur. ESR spectra (g = 2.003₄) composed of a sharp singlet, some broad singlets, and a small signal with hyperfine structure are obtained, and they are assigned to trapped electrons, positive radical ions, phenoxy-type free radicals, phenyl radicals, and ? O? C₆H₄? C(CH₃)₂ radicals. The G value for total yields of paramagnetic species at 77°K is 1.8. The percentage of CO and CO₂, the dominant gases evolved, is 65.4 and 33.8%, respectively. In ultraviolet irradiation, energy is absorbed selectively at the surface region. The surface region becomes insoluble in methylene chloride because of crosslinking of phenyl groups. The ESR spectrum obtained at 77°K is a broad singlet and assigned to phenoxy-type free radicals, phenyl radicals, and polyenyl-type free radicals. Some differences in effects of γ- and ultraviolet irradiation of PC are discussed.     

ESR study of primary radical formation during mechanical degradation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylene oxide) solid

Radical formation during mechanical degradation of solid poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylene oxide) (PPO) was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR). The ESR spectrum of PPO fractured at room temperature in air consisted of eight lines with a separation of about 5.5 gauss with g = 2.0043, indicating a small asymmetry. For PPO fractured in liquid nitrogen, a similar spectrum was observed at ?196°C in air or in vacuo. These spectra have been identified as belonging to a 2,6-dimethyl-substituted phenoxy radical and thus indicate the occurrence of main-chain rupture. The phenyl radical which was expected to be formed together with a 2,6-dimethyl-substituted phenoxy radical could not be detected, but at temperatures below ?46°C a small hump was observed at g = 2.034. By subtracting the spectrum observed after decay of this hump from the original one, the resulting curve was the characteristic asymmetric spectrum of a peroxy radical, which was presumably formed by the reaction between a phenyl radical and oxygen. The radical decay curve showed two stepwise-decaying regions; one located in the temperature region between about ?120°C and ?80°C where only a small number of radicals decayed, another located in the temperature region from about ?30°C to 100°C where almost all mechanically formed radicals decayed. The latter radical decay, which occurred considerably below the glass-transition temperature of PPO, was attributed to the molecular motions associated with the mechanical β^* relaxation on the basis of the activation energy and the temperature region.     

Etude par RPE des radicaux libres daus le tétraoxane irradié

The free radicals induced in tetraoxane at liquid nitrogen temperatures by ⁶⁰Co γ-rays have been studied by ESR. The powder spectrum as well as he spectra of the single crystal rotated around the b axis have been studied through their modifications from ?196°C up to + 80°C. These spectra show that at low temperatures two radicals exist conserving the cyclic nature of the parent molecule. During the course of annealing, starting at ?140°C and towards ?85°C they are gradually replaced by radicals with a linear structure, this being the first step in the post-polymerization process of tetraoxane. Further increase in temperature leads to radical sites situated on the polymer chains. At low temperatures evidence has also been found for the formyl radical, radical pairs, and a photo-sensitive radical.     

Electron spin resonance study of the radiation-induced polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole

When crystals of N-vinylcarbazole are γ-irradiated at 77°K., the ESR spectrum observed before warming consists of three peaks attributed to a radical–cation with the unpaired spin associated mainly with the nitrogen atom. Above 90°K. polymerization occurs, initiated by the cation, and the spectrum changes to that of an alkyl type of radical, ?N? ?H? CH₂, trapped in the polymer. Single crystals were used for a detailed analysis of the nuclear hyperfine parameters of the observed radicals.     

ESR study on radical conversions in irradiated low-density polyethylene

ESR studies were carried out on radical conversions by thermal and photochemical mechanisms in low-density polyethylene irradiated mainly with electron beams at ?196°C both in vacuum and in the presence of CO. According to the spectral change, the following radical conversions were elucidated for the samples irradiated in vacuo [eqs. (1) and (1′)] and in the presence of CO [eqs. (2) and (2′)]. From the resemblance of the ESR spectrum observed after direct photolysis of polyethylene to that observed after photo-induced radical conversions of the allylic radicals, it is concluded that an eight-line ESR spectrum observed immediately after photolysis of polyethylene at ?196°C could be attributed more reasonably to the alkyl radicals ? CH₂CHCH₃ than to ? CH₂CH₂ and ? CH₂CHCH₂? .     

ESR spectra of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate): Reinterpretation of the 9-line spectrum

The temperature dependence of the ESR spectra of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly-(methyl methacrylate) γ-irradiated at room temperature was studied between ?196°C and +25°C. The conventional 9-line spectrum was observed throughout this range with no significant spectral change, in contrast to the propagating radical ··· CH₂? °C(CH₃)COOR found in methacrylic acid monomer or barium methacrylate dihydrate irradiated at ?196°C. In addition, the irradiation of methacrylic acid monomer with a low dose at 0°C gave the same 13-line spectrum as that of the propagating radical obtained by the irradiation at ?196°C, while prolonged irradiation at 0°C gave the same conventional 9-line spectrum as that of poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(methyl methacrylate). The conventional 9-line spectrum has a much weaker 4-line component than that of the propagating radical. The difference comes from the surrounding matrix, and the conventional 9-line spectrum is well interpreted by introducing the concept of the distribution of the conformational angle in the irregular polymer matrix. From simulation of the ESR spectrum, it was found that the intensity of the 4-line component is very sensitive to the distribution, and that the observed 9-line spectrum is well reproduced assuming a Gaussian distribution (half-height width of 5–6°) around the most probable conformation which is nearly the same as that of the propagating radical, where the conformational angles of the two C? H_β bonds to the half-filled p-orbital are 55° and 65°.     

An ESR study of PMMA mechanoradicals and of their interaction with oxygen

Analysis of ESR spectra of mechanoradicals from poly(methyl methacrylate) reveals that after mechanical degradation in vacuo at 77°K, the sample contains two types of primary radicals? CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃) (I) and CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)? CH₂ (II) produced by the breaking of the polymer chain, and secondary radicals ? CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)? CH? C(CH₃)? (COOCH₃)? CH₂? (III). With increasing temperature, radical I remains stable while II reacts with methylene hydrogen of the polymer chain giving rise to the secondary radical III, which decays and finally disappears as the temperature rises. After admission of oxygen at 113°K, the polymer radicals react with oxygen with formation of polymer peroxy radicals ROO. and diamagnetic dimers. With increasing temperature the latter dissociate again to the original polymer peroxy radicals which gradually decay, if the temperature is increased further. The present results are compared with earlier ones obtained on poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) (PGMA).     

Electron spin resonance study of ethylene–acrolein copolymer irradiated with ultraviolet light

When ethylene–acrolein copolymer was irradiated at ?196°C with ultraviolet light, a sharp singlet spectrum with a g value of about 2.001 was predominant. This spectrum is attributed to acyl radicals, which are produced by dissociation of a hydrogen atom from an aldehyde group. At the same time it is supposed that dissociation of formyl groups also took place to give alkyl radicals, CO, and H₂. The alkyl radicals reacted with CO molecules to give acyl radicals at ?78°C under vacuum. Peroxy radicals were produced when the sample irradiated at ?196°C in the presence of air was treated at ?78°C. The sample irradiated at ?196°C was warmed to near 0°C and an apparent singlet spectrum with a g value of about 2.004 was observed. This spectrum was tentatively assigned as due to free radicals of the type      

Ionic species in irradiated poly(methyl methacrylate). A pulse radiolysis and ESR study

Poly(methyl methacrylate) free of initiators was synthesized by γ-irradiation and cast into transparent films. The samples were investigated by ns pulse radiolysis at various temperatures, and by ESR spectroscopy after γ irradiation at 77°K. Short-lived transients with optical absorptions at 440 and 725 nm were observed. The 440 nm absorption has been ascribed to the cation and the 725 nm absorption (εG = 3000 M^?1 cm^?1 (100 eV)^?1, τ_1/2 = 190 ns at ?13°C, E_a = 6.5 kcal/mol) to the anion. These assignments are based on ESR data of samples of poly(methyl methacrylate) and pivalic acid methyl ester deuterated at the ester deuterated at the ester and α-methyl groups, respectively, and subjected to thermal annealing and photobleaching. The anion decomposes on photobleaching by loss of the ester ·CH₃ radical, and the cation is proposed to decay by loss of the ·CH₃ radical from the α-methyl group. The thermal decay of the anion is discussed.     

Thermal and photo-induced phenomena in γ-irradiated poly(methyl methacrylate)

ESR spectra and optical absorption spectra of γ-irradiated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 77°K and the photo- and thermal bleaching behavior have been studied. γ-Irradiation of PMMA yields a singles spectrum with a line width of 6 G which is bleachable with visible light. This species is assigned to the polymer cation. The unbleached species consists mainly of a four-line spectrum and is assigned to a polymer radical having a different CH₂ conformation from the usual nine-line spectrum. On subsequent warming to room temperature, the spectrum changes into the nine-line spectrum. γ-Irradiation of PMMA containing biphenyl as an additive at 77°K gives biphenyl cation. Yield of polymer radical is reduced by the addition of biphenyl and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. A mechanism is proposed which is consistent with the experimental results.     

Free radicals in γ-irradiated poly-α-methylstyrene

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra were observed at ?160°C and at room temperature for γ-irradiated poly-α-methylstyrene. The spectrum observed at room temperature has been attributed to the radical species while that at ?160°C results from the same radical and superposition of the spectrum due to the radical ?H₂-C(CH₃)(C₆H₅)-. The radicals which are stable at room temperature could be used to graft vinyl acetate.     

ESR studies of photosensitized degradation of poly(L‐lactic acid) via photoionization of dopant

The photosensitized degradation of poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLA) via an anionic reaction process was studied using spectrophotometry, electron spin resonance (ESR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. PLA film doped with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (TMPD) was irradiated at 77 K using UV light (λ_c = 356 nm) by which the PLA matrix itself cannot be directly excited. After photoirradiation, a new broad absorption band appeared over the original spectrum due to TMPD⁺ ·, which was produced by two‐photon ionization. The ESR spectrum of the irradiated sample indicated the presence of the TMPD⁺ · radical and main‐chain scission radical of PLA. During the thermal annealing at 0 °C, the latter radical changed to another radical species by dehydrogenation of the alpha hydrogen of the PLA main chain. TMPD⁺ · was extremely stable at room temperature for 7 d. However, by thermal annealing at 40 °C, all the radicals decayed due to the enhanced molecular motions near T_g of PLA (58.7 °C). Spectral simulation for the obtained ESR spectra revealed the relative amounts of four radicals: TMPD⁺ ·, a main‐chain scission radical, a main‐chain tertiary radical, and an unknown radical. The last one was tentatively assigned to the PLA radical anion because of its short decay time. GPC measurements clearly indicated a decrease in the molecular weight of PLA after irradiation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 706–714, 2001     

Change with temperature of the ESR spectra of methacrylic acid radicals

In order to elucidate the structure of methacrylic acid radicals, the change with observation temperature of the ESR spectrum of free radicals trapped in solid methacrylic acid γ-irradiated at ?196°C was studied. Below ?80°C, we found a 9-line spectrum, which is similar to the ordinary 9-line spectrum observed in irradiated poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(methyl methacrylate), but which differs in the stronger intensity of the so-called 4-line component. Our 9-line spectrum changes reversibly into a 13-line spectrum above ?80°C. With broad-line NMR measurements of methacrylic acid, it was found that there is such an unusual crystalline transition around ?30°C that the line width is narrower in the lower-temperature region (phase II) than that in the higher-temperature region (phase I). The change of the ESR spectrum can be interpreted in terms of the exchange of the two β-protons due to the hindered oscillation around the C_α? C_β bond of the single radical ···C_βH₂C_α(CH₃)COOH if one assumes the gradual change of the hindering potential barrier caused by the crystalline transition and the lower barrier in phase II. The modified Bloch treatment gave the hindering potential barrier to be 7.2 kcal/mole in phase I and 1.5 kcal/mole in phase II. The difference between our 9-line spectrum and the ordinary one with the very weak 4-line component comes from the difference of the surrounding matrix.     

Reactions of the radial cattions of acetic acid and acetic anhydride in CFCl3

The ESR spectra of -irradiated, at –196 °C, solutions of acetic acid and acetic anhydride were studied depending on their concentrations in CFCl₃. The structure of thus produced radical cations is confirmed with the deuterium substituted analogues. It has been shown that the ion-molecular reaction of the radical cation CH₂COOH⁺ in the isolated dimer takes place for the dilute solutions of acetic acid in CFCl₃ resulting in the formation of CH₃COO follwed by its decomposition to CH₃+CO₂ while the radicals CH₂COOH are formed via secondary processes. The reactions of radical cations of acetic oxide have been also studied.