Free-ionic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether by radiation

Radiation-induced free-ionic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether in bulk system has been studied by dilatometry and electrical conductivity measurement. Some refinements in kinetic treatment of estimate the propagation rate constant k_p from the rate of polymerization and steady-state conductivity were attempted. Polymerization of superdried monomer which gave a half-power dose-rate dependence of R_p was carried out at 0, 25, and 50°C. The k_p value obtained at 25°C and an activation energy for propagation were estimated as 1.2 ± 0.4 × 10⁵ I./mole-sec and 9.6 ± 2.8 kcal/mole, respectively. In isobutyl vinyl ether, a propagation reaction in free-ionic mechanism was found to be characterized with a high frequency factor and presumably higher activation energy, compared with ion-pair mechanism. Discussions were also made as to several contrasting behaviors between the polymerization of alkyl vinyl ethers and other vinyl monomers as styrene both in free-ion and ion-pair mechanisms.     

Reactivity ratios of styrene and methyl methacrylate at 90°C

From the conversion–composition data of Gruber and Elias, the reactivity ratios of styrene (M₁) and methyl methacrylate (M₂) were calculated to be r₁ = 0.55 ± 0.02 and r₂ = 0.58 ± 0.06 at 90°C. The least-squares method was then used on these and literature values at other temperatures to obtain the Arrhenius expressions: In r₁ = 0.04736 – (235.45/T), and ln r₂ = 0.1183 – (285.36/T). Using literature values for the homopolymerization steps, A₁₁ = 2.2 × 10⁷l./mole-sec., E₁₁ = 7.8 kcal./mole, and A₂₂ = 0.51 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec.^?1, E₂₂ = 6.3 kcal./mole, activation energies and frequency factors were then calculated for the cross-polymerization steps: A₁₂ = 2.1 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec., E₁₂ = 7.3 kcal./mole, and A₂₁ = 0.45 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec., E₂₁ = 5.7 kcal./mole.     

Radiation-induced oxidation of solid poly(ethylene oxide). I. Experimental results

γ-Initiated oxidations of solid poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) have been carried out at ambient temperatures and the dependence of the rate of oxygen consumption on rate of initiation, O₂ pressure, and crystallinity has been determined. At 25°C, the radiation yield G for O₂ absorbed is 117–281, depending on dose rate, and decreases moderately with increasing crystallinity. The principal oxidation products are formate and hemiformal groups, hydroperoxides, and some volatile compounds, mainly formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. The rates of O₂ consumption and formation of products and chain scission are little affected by a change of the temperature in the range ?23 to +55°C except for hydroperoxide, the formation of which requires an activation energy of 4 kcal/mole. Experiments with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol show that essentially all of the initiating PO₂· radicals escape cage termination; G value for formation of the initiating peroxy radicals was estimated from the inhibition period to be 5.0 ± 0.3.     

Spatially intermittent polymerization

A novel reactor has been designed which permits the precise determination of absolute rate constants in photoinitiated free-radical vinyl polymerization. A solution of monomer and initiator flows through a dark tubular reactor past regularly spaced slots through which light shines. The alternating dark and light regions produce spatially intermittent polymerization (SIP) and make the system analogous to the well-known rotating-sector technique. However, the SIP reactor has the advantage of producing large volumes of reaction product, at low conversion, suitable for analysis of both conversion and molecular weight. This supplies the necessary data, from a single set of experiments, for the simultaneous determination of the rate constants for propagation and termination. Experimental data are reported at 25°C for methyl methacrylate which indicate that k_p = 315 I./mole-sec, independent of polymer molecular weight, and k_t is dependent on molecular weight especially at low molecular weight, approaching a lower value of k_t = 30 × 10⁶ I./mole-sec at a molecular weight of 10⁶. For styrene, measurements being made only at high molecular weight, k_p = 74 ± 5 and k_t = 37 ± 0.3 × 10⁶ l./mole-sec at 25°C.     

Kinetics of the I2-catalyzed isomerization of allyl chloride to cis- and trans-1-chloro-1-propene. The stabilization energy of the chloroallyl radical

The I₂-catalyzed isomerization of allyl chloride to cis- and trans- l-chloro-l-propene was measured in a static system in the temperature range 225–329°C. Propylene was found as a side product, mainly at the lower temperatures. The rate constant for an abstraction of a hydrogen atom from allyl chloride by an iodine atom was found to obey the equation log [k,/M^?1 sec^?1] = (10.5 ± 0.2) ?; (18.3 ± 10.4)/θ, where θ is 2.303RT in kcal/mole. Using this activation energy together with 1 ± 1 kcal/mole for the activation energy for the reaction of HI with alkyl radicals gives DH⁰ (CH₂CHCHCl? H) = 88.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mole, and 7.4 ± 1.5 kcal/mole as the stabilization energy (SE) of the chloroallyl radical. Using the results of Abell and Adolf on allyl fluoride and allyl bromide, we conclude DH⁰ (CH₂CHCHF? H) = 88.6 ± 1.1 and DH⁰ (CH₂CHCHBr? H) = 89.4 ± 1.1 kcal/ mole; the SE of the corresponding radicals are 7.4 ± 2.2 and 7.8 ± 1.5 kcal/mole. The bond dissociation energies of the C? H bonds in the allyl halides are similar to that of propene, while the SE values are about 2 kcal/mole less than in the allyl radical, resulting perhaps more from the stabilization of alkyl radicals by α-halogen atoms than from differences in the unsaturated systems.     

Reactions of tert-butoxy radicals with vinyl monomers

Tert-butoxy radicals generated in the photolysis of di-tert-butyl peroxide in benzene at 25°C react with vinyl monomers by double-bond addition and, in most cases, also by competitive hydrogen abstraction. The rate constant for the double-bond addition changes by a factor of 17 between isoprene, which shows the highest reactivity, and the methacrylate derivatives, which are the least reactive of the monomers considered. The fraction of tert-butoxy radicals that react by hydrogen abstraction varies considerably with the monomer structure, ranging from 0.9 (cyclohexyl methacrylate) to less than 0.05 (styrene and conjugated diolefins). In the methacrylate derivatives, most of the hydrogen abstraction takes place, not in the α-methyl group, but in the alkyl chain.     

Effect of metal salts on polymerization. Part I. Polymerization of vinylpyridine initiated with cupric acetate

The polymerization of vinylpyridine initiated by cupric acetate has been studied. The rate of polymerization was greatly affected by the nature of the solvent. In general polar solvents increased the rate of polymerization. Polymerization was particularly rapid in water, acetone, and methanol. The initial rate of polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) in a methanol–pyridine mixture at 50°C. is R_p = 6.95 × 10^?6[Cu¹¹]^1/2 [4-VP]² l./mole-sec. The activation energy of initiation by cupric acetate is 5.4 ± 1.6 kcal./mole. Polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine with the same initiator was much slower than that of 4-VP. Dependence of R_p on monomer structure and solvent is discussed. Kinetic and spectroscopic studies led to the conclusion that the polymerization of 4-VP is initiated by one electron transfer from the monomer to cupric acetate in a complex having the structure, (4-VP)₂Cu(CH₃COO)₂.     

β-Hydroxyalkylation of sterically hindered phenols with epoxides in acid medium

Reactions of 2,6-dialkylphenols with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin in the presence of SnCl₄ at the temperature from ?5 to +5°C leads to the formation of respective phenols containing a hydroxy group in the β-position of the aliphatic chain of the para-substituent. The conditions for maximum selectivity of the reaction of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with ethylene oxide were determined. By HPLC-MS method the directions of the side reactions were explored. The method has been successfully tested in a pilot installation. With 2,6-dimethylphenol instead of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol a sharp increase occurs in the content of ethers in the reaction product. With epichlorohydrin, 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol affords a product, which is easily converted into an epoxide containing a sterically hindered phenol in its structure.     

Radical polymerization of vinyl acetate with primary radical termination

Vinyl acetate was polymerized at high initiation rate with 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethyl valeronitrile) as initiator at 50°C. In this polymerization, the power dependence of polymerization rate on the initiation rate is smaller than at lower concentration of monomer. This dependence was kinetically analyzed at each given concentration of monomer. Average degree of polymerization of polymer formed depends on the concentration of initiator. This dependence was explained by considering chain and primary radical terminations and transfer to monomer of polymer radical, and the initiator efficiency (=0.503) was deduced. It was found that the chain termination is inversely proportional to solvent viscosity, but the primary radical termination is not inversely proportional to solvent viscosity. Further, the value of the primary radical termination rate constant (=1.4 × 10⁹l./mole-sec) was estimated.     

An indirect measurement of the absolute rate constant of the self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals

No reliable rate constant is available for the self-reaction of tert-;butoxy radicals. We have set up a competition between hydrogen abstraction and self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals in a flash photolysis electron spin resonance study to extract this information. Experimental values of hydrogen abstraction product radical concentrations under various hydrogen donor concentrations were then compared with theoretically calculated values with different values of 2k₄ to obtain the best fit. Hydrogen donors such as cyclopentane, anisole, methyl tert-butyl ether, and methanol were chosen for the study. A value of (1.3 ± 0.5) × 10⁹M^?1 sec^?1 for the rate constant of the self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals has been determined at 293°K.     

The mechanism of cooxidation of isobutyraldehyde and octene-2

The mechanism of isobutyraldehyde-octene-2 cooxidation at 20°C has been investigated. The ratio of cis to trans epoxides in the reaction products shows that, at aldehyde concentrations lower than 1.0M, the epoxide is formed mainly by a radical route. The difference in the ΔH of formation of cis and trans epoxides is around 0.8 kcal/mole at 20°. The isobutyraldehyde involved in the radical epoxidation chain has been found almost quantitatively to be isopropylhydroperoxide, which is formed through the decarboxylation of i-PrCO₂· radicals, addition of oxygen, and abstraction of hydrogen atoms from the aldehyde. A rate constant of about 14 M^?1 sec^?1 at 20° has been determined for the latter reaction. The chain length for the cooxdination reaction decreases from 75 to 20 as the isobutyraldehyde concentration goes from 1.0 to 0.3M. The termination step seems to involve mainly the interaction of two i-PrO₂ · radicals. The cooxidation of octene-2 with pivalaldehyde follows a similar mechanism, but the chain length is about ten times higher under the same experimental conditions.     

The liquid-phase oxidation of 2,4-dimethylpentane

The initiated oxidation of 2, 4-dimethylpentane in the neat liquid phase at 100°C with 760 torr O₂ gives more than 90% of a mixture of 2,4-dihydroperoxy-2,4-dimethylpentane and 2-hydroperoxy-2, 4-dimethylpentane in a ratio of 7:1. The rate of oxidation depends closely on the [initiator]^1/2, consistent with a mechanism in which chain termination occurs mostly by interactions of two 2-hydroperoxy-2, 4-dimethyl-4-pentylperoxy radicals. 2, 4-Dimethylpentane oxidizes only one sixth as fast as isobutane at the same rate of initiation at 100°C. In cooxidations of the same hydrocarbons, it is 0.71 as reactive as isobutane toward any of the peroxy radicals involved. 2, 4-Dimethylpentane oxidizes 7.5 times as fast at 1.25°C as at 50°C for the same rate of initiation, but the ratio of dihydroperoxide to monohydroperoxide increases only from 5 to 7, corresponding to a difference in activation energy between intramolecular and intermolecular abstraction of 1 kcal/mole. The overall activation energy (E_p – E_t/2) is 10.7 kcal/mole, close to the value of 12 kcal/mole found for isobutane. Absolute values for E_p, E_t, k_p, k_r, and k_t were derived. Ring closure of 2-hydroperoxy-2, 4-methyl-4-pentyl radicals to oxetane, not detected during oxidation, was observed when this radical was generated at 100°C in the near-absence of oxygen. The ratio of rate constants for oxetane formation and addition of oxygen to the 2, 4dimethyl-2-hydroperoxy-4-pentyl radical is about 5.4 × 10^?5 M at 100°C. Thus, ring closure to oxetane is too slow to compete with addition of oxygen above ?200 torr. At 100°C, 2, 3-dimethylbutane gave no evidence of any intramolecular abstraction. However, 2, 3-dimethylpentane did give at least 12% 2, 4-glycol or hydroxyketone.     

Polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides. III. Mechanism of polymerization of L- and DL-alanine NCA in acetonitrile

The polymerization of L - and DL -alanine NCA initiated with n-butylamine was carried out in acetonitrile which is a nonsolvent for polypeptide. The initiation reaction was completed within 60 min.; there was about 10% of conversion of monomer. The number-average degree of polymerization of the polymer obtained increased with the reaction period, and it was found to agree with value of W/I, where W is the weight of the monomer consumed by the polymerization and I is the weight of the initiator used. The initiation reaction of the polymerization was concluded as an attack of n-butylamine on the C₅ carbonyl carbon of NCA. The initiation, was followed by a propagation reaction, in which there was attack by an amino endgroup of the polymer on the C₅ carbonyl carbon of NCA. The rate of polymerization was observed by measuring the CO₂ evolved, and the activation energy was estimated as follows: 6.66 kcal./mole above 30°C. and 1.83 kcal./mole below 30°C. for L -alanine NCA; 15.43 kcal./mole above 30°C., 2.77 kcal./mole below 30°C. for DL -alanine NCA. The activation entropy was about ?43 cal./mole-°K. above 30°C. and ?59 cal./mole-°K. below 30°C. for L -alanine NCA; it was about ?14 cal./mole-°K. above 30°C. and ?56 cal./mole-°K. below 30°C. for DL -alanine NCA. From the polymerization parameters, x-ray diffraction diagrams, infrared spectra, and solubility in water of the polymer, the poly-DL -alanine obtained here at a low temperature was assumed to have a block copolymer structure rather than being a random copolymer of D - and L -alanine.     

Configurations of the free radicals in irradiated polypropylene and the relation of their decay reactions to the molecular motion

Free radicals produced in irradiated polypropylene were studied by the electron spin resonance method. Two temperature regions in which the free radicals decay rapidly were found at around 170°K. and 260°K. The first temperature region corresponds to the γ-dispersion of polypropylene and the second to the β-dispersion. Steric configurations of the free radicals were investigated, and it was concluded that the free radicals trapped in polymer, conformation of which is appreciably twisted from the stable 3₁-helical structure, decay with small-scale motion of the matrix polymer. The decay of free radicals trapped in polymer of less twisted conformation is associated with the large-scale motion of the matrix polymer. Activation energies of decay were found to be 11 kcal./mole at the lower temperature and 48 kcal./mole at the higher temperature. Time constants of the decay reactions were compared with those for molecular motion of the matrix, with results reflecting the relations of the decay of the polymer radicals to molecular motion in the matrix.     

Synthesis of new ordered aromatic polyester copolymers

Aromatic polyesters of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3,5-diisopropyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid were prepared. The polymers were found to be high-melting but largely insoluble in organic solvents. The polymer based on 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid was not degraded to monomer by sulfuric acid. A number of new aromatic polyesters were also prepared. Several new monomers for aromatic polyesters were synthesized, including bis(2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-carbophenoxyphenyl)terephthalate, m- and p-phenylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate), bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-chlorocarboxyphenyl)terephthalate, and m-phenylene bis(3,5-diisopropyl-4-hydroxybenzoate). An aromatic polyester prepared from bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-chlorocarboxyphenyl) terephthalate and resorcinol had a η_inh (trichloroethylene) of 1.05 (0.5%, 30°C) and a possible melting point of 330°C (DSC). Tough, creasable films could be cast from trichloroethylene solution of this polymer. Attempts to observe or to trap the keto-ketene that might result when 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoyl chloride is treated with base were unsuccessful.     

Polymer reactions. VI. Inhibited autoxidation of polypropylene

The autoxidation of polypropylene inhibited by 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (AH) and dilauryl thiodipropionate (S) was studied by the combined methods of electron spin resonance, oxygen absorption, and chemical analysis. With AH alone, there is a critical concentration of about 6 X 10^-3 mole/l. below which there is no inhibition. This critical concentration agrees with that determined for inhibited squalane autoxidation and that calculated from known rate constants. Above the critical concentration there is a well-defined induction period during which the ROO· concentration is estimated to be 10^-8 mole/l. [ROOH] decreased rapidly as did [A·] and [AH]; the latter are kinetically related. The rate constant for the reaction between A· and ROO· is estimated to be 7 X 10⁷ l./mole-sec. at 130°C. At the end of the induction period, [ROOH], [ROO·], and –d[O₂]/dt increased rapidly until steady-state values were attained for all of them. With S alone, there are only retarded oxidation but no well-defined induction periods. [ROOH] is greatly reduced by S. In all systems where the oxidation rates were appreciably suppressed there was formed a very stable paramagnetic species, S·, which was inert toward AH and I₂ but reactive toward triethyl phosphite. Because of its similarity with spin centers in carbon black, S· is postulated to be a delocalized polysulfide spin center. With both S and AH present, the combined effect of stabilization is synergistic. The observed time-dependent variations of [ROOH], [ROO·], and [A·] follow familiar mechanisms. Mathematical relationships describing each of these three systems are included.     

Alkylation of 2,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylphenol with methyl acrylate catalyzed by potassium 2,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylphenoxide

The kinetics of catalytic alkylation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (ArOH) with methyl acrylate (MA) in the presence of potassium 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxide (ArOK) depends on the method for the preparation of ArOK. The reaction of ArOH with KOH at temperatures > 180 °C affords monomeric ArOK, whose properties differ from those in the case of potassium 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxide synthesized by the earlier methods. The regularities of ArOH alkylation depend on the ArOK concentration, the ArOH: MA ratio, and the effect of microadditives of polar solvents. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1971–1974, October, 2007.     

Liquid-phase autooxidation of retinyl polyenes

The autooxidation of retinyl acetate and methyl retinoate was investigated in chlorobenzene at 45°C. The rates of thermal initiation in the retinyl acetate solutions were measured, and a value was determined of the rate constant for the reaction of oxygen with retinyl acetate (RH + O₂ → R· + HO₂·): k_io = (1.3 ± 0.2) × 10^?5 L/mol · s. The number of moles of oxygen absorbed per mole of polyene depends on the substrate concentration. A kinetic scheme for the methyl retinoate autooxidation was proposed which takes into account the isomerization of primary peroxy radicals, and the rate constants for different elementary reactions were estimated. The partial rate constant for “allylic” hydrogen abstraction from retinyl acetate was estimated to be ≥ 1.65 × 10³ L/mol · s. A probable propagation sequence was proposed for the autooxidation of retinyl acetate.     

Radiation copolymerization of vinyl acetate with the diethyl esters of maleic and fumaric acids

The radiation-induced copolymerization of vinyl acetate with diethyl maleate and with diethyl fumarate was investigated in the temperature range from ?40 to 90°C over a wide range of comonomer compositions. Both the rates of copolymerization and the molecular weights of the resulting copolymers were found to depend strongly on the initial comonomer compositions. The apparent activation energy was found to change at 13°C with an increase in temperature from a value of 1.76 kcal/mole to a value of 4.31 kcal/mole in the copolymerization with diethyl maleate, while in the case of the copolymerization with diethyl fumarate the apparent activation energy changed at 21°C from a value of 1.76 kcal/mole to a value of 5.98 kcal/mole. Scavenger studies indicate that a free-radical mechanism prevails over the entire temperature range investigated in the case of both copolymerizations.     

Aging and degradation of polyolefins. II. γ-initiated oxidations of atactic polypropylene

Oxidations of bulk atactic polypropylene (PP) have been carried out at 22 and 45°C, and the dependence of rate of formation of each product on rate of initiation has been determined. The principal product is PP hydroperoxide, formed in a half-order reaction. One termination product is polymeric dialkyl peroxide, formed in a first-order reaction. Other termination and propagation products, alcohols and carbonyl compounds, are formed in reactions that are mostly first-order in initiation. At 22°C, G is 9–63. G is about three times as great at 45°C as at 22°C. Experiments with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol shows that it can inhibit all non-cage propagation and all formation of PP hydroperoxide, but that it does not affect cage reactions of initiating radicals and their successors. Only about 16% of the initiating PPO₂· radicals escape the cage at 45°C. Oxidations of PP, n-hexane, and their mixture with both peroxide and γ-ray initiation show that nearly all the initiating radicals escape the cage in solution but that the concentration of PPO₂· radicals is much less than in bulk because of a much faster chain termination. Both the propagation and termination constants for PP oxidation are much faster in solution, but the changes compensate so that k_p/(2k_t)^½ is about the same in solution as in bulk.