Terephthalic acid esterification kinetics: 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl terephthalates

The process of esterification of terephthalic acid is characterized by a mechanism that involves three equilibrium reactions. Two are esterification-hydrolysis equilibria entailing the reactions of the two terephthalic acid carboxyl groups with alcoholic hydroxyl groups, whereas the third one is a transesterification-acidolysis equilibrium that is concerned with the reaction between two terminal terephthalic acid moieties. The products of these three interrelated equilibria are terephthalic acid, its monoester and diester, the particular alcohol, and water. The alcohol used in the present study was 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol. Equilibrium constants and rate constants were developed from experimental data obtained at 230°C. The esterification-hydrolysis reactions were found to be catalyzed by carboxyl groups, and the rate of transesterification was found to be a function of the terephthalic acid concentration. With the constants developed, the system of nonlinear differential equations, as derived from the mechanism postulated, was integrated numerically using the Runge-Kutta method. Good agreement between calculated and experimental values was observed.     

Investigation of the formation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with model molecules. IV. Catalysis of the esterification of ethylene glycol with benzoic acid and of the condensation of ethylene glycol monobenzoate

The esterfication of ethylene glycol (EG) with benzoic acid (BA) is an acid-catalyzed reaction which leads, as a first intermediate, to ethylene glycol monobenzoate (EGMB). This compound has an ? OH group which is more active towards carboxylic groups than the first ? OH group of EG. Moreover, it is a key intermediate in the formation of sideproducts containing diethylene glycol (DEG) moieties. The condensation reaction of EGMB was particularly studied in the presence of carboxylic acids or metal derivatives as catalysts. Titanium is the most active. Sb, which is widely used in the industrial synthesis of PET, needs to be present at a high level of concentration to show an activity. The presence of carboxylic groups in the reaction medium does not affect its activity, but it is necessary to remove the ethylene glycol as soon as it is formed in order to keep it active during the condensation reaction.     

Modeling Equilibrium Behavior of Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6 and Nylon 6/6,6 Copolymer

Nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 reaction equilibria depend in a complex way on water concentration and temperature. For example, data sets from six research groups reveal that the apparent equilibrium constant for polycondensation increases with water at low water concentrations, reaches a maximum, and then decreases as the water concentration rises further. In this article, semi‐empirical expressions are proposed to describe the experimentally observed equilibrium behavior for the five main reactions that occur during nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 polymerization. Nine side reactions involving amidine ends, cyclopentanone ends, and hydrated carboxyl ends are used to develop expressions that account for the influence of both water and temperature on these equilibrium constants. Excellent fit to the data, over the entire range of the available nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 literature data, suggests that the proposed equations will be helpful for modeling reaction equilibria for nylon 6/6,6 copolymerization.     

Reactions of orthophthalaldehyde with ammonia and 2-aminoethanol

Reactions of orthophthalaldehyde (OPA) with amines are used in the determination of amino acids and in applications of OPA as a biocide. To contribute to the understanding of processes involved, the reactions of OPA with ammonia, which are conveniently slow, were studied. In a set of rapidly established equilibria, the 1,3-dihydroxyindole and the product of its dehydration are formed (Scheme 1). The individual equilibria were identified and equilibrium constants determined using DC polarography and UV spectra. The ring closure involves the carbinolamine; the imine formation is a side reaction. Both the ring formation and the dehydration of the carbinolamine are generally acid catalyzed. In the finally established overall equilibria between OPA and the isoindole derivative, the concentrations of intermediates are negligible. The same applies to the reaction of OPA with 2-aminoethanol, in which the initial formation of a carbinolamine and of an imine are too fast to be followed. Very slow reactions taking place during periods of hours or days, which probably result in the formation of dimeric species, have also been observed. This contribution demonstrates the advantages of combinations of polarographic and spectrophotometric techniques in the investigation of complex reactions of some organic compounds.     

Hydrothermal reactions of formaldehyde and formic acid: free-energy analysis of equilibrium

The chemical equilibria concerning formaldehyde and formic acid are computationally investigated in water over a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. The free energy is evaluated in the method of energy representation for the solvent effect on the decomposition processes of these two compounds. The solvation is found to suppress the production of nonpolar species from a polar. In the two competitive decomposition reactions of formic acid, the solvent strongly inhibits the decarboxylation (HCOOH-->CO2+H2) and its effect is relatively weak for the decarbonylation (HCOOH-->CO+H2O). The equilibrium weights for the two decomposition pathways of formic acid are determined by the equilibrium constant of the water-gas-shift reaction (CO+H2O-->CO2+H2), which is an essential and useful process in fuel technology. The reaction control by the solvent is then examined for the water-gas-shift reaction. Through the comparison of the equilibrium constants in the absence and presence of solvent, even the favorable side of the reaction is shown to be tuned by the solvent density and temperature. The reaction equilibrium is further treated for aldehyde disproportionation reactions involving formaldehyde and formic acid. The disproportionation reactions are found to be subject to relatively weak solvent effects and to be dominated by the electronic contribution.     

Die Berechnung komplexer Absorptionsgleichgewichte ionogener Substanzen in wäßrigen Lösungsmitteln mit Hilfe eines Reaktionsmodells

The solubility of ionogen substances in water and aqueous ionic solutions is important for calculation of absorption processes. Aqueous solutions with complex reaction systems behave themselves extremely nonideal. In simple cases equilibria can be determined with the concept of nonideal thermodynamics. The model used in this work is based on ideal calculation of reaction equilibria and gas solubility. The model parameters (equilibrium constants andHenry constants) for the systems SO₂-H₂O,MEA-H₂S-H₂O,DEA-H₂S-H₂O andMEA-CO₂-H₂O are computed by regression of experimental data. Equilibrium reactions are selected according toBrinkley's method. The selection of the reacting species has decisive influence on the accuracy of the data fitting. Data regression is done numerically and leads to the formulation of nonlinear systems of equations, which have to be solved for each data point. This solutions are performed in an inner loop. By using the maximum-likelihood-principle the model parameters are optimized in the superior regression loop. Experimental data for the regression are the partial pressure and the total concentration of gas in the liquid phase. The used model is able to fit these data satisfactoryly. The model parameters, which are calculated from simultaneous data regression for different temperatures, ensure a simple correlation ofvan't Hoff. However, for similar reactions equilibria in different reaction systems, it is impossible to compute the same values for the equilibrium constants.     

Reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatographic method for determination of reaction equilibria involving ionic species: exemplification of the method using ligand substitution reactions of ethylenediaminetetraacetatochromium(III) ion with acetate and phosphate ions

A reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatographic method is presented for the determination of reaction equilibria involving ionic species of the same charge sign as reactant and product compounds. It has been demonstrated that ion-exchange chromatography or reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography is a useful tool for the determination of equilibrium constants of chemical reactions involving ionic species such as metal complexation reactions. Previous work with these methods has been based on the assumption that the limiting retention factors of the reactant and product species are constant independent of concentration of the chemical species (X) in the mobile phase, which reacts with the analyte compound. However, when all the reactant and product species are ions of the same charge sign as that of the species X, it is virtually impossible to apply these methods to the equilibrium constant determination because the retention factors of both the reactant and product species may depend on the concentration of X. In this study, an alternative approach was developed that estimates the limiting retention factors of ionic species from the dependence of the retention factor on the ionic strength of the mobile phase. Ligand substitution reactions of ethylenediaminetetraacetatochromium(III) ion with acetate and phosphate ions were used as model reactions to test this method. The equilibrium constants determined by this method are in good agreement with those obtained by a UV-visible spectrophotometric method.     

Computational screening of renewably sourced polyalkylene glycol plasticizers for nylon polyamides

A high‐throughput computational method is used to screen new plasticizers for nylon polyamides. Condensed‐phase molecular dynamic simulations are used to describe the interaction of the plasticizer and the polymer. A radial distribution function is utilized to quantify the degree of hydrogen bonding between plasticizer and polymer and to correlate it to the reduction in flexular (flex) modulus of the plasticized polymer. Hildebrand and Hansen solubility parameters are obtained from simulations on pure single‐component systems to quantify the compatibility of plasticizer and polymer. We have screened 27 candidates within nine classes of polyalkylene glycol polyamide plasticizers (including monobenzoate and dibenzoate esters) and compared them with n‐butylbenzenesulfonamide. The validity of the theoretical predictions is verified experimentally. The water soluble, low‐molecular weight poly(1,3‐propanediol) is shown to be an effective plasticizer, which reduces flex modulus of both nylon‐6 and nylon‐12, while maintaining polymer compatibility. Poly(1,3‐propanediol) is a renewably sourced, biodegradable plasticizer that offers a sustainable solution to both fossil fuel and renewably sourced polyamides. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetic Modeling of Ethylene Glycol Monoesterification

The monoesterification of ethylene glycol under isothermal conditions was conducted using benzoic acid in methane‐sulfonic acid/Al₂O₃ as a catalyst. Using this reagent, glycol was selectively monoesterified with high yield. The reactions were performed within an automated batch reactor under equimolar conditions, constant rotational frequency of the stirrer, and within the temperature range from 65 to 85°C. The rate constant related to this reaction and to the corresponding reverse reaction, activation energy, and preexponential factor was derived from experimental data. It has been concluded that under these conditions the formation of dibenzoate was successfully prevented.     

Kinetics of bulk polymerization of trimeric phosphonitrilic chloride

The kinetics of the pure bulk polymerization of trimeric phosphonitrilic chloride were investigated in the temperature range 240–255°C. The reaction was found to be secondorder with an activation energy of 57 kcal./mole. Polymerization catalyzed by benzoic acid was first-order, and the reactivities of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate at 235°C. were found to be about similar. The volatile decomposition products for the benzoic acid reaction were identified. Mechanisms are postulated for the catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions.     

Acid anhydrides as alternatives to acid chlorides in the palladium‐catalyzed reaction with silacyclobutanes

The palladium‐catalyzed reaction of acid anhydrides with silacyclobutane gives a mixture of cyclic silyl enol ether, carboxy(propyl)silane, and 3‐(carboxysilyl)ketone. In the presence of N,N‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimido (DCC), the reaction preferentially provides a cyclic silyl enol ether in a good yield. In addition, the palladium‐catalyzed reaction of benzoic acid with silacyclobutane in the presence of two equivalents of DCC also affords a cyclic silyl enol ether in a moderate yield. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the electrochemical reduction of 2,2′-bipyridine: Part III. Accurate kinetics and thermodynamics of the base catalyzed consecutive reactions

The isomerization reactions of the dihydrobipyridine Y, formed primarily from 2,2′ bipyridine by electrolysis at constant potential, were investigated in detail. The gross rate constants of the scheme Y→A agB agC were optimized from measured concentration vs. time curves at different temperatures with the hydroxyl ion concentration as a parameter. Between Y, A, B, C base catalyzed steps were found but also first-order parallel reactions independent of the pH. The reducible intermediate B is not a single substance but exists in two forms: B and BH⁺ that are connected by a fast equilibrium. A detailed reaction scheme was erected and the 9 individual rate constants and their dependence on the temperature as well as the equilibrium constants and the reaction enthalpies and entropies were determined.     

NMR studies of the thermal decomposition and branching reactions of aromatic esters

Poly(chlorophydroquinone terephthalate) is an aromatic polyester containing mainly chlorohydroquinone and terephthalate. Thermal stability of this aromatic polyester has been a problem during the processing. In order to characterize the melt reactions of this polyester, the thermal degradation of the model compound chlorohydroquinone dibenzoate was studied. The chlorohydroquinone dibenzoate was characterized by high resolution ¹³C-NMR. All experiments for studyng degradation of chlorohydroquinone dibenzoate were designed to test the following environmental parameters: (1) atmosphere, (2) temperature, (3) time, (4) additives, (5) container material. The analysis of the degradation products were carried out mainly using NMR; in some cases GC/MS and HPLC were also used to aid in separation and identification of the degradation products. The major degradation products produced in various experimental conditions were identified as chlorohydroquinone benzoates, hydroquinone dibenzoate, dichlorohydroquinone dibenzoate, 9-fluorenone, benzoic acid, Fries products, and hydrogen chloride     

A possible re-interpretation of the mechanisms of oximation of carbonyl compounds

Differential temperature—time curves obtained during the reactions of propanal and cyclohexanone with excess of hydroxylamine in aqueous solutions over a wide range of pH values show that addition of hydroxylamine does not become rate-determining except in very strongly acidic solutions (pH < 0.4), which contradicts the mechanism that is generally accepted. An alternative mechanism is proposed; it involves (a) the equilibrium between hydroxylamine and hydroxylammonium ion, (b) a reversible reaction of the carbonyl compound with hydroxylamine, yielding a carbinolamine adduct, (c) equilibria among the neutral carbinolamine and its mono- and diprotonated forms, (d) dehydration of the monoprotonated and neutral forms of the carbinolamine, and (e) equilibrium between the protonated and neutral forms of the oxime. Values were obtained for enthalpy changes accompanying all of the elementary steps; for the equilibrium constants and entropy changes for all of the steps save those involving dehydration, which appear to be complete under the conditions studied; and for the rate constants for all of the steps save those involving proton-transfer, which appear to be instantaneous under the conditions studied. So many of these values appear reasonable that further inquiry into such a mechanism seems justified, but the nature of step (b) could not be fully elucidated.     

Effect of CTAB and SDS micelles on the excited state equilibria of some indole probes

The absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of some biologically active indoles have been studied as a function of acidity and basicity (H_/pH/H(o)) in cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB), anionic (sodium dodecylsulphate, SDS) and aqueous phases at a given surfactant concentration. The prototropic equilibrium reactions of these probes have been studied in aqueous and micellar phases and apparent excited state acidity constant (pK(a)(*)) values are calculated. The probes show formation of different species on changing pH. Various species present in water, CTAB and SDS have been identified and the equilibrium constants have been determined by Fluorimetric Titration method. The fluorescence spectral data suggest the formation of oxonium ion through the excited state proton transfer reaction in highly acidic media and formation of photoproducts due to the base catalyzed auto-oxidative reaction in basic aqueous solutions. Variations in the apparent pK(a)(*) value have been observed in different media. The change in the apparent pK(a) values depends upon the solubilising power of the micelles, as well as on the location of the protonating site in the molecule. The observation about increase in pK(a)(*) values in SDS and decrease in CTAB compared to pure water for various equilibria is consistent with the pseudophase ion-exchange (PIE) model.     

Zum Kondensationsverhalten von Silanolen. V. Die basenkatalysierte Kondensation von Organodimethylsilanolen in Dioxan/Wasser

On the Condensation Behaviour of Silanols. V. Base Catalysed Condensation of Organodimethylsilanols in Dioxane/Water The base catalyzed condensation has been followed by GLC for silanols of the type XMe₂SiOH (X = alkyl, halogenoalkyl, aryl, benzyl) in aqueous dioxane. The obtained kinetic data and equilibrium constants are discussed with respect to their substituent dependence and the reaction mechanism.     

Insights into the Gold‐Catalyzed Propargyl Ester Rearrangement/Tandem Cyclization Sequence: Radical versus Gold Catalysis—Myers–Saito‐ versus Schmittel‐Type Cyclization

A detailed study of the gold‐catalyzed tandem 1,3‐carboxy migration/allene–enyne cycloisomerization was undertaken. It was found that after the initial allene formation the selectivity of the reaction is strongly influenced by the polarization of the remaining alkyne. Depending on the substitution pattern of the starting diynes, either a Schmittel‐ or a Myers–Saito‐type cyclization was triggered. The 6‐endo‐dig Myers–Saito‐type cyclization gave access to benzo[b]fluorenes, while the Schmittel pathway (5‐exo‐dig) delivered benzofulvenes as final products. In special cases a yet unknown pathway was opened by the ambiphilic nature of the allene moiety. In these cases completely different products were obtained by the nucleophilic attack of the alkyne moiety onto the allene that can also act as an electrophile. Mechanistic studies revealed that diradical pathways can be ruled out for this type of tandem cyclization reactions and it is shown that both steps of the reaction cascade are catalyzed by the gold complex.     

Desymmetrization of meso-hydrobenzoin using chiral, nucleophilic phosphine catalysts

The desymmetrization of meso-hydrobenzoin is described using chiral phosphine catalysts 8b-d and 9-11. The best enantioselectivity at room temperature was obtained with the newly synthesized phospholane 8c and benzoic anhydride, but the reaction is very slow. Much faster reactions, but somewhat lower enantioselectivities were observed using the bicyclic phosphine catalyst 9. To obtain product 5a with >90% ee required conditions where the ee is upgraded due to the formation of the dibenzoate 6a. Among the new phospholane catalysts, 8b has the best selectivity in the kinetic resolution of benzylic alcohols, but not at the level observed previously with catalyst 11.     

Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction on BaO-ZrO2 mixed oxides

A series of BaO-ZrO₂ mixed oxides has been prepared by the sol-gel method. Crystalline structures were observed by XRD in the mixed oxides. High selectivity to chalcone and benzoic acid as by-products was obtained by performing the acetophenone-benzaldehyde condensation reaction. For both reactions a basic heterogeneous catalytic mechanism was suggested.     

Charge transfer reactions in alkane and cycloalkane systems. Estimated ionization potentials

Rate constants of change transfer reactions k_CT, involving C₃? C₉ alkanes and cycloalkanes, have been determined in an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The rate constants are significantly lower than the corresponding rate constants for collision when the reaction is less than about 0.5 eV exothermic for linear alkane ions, or less than about 0.2 eV exothermic for cycloalkane ions. In this region of low reaction efficiency, the efficiency of reaction with linear or branched alkanes seems to depend primarily on reaction exothermicity. (The efficiencies of reaction of a given ion with cyclic alkanes also depend on ΔH_rn, but are higher than for reactions with other compounds). Although the lowered reaction efficiencies probably result, at least in part, from unfavorable Franck–Condon factors in the energy range near the ionization onset, quantitative correlations between reaction efficiency and estimated relative Franck–Condon factors were not observed. When the enthalpy of reaction is small (less than about ?0.15 eV), it is seen that the reverse charge transfer can also occur, and equilibrium is established under the conditions of these experiments. From the observed equilibrium constants, values for the standard free energy change are derived, and assuming that ΔS is small for electron transfer equilibria, values of ΔH_rn are estimated. In the case of the equilibria involving cyclohexane ion, these values of ΔH_rn lead to estimates of the ionization potentials of methylcyclopentane, 3-methylpentane, n-octane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, and 2,3-dimethylbutane, which are lower than the ionization potentials of cyclohexane, that is, <9.88 eV, although all these compounds had previously been reported to have ionization potentials above 10.03 eV. That the ionization potentials are indeed lower than 10.03 eV is confirmed by determining the quantum yields of ionization with 10.03-eV photons. It is pointed out that the conclusions reached here apparently also apply to the charge transfer reactions of alkane ions in the liquid phase.