The kinetics of the reaction F + H2 → HF + H. A critical review of literature data

Published experimental studies concerning the determination of rate constants for the reaction F + H₂ → HF + H are reviewed critically and conclusions are presented as to the most accurate results available. Based on these results, the recommended Arrhenius expression for the temperature range 190–376 K is k = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹⁰ exp |-(450 ± 50)/T| cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the recommended value for the rate constant at 298 K is k = (2.43 ± 0.15) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The recommended Arrhenius expression for the reaction F + D₂ → DF + D, for the same temperature range, based on the recommended expression for k and accurate results for the kinetic isotope effect k/k is k = (1.06 ± 0.12) × 10^×10 exp |-(635 ± 55)/T|cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the recommended value for 298 K is k = (1.25 ± 0.10) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 67–71, 1997.     

Cryogenic tensile stress–strain properties of cis- and trans-polybutadienes,polyisoprenes, and related copolymers

The low-strain-rate tensile stress–strain properties of cis- and trans-polybutadienes and -polyisoprenes, polybutadiene (cis/trans/vinyl), butyl rubber, and two SBR copolymers have been investigated from 77°K to up to 25°K below the glass transition temperature T_g. The energy E_p dissipated in a stress–strain test in the region of previously reported secondary glass transitions is found to be a function of both the free volume f? at the T_g and the damping A from 4°K to T_g ?25°K. The complex relationship between the impact strength, the free volume and the damping is briefly discussed. The effect of quenching through the T_g with liquid nitrogen was found to increase the value of E_p for all materials. In a number of cases this increase was associated with the presence of internal crazes. The surface-craze initiation stress is increased by the presence of surface residual compressive stresses caused by quenching. The internal tensile stresses balancing the surface compressive stresses together with the applied tensile stress cause internal dilatation and hence preferential initiation of internal crazing.     

Partially fluorinated sulfonated poly(arylene sulfone)s blended with polybenzimidazole

A partially fluorinated and sulfonated poly(arylene sulfone) (SPSO) was successfully synthesized via nucleophilic polycondensation of 2,2‐bis(4‐fluorophenyl)hexafluoro‐propane with 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol (TBBT). In a second step, the prepared poly(arylene sulfide) was oxidized to SPSO. The polymer was blended with the polybenzimidazole PBIOO^® to obtain a mechanically stable membrane. This film was compared with other polymer blends, which were synthesized in our group in the last years. We were especially interested in the influence of different bridging groups such as ether, ketone, and sulfone groups. The affect on properties such as water uptake (WU), thermal stability, proton conductivity, and oxidative stability were analyzed in this work. Additionally, the blend membranes were characterized by gel permeation chromatography. The novel SPSO blend shows a high molecular weight, and its blend membrane with PBIOO has an excellent onset of ? SO₃H group splitting‐off temperature (T_onset) of 334 °C. The proton conductivity amounts to 0.11 S cm^?1, and the water uptake reaches 30%. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Novel organosoluble aromatic polyimides bearing pendant methoxy‐substituted triphenylamine moieties: Synthesis,electrochromic, and gas separation properties

Four series of polyimides I – VI with pendent triphenylamine (TPA) units having inherent viscosities of 0.44–0.88 dL/g were prepared from four diamines with two commercially available tetracarboxylic dianhydrides via a conventional two‐step procedure that included a ring‐opening polyaddition to give polyamic acids, followed by chemical cyclodehydration. These polymers were amorphous and could afford flexible films. All the polyimides had useful levels of thermal stability associated with high softening temperatures (279–300 °C), 10% weight‐loss temperatures in excess of 505 °C, and char yields at 800 °C in nitrogen higher than 58%. The hole‐transporting and electrochromic properties were examined by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammograms of the polyimide films cast onto an indium‐tin oxide (ITO)‐coated glass substrate exhibited a or two reversible oxidation couples at 0.65–0.78 and 1.00–1.08 V versus Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile solution. The polymer films revealed electrochromic characteristics with a color change from neutral pale yellowish to blue doped form at applied potentials ranging from 0.00 to 1.20 V. The CO₂ permeability coefficients (P) and permeability selectivity (P/P) for these polyimide membranes were in the range of 4.73–16.82 barrer and 9.49–51.13, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7937–7949, 2008     

Effect of fullerene on radical polymerization of vinyl acetate

The effect of fullerene (C₆₀) on the radical polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) with dimethyl 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) in benzene was investigated kinetically and by means of ESR. C₆₀ was found to act as an effective inhibitor in the present polymerization. All C₆₀ molecules used were incorporated into poly(VAc) during polymerization. The relationship of induction period and initiation rate reveals that a C₆₀ molecule can trap 15 radicals formed in the polymerization system. The polymerization rate (R_p) after the induction period is given by R_p = k [MAIB]^0.6 [VAc]^2.0 (60 °C), which is similar to that observed in the absence of C₆₀. Stable fullerene radical (C) was observed in the polymerization system by ESR. The C concentration increased with time and was then saturated. The saturation time well corresponds to the induction period observed in the polymerization. About 20% of C₆₀ molecules added could survive as stable C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2572–2578, 2000     

Thermal cured epoxy resins using certain calixarenes and their esterified derivatives as curing agents

The acetyl esterified calixarene (CA) derivatives were prepared from calix[4]resorcinarene (CRA), and p‐tert‐butylcalixarene (BCA[n], n = 4, 6, 8), respectively. Using these CA derivatives as curing agents, the thermal curing reactions of two multifunctional epoxy resins (jER 828, 186 g/equiv., and ESCN, 193.7 g/equiv.) were investigated. The temperatures of glass transition (T_g) and decomposition (T) were measured by DSC and TGA, respectively. Based on the yields, T_gs, and T_ds of the thermal cured jER 828 epoxy resin with CRA‐E100, the curing conditions were optimized to be tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) as catalyst in NMP at 160 °C for 15 h. Under this curing condition, the cured materials of jER 828 or ESCN using various CA derivatives as curing agents were prepared. Except for BCA4 derivatives, the yields of thermal curing reaction were higher than 90%. T_gs and Ts of the resultant cured materials were in the range of 113–248 °C and 363–404 °C, respectively. These results mean that the cured epoxy resins with excellent T_gs were successfully formed by using CA derivatives as curing agents. It was also found that the T_gs of cured epoxy resins were strongly affected by the degree of esterification of CA derivatives. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1931–1942, 2010     

Zum thermischen Verhalten der Hydrogensulfate des Magnesiums,Calciums, Strontiums und Bariums

On the Thermal Behaviour of the Hydrogen Sulfates of Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium and Barium The thermal behaviour of the solvent-free crystals of alkaline earth hydrogen sulfates has been investigated. The DTA and TG curves of M^II(HSO₄)₂ indicate a decomposition following the equation Thermal treatment of Mg(HSO₄)₂ in static gas atmosphere yields α-MgSO₄ which is transformed to α-MgSO₄ at higher temperature. Contrary to that in dynamic gas atmosphere direct decomposition to α-MgSO₄ can be observed. T = 356°C, T = 204°C, T = 175°C, T = 156°C. The strong difference between the peak temperatures of Mg(HSO₄)₂ and the other alkaline earth hydrogen sulfates may be explained not only through the higher covalency of the bondings in the Mg compound but, especially, through differences of their structures. Whereas the hydrogen sulfates of Ca, Sr, and Ba contain chains of edge-linked M^IIO₈ polyhedra, in Mg(HSO₄)₂ exist isolated MgO₆ octahedra.     

Solubility and hydrolysis of HCFC‐22 (CHF2Cl): Upward revision of rate constants for aqueous reactions of CHF2Cl with OH− at elevated temperature

Henry's law constants of CHF₂Cl in water at temperature T in K, K_H(T) in M atm^?1, were determined to be ln(K_H(T))=?(11.1±1.5)+((2290±500)/T) at 313–363 K by means of a phase ratio variation headspace method. The temperature‐dependent rate constants for aqueous reactions of CHF₂Cl with OH^?, k(T) in M^?1 s^?1, were also determined to be 3.7×10¹³exp(?(11, 200/T)) at 313–353 K, by considering the gas–water equilibrium, the aqueous reaction at room temperature, and liquid‐phase diffusion control. The liquid‐phase diffusion control was approximated with a one‐dimensional diffusion first‐order irreversible chemical reaction model. The k(T) value we determined is 10 times (at 353 K) or 3 times (at 313 K) as large as the value reported (R. C. Downing, Fluorocarbon Refrigerants Handbook, Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1988). This upward revision of k(T) indicates that the removal efficiency of CHF₂Cl directly through the hydrolysis (CHF₂Cl + OH^?) is higher than previously expected at temperatures, such as 353 K, relevant to wet flue gas cleaning systems for ozone‐destruction substance‐destruction facilities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 639–647, 2011     

Synthesis and characterizations of well‐defined branched polymers with AB2 branches by combination of RAFT polymerization and ROP as well as ATRP

A well‐defined branched copolymer with PLLA‐b‐PS₂ branches was prepared by combination of reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The RAFT copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) yielded poly(MA‐co‐HEA), which was used as macro initiator in the successive ROP polymerization of LLA. After divergent reaction of poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLAOH with divergent agent, the macro initiator, poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLABr₂ was formed in high conversion. The following ATRP of styrene (St) produced the target polymer, poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐(PLLA‐b‐PS₂). The structures, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the intermediates and the target polymers obtained from every step were confirmed by their ¹H NMR and GPC measurements. DSC results show one T = 3 °C for the poly(MA‐co‐HEA), T = ?5 °C, T= 122 °C, and T = 157 °C for the branched copolymers (poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLA), and T = 51 °C, T = 116 °C, and T = 162 °C for poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐(PLLA‐b‐PS₂). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 549–560, 2006     

Thermodynamic Studies on the Complexation Reactions of copper(II) Macrocyclic Tetramine Complexes with Monodentate Ligands: I. RAC-5, 7, 7, 12, 14, 14-Hexamethyl-l, 4, 8, 11-Tetraazacyclotetradecane-Copper(II) (Blue) with-Halide Ions

The possibility of a trigonal bipyramidal structure for [Cu(tet b)X]⁺ (blue) (where X=Cl, Br, I) is supported by the observation of two distinct d-d bands, which are assigned as and d, d_xy→d and d_xz, d_yz→d transitions respectively. The stability constants for the formation of [Cu(tet b)X]⁺ (blue) from [Cu(tet b)]^z+ (blue) and X^? were determined by spectrophotometric method at 25°, 35° and 45°C. The corresponding δH° and δS° values were obtained from the variations of the stability constants between 25° and 45°C     

Synthesis and characterization of new organosoluble and gas‐permeable polyimides from bulky substituted pyromellitic dianhydrides

Two new pyromellitic dianhydrides, 1,4‐bis(4′‐t‐butylphenyl) pyromellitic dianhydride and 1,4‐bis(4′‐trimethylsilylphenyl) pyromellitic dianhydride, were synthesized via Suzuki coupling, oxidation, and dehydration. A series of new organosoluble polyimides were prepared from the obtained pyromellitic dianhydride and various aromatic diamines by the conventional polycondensation reaction followed by chemical imidization, as well as high‐temperature, one‐step polymerization. The structures of the dianhydrides and polymers were identified with various spectroscopies. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers were 0.62–1.89 dL/g. The synthesized polyimides showed good solubility in various organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and p‐chlorophenol. These polymers had glass‐transition temperatures of 230–260 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that all the polymers were stable, with 10% weight losses recorded above 490 °C in nitrogen. The polyimide films had good mechanical properties and high oxygen permselectivity to nitrogen. The oxygen permeability coefficient (P) and the permselectivity of oxygen to nitrogen (P/P) of the films were 13–56 barrer and 3.7–5.5, respectively. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4288–4296, 2002     

Phosphonyl/hydroxyl hydrogen bonding–induced miscibility of poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) statistical copolymers with poly(hydroxy ether) (phenoxy resin): Synthesis and characterization

High molecular weight bisphenol A or hydroquinone‐based poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) homopolymer or statistical copolymers were synthesized and characterized by thermal analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and intrinsic viscosity. Miscibility studies of blends of these copolymers with a (bisphenol A)‐epichlorohydrin based poly(hydroxy ether), termed phenoxy resin, were conducted by infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. All of the data are consistent with strong hydrogen bonding between the phosphonyl groups of the copolymers and the pendent hydroxyl groups of the phenoxy resin as the miscibility‐inducing mechanism. Complete miscibility at all blend compositions was achieved with as little as 20 mol % of phosphine oxide units in the bisphenol A poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) copolymer. Single glass transition temperatures (T_g) from about 100 to 200°C were achieved. Replacement of bisphenol A by hydroquinone in the copolymer synthesis did not significantly affect blend miscibilities. Examination of the data within the framework of four existing blend T_g composition equations revealed T_g elevation attributable to phosphonyl/hydroxyl hydrogen bonding interactions. Because of the structural similarities of phenoxy, epoxy, and vinylester resins, the new poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide/sulfone) copolymers should find many applications as impact‐improving and interphase materials in thermoplastics and thermoset composite blend compositions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1849–1862, 1999     

Confusing Quantitative Descriptions of BrønstedLowry AcidBase Equilibria in Chemistry Textbooks – A Critical Review and Clarifications for Chemical Educators

In chemistry textbooks, the pK value of water in the solvent water at 25 °C is sometimes given as 14.0, sometimes as 15.7. This is confusing. The particular chemical reaction considered is the one in which water as Brønsted? Lowry acid reacts with water as Brønsted? Lowry base in water as solvent to yield equal concentrations of hydrated oxonium and hydroxide ions, H₃O⁺(aq) and HO^?(aq), respectively. This reaction is also known as the ‘self‐ionization’ of water for which the equilibrium constant is abbreviated as K_w with its known value of 10^?14.0 at 25 °C, i.e., pK_w(25 °C)=14.0. Identical values for pK and pK_w at a fixed temperature appear reasonable, since K and K_w refer to one and the same reaction. Therefore, reasons for the apparent disagreement between the ‘thermodynamically correct’ pK_a value for water (14.0 at 25 °C) and the value reported in most organic chemistry textbooks (15.7) should be discussed when teaching acid? base chemistry. There are good arguments for introducing, from the very beginning, the concepts of activity and thermodynamic standard states when teaching quantitative aspects of chemical equilibria. This also explains in a straightforward way why all thermodynamic equilibrium constants, including K_w, are dimensionless, and why pK(25 °C)=0.     

Gas‐phase reaction of Cl with dimethyl sulfide: Temperature and oxygen partial pressure dependence of the rate coefficient

The kinetics of the reaction of Cl atoms with dimethyl sulfide has been investigated using a relative rate technique. Experiments were performed with oxygen partial pressures of 0, 200, and 500 mbar at a total pressure of 1000 mbar (N₂ + O₂) over the temperature range 283–308 K in a 1080 L reactor using long path in situ Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy to monitor the reactants. The 254 nm photolysis of trichloroacetyl chloride was used as the Cl atom source. Three reference hydrocarbons, cyclohexane, n‐butane, and propene were employed. Good agreement was found between the rate coefficients determined using the different reference compounds. The rate coefficients were found to decrease with increasing temperature at constant O₂ pressure and increase moderately with increasing O₂ partial pressure at constant temperature. The temperature dependences of the Cl atom reaction with dimethyl sulfide for the three O₂ partial pressure investigated can be expressed by the simple Arrhenius expressions: k = (4.22 ± 1.78) × 10^?13 exp((1968 ± 379)/T), k = (5.42 ± 1.85) × 10^?13 exp((1946 ± 381)/T), and k = (6.90 ± 2.04) × 10^?13 exp((1912 ± 381)/T). The errors are a combination of the 2σ statistical errors from the kinetic data analysis plus an estimated systematic error that includes the error in the reference hydrocarbon. The mechanistic implications of the results are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 66–73, 2005     

Thermal and ion transport properties of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymerized styrenic imidazolium ionic liquids

Polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) are a platform for fundamental studies of structure‐property relationships in single ion conductors, with potential applications in energy storage and conversion. The synthesis, thermal properties, and ionic conductivities of homologous, narrow dispersity styrenic PILs are described. Hydrophilic poly(4‐vinylbenzyl alkylimidazolium chloride) (PVBn(alkyl)ImCl) homopolymers with constant average degrees of polymerization were synthesized by post‐synthetic functionalization of a poly(4‐vinylbenzyl chloride) (M_n = 15.9 kg/mol, M_w/M_n = 1.34) master batch with N‐alkylimidazoles (alkyl = ? CH₃ (Me), ? C₄H₉ (Bu), and ? C₆H₁₃ (Hex)). The chloride counterions of PVBnHexImCl were exhaustively metathesized with BF, PF, and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI^?) to yield a series of hydrophobic PILs. Thermogravimetric analyses indicate that PVBn(alkyl)ImCl homopolymers are unstable above 220 °C, whereas the hydrophobic PILs remain stable up to 290 °C. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) decrease with both increasing alkyl side‐chain length and increasing counterion size, exemplified by T_g = 9 °C for PVBnHexImTFSI. Hydrophilic PILs exhibit high ionic conductivities (as high as ～0.10 S cm^?1) that depend on the relative humidity, water uptake, and the PIL side chain length. The hydrophobic PILs exhibit lower conductivities (up to ～5 × 10^?4 S cm^?1) that depend predominantly on the polymer T_g, however, counterion size and symmetry also contribute. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1287–1296, 2011     

Crystallization studies of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) using thermal analysis and far‐infrared spectroscopy

Crystallization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) by annealing was examined using density measurement, differential scanning calorimetry, and far‐infrared spectroscopy (FIR). Crystallinity, measured by density, increased slowly up to the T_a of 185 °C and increases rapidly once T_a exceeds 185 °C. It was found that thermally induced crystallization is mainly temperature‐dependent above T_a = 185 °C and temperature‐ and time‐dependent below T_a = 60 °C. Two melting transitions, T and T, were observed for those samples annealed above 120 °C. No significant change in T was observed as a function of T_a while T showed strong dependency on T_a. Digital subtraction of the amorphous contribution from the semicrystalline FIR spectra provided characteristic spectra of amorphous and crystalline PTT. The bands at 373, 282, and 92 cm^?1 were assigned to the crystalline phase, while the bands at 525, 406, and 351 cm^?1 were attributed to the amorphous phase. It was shown that FIR spectroscopy can be used as a means to estimate the degree of crystallinity of PTT. The band ratio of 373 and 501 cm^?1 was plotted against crystallinity measured by density and reasonably good correlation was obtained. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1675–1682, 2007     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of some carboxylates by a nickel (III) oxime-imine complex

The kinetics of the oxidation of formate, oxalate, and malonate by |Ni^III(L¹)|²⁺ (where HL¹ = 15-amino-3-methyl-4,7,10,13-tetraazapentadec-3-en-2-one oxime) were carried out over the regions pH 3.0–5.75, 2.80–5.50, and 2.50–7.58, respectively, at constant ionic strength and temperature 40°C. All the reactions are overall second-order with first-order on both the oxidant and reductant. A general rate law is given as - d/dt|Ni^III(L¹)²⁺| = k_obs|Ni^III(L¹)²⁺| = (k_d + nk_s |R|)|Ni^III(L¹)²⁺|, where k_d is the auto-decomposition rate constant of the complex, k_s is the electron transfer rate constant, n is the stoichiometric factor, and R is either formate, oxalate, or malonate. The reactivity of all the reacting species of the reductants in solution were evaluated choosing suitable pH regions. The reactivity orders are: k_HCOOH > k; k > k > k, and k > k < k for the oxidation of formate, oxalate, and malonate, respectively, and these trends were explained considering the effect of hydrogen bonded adduct formation and thermodynamic potential. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 225–230, 1997.     

Selectively sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone)‐b‐polybutadiene for proton exchange membrane

A series of selectively sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)‐b‐polybutadiene copolymers (SPAES‐b‐PB) were prepared based on carboxyl terminated polybutadiene (CTPB) and sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) that was directly prepared by polycondensation of 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol with different molar ratios of disodium 3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (SDCDPS) to 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS), and subsequent selective postsulfonation of flexible PB block was carried out. Epoxidized modification of membranes was conducted by an in situ‐generated peracid method. The content of sulfonic acid groups attaching to aromatic rings in SPAES was determined by ¹H NMR and was in good aggrement with the controlled ratios. The effect of sulfonated rigid blocks on the postsulfonation of PB blocks was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and the temperature of the melting peak (T) of membranes in acid form were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Fenton's reagent test revealed that the selectively sulfonated SPAES‐b‐PB membranes had good stability to oxidation. The microstructure of rod‐like rigid SPAES blocks and interpenetrating network of ions were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Complex impedance measurement showed that an epoxidized membrane with SPAES‐40 exhibited the highest proton conductivity (1.08 × 10^?1 S/cm, 90 °C), which was due to the formation of obvious ionic networks. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 665–672, 2006     

Crystallization kinetics of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)

The isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Enthalpy data of exotherm from isothermal crystallization were analyzed using the Avrami theory. The average value of the Avrami exponent, n, is about 2.8. From the melt, PTT crystallizes according to a spherulite morphology. The spherulite growth rate and the overall crystallization rate depend on crystallization temperature. The increase in the spherulitic radius was examined by polarized light microscopy. Using values of transport parameters common to many polymers (U* = 1500 cal/mol, T_∞= T_g − 30 °C) together with experimentally determined values of T (248 °C) and T_g (44 °C), the nucleation parameter, k_g, for PTT was determined. On the basis of secondary nucleation analyses, a transition between regimes III and II was found in the vicinity of 194 °C (ΔT ≅ 54 K). The ratio of k_g of these two regimes is 2.1, which is very close to 2.0 as predicted by the Lauritzen–Hoffman theory. The lateral surface‐free energy, σ = 10.89 erg/cm² and the fold surface‐free energy, σ_e = 56.64 erg/cm² were determined. The latter leads to a work of chain‐folding, q = 4.80 kcal/mol folds, which is comparable to PET and PBT previously reported. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 934–941, 2000     

Reactivity of dpph• in the oxidation of catechol and catechin

A kinetic study of the reduction of pyrocatechol and catechin by dpph^? radical has been carried out in various ratios of CH₃OH/H₂O mixed solvent at pH 5.5–7.5, μ = 0.10 M [(n‐Bu)₄N]ClO₄, and T = 25°C. The rate constants of oxidation in aqueous solvent, k, were obtained from the extrapolation of the linear plots of the specific rate constants k vs. % H₂O plots at each pH value. A linear relationship between k and 1/[H⁺] was observed for both flavonoids with k = k₁K_a1/[H⁺], where K_a1 was the first acid dissociation constant on the catechol ring and k₁ is the rate constant of the oxidation of the mononegative species HX^?. The values of k₁ obtained from the slopes of the plots are (8.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁵ and (6.1 ± 0.1) × 10⁵ M^?1 s^?1 for pyrocatechol and catechin, respectively. The analysis of the reaction on the basis of Marcus theory for an outer‐sphere electron transfer reaction yielded a value of 3.7 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the self‐exchange rate constant of dpph^?/dpphH couple. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 147–153, 2011