Studies on the Effect of Glass Transition on the Crystalline Transition in Syndiotactic Polystyrene – Solvent Complexes

Summary: Amorphous syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) was crystallized at room temperature in Norbornadiene (bicyclo[2,2,1]-hepta-2,5-diene), Mesitylene (1,3,5- Trimethylbenzene), 3-Carene (3,7,7-trimethyl bicyclo[4,1,0]hept-3-ene) and DMN (1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene) to form the sPS-solvent complex (δ form) with respective solvent molecules. In situ HTFTIR studies showed that the δ form to γ form transformation temperature occurs well below the glass transition temperature of sPS, which is depressed due to the presence of solvent in the amorphous phase; higher the solvent content in the complex, lower the transition temperature. Glass transition temperatures determined by Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) coincide with the transition temperatures, indicating that the δ form transforms into γ form at the glass transition temperature for these complexes. Such a behavior is very different from the behaviour of the sPS- solvent complexes formed by dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene, o-dichlorobenzene, decalin (cis-trans) etc. and for these complexes the transition occur well above the T_g. 1     

Transition metal-alkane σ-complexes with oxygen donor co-ligands

A new family of long-lived alkane σ-complexes of the type (L(OEt))Re(CO)(2)(alkane) [alkane = cyclopentane, cyclohexane, pentane; L(OEt) = cyclopentadienyltris(diethylphosphito)cobaltate(III)] has been observed using both IR and NMR spectroscopies and computationally interrogated with DFT methods. The oxygen-rich coordination spheres makes these complexes perhaps more relevant as models for intermediates in metal oxide mediated hydrocarbon transformations than other known alkane σ-complexes.     

High-molecular-weight Polyethylene Prepared with Early Transition Metal Catalysts

Early transition metal catalysts [N,N]MCln, in which [N,N] is N-（2,6-diisopropylphenyl） pyridine-2-carboxaldimine （C18H22N2, NN-1）, N-（2,6-diisopropylphenyl）-6-methylpyridine-2- carboxaldimine （C19H24N2, NN-2）, N-（2,4,6-trimethylphenyl）pyridine-2-carboxaldimine （CIsH16N2, NN-3）, M is Ti, Zr and V, and n is 3 or 4, e.g. [NN-1]TiCh 1a, [NN-1]ZrCh 1b, [NN-1]VC13 1c, [NN-2]TiCh 2a, [NN-2]ZrCh 2b, [NN-2]VC13 2e, [NN-3]TiCh 3a have been investigated to catalyze ethylene polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane （MAO）. It was noteworthy that polyethylene characteristic of high molecular weight and wide or bimodal molecular weight distribution was formed with moderate to high activities.     

Polymerization of α-Hydroxyacetylenes by Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract

α-Hydroxyacetylenes (2-propyn-1-ol, DL-3-butyn-2-ol, 1-octyn-3-ol, 2-phenyl-3-butyn-2-ol) with a hydroxy functional group were polymerized by various Mo- and W-based catalysts. In general, the catalytic activities of Mo-based catalysts were greater than those of W-based catalysts for these polymerizations. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol, MoCl₅ alone and the MoCl₅-EtAlCl₂ catalyst system gave a quantitative yield of polymer. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol and its homologues by Mo-based catalysts, the polymer yield decreased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased. On the other hand, the polymer yield increased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased in WCl₆-EtAlCl₂-catalyzed polymerization. Polymers with a bulkier substituent showed better solubility in organic solvents than those without a substituent [e.g., poly (2-propyn-l-ol)]. The structures of the resulting polymers were characterized by various instrumental methods such as ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectroscopies. Thermogravimetric analyses and thermal transitions of the resulting polymers were also studied.     

Stress-induced Solid-Solid Crystal Transition in Trans-1,4-polyisoprene

The polymorphic transition of trans-1,4-polyisoprene(TPI) during stretching was investigated by in situ wide-angle X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The influences of the initial structure, stretching temperature, and strain rate on the contents of different crystal modifications(α, β) were explored. The results confirm that the α-β transition occurs during stretching of TPI that only contains αcrystal(α-TPI). When the stress is relaxed, the β crystal formed during stretching remains, which indicates that the transition is irreversible. On the other hand, stretching of TPI that only contains β crystal(β-TPI) results in orientated β crystal. No β-α transition occurs during stretching. The different structures of stretched α-TPI and β-TPI exclude the previously proposed "melting-recrystallization mechanism". The α-β transition depends significantly on temperature and strain rate, indicating the transition is governed both by thermodynamics and kinetics. Our results support a solid-solid transition mechanism rather than a melting-recrystallization mechanism. The irreversible nature of the transition is attributed to the metastability of the β phase in the unstretched state. Different from the "β phases" that appear in polymers with stress-induced reversible transitions, e.g. poly(butylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene succinate), the stability of β phase in TPI is high that can be long-lived.The strain rate dependence of α-β transition hinders the determination of critical stress for the transition. It further indicates that the local stress within the sample is more heterogeneous at higher strain rates.     

Transition metal complexes with 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-quinone 1′-phthalazinylhydrazone

2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-quinone 1′-phthalazinylhydrazone (HL) was synthesized. Quantum-chemical calculations of the energy of possible tautomeric forms of the hydrazone were performed. The complexes of Zn(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) of ML₂ composition were obtained and studied. The structure of the NiL₂ complex was established by XRD. It was shown by DFT-D3 calculations that the cis-structure of the complex is stabilized due to the interligand dispersion interaction.     

A New Criterion for Brittle-Ductile Transition of Polymer Blends

The T_c criterion was first used by S. Wu for characterizing the brittleductile (B-D) transition of N6/EPDM blends. But in this paper, a new criterion which is based on the stress analysis of blends is proposed to characterize the B-D transitions of blends, namely, A criterionV_(fc) and d_c are the critical volume fractions and particle size of dispersed particles in blends, respectively. For given blends, A is independent of the morphology of dispersed phase and is only the characteristic parameter of matrix. The B-D transitions of different blends, including polar N6/EPDM blends, nonpolar PP/EPDM blends and PE/CaCO_3 composites, were manipulated with A criterion and satisfactory results were obtained. In addition, a new master curve for the impact strength of PP/EPDM blends versus V_f~2/d was obtained. The results showed that A criterion is more suitable than T_c criterion for characterizing the B-D transition of blends.     

The Transition in the Melt of Fluorinated Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer

The subject of the transition in linear polymer melt has been of particular interest since thediscovery of liquid crystal polymers.The transitions in several polymer melts have been recog-nized in recent years.These polymers are mainly rigid chain in nature and the transitions wereassigned as mesomorphic.Recently we have found a transition in the melt of tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP copolymer). The authors~([1]) have found that the morphology of FEP copolymer is critically dependent onthe temperature of melt near 310?20?.When the melt was held at the temperature above itsmelting temperature and below 310?,the randomly arranged lamellas morphology was obtained.When the melt was held at the temperature above 320?,the spherulitic morphology was formed.When the copolymer crystallized from the intermediate temperature range,the rodlike morphologywas usually obtained.The variation of morphology with temperature can be easily detected by Small Angle Light Scattering technique.Also the crystallization curves,measured with the Per-     

Damage Studies of Brittle-Ductile Transition in PP EPDM Blends

Damage zones of brittle-ductile (B-D) transition in PP/EPDM blends are studied in this paper. The contribution of crazing and shear yielding zones in damage zones to energy dissipation of blends was measured with computer image analysis (CIA) and the transition of shear yielding zone (A_(sh)) with rubber volume fraction (V_f) was also manipulated. Results showed that the B-D transition of impact strength of blends corresponded to the fracture mechanism in PP/EPDM blends, from matrix crazing to matrix shear yielding. In addition, two new parameters, density of energy dissipation for crazing zone (F_(cz)) and for shear yielding zone (F_(sh)), are first obtained in this paper. The value of F_(sh) is about four times larger than that of F_(cz) for PP/EPDM blends, which confirmed that the matrix shear yielding is a more effective way of energy dissipation in blends.     

Phase Transition of Acrylamide‐Based Polyampholyte Gels in Water

The swelling behavior of acrylamide (AAm)–based polyampholyte hydrogels in water and in aqueous salt (NaCl) solutions was investigated. [(Methacrylamido)propyl]trimethyl‐ammonium chloride (MAPTAC) and acrylic acid (AAc) were used as the ionic comonomer in the hydrogel preparation. Three sets of hydrogels containing 70 mol% AAm and 30 mol% ionic comonomers of varying mole ratios were prepared. The variations of the hydrogel volume in response to changes in pH, and salt concentration were measured. As pH increases from 1, the hydrogel volume V _eq in water first increases and reaches a maximum value at a certain pH. Then, it decreases again with a further increase in pH and attains a minimum value around the isoelectric point (IEP). After passing the collapsed plateau region, the gel reswells again up to pH=7.1. The reswelling of the collapsed gels containing 10 and 4% MAPTAC occurs as a first‐order phase transition at pH=5.85 and 4.35, respectively, while the hydrogel with 1% MAPTAC reswells continuously beyond its IEP. Depending on pH of the solution, the hydrogels immersed in salt solutions exhibit typical polyelectrolyte or antipolyelectrolye behavior. The experimental swelling data were compared with the predictions of the Flory‐Rehner theory of swelling equilibrium including the ideal Donnan equilibria. It was shown that the equilibrium swelling theory qualitatively predicts the experimental behavior of polyampholyte hydrogels.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Glass Transition Behavior of Polyimide Ensemble

The prediction of glass transition temperature from chemical structure has a great significance to select and design new high-properties materials. However, for the estimation and correlation methods, the deficiency of parameters for newer groups will lead to invalidity of Tg prediction or greater deviation from experiment. In the present work, we predicted Tg for a polyimide (PI) ensemble with rigid moieties, and analyzed structural factor that regards to the rotation barrier of the bridging…     

Ultrafast Form Ⅱ to Ⅰ Transition of Isotactic Polybutene-1

Isotactic polybutene-1 (iPB-1) is a semi-crystalline polymer with polymorph and puzzled structural transitions. The stable form I of iPB-1 with excellent physical and mechanical properties can hardly be obtained directly from the melt;instead, metastable form II will spontaneously and slowly transform into form I. Bypassing the unstable form II formation is of great significance in polymer processing, which inspires extensive research on seeking the pathways to direct formation of form I. Methods for accelerating form II to I transition are another main focus in terms of practical approach for directly obtaining form I. Taking advantage of the solvent, an ultrafast transition of iPB-1 from form II to I within minutes has been achieved at room temperature. Such an ultrafast transition is detected after treating with dichloromethane (DCM) at 30 ℃, though the framework of isothermally crystalized iPB-1 spherulite morphology could not be fully modified. The ultrafast II-I transition of iPB-1 is attributed to the solvent-induced packed-mesophase and temperature-selected chain conformation adjustment.This ultrafast transition would shed light on understanding the mechanisms of polymorphic transitions in iPB-1.     

The Shortened Transition Metal–Tellurium Bonds in Organometallic Clusters

The shortening of partly multiple M–Te (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Cr or W) bonds is observed for two classes of organometallic compounds: (1) formally electron-deficient species with additional donor–acceptor interaction between Te lone pairs and half-occupied d-orbitals of M; (2) formally electron-saturated species having additional dative interaction between M lone pairs and LUMO of Te. These compounds could be prepared by two main methods: (a) interaction of [CpMn(CO)₂PhC(O)⁻]Li⁺ with Te proceeds via formation of intermediate {[CpMn(CO)₂]₂Te}²⁻ which is further transformed into binuclear complex [CpMn(CO)₂]₂Te(CH₂Ph)₂ or into trinuclear ditelluride cluster [CpMn(CO)₂]₃Te₂ on one hand or to mixed-metal monotelluride clusters [CpMn(CO)₂]₂TeM(CO)₅ on another hand. (b) treatment of Fe(CO)₅, CpMn(CO)₂(THF) or Me₄C₄Co(CO)₂I with [PhTeI]₄, PhTeI₃ or PhTeI₂HC = CPhI results in different PhTeI-containing complexes of Fe, Mn or Co. The molecular structures of all new compounds were studied by means of X-ray diffraction analyses and the mechanism of M–Te bond shortening is discussed. Proceeding of the international workshop on transition metal clusters, 3–5 July 2008, Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France.     

A Pressure-Induced Inverse Order–Disorder Transition in Double Perovskites

Given the consensus that pressure improves cation ordering in most of known materials, a discovery of pressure-induced disordering could require recognition of an order–disorder transition in solid-state physics/chemistry and geophysics. Double perovskites Y₂CoIrO₆ and Y₂CoRuO₆ polymorphs synthesized at 0, 6, and 15 GPa show B-site ordering, partial ordering, and disordering, respectively, accompanied by lattice compression and crystal structure alteration from monoclinic to orthorhombic symmetry. Correspondingly, the long-range ferrimagnetic ordering in the B-site ordered samples are gradually overwhelmed by B-site disorder. Theoretical calculations suggest that unusual unit-cell compressions under external pressures unexpectedly stabilize the disordered phases of Y₂CoIrO₆ and Y₂CoRuO₆.     

Development of Transition Metal Nitrides as Oxygen and Hydrogen Electrocatalysts

With the increasing demand for energy, various emerging energy storage/conversion technologies have gradually penetrated human life, providing numerous conveniences. The practical application efficiency is often affected by the slow kinetics of hydrogen or oxygen electrocatalytic reactions(hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions, oxygen evolution and reduction reactions) among the emerging devices. Therefore, the researchers devote to finding cost-effective electrocatalysts. Non-noble metal c...     

Early Transition Metal Catalysis for Olefin–Polar Monomer Copolymerization

Introducing polar functional groups into widely used polyolefins can enhance polymer surface, rheological, mixing, and other properties, potentially upgrading polyolefins for advanced, value-added applications. The metal catalyst-mediated copolymerization of non-polar olefins with polar comonomers represents the seemingly most straightforward, atom- and energy-efficient approach for synthesizing polar functionalized polyolefins. However, electrophilic early transition metal (groups 3 and 4)-catalyzed processes which have achieved remarkable success in conventional olefin polymerizations, encounter severe limitations here, largely associated with the Lewis basicity of the polar co-monomers. In recent years, however, new catalytic systems have been developed and successful strategies have emerged. In this Minireview, we summarize the recent progress in early transition metal polymerization catalyst development, categorized by the catalytic metal complex and polar comonomer identity. Furthermore, we discuss advances in the mechanistic understanding of these polymerizations, focusing on critical challenges and strategies that mitigate them.     

Spectroscopy Investigation on Conformational Transition of Tea Glycoconjugate from Green Tea

The conformational transition of a new glycoconjugate, tea glycoconjugate (TGC), was investigated by spectroscopy techniques including circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. The solution behaviors of TGC in the mediums of different temperature, pH value, and ions were compared. Results showed that the native conformation of TGC was partially ordered. The CD value and UV absorbance of TGC altered with the change of pH value, temperature, the addition of ions, and also accompanied order-disorder transition. Especially the conditions with temperature higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg=62℃), higher pH value or lower pH value will have the most impact on the conformation of TGC, which will destroy the hydrogen bonds between the TGC molecules. The results indicated that the outside factors play important roles on the stability of the conformation of TGC.     

Transition metal complexes with thio­semicarbazide-based ligands. XLII.

In the title compound, [Ni(C₂H₇N₃S)₂(C₃H₄N₂)₂]I₂, the Ni^II ion assumes a centrosymmetric distorted octahedral geometry. The two mol­ecules of S-methyl­iso­thio­semicarbazide are coordinated as bidentate ligands via the terminal N atoms, forming five-membered chelate rings. The I atoms are approximately in the equatorial plane of the chelate rings at a similar distance from both. The five-membered chelate rings are almost planar and exhibit flattened envelope conformations. There is a weak intermolecular interaction between the lone pair of electrons of the S atom and the center of the pyrazole ring.     

Characterizations and Catalytic Properties of Transition Metal Ions Incorporated in Mesoporous Materials

Mesoporous materials typified by MCM-41 possess well-ordered mesoporous channels with controllable pore sizes from 2-30 nm, and are expected as desirable materials for catalysis. However, silicious mesoporous materials generally do not have sufficient intrinsic catalytic activities. Thus many studies have focused on introducing catalytically active sites. It is expected that different synthetic methods would result in different coordination structures of metal cations introduced in MCM-41, a…