Vinyl polymerization initiated by ceric ion reducing agent systems in sulfuric acid medium

Polymerization of the monomers, methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in sulfuric acid medium at 15°C. With the redox initiator system, ceric ammonium sulfate–malonic acid. There was no induction period, and a steady state was attained in a short time. There was found to be no polymerization even after 1 hr. in the absence of the reducing agent R. The initiation was by the radical produced from the Ce⁴⁺–malonic acid reaction. The rate of monomer disappearance was proportional to [M]^1.5, [R]^0.5, and [Ce⁴⁺]^0.3–0.5, and the rate of ceric disappearance was directly proportional to [R] and [Ce⁴⁺]. Chain lengths of the polymers were directly proportional to [M] and inversely to [R]^1/2 and [Ce⁴⁺]^1/2. The experimental results were explained by a kinetic scheme involving the following steps: (a) oxidation of the substrate to give the primary radical which reacts with Ce⁴⁺ to give the products, (b) initiation by the primary radical, (c) propagation, and (d) termination of the growing polymer radicals by the mutual type. For the polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) by the redox system, ceric ammonium sulfate–cyclohexanone (CH), in sulfuric acid at 15°C., the scheme was modified to include linear type of termination by Ce⁴⁺, along with the mutual termination to explain the results especially under conditions with [Ce⁴⁺] ≥ [CH].     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by samarium diiodide in the presence of hexamethylphosphoramide

The paper presents the polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) initiated by samarium diiodide (SmI₂) combining with hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) for the first time. The effects of various parameters, such as reaction temperature, AN/Sm and HMPA/Sm molar ratios, reaction time on the polymer yield and its molecular weight were discussed. On the basis of both IR and NMR analysis of resulted polymers, a single-electron-transfer initiation mechanism of AN as radical anion was proposed for this polymerization, which was further sustained by the copolymerization of AN with ε-caprolactone and 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate, respectively.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by ceric ion–citric acid redox system

Heterogeneous polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by ceric ammonium sulfate–citric acid (C.A.) redox system is reported at 35 ± 0.2°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of monomer disappearance is found to be proportional to [C.A.]⁰, [Ce⁴⁺]^0.63, and [Monomer]^1.59. The rate of ceric ion disappearance is directly proportional to ceric ion concentration but independent of monomer concentration. The initial rate was independent of [H₂SO₄]. The molecular weight of polyacrylonitrile increases with increasing monomer concentration and decreasing ceric ion concentration. Activation energy was found to be 27.9 kJ/mol.     

Polymerization of acrylic acid initiated by a hexavalent chromium-organic sulfur compounds reducing agent system

The kinetics of polymerization of acrylic acid initiated by Cr⁶⁺-thiourea, Cr⁶⁺-thioacetamide, Cr⁶⁺-2-aminoethane thiol, Cr⁶⁺-cysteine, and Cr⁶⁺-thioglycollic acid have been studied at 30, 35, and 40°C in nitrogen. The rates of polymerization were measured. Chromic acid alone did not initiate the polymerization under deaerated and un-deaerated conditions. On the basis of the experimental observation of the dependence of the rate of polymerization R_p on various variables, a suitable kinetic scheme is proposed.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by styrene-arsenic sulfide complex

Arsenic sulfide interacts with styrene to form a complex which in DMSO at 80±0.1°C under N₂ atmosphere, initiates radical polymerization of acrylonitrile. The kinetic equation of the system isR _p [complex]^0.5 [AN]. The value ofk _p ² /k _t and energy of activation for the system are computed as 5.0×10^–1 l mol^–1 s^–1 and 98.2 kJ mol^–1, respectively. The polymerization is retarded by hydroquinone. The effect of polar and non-polar solvents has also been discussed. A possible mechanism for the reaction has also been proposed.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by KO2- nitrobenzene

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by a potassium superoxide (KO₂)-nitrobenzene system was carried out in anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at 25°C. The initial rate of polymerization was rapid and a high-molecular-weight polymer was obtained. The molecular weight was proportional to monomer concentration and inversely to concentration of initiator within 5 min. The overall activation energy was estimated as ?2.6kcal/mol deg in the temperature range of 20–50°C. In addition to nitrobenzene anion radical, other anion radicals generated by one-electron transfer from KO₂ to charge transfer agents such as m-dinitrobenzene benzoquinone, benzophenone, and naphthalene were effective in the polymerization of acrylonitrile. It is proposed that polymerization proceeds via an anionic mechanism that involves one-electron transfer from anion radicals to monomer.     

Vinyl polymerization initiated by chromic acid–reducing agent systems

A kinetic study of the thermal polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by chromic acid–reducing agent (n-butanol, ethylene glycol, cyclohexanone, and acetaldehyde) systems was made. Chromic acid alone did not initiate polymerization under deaerated or undeaerated conditions. On the basis of the experimental determination of the dependencies of various variables on the rate of polymerization R_p, the rate of chromium (VI) disappearance ?R_M, the degree of polymerization DP, etc., a reasonable kinetic scheme was arrived at. The mechanism with the reducing agents, n-butanol, cyclohexanone, and ethylene glycol, was found to be similar but different from that with acetaldehyde. Evidence has been presented to prove the formation of radical intermediates formed by the oxidation of the reducing agent by Cr(IV). Rate parameters for oxidation of the reducing agent and polymerization of the monomer were evaluated.     

The copolymerization of allyl glycidyl ether with acrylonitrile initiated by gamma-rays

Copolymers of allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) with acrylonitrile (AN) have been prepared by bulk polymerization of their monomers with gamma rays. Copolymers thus obtained were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopic techniques. The composition of the copolymers is determined indirectly by FTIR, UV, and directly by elemental analysis. The results obtained by different methods are compared. The reactivity ratios of monomer pairs (AGE + AN) which copolymerized heterogeneously were calculated by using different methods of determination. Among the three experimental methods used for the analysis of compositions and two theoretical methods of computations, the elemental analysis technique and the application of nonlinear least-squares method gave the most reliable reactivity ratios. These are found to be 1.86 and 0.21 for acrylonitrile and allyl glycidyl ether, respectively. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by organoaluminium compounds/benzoyl peroxide systems

The free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by systems comprizing benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and different organoaluminium compounds (OACs) has been studied. The influence of the type of OAC, concentration of components of the initiation system, temperature, and time on the reaction yield have been determined. Systems containing BPO and diethylaluminium chloride (Et₂AlCl) have been found to enable us to obtain, in high yields at room temperature, of homopolymers of MMA, methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile (AN), vinyl acetate, and the alternating AN/styrene (St) copolymer; they are, however, not very active in the homopolymerization of St and vinyl chloride. Factors affecting the polymerization yield have been discussed in terms of the mechanism of the reaction between BPO and OACs, reactivity of alkyl radicals formed in these systems, and catalytic effect of OAC in the propagation step.     

AGET ATRP of acrylonitrile using 1,1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyltriethylenetetramine as both ligand and reducing agent

Atom transfer radical polymerization using activators generated by electron transfer (AGET ATRP) of acrylonitrile (AN) initiated by ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate was approached for the first time using 1,1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyltriethylenetetramine (HMTETA) and 1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as both ligand and reducing agent. AGET ATRP of AN with HMTETA as both ligand and reducing agent was better controlled than with PMDETA as both ligand and reducing agent under the same experimental conditions. With an increase content of HMTETA, the polymerization provided an accelerated reaction rate and a broader polymer molecular weight distribution. The rate of polymerization with DMF as solvent was faster than with acetonitrile, cyclohexanone, toluene, and xylene as solvents. The polymerization apparent activation energy was calculated to be 45.7 kJ mol^?1. The end functionality of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The living feature of PAN was verified by chain extensions of PAN with methyl methacrylate and AN. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 128–133, 2010     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by thiourea-vanadium(V) redox system

The kinetics of polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by V⁵⁺-thiourea or V⁵⁺-ethylene thiourea have been studied at 30, 35 and 40°C in nitrogen. The rates of polymerization and V⁵⁺ disappearance, and the chain lengths of polymers were measured. The kinetics are consistent with the formation of an intermediate complex between the thiol form of thiourea or ethylene thiourea and the oxidant decomposition of which leads to the initiating radical. The effects of certain organic solvents (water miscible) and salts on the rate of polymerization have been studied. A kinetic scheme has been proposed and the various rate and energy parameters evaluated.     

Automated determination of sulphur in organic compounds

The paper reviews methods of sulphur determination over the last 120 years. Classical methods are presented in a historical view, and the present state of automatic procedures of sulphur estimation is discussed. 104 key references concerning sulphur analysis are cited. On the basis of the present level of the development of elemental analysis, a prognosis of directions of the development of sulphur microanalysis is attempted.     

Catalytic-enthalpimetric determination of sulphur(II) compounds in non-aqueous Media

The direct injection enthalpimetry was applied to the determination of sulphides, thiourea, dithiocarbamates, dithizone and benzothiazole by means of catalytic iodine-azide reaction in non-aqueous media. The determined compounds are injected into the iodine-azide solution in dimethylformamide, dimethylsulphoxide, formamide and into the mixture of these solvents. The catalytic reaction takes place immediately on injection of the samples and terminates within 2 min. The rise in temperature is monitored with a thermistor in a Wheatstone bridge circuit and the curve resistance change-time was the basis for the calculation of investigated concentration of sulphur catalysts.     

Trace determination of sulphur mustard and related compounds in water by headspace-trap gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A method for trace determination of sulphur mustard (HD) and some of its cyclic decomposition compounds in water samples has been developed using headspace-trap in combination with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Factorial design was used for optimisation of the method. The trap technology allows enrichment and focusing of the analytes on an adsorbent, hence the technique offers better sensitivity compared to conventional static headspace. A detection limit of 1 ng/ml was achieved for HD, while the cyclic sulphur compounds 1,4-thioxane, 1,3-dithiolane and 1,4-dithiane could be detected at a level of 0.1 ng/ml. The method was validated for the stable cyclic compounds in the concentration range from the limit of quantification (LOQ: 0.2–0.4 ng/ml) to hundred times LOQ. The within and between assay precisions at hundred times LOQ were 1–2% and 7–8% relative standard deviation, respectively. This technique requires almost no sample handling, and the total time for sampling and analysis was less than 1 h. The method was successfully employed for muddy river water and sea water samples.     

Vinyl polymerization initiated by peroxydiphosphate—VI: Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by peroxydiphosphate-Mn(II) and peroxydiphosphate-Fe(II) redox systems

Acrylonitrile was polymerized using peroxydiphosphate-Fe(II) and peroxydiphosphate-Mn(II) redox systems within the range 40–60°. The kinetic orders with respect to peroxydiphosphate, metal ion and monomer were close to 0.5, 0.5 and 1.0, respectively. Overall activation energies were computed and a suitable kinetic scheme suggested.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the redox system peroxydisulphate-isoamyl alcohol catalyzed by silver ion

The polymerization of acrylonitrile in aqueous media initiated by peroxydisulphate-isoamyl alcohol(IAA) redox pair catalyzed by silver ion was studied at low conversion. The polymerization had kinetic orders 1.5 with respect to monomer, 0.6 (peroxydisulphate) and 0.5 (silver ion). The reactions were carried out at various temperatures and the overall activation energy was found to be 5.5 kcal/mol. The effect of certain water-miscible organic solvents was also investigated. A mechanism of initiation is tentatively proposed.