Synthesis and characterization of crystallizable aliphatic thermoplastic poly(ester urethane) elastomers through a non-isocyanate route

A simple non-isocyanate route is developed for synthesizing crystallizable aliphatic thermoplastic poly(ester urethane) elastomers(TPEURs) with good thermal and mechanical properties. Three prepolymers of1,6-bis(hydroxyethyloxycarbonylamino) hexane(BHCH), i.e. Pre PBHCHs, were prepared through the self-transurethane polycondensation of BHCH. A poly(butylene adipate) prepolymer(Pre PBA) with terminal HO― groups was prepared and used as a polyester glycol. A series of TPEURs were prepared by the co-polycondensation of the Pre PBHCHs with Pre PBA at 170 ℃ under a reduced pressure of 399 Pa. The TPEURs were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, FTIR,1H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and tensile test. The TPEURs exhibited M_n up to 23300 g/mol, M_w up to 51100 g/mol, Tg ranging from-33.8 ℃ to-3.1 ℃, T_m from 94.3 ℃ to 111.9 ℃, initial decomposition temperature over 274.7 ℃, tensile strength up to18.8 MPa with a strain at break of 450.0%, and resilience up to 77.5%. TPU elastomers with good crystallization and mechanical properties were obtained through a non-isocyanate route.     

The structural organization of liquid low-molecular-weight epoxy oligomers

The possibility of the existence and the behavior of molecular aggregates in low-molecular-weight epoxy resins were studied. The globular morphology of all liquid resins was determined using transmission electron microscopy. The lamellar morphology of crystallized ED24 was established by additionally using atomic-force microscopy. The thermal behavior of oligomeric epoxides was studied over the temperature range ?100–100°C. The T _g and T _ll transitions were recorded for liquid resins by differential scanning calorimetry. For solid ED24, the T _m peak of resin melting situated between T _g and T _ll was observed. The existence of the T _ll transition was substantiated by positron annihilation measurements. The morphological picture was thermally unstable and became completely degenerate at T _ll. The morphology and thermophysical parameters of the resins changed substantially after their vibrational treatment. The morphology of oligomers was shown to be “hereditarily” (genetically) related to that of the corresponding network polymers.     

Preparation and properties of physically and chemically cross-linked hybrid hydrophobic association hydrogels with good mechanical strength

To correct the defects of hydrophobic association hydrogels(HA-gels), new physically and chemically cross-linked hybrid hydrophobic association hydrogels(hybrid HA-gels) were prepared by radical copolymerization of acrylamide(AM), octylphenol polyoxyethylene(n) acrylate(OPn AC, n stands for the number of ethoxy group, and is 10 and 21) and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide(MBA). On the basis of the statistical molecular theory of rubber elastic, the Mooney-Rivlin model and using the tensile true stress(σ_true) tested at room temperature, the number of network strands per unit volume(υ_0) and the number-average molar mass of a network strand(M_c) were evaluated for hybrid HA-gels. For the hydrogels, the effect of the content of MBA and OP10 AC on their tensile mechanical properties was studied by using υ_0 and M_c; also, the effect of the compositions and temperature on their swelling behavior in distilled water was discussed in detail. In addition, hybrid HA-gels including a small quantity of MBA possessed the capabilities of secondary self-healing and remolding. In contrast with HA-gels prepared by the same compositions besides MBA, hybrid HA-gels showed good mechanical strength and long-term thermal stability in distilled water in the range of 25 to 80 °C. Furthermore, hybrid HA-gels also avoided the self-deswelling behavior of HA-gels. The results show that the application fields of HA-gels will be greatly broadened after introducing a chemical cross-linking network.     

Synthesis of Block Copolymers of Styrene with <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-Lactide by the Sequential Controlled Cationic Polymerization and Ring-Opening Anionic Polymerization

The cationic polymerization of styrene initiated by the system 2-chloro-2-phenylpropane–TiCl₄–pyridine is studied in a mixture CH₂Cl₂–n-hexane at a temperature of –80°С. It is shown that under these conditions polymerization occurs via the living mechanism at [monomer]: [initiator] ≤ 100. The method of preparing polystyrenes with terminal primary hydroxyl groups (M_n = 4000–10000 g/mol) by the sequential controlled cationic polymerization of styrene and the in situ alkylation of 4-phenoxy-1-butanol by polystyrene macrocations is proposed. The resulting functionalized polystyrenes are used as macroinitiators of anionic-coordination ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide in the presence of tin bis(2-ethyl hexanoate) [Sn(Oct)₂] in toluene at 80°С. Copolymers polystyrene-block-poly(D,L-lactide) with the controlled length of the poly(D,L-lactide) block (M_n = 10000–17000 g/mol) and a relatively low molecular-weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.6–1.8) are synthesized. Formation of the block copolymers is confirmed by ¹Н NMR spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, and atomic force microscopy.     

New conjugated poly(aryleneethynylenes) with main-chain photochromic units

New photochromic poly(aryleneethynylenes) have been synthesized on the basis of dibromodithienylmaleimide and bisacetylenes under the conditions of the Sonogashira reaction. Molecular masses and polydispersities of the poly(arylene ethynylenes) vary over the following ranges: M _w = 19 150–32 650, M _n = 12 000–19 200, and M _w/M _n = 1.47–1.70; the glass-transition temperatures are in the range 208–230°C; and the 10% weight-loss temperatures in air and argon are in the ranges 330–370 and 550–660°C, respectively. All poly(aryleneethynylenes) exhibit photochromic properties in both solutions and films. It has been shown that, when photochromes are incorporated into a polymer matrix, the efficiency of their photoinduced coloration diminishes, irrespective of whether they are fragments of macromolecular chains or components of polymer solutions.     

Structure of the 1:1 complex of dimethyl sulfoxide with hydroquinone: Supramolecular architecture based on D-H⋯A hydrogen bonds (D = O,C; A = O, π)

The hydroquinone-dimethyl sulfoxide-toluene system was investigated by thermal and X-ray diffraction analyses. The crystal structure of the 1:1 complex of hydroquinone with dimethyl sulfoxide was determined. Crystal data: C₈H₁₂O₃S, M = 188.24, triclinic system, space group P1¯, unit cell parameters: a = 7.4202(2) Å, b = 8.4046(3) Å, c = 8.7340(3) Å; α = 100.830(1)°, β = 99.794(1)°, γ = 114.129(1)°; V = 469.35(4) ų, Z = 2, d _calc = 1.332 g/cm³, R1 = 0.028, T = 100 K. The molecules are linked in a supramolecular assembly via D-H...A hydrogen bonds (D = O, C; A = O, π).     

Phase Diagrams of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Decane–<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Hexadecane–Cyclododecane, <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Decane–Cyclododecane,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Hexadecane–Cyclododecane Systems

The n-decane–n-hexadecane–cyclododecane, n-decane–cyclododecane, and n-hexadecane–cyclododecane systems are studied by means of low-temperature differential thermal analysis using a differential scanning heat flow calorimeter. It is noted that all studied systems belong to the eutectic type. It is concluded that in the n-decane–n-hexadecane–cyclododecane system, the eutectic composition contains 85.0 wt % n-С₁₀Н₂₂, 4.0 wt % n-С₁₆Н₃₄, and 11.0 wt % С₁₂Н₂₄. It has a melting point of ?35.0°C.     

Synthesis of water soluble metalloporphyrin-cored amphiphilic star block copolymer photocatalysts for an environmental application

Two series of water-soluble metalloporphyrin-cored amphiphilic star block copolymers were synthesized by controlled radical polymerizations such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT), which gave eight amphiphilic block copolymer arm chains consisting of poly(n-butyl acrylate-b-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacylate) (PnBA-b-PEGMEMA, M_n,GPC = 78,000, M_w/M_n = 1.2, 70 wt% of PPEGMEMA) and poly(styrene-b-2-dimethylamino ethyl acrylate) (PS-b-PDMAEA, M_n,GPC = 83,000, M_w/M_n = 1.2, 67 wt% of PDMAEA), yielding porphyrin(Pd)-(PnBA-b-PPEGMEMA)₈ and porphyrin(Pd)-(PS-b-PDMAEA)₈, respectively. Obtained metalloporphyrin polymer photocatalysts were homogeneously solubilized in water to apply to the removal of chlorophenols in water, and was distinguished from conventional water-insoluble small molecular metalloporphyrin photocatalysts. Notably, we found that the water-soluble star block copolymers with hydrophobic–hydrophilic core–shell structures more effectively decomposed the chlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), in water under visible light irradiation (k = 1.39 h^?1, t_1/2 = 0.5 h) in comparison to the corresponding water-soluble star homopolymer, because the hydrophobic core near the metalloporphyrin effectively captured and decomposed the hydrophobic chlorophenols in water.     

Phase Equilibrium States in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Dodecane–<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Hexadecane–Cyclododecane System

A three-component system comprising cyclododecane and n-alkanes is studied by means of differential thermal analysis on a differential scanning microcalorimeter. It is concluded that the investigated system is of the eutectic type and the n-dodecane–n-hexadecane–cyclododecane eutectic mixture system is 73.0 wt % n-С₁₂Н₂₆, 9.0 wt % n-С₁₆Н₃₄, and 18.0 wt % С₁₂Н₂₄. Its melting point is found to be ?17.7°C.     

Synthesis and study of ammonium decamolybdodimetallates

Ammonium decamolybdodimetallates (NH₄)_n[M₂Mo₁₀O₃₄(OH)₄] · 7H₂O, where M = Cr³⁺ (n = 6), Cu²⁺ (n = 8), or Ni²⁺ (n = 8), were synthesized for the first time and studied by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and IR spectroscopy. The compounds crystallize in the triclinic system with the following unit cell parameters: a = 10.68(2) Å, b = 9.46(2) Å, c = 7.97(2) Å, α = 75.12(3)°, β = 96.82(3)°, γ = 102.21(3)°, V = 754.4(3) ų, ρ_calcd = 4.05 g/cm³, Z = 1 for the chromium compound; and a = 10.57(2) Å, b = 9.29(2) Å, c = 8.47(2) Å, α = 73.91(3)°, β = 96.05(3)°, γ = 104.71(3)°, V = 854.3(3) ų, ρ_calcd = 3.68 g/cm³, Z = 1 (for the copper compound); and a = 10.96(2) Å, b = 8.95(2) Å, c = 7.40(2) Å, α = 71.76(3)°, β = 97.04(3)°, γ = 102.91(3)°, V = 875.3(3)ų, ρ_calcd = 3.65 g/cm₃, Z = 1 for the nickel compound.     

Synthesis,spectral and thermal studies on dicarboxylate-bridged palladium(II) coordination polymers. Part II

The synthesis and thermal behavior of the new [Pd(fum)(bipy)] _n ·2nH₂O (1), [Pd(fum)(bpe)] _n ·nH₂O (2) and [Pd(fum)(pz)] _n ·3nH₂O (3) {bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene and pz = pyrazine} fumarate complexes are described in this work as well their characterization by IR and ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopies. TG curves showed that the compounds released organic ligands and lattice water molecules in the temperature range of 46–491 °C. In all the cases, metallic palladium was identified as the final residue.     

Mass spectra of new heterocycles: XV. Fragmentation of 1-substituted 3-alkoxy-2-(propargylsulfanyl)- and 3-alkoxy-2-(allenylsulfanyl)-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrroles under electron impact

The electron impact mass spectra of 1-R-substituted 3-alkoxy-2-(propargylsulfanyl)- and 3-alkoxy-2-(allenylsulfanyl)-1H-pyrroles (R = Me, i-Pr, s-Bu, Ph) have been studied for the first time. These compounds give rise to stable molecular ions whose primary fragmentation follows three competing pathways: cleavage of the C–O bonds with expulsion of alkyl radical, cleavage of the C–S bonds with formation of [M–C₃H₃]⁺ ions, and cleavage of the C–N bonds with synchronous hydrogen transfer to give odd-electron [M–C_nH_2n]+ · ion. The main fragmentation pathway of 2-(propargylsulfanyl) derivatives is cleavage of the C–S bond with formation of [M–C₃H₃]⁺ ion.     

The inductive effect of a radical center and transferability of the properties of functional groups in <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkyl radicals

Electron density distribution in n-alkyl radicals (from ethyl to n-octyl) was studied by the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) DFT method. The theory of atoms in molecules was used to show that the inductive effect of a free valence extends to two neighboring CH₂ groups. The electronegativities χ(C^?H₂) > χ(CH₃) > χ(CH₂) of groups and χ(C^?) > χ(H) > χ(C) atoms were qualitatively determined. The group method for calculating the enthalpies of formation of n-alkyl radicals Δ_f H°(n-C _n H_{2n+ 1}, n > 5) was substantiated.     

Synthesis and Properties of a New Thermo-sensitive Random Polyurethane with Tunable LCSTs

In this paper, a new class of thermo-sensitive random polyurethanes (PGLDs) have been prepared by polymerization of L-lysineethyl ester diisocyanate with five homologous derivatives of ethylene glycols. The structure and properties of polyurethanes were characterized by various techniques. The molecular weight M_n and structure of polyurethanes are found to be particularly significant factors to their thermo-sensitivity. Four polyurethanes except poly(L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate-co-ethylene glycol) show a reversible phase transition at the lower critical solution temperature, which can be easily tuned in the range of 4–35°C by combination of the monomers. Unexpectedly, the increasing number of –CH₂CH₂O–units in the main-chain of polyurethanes apparently acts as the hydrophobicity in the solution. The catalyst-free-synthesized polyurethanes with M_n of about (1–2) × 10⁴ g/mol responses to the external temperature. Stannous octoate-catalysted polyurethanes with M_n of (3–6) × 10⁴ g/mol exhibit no thermo-sensitivity because of their strong intra/intermolecular interactions. In addition, the viability of HeLa cells in 0.01–100 μg/mL solution reached to 80% after 24 and 48 h of incubation, indicating no cytotoxicity for polyurethanes.     

Supramolecular architecture of catechol and its 2:1 complex with dimethylsulfoxide

The crystal structures of catechol (o-dihydroxybenzene) and its 2:1 complex with dimethylsulfoxide are determined at T = 150 K. Crystal data: C₁₄H₁₈O₅S, M = 298.37, triclinic, space group P \(\bar 1\), unit cell parameters: a = 7.7285(13) Å, b = 9.9924(17) Å, c = 10.3188(18) Å, α = 89.963(4)°, β = 89.968(4)°, γ = 69.076(5)°, V = 744.3(2)ų, Z = 2, D _x = 1.331 g/cm³, R1 = 0.048; C₆H₆O₂, M = 110.11, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 9.8206(6)Å, b = 5.5903(3)Å, c = 10.4439(6)Å, β = 114.952(2)°; V = 519.85(5) ų, Z = 4, D _x = 1.407 g/cm³, R1 = 0.0289. In the 2:1 complex the molecules are joined in a supramolecular ensemble by D-H...A hydrogen bonds (D = O, C; A = O, π); in catechol they are bonded only by O-H...O. The state diagram of the catechol-dimethylsulfoxide system is examined by DTA.     

Thermal polymerization of styrene: New data on the conversion dependence of the initiation rate

With the aid of new acceptors of free radicals usable at high temperatures (T > 100°C), the rate of initiation w _i has been measured experimentally for the thermal polymerization of styrene at 122.5°C in a wide range of conversions C = 0–80%. It has been shown that the value of w _i tends to increase in the course of polymerization transformation in agreement with the w _i = f(C) relationship calculated from the kinetic data on the thermal polymerization of styrene in the absence of counters of free radicals. Hypothetical reasons for this non-trivial tendency have been formulated. The experimental dependence w _i = f(C) has been measured for the first time and has been invoked to refine currently available mathematical models for the thermal polymerization of styrene that assume that w _i remains invariable in the course of polymerization transformation.     

DSC measurements of blood plasma on patients with chronic pancreatitis and operable and inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Currently, the most examinations and markers are of limited diagnostic and prognostic value in chronic inflammation of the pancreas and its malignant tumorous disease. The purpose of this pilot study was to measure thermal changes of blood plasma by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method on patients with chronic pancreatitis, and with operable or inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The study involved chronic pancreatitis patients (n = 5), in whom had to perform surgery due to any complications. In malignant pancreatic cancer group, according to resectability of the tumors, patients were divided into operable (curative R0 resection, n = 11) and inoperable (palliative double bypass, n = 5) subgroups. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patients preoperatively and from healthy controls (n = 5). Denaturation of plasma components was detected in Setaram Micro DSC-II calorimeter. DSC results showed decrease of T _m1 (48.8 °C) and T _m2 (61.8 °C) and increase of T _m3 (68 °C) in chronic pancreatitis group compared to healthy controls (56.2, 63.1 and 68 °C). Similar tendencies were in patients with operable (48.2, 61.5, 67.6 °C) and inoperable (48.1, 62.4, 69 °C) pancreas adenocarcinoma. Calorimetric enthalpy mildly decreased in each group except for operable group (1.3 J g^?1 ?H) compared to controls (1.2 J g^?1 ?H). This research confirmed that DSC parameters of blood plasma on patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma are clearly distinct from thermodynamical data of healthy controls. After better validation of calorimetric data, it can be a noninvasive tool for diagnostic and monitoring of pancreatic diseases.     

Heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of new nanosized ferro-chromo-manganites LaM<Subscript>0.5</Subscript><Superscript>II</Superscript>FeCrMnO<Subscript>6.5</Subscript> (M<Superscript>II</Superscript>–Mg,Ca, Sr,Ba)

The heat capacities of nanosized ferro-chromo-manganites LaM_0.5 ^IIFeCrMnO_6.5 (M^II–Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) are measured via dynamic calorimetry in the temperature range of 298.15–673 K using an IT-S-400 instrument. It is established that the C°_p~f(T) function of LaM_0.5 ^IIFeCrMnO_6.5 (M^II–Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) has λ-type effects, due probably to phase transitions of the second order. Considering the temperatures of the phase transitions, equations of the heat capacity of ferro-chromo-manganites LaM_0.5 ^IIFeCrMnO_6.5 (M^II–Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) as a function of temperature are derived on the basis of experimental data. Thermodynamic functions Н°(Т)–Н°(298.15), S°(Т), and Ф ^хх(Т) are calculated in the temperature range of 298.15–675 K.     

Supramolecular architecture of the 1:1 complex of phloroglucinol with dimethyl sulfoxide

The phase diagram of the phloroglucinol (1,3,5-trioxybenzol)-dimethyl sulfoxide system is studied. The system is found to form a 1:1 molecular complex of phloroglucinol with dimethyl sulfoxide. The crystal structure of the complex is determined. The crystallographic data for C₈H₁₂O₄S, M = 204.24, monoclinic system, P2₁/n space group, unit cell parameters: a = 9.0345(2)Å, b = 9.6895(3)Å, c = 10.9960(3)Å, β = 98.865(1)°, V = 951.09(4) ų, Z = 4, d _x = 1.426 g/cm³, R1 = 0.0283, T = 150 K. The molecules are joined in a supramolecular ensemble via O-H...O hydrogen bonds.     

High performance bio-based polyurethane elastomers: Effect of different soft and hard segments

In this work, a series of high performance bio-based polyurethanes(bio-PUs) were synthesized from polylactide(PLA)-based diols, different diisocyanates(TDI, MDI, HDI, IPDI) and chain extender 1,4-butanediol, in which different soft and hard segments are used to adjust their transition temperatures and mechanical properties. Poly(lactide-co-caprolactone)copolymer diols(co-PLAols) instead of PLA diols as the soft segment improved the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the synthesized bio-PUs. Among them, MDI-based bio-PUs have the highest T_g(43.8 °C), tensile strength(23.5 MPa) and modulus(380.8 MPa), while HDI-based bio-PUs have the lowest T_g(21.4 °C) and highest elongation at break(580%). Especially, the bio-PUs synthesized from co-PLAols and MDI demonstrate better mechanical properties,closed to petroleum-based commodities. Furthermore, the obtained bio-PUs display good shape memory properties at body temperature and cytocompatibility. Therefore, these bio-PUs are promising for applications in biomedical fields.