Determination of hydroxyl radical photoproduction rates in natural waters.

The photochemical formation rates of hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) in river water and seawater were determined by a simple, rapid and sensitive benzene probe method, in which phenol formed by the reaction between benzene and photochemically-generated OH radicals was analyzed by on-line preconcentration HPLC. The OH radical formation rates from well-known OH radical sources, such as nitrate, nitrite and hydrogen peroxide, were in good agreement with those reported previously. River water samples containing high concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were found to show high OH radical formation rates. Ten to 80% of the OH radical formation in river water and seawater was due to the photolysis of nitrate and nitrite, but OH radical formation from hydrogen peroxide was negligible. The OH radical formation from unknown sources other than nitrate, nitrite and hydrogen peroxide was strongly correlated to the amount of fluorescent matter.     

Interaction of polypyromellitimide with nitrogen dioxide

The mechanism of interaction of nitrogen dioxide with aromatic polyimides is considered by the example of polypyromellitimide. The formation of stable radicals of acylarylaminoxyl, iminoxyl and phenoxyl types has been detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Acylarylaminoxyl radicals were detected in polypyromellitimide after its exposure to nitrogen dioxide at room temperature followed by pumping nitrogen dioxide from the samples. Iminoxyl and phenoxyl radicals were formed during thermolysis of the nitration products of the polymer at 373 K. The proposed mechanism is based on the reaction of dimers of nitrogen dioxide in the form of nitrosyl nitrate. It was observed that intermediate radical cations and nitric oxide were formed in the primary reaction of electron transfer from the polyimide to nitrosyl nitrate. The subsequent cage reactions with participation of radical cations and nitric oxide give nitroso compounds and nitrates which are precursors of stable nitrogen-containing and phenoxyl radicals.     

Mechanism of stable radical generation in aromatic polyamides on exposure to nitrogen dioxide

By using the example of poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide, the mechanism of generation of stable nitrogen-containing radicals in aromatic polyamides in the presence of nitrogen dioxide is considered. The proposed mechanism is based on the reactions of dimers of nitrogen dioxide in the form of nitrosyl nitrate. As a result of a primary reaction of electron transfer from donor functional groups of macromolecules to nitrosyl nitrate, macromolecular radical cations and nitric oxide are formed. Amide groups and phenyl rings can act as electron donors. In the subsequent reactions with participation of radical cations, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide oximes, nitroso compounds and nitrites are formed. Generation of stable iminoxyl radicals occurs by reactions of oximes with nitrogen dioxide. Thermolysis of the polymer nitration products gives iminoxyl and acylarylaminoxyl radicals. The structure of iminoxyl radicals and features of dynamics of their formation have been confirmed by ab initio quantum-chemical calculations.     

Features of stable radical generation in lignin on exposure to nitrogen dioxide

The mechanism of stable radical generation in lignin under the action of nitrogen dioxide and NO₂ - air mixture is considered. The formation of phenoxyl, iminoxyl and acylaminoxyl radicals has been detected by EPR. The proposed mechanism involves a primary oxidative reaction of phenol groups with dimers of NO₂ (nitrosyl nitrate) resulting in the formation of phenoxyl radicals and nitric oxide. In the subsequent recombination of phenoxyl radicals and nitric oxide, nitroso compounds and oximes are formed. By reaction of oximes with radicals NO₂, stable iminoxyl radicals are formed. This mechanism is confirmed by kinetic dependencies obtained over a wide range of NO₂ concentrations. From IR spectroscopy measurements it follows that hydroxyl groups of non-phenolic structures of lignin are oxidised to aldehydes producing acylaminoxyl radicals by reaction with NO₂. The kinetic data show that the adsorption of NO₂ on the lignin surface is the rate-determining factor in stable radical formation.     

Ultrasound in polymer chemistry: Revival of an established technique

The history of ultrasound in polymer chemistry goes back a long way. Initially, its uses were limited to being an alternative method of initiating radical polymerizations through the decomposition of solvents to form radicals or through the breakage of polymers leading to macroradicals. Recently, the raw power of ultrasound has been focused through the use of weak linkages in polymer chains, which enables the production of well‐defined macroradicals and coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5445–5453, 2006     

Photopolymerization in the System Oligomer–Aromatic Nitro Compound–Aniline Derivative

Photopolymerization of acrylic oligomer was studied in the presence of an aromatic nitro compound coupled with dialkylaniline derivatives. Photopolymerization efficiency was shown to significantly increase upon introducing bromine atoms into the structure of an aniline derivative or molecules of the reaction medium. Triplet photosensitizers have a similar effect. Growing macroradicals were detected by the spin trapping technique. A polymerization photoinitiation mechanism was suggested, which is based on the formation of a triplet complex of the nitro compound with the tertiary amine followed by its decomposition into radical products.     

Non-ideality in vinyl polymerization—VIII: Retarded polymerization of methyl methacrylate in presence of p-benzoquinone initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile

Detailed kinetic analysis of AIBN-initiated polymerization of methylmethacrylate in presence of p-benzoquinone has been reported. Primary radical transfer, whereby a primary radical transfers its radical reactivity to a transfer agent, has been considered along with macroradical transfer. It is found that the former process is quite appreciable in the system and must be allowed for to arrive at accurate values of transfer constants. Values of transfer constants for both primary radicals and macroradicals towards benzoquinone, and characteristic constants for degradative chain transfer and primary radical transfer have been evaluated applying the mathematical treatment developed previously. The mode of termination of macroradicals by fairly stable microradicals formed as a result of transfer has also been discussed.     

Production of free radicals and triplets from contact radical pairs and from photochemically generated radical ions

The quantum yields of triplets and free radicals (or radical ions) that escaped recombination in photochemically created primary radical pairs (or radical ion pairs) are calculated. As the products of monomolecular photodissociation, the neutral radicals appear at contact, while the ions are initially distributed over the space due to distant photoionization (bimolecular electron transfer) in the liquid solution. The diffusional dependence of the quantum yields is shown to be different when recombination starts from contact or from separated reactants. The experimental data for recombination of ionized perylene with aromatic amine counterions is well fitted with the noncontact initial distribution provided the recombination is also noncontact and even more distant than ionization.     

Organometallic compounds as reversible spin scavengers and chain growth regulators in free-radical polymerization processes

Approaches for control over polymer chain growth under radical initiation polymerization with the use of organometallic compounds are considered. The effect of metallocomplexes on the kinetic parameters of polymerization, the molecular-mass characteristics of macromolecules, and the structure and composition of the copolymers has been analyzed by the example of specific compounds. It has been shown that, in some cases, transition-metal complexes may be regarded as reversible scavengers of radicals and efficient agents of controlled free-radical polymerization. The main pathways of interaction of propagation radicals with organometallic compounds, including the reversible acceptance of macroradicals by metallocomplexes, have been estimated.     

草酰氯和2,3-丁二酮的紫外光解

羰基化合物的光解一直是分子反应动力学研究感兴趣的课题之一,近年来许多研究小组用不同的实验方法对气相羰基化合物特别是丙酮分子的紫外光解进行了广泛的研究[14],然而对一个分子中含有两个羰基的二酮类分子却很少研究.早期对(ＣｌＣＯ)2和(ＣＨ3ＣＯ)2的光解反应研究主要集中在液相宏观动力学方面[5-7],这些研究都没有在分子的层次上进行考察,因此对它们的紫外光解机理并不清楚,例如两者光解首先发生的是Ｃｌ或ＣＨ3基的脱落,还是分子中央的Ｃ-Ｃ键断裂?光解后剩余的自由基第二步解离是光解还是热解?光解后碎片的能量分布如何?等等.为此…     

Radiolysis of Aqueous Solutions of Poly(ethylene oxide) at 77 K

Low-temperature (77 K) γ-radiolysis of aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) was studied by ESR spectroscopy. Trapped electrons, hydroxyl radicals, and -CH₂-ĊH-O- radicals were identified as principal paramagnetic products of radiolysis. It was shown that an increase in the polymer concentration in solution led to a growth in number of trapped electrons and -CH₂-ĊH-O- macroradicals. The decay of hydroxyl radicals occurring at 110–115 K was accompanied by the formation of -CH₂-ĊH-O- macroradicals and partial recombination of hydroxyl radicals. Action of visible light resulted in virtually quantitative transformation of trapped electrons into -CH₂-ĊH-O- macroradicals. The radiation-chemical yields of the species trapped at 77 K were estimated and the scheme of radiation-induced chemical processes was suggested.__________Translated from Khimiya Vysokikh Energii, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2005, pp. 243–249.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Zakurdaeva, Nesterov, Feldman.     

Addition — Fragmentation type initiators for cationic polymerization

Addition — fragmentation reactions are a versatile and exceptionally interesting tool in preparative polymer chemistry. With the aid of specially designed allyl-onium salts (addition — fragmentation agent, AFA) in conjunction with conventional radical initiators it is possible to very efficiently initiate cationic polymerizations. The mechanism involves (a) the formation of radicals by heating or irradiating the radical initiator, (b) the addition of these radicals to an AFA molecule and (c) the fragmentation of the AFA. In step (c) radical cations are produced, which with high rates initiate the polymerization of cationically polymerizable monomers (e.g., cyclohexene oxide, CHO). In order to show good performance in initiation reactions, AFAs have to be equipped with functional groups or substituents which either promote radical addition or facilitate the fragmentation of reaction intermediates.     

The Existence of Nitrate Radicals in Irradiated TiO2 Aqueous Suspensions in the Presence of Nitrate Ions

Evidence of the existence of nitrate radical in irradiated aqueous TiO₂ suspensions in the presence of nitrate ions are reported for the first time. The joint use of UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy showed that nitrate radicals are formed by hole induced oxidation of nitrate ions. Photocatalytic degradation of a model alkene compound allowed to highlight the presence of an intermediate organic nitrate deriving from nitrate radical attack to the double bond of the substrate. These results not only allow deeper understanding of photocatalytic processes, but open the route to new green photocatalytic syntheses initiated by nitrate radicals and to new insights in the field of atmospheric chemistry.     

Mechanism of heminal recombination of ketyl and aminyl radicals in solid poly(methyl methacrylate)

The mechanism of formation and recombination of radical pairs upon photoreduction of benzophenone by diphenylamine in solid poly(methyl methacrylate) has been studied. By analyzing the concentration dependences of the yield of recombination products (triarylmethane dye or triarylcarbinol), it has been found that the reaction occurs only in relatively large local sites with an effective radius of ～1.4 nm. In contrast, the quenching of ketone phosphorescence by amine, resulting in the generation of primary radical pairs, is carried out in nearly every molecular site with an approximate radius of 1.0 nm containing the initial reagents. In films prepared from chlorinated solvents, the degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) accompanied by the formation of end macroradicals and dehydrochlorination are important side processes. These processes are mainly responsible for significant long-term photochemical posteffect. The absence of marked magnetic effects indicates that the molecular dynamics of reacting particles and their local environment, rather than spin dynamics, controls the evolution of radical pairs.     

Elementary radical formation and conversion processes in γ-irradiated polyvinylchloride

Elementary processes of γ-irradiated polyvinylchloride (PVC) have been investigated by both electron spin resonance (ESR) and optical absorption measurements. On irradiating PVC film with γ rays at ?196°C, alkyl-type radicals are produced. When the PVC film is warmed to room temperature, the radicals convert to polyenyl type. γ Irradiation of PVC film containing biphenyl (Ph₂) or pyrene (Py) at ?196°C yields the corresponding radical cation. The relative ESR peak heights of the radicals decrease and the G values for the formation of cation radicals increase with increasing additive concentrations. These facts indicate that energy is transferred from the precursor of the radicals to the additive. In the case of PVC film containing Py, the Py cation radical decreases and the cyclohexadienyl-type radical from Py is produced by thermal annealing. A possible mechanism for radical formation and conversion is proposed.     

Effects of spatially correlated generation of macroradicals in the radiolysis of polymers

The radiation-chemical yield of macroradicals was found to be many times higher under exposure of polymers (polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and polycarbonate) to ionizing radiation at extremely low dose rates (0.1–1 mGy/s) in a vacuum at room temperature. A model of the radiolysis was suggested, which is based on the mechanism of preferable generation and stabilization of macroradicals in the neighborhood of already existing macroradicals course of polymer irradiation. This mechanism results in the formation of free-radical clusters fficiency of spatially correlated generation of macroradicals, the degree of swarming, and arming in a number of polymers and polymer-based scintillators were found in ments     

Reactivity of quinones as alkyl radical acceptors

The enthalpies of the addition of 11 alkyl radicals to ortho-and para-benzoquinones and substituted para-benzoquinones and the enthalpies of formation of various alkoxyphenoxyl radicals have been calculated. Experimental data for the addition of alkyl radicals to quinones are analyzed in terms of the intersection of two parabolic potential curves, and parameters characterizing this class of reactions are calculated. The classical potential barrier of the thermally neutral reaction of alkyl radical addition to benzoquinone is E _e,0 = 82.1 kJ/mol. This class of reactions is compared to other classes of free-radical addition reactions. The interaction between the electrons of the reaction center and the π electrons of the aromatic ring is a significant factor in the activation energy. Activation energies, rate constants, and the geometric parameters of the transition state have been calculated for 40 reactions of alkyl radical addition to quinones. Strong polar interaction has been revealed in the addition of polar macroradicals to quinones, and its contribution to the activation energy has been estimated. Kinetic parameters, activation energies, and rate constants have been calculated for the reverse reactions of alkoxyphenoxyl radical decomposition to quinone and alkyl. The competition between chain termination and propagation reactions in alkoxyphenol-inhibited hydrocarbon oxidation is discussed.     

Mechanism of the radiolytic transformations of cellulose 1. Formation and transformation of radicals

The formation (77K) and transformation (300K) of radicals in celluloses with various degrees of crystallinity under -radiation have been studied by the ESR method. The radical products of the low-temperature -radiolysis of cellulose formed in the polymer chain are macroradicals the unshared electrons of which are localized on C₍₁₎ C₍₄₎, O_(O), and C₍₅₎. With a rise in the temperature to 300K they undergo substantial changes, which shows the dominating role of secondary reactions of macroradicals in the radiation-chemical transformation of cellulose.A. S. Sadykov Institute of Organic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (3712) 62 70 71. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 587–595, July–August, 1996. Original article submitted February 26, 1996.     

Grafting of functional nitroxyl free radicals to polyolefins as a tool to postreactor modification of polyethylene‐based materials with control of macromolecular architecture

Nitroxyl radicals were used as functionalizing agents during the free radical postreactor modification process of polyolefins carried out in the melt. The 4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (HO‐TEMPO) and the 4‐benzoyloxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (BzO‐TEMPO) free radicals were successfully grafted onto a polyethylene‐based material (ethylene‐co‐1‐octene copolymer) by coupling reaction with polymer macroradicals; these last were formed by H‐abstraction through peroxide addition. The macromolecular structure of the functionalized polyolefins was assessed by ¹H‐NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and SEC measurements which were used to evidence the grafting site, to evaluate the grafting level and to highlight the occurrence of chain extension through crosslinking side reactions. Indeed the use of proper model compounds allowed the preparation of accurate FTIR calibration curves for the quantitative determination of the functionalization degree. Besides the high temperature SEC analysis highlighted that this fast and simple coupling reaction between macroradicals and nitroxyl free radicals grants the grafting of functionalities onto the polyolefin backbone by contemporarily preventing the side reactions liable of the structure and MW modification of the pristine polymer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011