Polymerization of styrene with the VOCL3–AlEt2Br catalyst system

The rate of polymerization with the VOCl₃–AlEt₂Br catalyst system at 30°C. in n-hexane reached a maximum at an Al/V molar ratio of 1.5. At this ratio, the rate of polymerization was first-order with respect to catalyst and second-order with respect to monomer concentrations. The apparent activation energy calculated was 6.4 kcal./mole. Diethylzine was found to act as a chain transfer agent. However, the molecular weights of polymers obtained were low. The possibility of bromide-containing catalyst sites acting in the termination reaction has been investigated. The average valence of vanadium is discussed in relation to molecular weights.     

Polymerization of vinyl chloride by the Ti(O-n-Bu)4–AlEt3–epichlorohydrin catalyst system

The polymerization of vinyl chloride was carried out by using a catalyst system consisting of Ti(O-n-Bu)₄, AlEt₃, and epichlorohydrin. The polymerization rate and the reduced viscosity of polymer were influenced by the polymerization temperature, AlEt₃/Ti(O-n-Bu)₄ molar ratios, and epichlorohydrin/Ti(O-n-Bu)₄ molar ratios. The reduced viscosity of polymer obtained in the virtual absence of n-heptane as solvent was two to three times as high as that of polymer obtained in the presence of n-heptane. The crystallinity of poly(vinyl chloride) thus obtained was similar to that of poly(vinyl chloride) produced by a radical catalyst. It was concluded that the polymerization of vinyl chloride by the present catalyst system obeys a radical mechanism rather than a coordinated anionic mechanism.     

Polymerization of propylene with TiCl3–AlEt2Cl–polymeric electron donor catalyst

Polymeric donors having ether or carbonyl groups were added to the TiCI₃–AlEt₂CI catalyst system as the third component, and the effects on the polymerization of propylene were investigated in comparison with the effect of the electron donors with low molecular weight. The polymeric donors were effective in making the catalyst more active, but the donors of low molecular weight depressed the catalyst activity. In the case of poly(propylene glycol dimethyl ether) (PPG-DME), PPG–DME with a number of propylene oxide units (n) of more than 6.7 was effective in enhancing the catalyst activity. These effects were considered to be due to the different reactivities between TiCI₃ and AlEt₂CI-polymeric donor complexes having various chain lengths.     

Polymerization of α-methylstyrene by n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran

The kinetics of polymerization of α-methylstyrene by n-BuLi (labeled with C¹⁴ and unlabeled) has been studied in tetrahydrofuran at ?78°C. The catalyst n-BuLi was used as a complex of n-BuLi in THF and a hexane solution of n-BuLi. Contrary to expectations, the relative polymerization rate and the catalyst consumption were higher when a hexane solution of n-BuLi was used. Experimental molecular weights of the polymers greatly exceeded those calculated for the case of complete catalyst consumption. The polymers exhibited low polydispersity, and when a hexane solution of n-BuLi was used, the molecular weight distribution was bimodal. The rate of initiation for the case of polymerization α-methylstyrene with a hexane solution of n-BuLi as a catalyst was much higher than in the polymerization of α-methylstyrene with the use of the complex of n-BuLi in THF as in situ catalyst. Experimental data confirm the preferable interaction of α-methylstyrene with associated n-BuLi in the presence of THF. The complex which was formed as a result of such interaction is an active centers of polymerization.     

Rate constants in the photopolymerization of H2O2–isoprene systems

The polymerization reactions of isoprene with the use of H₂O₂ as the photoinitiator have been studied in acetone solutions. The lifetime of chain radicals, τ_s, was evaluated to be 0.29 by the rotating sector technique. The rate constants k_p and k_t were found to be 19.1 and 3.40 × 10⁷ L/mol- s, respectively.     

Cyclopolymerization of isoprene with VCl4–AlEt2Br catalyst system

Isoprene was polymerized at 30°C with VCl₄–AlEt₂Br catalyst system in n-hexane. A linear dependence of rate of polymerization on the monomer and catalyst concentrations was found. The overall activation energy was 8.96 kcal/mole. Infrared spectra of polyisoprene showed the presence of cyclic structure, indicating a cationic mechanism of polymerization.     

Polymerization of α-methylstyrene by living polymer in tetrahydrofuran

Kinetics of polymerization of α-methylstyrene by poly-α-methylstyrylsodium (a “living” polymer) has been studied in tetrahydrofuran at ?78°C. Complex dependences were established: that of the conversion X on reduced time φ and that of the apparent rate constant for the polymer chain propagation on conversion X and on the concentration of living polymers and monomer. The experimental data obtained were explained by assuming a coordination mechanism of anionic polymerization including the following elementary reaction: (a) generation of active polymerization centers (K₁) by interaction of the living polymer with the monomer; (b) propagation of the polymer chains (K₂); (c) monomolecular (K₃₁) and bimolecular (K₃₂) reactions of isomerization of active centers resulting in the formation of high molecular weight living polymers capable of again becoming active centers of polymerization. Approximate derivation of kinetic equation was carried out and the constants of elementary reactions were determined (K₁ = 0.15, K₂ = 24, K₃₂ = 14.1./mole-min and K₃₁ = 0.05 min^?1). The coincidence of the expected dependencies X = F(τ; φ) K_p = F(X; n₀^?1/2); dx/dτ = F(n₀) with the experimental ones was followed with the aid of computers. The expected change in the values of X and K_p depending on the contribution of each elementary reaction to the overall polymerization process was analyzed.     

RAFT Miniemulsion Polymerization Kinetics, 1 – Polymerization Rate

The polymerization kinetics of a RAFT‐mediated radical polymerization inside submicron particles (30 < D_p < 300 nm) is considered. When the time fraction of active radical period, ϕ_A, is larger than ca. 1%, the polymerization rate increases with reducing particle size, as for the cases of conventional emulsion polymerization. The rate retardation by the addition of RAFT agent occurs with or without intermediate termination in zero‐one systems. For the particles with D_p < 100 nm, the statistical variation of monomer concentration among particles may not be neglected. It was found that this monomer‐concentration‐variation (MCV) effect may slow down the polymerization rate. An analytical expression describing the MCV effect is proposed, which is valid for both RAFT and conventional miniemulsion polymerizations.

     

H2O – Jo mei!

Water is a complex network of H₂O molecules connected by weak hydrogen bonds. All its anomalous physical and chemical behaviour is due to these hydrogen bonds with lifetimes in the order of picoseconds. Although we get structural hints from studies of ice and steam, liquid water is still full of secrets. That leaves space for wild speculations, weird theories and hocus‐pocus especially with respect to the quality of drinking water. All of the suggested water improvement methods bear witness to the incredible amount of fantasy and scientific creativity but also to charlatanism, criminal recklessness and innocent trust of the human race.     

Role of heterogeneous Cr(AcAc)3–AlEt3 catalyst system in isoprene polymerization

Polymerization of isoprene in presence of a heterogeneous Ziegler-type catalyst system, Cr(AcAc)₃–AlEt₃, has been studied in benzene medium. The rate of polymerization is first-order with respect to catalyst as well as monomer concentration. The rate studies, activation energy, and polymer microstructures are reported in order to follow the probable mechanism of polymerization.     

Kinetics and mechanism of stereospecific polymerization of methyl methacrylate with VOCl3–AlEt2Cl catalyst system

Methyl methacrylate was polymerized at 40°C with VOCl₃–AlEt₂Cl catalyst system in n-hexane. The rate of polymerization was proportional to catalyst and monomer concentration at Al/V ratio of 2 and overall activation energy of 9.25 kcal/mole support a coordinate anionic mechanism of polymerization. The catalytic activity and stereospecificity of this catalyst system is discussed in comparison with that of VOCl₃–AlEt₃ catalyst system.     

A new hybrid organic–inorganic chain: [(phen)Cu–μ‐(κ2O:O′‐VP2O10H3)2–Cu(phen)]n

The structure of the title compound, poly[(dihydrogenphosphato‐κO)(μ₃‐hydrogenphosphato)di‐μ‐oxido‐(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II)vanadium(V)], [CuV(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄)O₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)]_n, is defined by [(phen)Cu–μ‐(κ²O:O′‐VP₂O₁₀H₃)₂–Cu(phen)] units (phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline), which are connected to neighbouring units through vanadyl bridges. Neighbouring chains have no covalent bonds between them, although they interdigitate through the phen groups viaπ–π interactions.     

On the Phase Shifts in the Dynamics of the H2O2–Na2S2O3–H2SO4–CuSO4 Oscillator Revealed by Comparison of Potentiometric Responses of Different Indicator Electrodes

The dynamics of the H₂O₂–Na₂S₂O₃–H₂SO₄–CuSO₄ homogeneous pH oscillator was studied in the flow reactor potentiometrically using different sensors: platinum electrode, Cu(II) ion‐selective electrode (Cu‐ISE), and pH‐electrode. It was found that for the flow rates close to two bifurcation values, between which the oscillations exist, there is a detectable phase shift between the response of the Cu‐ISE and other electrodes, while it practically vanishes for the intermediate flow rates. To explain both the oscillations of the Cu‐ISE potential and the relevant phase shift, the system's dynamics was studied both experimentally and numerically. The literature kinetic mechanism of the pH oscillator was extended for the dynamics of the copper(II) and copper(I) species in the form of thiosulfate complexes, and kinetic parameters of the redox equilibria, ensuring the oscillations, were estimated. It was found that the phase shift at the relatively low flow rates occurs due to limited efficiency of the supply of CuSO₄ catalyst, as the species of lowest concentration, to the reactor, and therefore it can be minimized either by increasing the flow rate of all reactants or, alternatively, by enhancing the model concentration of CuSO₄ in the feeding stream, for its fixed flow rate. This work is one more proof that it is useful to monitor the dynamics of the homogeneous oscillatory systems with more than one electrode, if the experimental potential–time courses are to be explained in terms of an appropriate kinetic mechanism.     

Ethylaluminum oxide catalysts from Et2AlOLi–Et2AlCl binary system in relation to species of AlEt3–water catalyst

Equimolar reaction of Et₂AlOLi and Et₂AlCl gave Et₂AlOAlEt₂. The catalyst behavior for polymerization of acetaldehyde, propylene oxide, and epichlorohydrin was compared with that of the AlEt₃–H₂O (1:0.5) catalyst system. The thermal disproportionation product of Et₂AlOAlEt₂ derived from Et₂AlOLi–Et₂AlCl had the structure, ? (EtAlO)_n? , and it showed catalyst behavior quite similar to that of the product obtained by the same treatment of AlEt₃–H₂O (1:0.5). These ethylaluminum oxides can be regarded as species predominating in AlEt₃–H₂O (1:0.5) and AlEt₃–H₂O (1:1), respectively. Stereospecific or high molecular weight polymerizations of these species were investigated.     

Yields of O2(1Σg+) and O2(1Δg) in the H + O2 reaction system,and the quenching of O2(1Σg+) by atomic hydrogen

The generation of metastable O₂(¹Σg⁺) and O₂(¹Δg) in the H + O₂ system of reactions was studied by the flow discharge chemiluminescence detection method. In addition to the O₂(¹Σg⁺) and O₂(¹Δg) emissions, strong OH(v = 2) → OH(v = 0), OH(v = 3) → OH(v = 1), HO₂(²A′₀₀₀) → HO₂(²A″₀₀₀), HO₂(²A′₀₀₁) → HO₂(²A″₀₀₀), and H O₂(²A″₂₀₀) → HO₂(²A″₀₀₀) emissions were detected in the H + O₂ system. The rate constants for the quenching of O₂(¹Σg⁺) by H and H₂ were determined to be (5.1 ± 1.4) × 10^?13 and (7.1 ± 0.1) × 10^?13 cm³ s^?1, respectively. An upper limit for the branching ratio to produce O₂(¹Σg⁺) by the H + HO₂ reaction was calculated to be 2.1%. The contributions from other reactions producing singlet oxygen were investigated.     

Kinetics of the Fe3+ ion–H2O2 reaction: Steady-state and terminal-state analysis

Computer calculations of the kinetics of the ferric ion catalyzed decomposition of H₂O₂ by Walling and Weil are not in contradiction to the “complex mechanism.” The examination of their results reveals that their simulations correspond to the terminal state of the system in which the secondary complex between Fe³⁺ and H₂O₂ becomes stabilized.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile: Kinetics of the reaction initiated by the Fe2+/BrO3− redox system

The aqueous polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the bromate—ferrous redox system in aqueous sulfuric acid was studied under nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of polymerization increased with increasing concentration of ferrous in the range of 0.25-1 × 10^?2M. The percentage of conversion increased with increasing concentration of the catalyst, but beyond 2.5 × 10^?3M there was a decreasing trend in the rate of polymerization. The rate varied linearly with [monomer]. The initial rate of polymerization as well as the maximum conversion increased within the range of 1–2.5 × 10^?3M KBrO₃, but beyond 2.5 × 10^?3M the rate of polymerization decreased. The initial rate and limiting conversion increased with increasing polymerization temperature in the range 30–40°C; beyond 40°C they decreased. The effect of certain neutral salts, water-miscible solvents, complexing agents, and copper sulfate concentration on the rate of polymerization was investigated.     

AlEt3–metal soap catalysts for the polymerization of epoxides

Epoxides, propylene oxide in particular, were polymerized by a catalyst system consisting of AlEt₃–metal soap, to high molecular weight polyethers in high conversion. Carboxylic acid salts of Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Mo, Co, and Ni, transition metals of groups IV–VIII in the Periodic Table, were most preferable. Metal salts of stearic, octanoic, lauric and naphthenic acid were examined as catalyst components and proved to be very active for the polymerization of epoxides when used with an organoaluminum compound such as AlEt₃ or AlEt₂Cl. Copolymerization of propylene oxide and allyl glycidyl ether was successfully carried out with an AlEt₃–Zr octoate catalyst.