Oxidative polymerization of diphenylamine: Synthesis and structure of polymers

Three procedures for the chemical oxidative polymerization of diphenylamine, namely, in solutions of sulfuric acid, in an H₂SO₄-tert-butanol mixture, and via the interfacial process, are considered. It was shown that the highest molecular mass products are formed by the interfacial process. Oxidative hydrolysis and chain termination reactions predominate in a homogeneous medium. The effects of polymerization conditions, such as the concentration of reagents, their ratio, and the reaction temperature, on the yield and molecular-mass characteristics of polydiphenylamine were studied. The structure of reaction products was investigated by UV spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that, even when ammonium persulfate is in excess, the degree of oxidation of polydiphenylamine is rather small and chain propagation proceeds as a C-C rather than N-C addition as in the case of aniline.     

Polyaniline nanofibers fabricated by electrochemical polymerization: A mechanistic study

Polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers with interconnected network-like structures were electropolymerized on stainless steel substrates by galvanostatic electrolysis. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that PANI and gels (mixtures of oligomer, dopant and aniline) form simultaneously during the electrochemical deposition. The gels play an important role in the formation of PANI nanofibers. The PANI formed in the early stage of polymerization is subject to secondary growth along one dimension, since the nucleation sites are suppressed by the wrapped gels. The dendritic degree of PANI nanofibers is related to dopants, and the order is as follows: PANI-H₃PO₄ > PANI-H₂SO₄ > PANI-HNO₃. No nanofibers are obtained using CH₃COOH as dopants due to the high solubility of PANI-CH₃COOH.     

Oxidative polymerization of aromatic hydrocarbons: A study of kinetics and mechanism

Aromatic hydrocarbons were homopolymerized by means of an oxidative polymerization reaction with the use of the catalyst system anhydrous aluminum chloride–cupric chloride. The kinetics of the benzene homopolymerization carried out under different experimental conditions was followed by the determination of the amounts of cuprous ion and polymeric product formed in the reaction. Cuprous ion was spectrophotometrically titrated in the form of its complex with 2,2′-biquinolyl (cuproine). The experimental results do not agree with cationic mechanism for this reaction previously proposed in the literature. Ethylbenzene was kinetically studied under the same experimental conditions. In view of the experimental evidences obtained in this work and on some literature data, a mechanism based on formation of cation-radicals is proposed for the oxidative polymerization reaction when carried out under the studied conditions.     

Oxidative transformation of ciprofloxacin by alkaline permanganate – A kinetic and mechanistic study

This spectroscopic study presents the kinetics and degradation pathways of oxidation of ciprofloxacin by permanganate in alkaline medium at constant ionic strength of 0.04 mol⁻³. Orders with respect to substrate, oxidant and alkali concentrations were determined. Effect of ionic strength and solvent polarity of the medium on the rate of the reaction was studied. The oxidation products were identified by LC-ESI-MS technique. Product characterization of ciprofloxacin reaction mixtures indicates the formation of three major products corresponding to m/z 263, 306, and 348 (corresponding to full or partial dealkylation of the piperazine ring). The piperazine moiety of ciprofloxacin is the predominant oxidative site to KMnO₄. Product analyses showed that oxidation by permanganate results in dealkylation at the piperazine moiety of ciprofloxacin, with the quinolone ring essentially intact. The reaction kinetics and product characterization point to a reaction mechanism that likely begins with formation of a complex between ciprofloxacin and the KMnO₄, followed by oxidation at the aromatic N1 atom of piperazine moiety to generate an anilinyl radical intermediate. The radical intermediates subsequently undergo N-dealkylation. Investigations of the reaction at different temperatures allowed the determination of the activation parameters with respect to the slow step of proposed mechanism. The proposed mechanism and the derived rate laws are consistent with the observed kinetics.     

Oxidative polymerization of 5 amino,1,10‐phenanthroline: A theoretical study

The molecular and electronic structures of 5‐amino‐1,10‐phenanthroline and its monoprotonated and diprotonated species were obtained from ab initio quantum mechanical calculations with unrestricted Hartree–Fock (HF) and Møller–Plesset perturbation theories. The analysis of the net atomic charges and the total spin densities show three possible sites for the monomeric coupling in the polymerization process. The minimal energy conformation for the different kinds of coupling in the formation of the dimers was obtained. The studies were extended to the HF/6‐311 + G(2d,p)//B3LYP (Becke's three‐parameter exchange functional and the gradient‐corrected functional of Lee, Yang, and Paar)/6‐31G(d) level of theory to obtain theoretical nuclear magnetic resonance spectra to study the number and kinds of species involved in the protonation mechanism. Theoretical and experimental nuclear magnetic resonance spectra are in excellent agreement. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Microemulsion polymerization: phase behavior driven mechanistic changes

We have examined the phase behavior of anionic microemulsions of the general type water/NaCl–hexyl methacrylate (C₆MA)-bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT)/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with respect to temperature and composition. Monomer partitioning measurements and kinetic experiments show good agreement with the Morgan model (de Vries et al. in Macromolecules 34:3233, 2001) for droplet-type microemulsions that do not phase separate as monomer is consumed. In contrast, balanced microemulsions, which efficiently solubilize large amounts of monomer, exhibit dramatic effects on the polymerization kinetics as the phase behavior changes. Our findings suggest that the appearance of a liquid crystalline mesophase in the binary water–surfactant system of the respective microemulsion causes a phase separation during polymerization and, thus, a severe deviation from previous mechanistic models.     

Thermal stability of polydiphenylamine synthesized through oxidative polymerization of diphenylamine

The thermal stability of polydiphenylamine synthesized through the oxidative polymerization of diphenylamine has been studied. It has been established that the main processes of thermal and thermooxidative degradation of polydiphenylamine begin at 600–650 and 450°C, respectively. It has been shown that, in the course of thermal oxidation of the doped polydiphenylamine, the elimination of a dopant takes place first. With a further increase in temperature, the behavior of this material becomes similar to that of the neutral polymer.     

Oxidative polymerization of p-phenylenediamine

Oxidative polymerization of p-phenylenediamine in a hydrochloric acid solution yields not a polyquinoxaline polymer as described in the literature but a modified poly(1,4-benzoquinonediimine-N,N′-diyl-1,4-phenylene) analogous to polyaniline known as pernigraniline. A new scheme of oxidative polymerization of p-phenylenediamine was suggested.     

Oxidative degradation and deamination of atenolol by diperiodatocuprate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium: A mechanistic study

The kinetics of oxidation of atenolol (ATN) by diperiodatocuprate(III) (DPC) in aqueous alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength of 0.10 mol dm⁻³ was studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction between DPC and ATN in alkaline medium exhibits 1:2 stoichiometry (ATN:DPC). The reaction is of first order in [DPC] and has less than unit order in both [ATN] and [alkali]. However, the order in [ATN] and [alkali] changes from first order to zero order as their concentration increase. Intervention of free radicals was observed in the reaction. Increase in periodate concentration decreases the rate. The oxidation reaction in alkaline medium has been shown to proceed via a monoperiodatocuprate(III)–ATN complex, which decomposes slowly in a rate-determining step followed by other fast steps to give the products. The main oxidative products were identified by spot test, IR, NMR and LC–ESI-MS studies. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism are calculated. The activation parameters with respect to slow step of the mechanism are computed and discussed, and thermodynamic quantities are also determined.     

Seeded dispersion polymerization of MMA using submicron PMMA particles as seed: a mechanistic study

Micron-size poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles having a narrow particle size distribution were prepared by seeded dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using submicron PMMA particles as seed. The processes of particle aggregation and nucleation were controlled by the initial seed size, initial seed number, and initiator concentration, determining the formation of the mature particles and the number (N _(final)) and size of the final particles. It was found that N _(final) was equal to the number of particles produced in the absence of seed (N _{(ab initio)}) when the initial number of seed particles (N _(initial)) was less than N _{(ab initio)}. When N _(initial) was greater than N _{(ab initio)}, N _(final) was equal to k?×?N _(initial), where the value of k was a function of seed size and initiator concentration. k increased with seed size and was less than 1 at high initiator concentrations (0.52 and 1.00 %), while at low initiator concentrations (0.23 and 0.30 %), a maximum value of k was found for a 198 nm seed size. k could be greater than unity in some cases.     

A survey of kinetic and mechanistic similarities in living polymerization systems

In the light of recent discoveries in the field of living polymerizations it seems inevitable to reconsider our views on these polymerization systems. This paper surveys the kinetic and mechanistic similarities in living polymerizations, and analyses and compares chain transfer dominated nonliving polymerizations and living systems to conclude on the nature of propagating species, shelflife and livingness. Some recently raised specific problems are also summarized and discussed. It has been found that most of the living polymerizations known to date, such as living anionic, cationic ring opening, group transfer, carbocationic, ring opening metathesis, Ziegler-Natta, free radical and immortal polymerizations, exhibit the characteristics of quasiliving polymerization, i.e., an equilibrium exists between propagating (active) and inactive (dormant) species. On the basis of this finding and a comparison between mechanistic and kinetic models of quasiliving and ideal living polymerizations, it is suggested that the former is the general phenomenon, and ideal living polymerization is a subclass of quasiliving polymerizations.     

Tetraalkylammonium salt as photoinitiator of vinyl polymerization in organic and aqueous media: A mechanistic and laser flash photolysis study

N‐Dimethyl‐N‐[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl]‐N‐(1‐methylnaphthyl)ammonium tetrafluoroborate ( I ) was synthesized with the aim of obtaining a versatile photoinitiator for vinyl polymerization in organic solvents and water. Salt I was able to trigger the polymerization of acrylamide, 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate and styrene even at very low concentrations of the salt (～1.0 × 10^?5 M). Using laser flash photolysis and fluorescence techniques and analyzing the photoproduct distribution, we were able to postulate a mechanism for the photodecomposition of the salt. With irradiation, I undergoes an intramolecular electron‐transfer reaction to form a radical ion pair (RIP). The RIP intermediate decomposes into free radicals. The RIP and the free radicals are active species for initiating the polymerization. Depending on the concentration of the vinyl monomers studied, the initiation mechanism of the polymerization reaction changes. At large monomer concentrations, the RIP state is postulated to trigger the reaction by generating the anion radical of the olefin substrate. At a low monomer concentration, the free radicals produced by the decomposition of I are believed to start the chain reaction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 901–913, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10166     

Oxidative chemical polymerization of pyrrole

A reaction calorimeter has been used to determine at three different temperatures the enthalpy values for the polymerization of pyrrole dissolved in acetonitrile, by using FeCl₃ as the oxidative agent. From the calorimetric data it has been found that the reaction is first-order with respect to the pyrrole. The rate constants at the same temperatures have also been determined. By using the Arrhenius equation we have obtained the activation energy for the formation of this electroconducting polymer.Financial support from the italian National Research Council (CNR) is gratefully acknowledged.     

Oxidative polymerization of diethynyl compounds

Diethynyl compounds are readily polymerized to high molecular weight linear polymers by oxidative coupling with oxygen in the presence of an amine complex of a copper salt as catalyst. Organometallic moieties can also be introduced into these polymers. Thus polymers in which silicon, arsenic, and mercury are part of the polymer backbone have been synthesized.     

Oxidative polymerization of N-substituted carbazoles

Poly(N-vinylcarbazole), poly(N-carbazole) and poly(N-ethylcarbazole) powders were chemically synthesized by the reaction of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) with N-vinylcarbazole carbazole and N-ethylcarbazole in acetonitrile. Products were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and viscosity, X-ray fluorescence and four-probe conductivity measurement. It is found that when a suitable concentration of CAN is used in the polymerization process, the conductivity of chemically synthesized polymers can be improved further by controlling the CAN addition. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ozonation of hydrocarbon diene elastomers: A mechanistic study

A study of the effects of ozonation on polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and several related hydrocarbon elastomers has shown that elastomers containing di-substituted double bonds (e.g., cis-1,4-polybutadiene) give crosslinked products as well as chain scission products in nonpolar solvents, whereas those containing tri-substituted double bonds (e.g., cis-1,4-polyisoprene) give chain scission products only. Both types of elastomer, however, give only chain scission products in polar solvents. Further investigation of the ozonation of elastomers, including the effect of ozonides of monoolefins and the solvent effect has led us to postulate that the chain scission involves the attack of a second ozone molecule on the preformed ozonide, and, the crosslinking is due to the attack of the biradical carbonyl oxide on the rubber.     

Thallation of fluorenes: A kinetic and mechanistic study

The kinetics of thallation of fluorene with thallium triacetate (TTA) in HOAc-H₂SO₄ solutions led to the rate expression The rate of thallation is found to increase with increasing acid concentration, and a sixth-order dependence on [H₂SO₄] is observed. Decrease in solvent polarity increases the rate of thallation. The effect of substituents is in accord with the electrophilic substitution at an aromatic system. Thallation occurs at 4-position. A mechanism similar to aromatic bromination is proposed for the thallation of fluorene.     

The gas-phase ozonolysis reaction of methylbutenol: A mechanistic study

The gas-phase ozonolysis reaction of methylbutenol through the Criegee mechanism is investigated. The initial reaction leads to a primary ozonide (POZ) formation with barriers in the range of 10–28 kJ mol⁻¹. The formation of 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanal (HMP) and formaldehyde-oxide is more favorable, by 10 kJ mol⁻¹, than the syn-CI and formaldehyde. The unimolecular dissociation of the more stable syn-CI via 1,5-H transfer into an epoxide is more favored than the epoxide and ³O₂ formation. The ester channel led to the formation of the acetone and formic acid favorably from the anti-CI. The hydration of the anti-CI with H₂O and (H₂O)₂ is significantly barrierless with a higher plausibility to the latter, and thus they may lead to the formation of peroxides and ultimately OH radicals, as well as airborne particulate matter. Reaction of anti-CI with water dimers enhances its atmospheric reactivity by a factor of 28 in reference to water monomers.