Mechanism of the thermal stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) with metal carboxylates and epoxy plasticizers

The chemical reactions responsible for the retardation of thermal discoloration in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) stabilized with a combination of an epoxy plasticizer and a heavy metal soap mixture of Group IIa and IIb metals have been studied. Allylic chlorides (a mixture of 4-chlorohexene-2 and 2-chlorohexene-3) are used as prototypes for the degrading segment of the polymer chain. The results confirm earlier reports that, when a mixture of a covalent and ionic metal soap is used as the stabilizer, the covalent moiety (e.g., Cd and Zn soaps) functions to esterify the allylic site of the degrading PVC model. A synergistic effect displayed by the ionic soap (e.g., Ca or Ba) is caused by a transfer of carboxylate ligands from the ionic soap to the depleting covalent species, which has been largely converted to the corresponding chloride. When an epoxy plasticizer model (cyclohexene oxide) is used in conjunction with the metal soap stabilizer, the preferred reaction is esterification. After a considerable build-up of ester, an α-chloroether, 2-hexenyl 4-(2-chlorocyclohexyl) ether, is formed by the reaction of cyclohexene oxide with the PVC model. This reaction was found to be catalyzed by cadmium chloride. The esterification and etherification reactions provide an explanation for the synergism observed in the stabilization of PVC containing a combination of an epoxy plasticizer with a covalent and an ionic metal soap.     

Color Stabilization of Polyvinyl Chloride) with Heat Treatment

Stabilization of polyvinyl chloride) (PVC) containing metal soaps was investigated by psychophysical colorimetry. A color difference observed among heated PVC films containing various metal salts depends on coloration of the π-complex of polyene with metal chloride converted from the metal salt added and that the stabilization effect of synergistic soaps should be based on an effect of complementary colors set up among a polyene color and metal chloride-polyene complex colors. These conclusions are well supported by colorimetry of heated PVC films containing various dyes. The color of heated PVC films containing Zn/Ca and Cd/Ba synergetic soaps markedly deviated from a polyene color with increased heat treatments, owing to greater degree of coloration of Zn complex and Cd complex, respectively. These color deviations usually decrease the thermal stability of PVC. The thermal stability of PVC was markedly improved by the use of synergetic soaps together with masking agent such as triethanolamine, urea, N,N′-dimethylol-urea, and vinylpyridine-methylmethacrylate copolymer, owing to the masking effect of these nitrogen-containing compounds. These masking agents did not slow down the dehydrochlorination of PVC.     

Thermal behaviour of metal soaps from biodegradable rubber seed oil

Soaps are a class of surface active compounds derived from natural oils and fats. Double decomposition reactions permit the synthesis of metallic soaps, which are long-chain carboxylates of metal ions, from alkaline ones such as sodium, potassium or ammonium soaps. Metallic soaps are commercially important as they find use in diverse applications such as driers in paints or inks, components of lubricating greases, heat stabilizers for plastics (especially PVC), catalysts and water proofing agents, fuel additives and cosmetic products amongst others. Many of these applications are related to the thermal properties of these compounds and the thermal behaviour of metal soaps in terms of decomposition processes is of great importance. Rubber seed oil (RSO) which is an unsaturated triglyceride abundantly available in Nigeria, India and Australia is an excellent starting material for metal soaps. In this study rubber seed oil having 2.2% myristic acid, 7.6% palmitic acid, 10.7% stearic acid, 20.61% oleic acid, 36.62% linoleic acid, 22.5% linolenic acid was used in making barium, calcium, cadmium and zinc soaps. The thermal behaviour of soaps (Ba, Ca, Cd and Zn) of rubber seed oil for use as additives in the processing of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was investigated by thermal gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The stability of the soaps was examined by thermogravimetry up to 873 K at a constant heating rate of 10 °C min⁻¹. The soaps were found to be thermally stable up to 473 K as they recorded less than 5% mass loss at this temperature with values of apparent activation energy for decomposition varying from 52 to 96 kJ mol⁻¹. Differential scanning calorimetric studies of the soaps revealed melting and decomposition behaviour of metal soaps.     

Metal dicarboxylates as thermal stabilizers for PVC

Different metal dicarboxylates such as calcium glutarate, zinc glutarate, calcium sebacate and zinc sebacate were investigated in this paper as thermal stabilizers (without and with calcium stearate and pentaerythritol as costabilizers) of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The thermal stability of the PVC films was determined by two different methods which are visual color comparison and measurement of HCl release from heated pellets. Both zinc dicarboxylates and calcium dicarboxylates exhibited good thermal stability. With respect to stabilizing performance, zinc glutarate (ZnGa) was more effective than zinc sebacate (ZnSe), particularly in the presence of a large amount of pentaerythritol. Similarly, calcium glutarate (CaGa) was more effective than calcium sebacate (CaSe). And the relative order of stabilizing effectiveness of metal dicarboxylates was as follows: CaGa > CaSe > ZnGa > ZnSe. Moreover, the Ca-Zn complex thermal stabilizer and the Pe-Zn complex thermal stabilizer were also studied. It was found that no more than 20% of the zinc compound exhibited better stabilizing performance.     

Revealing the Distribution of Metal Carboxylates in Oil Paint from the Micro‐ to Nanoscale

Oil paints comprise pigments, drying oils, and additives that together confer desirable properties, but can react to form metal carboxylates (soaps) that may damage artworks over time. To obtain information on soap formation and aggregation, we introduce a new tapping‐mode measurement paradigm for the photothermal induced resonance (PTIR) technique that enables nanoscale IR spectroscopy and imaging on highly heterogenous and rough paint thin sections. PTIR is used in combination with μ‐computed tomography and IR microscopy to determine the distribution of metal carboxylates in a 23‐year old oil paint of known formulation. Results show that heterogeneous agglomerates of Al‐stearate and a Zn‐carboxylate complex with Zn‐stearate nano‐aggregates in proximity are distributed randomly in the paint. The gradients of zinc carboxylates are unrelated to the Al‐stearate distribution. These measurements open a new chemically sensitive nanoscale observation window on the distribution of metal soaps that can bring insights for understanding soap formation in oil paint.     

The rôle of polyols as secondary stabilizers for poly(vinyl chlorides)

In the ternary stabilization system, zinc carboxylate-calcium carboxylate-polyol, for poly(vinyl chloride), benzyl ethers of polyols have been used to check the possible substitution of the polyol residue in the PVC backbone; GPC experiments with a uv detector give support for this substitution, but it is not confirmed by infra-red spectra. Coulometric titration of the chloride ions produced by reaction of the metal soaps with HCl or labile chlorine atoms of the PVC during heat treatment in the presence of polyols is correlated with the development of yellow and brown color. These experiments confirm that the polyols are useful mainly as long-term secondary stabilizers, the effect being related to the number of OH groups in the molecule.     

(Series Editor) Transform Techniques in Chemistry,P.R. Griffiths,D. Hercules (Eds.), in: Modern Analytical Chemistry Series,Plenum, New York,NY (1978), 385 pp. $47.40

Concentration potentials in zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate solutions across liquid membranes based on myristates and laurates of zinc, copper, nickel and cobalt and caprate and caprylate of copper have been studied in concentration cells in which the liquid membrane separates the two solutions of the same electrolyte. The behaviour of the cell with heavy metal soap liquid ion-exchange membranes becomes more and more nernstian as the number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain of the fatty acid soap increases. Concentration potential values with copper, zinc, nickel or cobalt soap follow the order of their insolubility in water. The failure to record the theoretical potentials as calculated by Nernst's equation has been explained by considering the transport of water across organic phase by hydrated ions and the dissolution of heavy metal soaps in aqueous solutions. Liquid membranes based on heavy metal myristate soaps when used in concentration cells could measure the activities of zinc, copper, nickel and cobalt ions in the concentration range of 10^?4–10^?1M.     

Synergistic mechanisms of β-diketone derivatives and zinc-calcium soaps in PVC stabilisation

It has been possible to explain the mechanisms of stabilisation and of the synergistic effects of the β-diketone derivatives claimed in a patent as new stabilisers for improving the efficiency of those recipes based upon zinc and calcium soaps in the prevention of the initial discoloration of poly(vinyl chloride).Using chlorohexene as a model compound for allylic chloride structures and benzoylacetone as a model compound for enolised β-diketone derivatives, it has been shown that the benzoylacetone can substitute allylic chlorine atoms through a C-alkylation reaction which takes place only in the presence of ZnCl₂ as catalyst. This reaction drastically changes the percentage of the enol and causes the appearance of two bands at 1720 cm^?1 and 1680 cm^?1 in the infra-red spectrum due to the ketonic structures During the processing of the PVC on a rolling mill at 180°C in the presence of zinc and calcium stearates and benzoylacetone there is grafting of the ketone derivative through a C-alkylation reaction. There is a closed parallelism between the influence of the benzoylacetone on the dehydrochlorination of the chlorohexene and on the accumulation of chloride ions in the polymer matrix in the presence of zinc and calcium stearate. The synergistic effect of the benzoylacetone in the prevention of the initial discoloration is related to the substitution reaction through a C-alkylation which takes place only in the presence of zinc stearate which generates ZnCl₂ which, in turn, acts as a catalyst for both the C-alkylation and dehydrochlorination.     

An infra-red spectroscopic study of the stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) by zinc and calcium stearates

An i.r. spectroscopic investigation into the thermal stabilization of PVC by calcium and zinc metal soap systems has yielded new information on the role of these stabilizers. Complexation of the metal stearates occurs prior to gelation. Esterification of the polymer can also occur prior to gelation if “free” zinc stearate is present. After gelation, the stabilizing mixture acts primarily as an HCl acceptor irresective of the $\text{Ca}\text{Zn}$ ratio. The chemical and physical properties imparted to the matrix by the additives determine the rate of thermal degradation during processing in the Haake rheocorder.     

Review of the use of NMR spectroscopy to investigate structure,reactivity, and dynamics of lead soap formation in paintings

Heavy metal carboxylate or soap formation is a widespread deterioration problem affecting oil paintings and other works of art bearing oil-based media. Lead soaps are prevalent in traditional oil paintings because lead white was the white pigment most frequently chosen by old masters for the paints and in some cases for the ground preparations, until the development of other white pigments from approximately the middle of the 18th century on, and because of the wide use of lead-tin yellow. In the latter part of the 19th century, lead white began to be replaced by zinc white. The factors that influence soap formation have been the focus of intense study starting in the late 1990s. Since 2014, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies have contributed a unique perspective on the issue by providing chemical, structural, and dynamic information about the species involved in the process, as well as the effects of environmental conditions such as relative humidity and temperature on the kinetics of the reaction(s). In this review, we explore recent insights into soap formation gained through solid-state NMR and single-sided NMR techniques.     

Metal organic framework (MOF) liquid crystals. 1D, 2D and 3D ionic coordination polymer structures in the thermotropic mesophases of metal soaps,including alkaline earth,transition metal and lanthanide soaps

Taken together, the body of existing literature on metal soap crystal structures and mesophases supports the view that much is to be gained by treating the soaps as metal organic frameworks (MOF's) when relating their structure and liquid crystallinity.We argue that metal soaps mesophases often consist of disordered metal organic (carboxylate) frameworks (MOF's). Metal atoms are linked by bridging carboxylates, and the metal–oxygen networks form semi-flexible rods, chains and sheets of M–O polyhedra within their co-bonded, mesotructured, self-assemblies of lipidic chains. The packing of the molten hydrocarbon chains allows otherwise unconnected MOF networks to coexist as spatially isolated units in the same unit cell. For instance the lamellar phases are true 2D MOF's or layers of 1-D MOF's. The phase transitions can then be regarded as coupled disordering/re-ordering transitions involving rotational and conformational disordering of the hydrocarbon chains balanced with disordering of MOF symmetries, MOF topological transformations, depolymerizations and dimensionality reductions ultimately leading to anisotropic melts.By way of demonstration, thermotropic phase transitions of homologous series of lanthanide soaps are systematically studied using a variety of experimental methods, and the data are used in a topological model for testing the consistency with the MOF concept of metal soap crystal structures and thermotropic mesophases. Finally, an interpenetrating bicontinuous MOF comprised of SrO₆ polyhedral rods is presented as an atomically resolved model for the network topology of the cubic mesophase of strontium soaps.Metal soaps are therefore shown to afford a bridge between liquid crystals and metal organic framework (MOF) materials.     

Effect of pentaerythritol and organic tin with calcium/zinc stearates on the stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride)

The stabilization effect of calcium and zinc stearates (CaSt₂/ZnSt₂) combined with pentaerythritol (PeE) and organic tin on poly(vinyl chloride) was investigated. The results show that the addition of calcium/zinc stearates combined with PeE and organic tin can improve thermal and colour stability of poly(vinyl chloride) in both static and dynamic tests. Mechanisms for improving stability of PVC are also discussed. The increase of stabilizing effectiveness of calcium/zinc stearates is ascribed to the synergistic effect between CaSt₂/ZnSt₂ and PeE and the interaction between organic tin and double bonds formed during the degradation of PVC. There is no synergistic action between organic tin and PeE or organic tin and calcium/zinc stearates.     

Solubility of sodium soaps in aqueous salt solutions

The solubility of sodium soaps in dilute aqueous salt solutions has been systematically investigated by direct visual phase behavior observations. The added electrolytes, including simple inorganic salts and bulky organic salts, influence the solubility of sodium soaps in water, as represented by the varied soap Krafft point. Two inorganic salts, sodium chloride and sodium perchlorate, demonstrate a "salting-out" property. On the other hand, tetraalkylammonium bromides show an excellent ability to depress the soap Krafft point and enhance the soap solubility in water. With increasing the tetraalkylammonium ionic size, the degree of "salting-in" of soaps in water increases. However, solubility of pure tetraalkylammonium bromide in water decreases as the length of the alkyl chains increases. Furthermore, in the ternary water-tetrapentylammonium bromide (TPeAB)-sodium myristate (NaMy) system, we observed an upper cloud point phenomenon, which greatly shrinks the 1-phase micellar solution region in the phase diagram. This miscibility gap, together with the organic salt solubility limitation, restricts the use of tetraalkylammonium bromides with alkyl chains longer than 4 carbon atoms as effective soap solubility enhancement electrolytes. We also found that for sodium soap with a longer hydrocarbon chain, more tetrabutylammonium salt is required to reduce the soap Krafft point to room temperature.     

A Critical Review on the Analysis of Metal Soaps in Oil Paintings

Up to 70 % of the oil paintings conserved in collections present metal soaps, which result from the chemical reaction between metal ions present in the painted layers and free fatty acids from the lipidic binders. In recent decades, conservators and conservation scientists have been systematically identifying various and frequent conservation problems that can be linked to the formation of metal soaps. It is also increasingly recognized that metal soap formation may not compromise the integrity of paint so there is a need for careful assessment of the implications of metal soaps for conservation. This review aims to critically assess scientific literature related to commonly adopted analytical techniques for the analysis of metal soaps in oil paintings. A comparison of different analytical methods is provided, highlighting advantages associated with each, as well as limitations identified through the analysis of reference materials and applications to the analysis of samples from historical paintings.     

Co-melting of solid sucrose and multivalent cation soaps for solvent-free synthesis of sucrose esters

Sucrose fatty acid esters, useful as mild surfactants, have been synthesised in good yields in a solvent-free medium. High contents of monoesters and low saponification rate have been observed. The co-melting of sucrose and a multivalent cation soap such as magnesium or zinc soaps, under basic conditions, allowed the formation of a homogeneous reaction mixture, where solid sucrose was fully dissolved. The kinetic monitoring profiles are similar to reactions in homogeneous solutions, with fast initial formation of monoesters. As a consequence, conversion of sucrose in sucrose esters occurred in good yields. The specificity of multivalent cation soaps compared to monovalent cation soaps, for example, potassium stearate, was pointed out.     

Melting of saturated fatty acid zinc soaps

The melting of alkyl chains in the saturated fatty acid zinc soaps of different chain lengths, Zn(C(n)H(2n+1)COO)(2); n = 11, 13, 15, and 17, have been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and vibrational spectroscopy. These compounds have a layer structure with the alkyl chains arranged as tilted bilayers and with all methylene chains adopting a planar, all-trans conformation at room temperature. The saturated fatty acid zinc soaps exhibit a single reversible melting transition with the associated enthalpy change varying linearly with alkyl chain length, but surprisingly, the melting temperature remaining constant. Melting is associated with changes in the conformation of the alkyl chains and in the nature of coordination of the fatty acid to zinc. By monitoring features in the infrared spectra that are characteristic of the global conformation of the alkyl chains, a quantitative relation between conformational disorder and melting is established. It is found that, irrespective of the alkyl chain length, melting occurs when 30% of the chains in the soap are disordered. These results highlight the universal nature of the melting of saturated fatty acid zinc soaps and provide a simple explanation for the observed phenomena.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal investigation of some transition metal complexes of benzopyran-4-one Schiff base as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)

New metal complexes of Schiff base (PB) prepared from condensation reaction of 2-aminopyridine and 6-formyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzopyran-4-one with metal ions; Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) are prepared. Different analysis tools like elemental analyses, FTIR, thermal analysis, conductivity, electronic spectra, and magnetic susceptibility measurements are all used to elucidate the structures of the newly prepared metal complexes. The free Schiff base (PB) has been examined as thermal stabilizer and co-stabilizer for rigid PVC in air, at 180 °C. Its high stabilizing efficiency is detected by its high induction period value (T _s) when compared with some of the common reference stabilizers used industrially, such as dibasic lead carbonate and calcium–zinc stearate (Ca–Zn soap). Blending Schiff base or its metal complexes with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions with the reference stabilizers in different ratios had a synergistic effect on the induction period (thermal stability). The stabilizing efficiency is attributed at least partially to the ability of the stabilizer to be incorporated in the polymeric chains, thus disrupting the chain degradation process.     

Measurement and prediction of liquid—liquid equilibria of ethyl acetate—methanol—water in the presence of dissolved inorganic salts

The effect of sodium chloride, calcium chloride and zinc chloride at concentrations 5–20% by weight on the liquid—liquid equilibrium (LLE) data of the ternary system ethyl acetate(S)—methanol(C)—water(A) has been investigated experimentally at 30 °C. The region of heterogeneity is significantly increased with the addition of sodium and calcium chloride salts. A change in the direction of tie-line was observed for 10% sodium chloride, 20% calcium chloride and saturated zinc chloride exhibiting thereby a tendency to form solutropism for this system, which is non-solutropic under a no-salt condition. The selectivity values are also altered in comparison with that of a no-salt condition. The tie-line data have been correlated by the Eisen—Joffe equation. The solubility envelopes for the salt systems have been predicted using the NRTL model, from a knowledge of the binary vapor—liquid equilibria (VLE) determined experimentally in our laboratory employing the iso-activity criterion.     

Vanillin–Schiff’s bases as organic thermal stabilizers and co-stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

Vanillin–Schiff’s bases (VSB) were examined as thermal stabilizers and co-stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in air at 180 °C. Their high stabilizing efficiency were shown by their high thermal stability value (Ts), which is the time elapsed for the detection of HCl gas, if compared with dibasic lead carbonate and cadmium–zinc soap reference stabilizers used industrially, with better extent of discoloration. Blending these derivatives with reference stabilizers in different ratios greatly lengthens the thermal stability and the extent of discoloration of the PVC.Condensation products of Vanillin with amines are very active biologically, besides having good complexation ability with metal ions. The Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ complexes of VSB derivatives gave better thermal stability and less discoloration than the parent organic stabilizer. Also, blending these complexes with either of the used reference stabilizers in different ratios gave better thermal stability and lower extent of discoloration. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the improved stability of PVC in the presence of the VSB derivatives, compared to blank PVC, PVC stabilized with reference stabilizers and PVC stabilized with binary mixture of VSB derivatives with reference stabilizer.The stabilizing efficiency of Vanillin–Schiff’s base (VSB) derivatives is attributed to the replacement of the labile chlorine atoms on the PVC chains by a relatively more stable moiety of the organic stabilizer.     

Evaluation of a Semi-Automated Multidimensional Gas Chromatography-Infrared-Mass Spectrometry System for Irritant Analysis

The use of a semi-automated, multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) mass spectrometry (MS) system in the determination of components causing contact dermatitis has been investigated. Fragrances are widely used in cosmetic and household products and are the leading cause of contact dermatitis. Such products contain numerous components such as emulsifiers, thickeners, solubilizers, pigments, antioxidants, and many other compounds, which can make it difficult to isolate the compound of interest. MDGC has the capability for component analysis in such complex matrices. A semi-automated MDGC system, which consists of a commercial instrument modified in our laboratory to include two computer controlled valves and a single trap which is manually controlled was evaluated for analysis of irritants in a total of thirteen soaps. Using heartcutting techniques, components causing dermatitis were identified in eight of the thirteen soaps by examining both the infrared and mass spectra obtained and matching them with computer spectral libraries. Results from these analyses show that a baby soap and three other mild soaps were free of irritants. Irritants were identified in the remaining eight soaps. In addition, to demonstrate the versatility of the semi-automated system, the enantiomeric composition of a chiral irritant in two soaps also was determined.