Pulse radiolysis study of the initial steps of the polymerization of cyclohexyl acrylate and cyclohexyl methacrylate

Pulse radiolysis with kinetic spectroscopic detection was applied to study the kinetics of the first steps of radiation induced polymerization of cyclohexyl acrylate and cyclohexyl methacrylate in cyclohexane solvent. The reactions were initiated by cyclohexyl radicals produced in the radiolysis of the solvent. The transient absorption spectra of the -carboxyalkyl type radicals produced in addition reaction show maxima around 300 nm. This shifts to longer wavelength with time after the pulse. This phenomenon was explained by the oligomerization reaction. From the kinetic curves average rate coefficients of termination for the oligomer radicals (2k_t) were determined as a function of time elapsed after the electron pulse. The values obtained were compared with those calculated for other (acrylate and methacrylate type) monomers.     

Pulse radiolysis investigation on the mechanism of the catalytic action of Mn(II)-pentaazamacrocycle compounds as superoxide dismutase mimetics

The mechanism for the catalytic dismutation of superoxide by the Mn(II) pentaazamacrocyclic compound M40403 ([manganese(II) dichloro-(4 R,9 R,14 R,19 R)-3,10,13,20,26 pentaazatetracyclo [20.3.1.0 (4,9).0 (14,9)] hexacosa-1(26),-22(23),24-triene], SODm1) and two 2,21-dimethyl analogues has been investigated using pulse radiolysis. The initial rate of reaction between superoxide and the manganese compounds was found to be dependent on structure and pH, with the resulting transient adducts possessing spectral characteristics of the metal center being oxidized to Mn(III). Values for the p K a of the transient adducts (p K a = 5.65 +/- 0.05; 5.3 +/- 0.1 and <5 for SODm1, SODm2 and SODm3, respectively) were obtained from spectrophotometric and conductivity measurements. Reaction of these transient adducts with further superoxide was highly structure dependent with the 2 S,21 S-dimethyl derivative (SODm2) being highly catalytically active at pH 7.4 ( k cat = 2.35 x 10 (8) M (-1) s (-1)) compared to SODm1 ( k cat = 3.55 x 10 (6) M (-1) s (-1)). In contrast the 2 R,21 R-dimethyl derivative (SODm3) showed no dismutation catalysis at all. The reaction rates of the initial complexes with HO 2 (*) were significantly lower than with O 2 (*-), and it is proposed that O 2 (*-) is the main reactant in the catalytic cycle at pH 7.4. Variable temperature studies revealed major differences in the thermodynamics of the catalytic cycles involving SODm2 or SODm1. In the case of SODm2, the observed high entropic contribution to the activation energy is indicative of ligand conformational changes during the catalytic step. These results have provided the basis for a new mechanism for the catalytic dismutation of superoxide by Mn(II)-pentaazamacrocycle SOD mimetics.     

Pulse radiolysis study on the initial processes of radiation-induced cationic polymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene

Initial processes of radiation-induced cationic polymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene have been studied by means of microsecond pulse radiolysis. For styrene, absorption bands caused by the monomer cation radical St⁺? appear at 630 and 350 nm in a mixture of isopentane and n-butyl chloride at about ?165°C. In parallel with the decay of St⁺?, three absorption bands appear in the near-infrared (IR) region, and at 600 and 450 nm. The IR and 600 nm bands are assigned to the associated dimer cation radical St₂⁺?, and the 450 nm band to the bonded dimer cation radical St-St⁺?. The kinetic behavior of these species shows that reaction of St⁺? with styrene monomer forms both St₂⁺? and St-St⁺?. With the decay of St-St⁺?, another absorption band appears at 340 nm, and the lifetime of this band is relatively long. The 340 nm band may be due to carbonium ions of the growing polystyrene. For α-methylstyrene, the monomer cation radical (at 690 and 350 nm), the associated dimer cation radical (in the near-IR region and at 620 nm) and the bonded dimer cation radical (at 480 nm) behave in a manner similar to that of the corresponding styrene species. The absorption band caused by carbonium ions of growing poly(α-methylstyrene) appears at 340 nm.     

Pulse radiolysis studies on the polymerization of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate in cyclohexane solvent

The mechanism of initiation and kinetics of radiation induced polymerization of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) was studied by pulse radiolysis with optical detection in cyclohexane solution and in pure HDDA at room temperature. In both cases a transient light absorption decreasing with the wavelength in the 270–400 nm wavelength range, but possessing a shoulder at 310 nm was observed. The spectrum did not change with time after the pulse. The absorption is due to α-carboxyalkyl radicals: the assignment was supported by the results obtained from the reaction of electrons with methyl 2-chloropropionate leading to dechlorination. The radicals produced from HDDA or from the chloro compound decayed in a second order process with rate parameters of 5 · 10⁸ and of 4 · 10⁹ mol^-1 dm³ s^-1 in cyclohexane. In the presence of oxygen the corresponding peroxy radicals decaying in very slow process (several milliseconds) were observed. The results are interrupted in terms of radical polymerization mechanism.     

Pulse radiolysis and voltammetry of bis(diamine)dioxorhenium(V) complexes

The Re(V) complexes [Re(L)₂O₂]⁺ [L = en (1,2-diaminoethane) or pn (1,3-diaminopropane)] are reduced irreversibly near −1.5 V (SCE) in a neutral or basic aqueous solution, but protonation causes a significant anodic shift of ≈ + 1 V. No oxidation is observed in aqueous solution before the solvent limit (≈ + 1 V) at solid electrodes but oxidation of [Re(en)₂O₂]⁺ with OH in pulse radiolysis experiments generates a Re(VI) intermediate which decays by first-order kinetics (k_d 2.5 × 10⁴ s⁻¹), apparently by rate-determining ligand loss. Reduction with e⁻_aq likewise forms transient d³-Re(IV) complexes which show first-order decay (6 × 10³ s⁻¹ for en, 9 × 10³ s⁻ for pn), ultimately to ReO₂. Transient intermediates were characterized by their electronic spectra, which for d³-Re(IV) complexes are qualitatively similar to Cr(III) and known octahedral Re(IV) complexes with different donor ligands.     

水杨醛亚胺钒（III）化合物催化乙烯聚合反应机理

钒系烯烃聚合催化剂在工业上有着不可替代的位置,它可用于制备高活性窄分布的聚合物、乙烯与α-烯烃共聚物和间规聚丙烯等。但由于实验手段难以确定钒催化剂活性物种的结构,进一步对催化机理的确认及催化剂结构的改进十分困难。本文运用密度泛函方法对水杨醛亚胺钒配合物催化乙烯聚合的活性物种结构进行了理论研究。对多种活性物种模型的比较研究结果表明,对此催化反应最有利的活性物种为中性双金属物种a1, a1结构中包含两个连接铝原子与钒中心的氯桥结构。研究同时表明,助催化剂AlEt2Cl的存在不仅加速了钒配合物前体的烷基化反应,同时其对活性物种a1结构中氯桥的形成至关重要。最后还研究了该催化体系的链终止反应机理。     

Methods of acrolein polymerization and investigation of structures of the polymers obtained

Two methods for the polymerization of acrolein are proposed: suspension polymerization in water with the redox system K₂S₂O₈:AgNO₃ = 1:0.1 with respect to the monomer and a static method with the system K₂S₂O₈:PA–SO₂ adduct. The dependencies of yield, molecular weight, and structure of polyacrolein under investigation on the following factors: the amount and the ratio of the initiator components, the pH of the medium, and the monomer:solvent ratio were investigated. The structure of polyacrolein was studied by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and chemical functional analysis. The molecular weight distribution of samples of static and suspension polyacroleins modified under identical conditions was determined by gel permeation chromatography.     

The crosslinking of epoxy resins at interfaces. V. Amine-cured resins at carbon and graphite surfaces

The effects of carbon blacks, chopped carbon fibers, and crushed carbon fibers on the crosslinking chemistry of a diglycidyl epoxy resin/m-phenylenediamine system were examined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The carbon and graphite surfaces were given oxidizing and reducing treatment to simulate the surface treatment of carbon fibers used in the manufacture of composites. The oxidized carbon surfaces initially accelerated epoxy–amine reactions but inhibited the later stages of the reaction such that the final extent of cure was reduced. The oxidized carbons also preferentially adsorbed the amine curing agent, resulting in a stoichiometric imbalance at the interface.     

Epoxy resins. II. The preparation,characterization, and curing of epoxy resins and their copolymers

A polymer with high aromatic ring content in the chain backbone usually has high heat and flame resistance. Three diglycidyl ethers of epoxy resins were prepared from bisphenol A (DGEBA), phenolphthalein (DGEPP), and 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene (DGEBF) in a study of the relation between the cured polymer structure and properties. The epoxy resin prepared from phenolphthalein was separated by liquid chromatography and three fractions were obtained. The fractions had a basic structure of 3,3-disubstituted phthalide and differed only in molecular weight. The DGEPP resin changed color from yellow to red after mixing with trimethoxyboroxine (TMB), the curing agent, and to orange after completing the curing cycle. To prepare a highly crosslinked material with good thermal stability, TMB with three active Lewis sites in a molecule was used as the curing agent. The reactivity of the three different resins toward TMB, measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), was DGEBA > DGEBF > DGEPP. For the same curing conditions the order of crosslink density was DGEBA > DGEPP > DGEBF. To modify the flammability of DGEBA, the conventional epoxy resin, it was copolymerized with DGEPP and DGEBF, the higher-performance epoxy resins. The glass transition temperatures of poly(DGEBA-co-DGEPP) and poly(DGEBA-co-DGEBF) systems deviated from this relationship. The DGEBF copolymers showed an increased char residue (40 wt % at 700°C) at 20 mole % of DGEBF. This deviation may be due to the lower crosslinking density of this system.     

Vinyl polymerization. 432. Initiation mechanism of uncatalyzed polymerization in the presence of copper(II) ion

The initiation mechanisms of the uncatalyzed polymerization of methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate by the system of starch, α-amylase or water-soluble nylon 3/copper(II) ion/H₂O were investigated by spin trapping techniques. Using 2,4-dimethyl-3-nitrosobenzene sulfonate d₈ and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide as the water-soluble spin trapping agents, the simultaneous generation of both monomer and hydroxyl radicals has been observed, and the propriety of the initiation mechanism proposed previously was confirmed. Thus, the initiation of polymerization in the presence of copper(II) ion was concluded to take place through a hydrogen atom transfer from the complexed water to the β-carbon of the complexed monomer.     

Hydrolysis mechanism of anticancer Pd(II) complexes with coumarin derivatives: a theoretical investigation

The hydrolysis reaction mechanisms of a new generation Pd(II) anticancer drugs containing coumarin derivatives have been investigated combining density functional theory with the conductor-like dielectric continuum model approach. The first and the second aquation processes have been explored for the cis and trans counterpart of title PdL₂ complex. Two possibilities for the second hydrolysis process have been analyzed for both compounds. From our data emerge that cis and trans PdL₂ compounds have a different behavior in water. cis-isomer readily undergo first hydrolysis process generating a mono-aqua complex while both the pathways investigated for the second aquation reaction are more energetically demanding, suggesting that the mono-aqua complex could act as active species. On the contrary, for trans-compound, both the investigated reactions for the second aquation process occur by overcoming activation barriers comparable with that found for the first hydrolysis reaction. According to our data, trans-oriented PdL₂ drug could undergo degradation process generating non-active compounds with the consequent lack of pharmacological activity.     

Preparation and cryogenic mechanical properties of epoxy resins modified by poly(ethersulfone)

A thermoplastic, poly(ethersulfone) (PES) was used to modify a bisphenol‐F based epoxy resin cured with an aromatic diamine. The initial mixtures before curing, prepared by melt mixing, were homogeneous. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of solvent‐etched fracture surfaces of the cured blends indicated that phase separation occurred after curing. The cryogenic mechanical behaviors of the epoxy resins were studied in terms of tensile properties and Charpy impact strength at cryogenic temperature (77 K) and compared to their corresponding behaviors at room temperature (RT). The addition of PES generally improved the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength at both RT and 77 K except the RT tensile strength at 25 phr PES content. It was interesting to observe that and the maximum values of the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength occurred at 20 phr PES content where a co‐continuous phase formed. Young's modulus decreased slightly with the increase of the PES content. Moreover, the tensile strength and Young's modulus at 77 K were higher than those at RT at the same composition, whereas the elongation at break and impact strength showed the opposite results. Finally, the differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the glass transition temperature (T_g) was enhanced by the addition of PES. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 612–624, 2008     

The effect of different hardeners on the ageing of crosslinked epoxy resins

Polymers based on epoxies are widely used in the industrial production of materials for different applications. The crosslinking is often done with hardeners like aliphatic or aromatic amines, with dicarboxylic acid anhydride or anionically. The resins containing mineral fillers possess similar thermal mechanical properties. On thermal oxidative ageing, however, the systems behave very differently. An account is given of the thermal mechanical behaviour and of the weight loss on ageing above the glass transition temperature. By using semiempirical molecular orbital calculations we have been able to identify a possible reason for the different thermal oxidative stability of epoxy resins crosslinked with different hardeners.     

The initiation of polymerization by organometallic compounds—V. The termination mechanism in the polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium(IV)

A simple method is described for the preparation of pure, dry alcohols, tritiated in the hydroxyl group. The polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium(IV) has been terminated by quenching with tritiated isopropanol at varying reaction times, and the radioactivity of the polymer has been determined, in order to measure the concentration of metal-polymer bonds present in the reaction. The results indicate that about 97 per cent of the polymer present has been terminated by a reaction leading to detachment of the polymer chain from the metal centre. A very small fraction of the total polymer is terminated by a reaction which does not lead to detachment of the polymer. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

Ethylene polymerization with homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts: theoretical study on the role of ion pairs in the polymerization mechanism

The thermodynamics of the reaction of an ethylene molecule with the Cp₂TiCH₃Cl/Al(CH₃)₂Cl system (Cp = η₅-C₅H₅), as a model for olefin polymerization with homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts, was investigated via quantum mechanical DFT calculations. The comparison of the calculated energies for three possible titanium-olefin coordinated intermediates, the ionic complex Cp₂TiCH₃(C₂H₄)⁺/Al(CH₃)₂Cl, the bimetallic complex Cp₂TiCH₃(C₂H₄)^δ+ · Al(CH₃)₂Cl and the olefin-separated ion pair Cp₂TiCH/C₂H₄/Al(CH₃)₂Cl, shows that the most feasible polymerization mechanism occurs via olefin-separated ion pair.