Novel,environmentally friendly crosslinking system of an epoxy using an amino acid: Tryptophan‐cured diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy

Tryptophan, an amino acid, has been used as a novel, environmentally friendly curing agent instead of toxic curing agents to crosslink the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin. The curing reaction of tryptophan/DGEBA mixtures of different ratios and the effect of the imidazole catalyst on the reaction have been evaluated. The optimum reaction ratio of DGEBA to tryptophan has been determined to be 3:1 with 1 wt % catalyst, and the curing mechanism of the novel reaction system has been studied and elucidated. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectra indicate that with the extraction of a hydrogen from NH₃⁺ in zwitterions from tryptophan, the formed nucleophilic primary amine and carboxylate anions of the tryptophan can readily participate in the ring‐opening reaction with epoxy. The secondary amine, formed from the primary amine, can further participate in the ring‐opening reaction with epoxy and form the crosslinked network. The crosslinked structure exhibits a reasonably high glass‐transition temperature and thermal stability. A catalyst‐initiated chain reaction mechanism is proposed for the curing reaction of the epoxy with zwitterion amino acid hardeners. The replacement of toxic curing agents with this novel, environmentally friendly curing agent is an important step toward a next‐generation green electronics industry. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 181–190, 2007     

The Effect of Nanoscaled Metal Oxide Sols on the Structure and Properties of Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane Derived Sols and Gels

Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS) is frequently used as precursor for the preparation of sol-gel derived nanoscaled hybrid polymers. The influence of nanoscaled metal oxide sols of silica, boehmite, zirconia and ceria on reactions of GPTS in ethanolic hydrolysates and in corresponding gels (epoxide ring-opening, condensation degree) was examined by liquid- and solid-state ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR with regard to a better correlation between structure and material properties. Generally, a higher condensation degree of RSi(O_0.5)₃ units of GPTS is found after addition of metal oxide sols compared to GPTS without additives. The metal oxide sols (10 mole% series) cause an epoxide ring-opening up to 20% in GPTS hydrolysates after 24 h. A nearly complete ring opening was found in the boehmite and silica containing hybrid gels whereas gels containing ceria and other types of silica only show a low degree of ring-opening. The results show an accelerated ring-opening with increasing content of AlO/OH-species in silica sols. ¹³C NMR studies reveal that the epoxide ring-opening does not completely lead to polyether structures but to considerable amounts (up to 40%) of ethylether groups which can influence the material properties (hardness).     

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectral study of the interaction of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane on silica gel. Behavior of amino groups on the surface

 Three silica gel sample systems, modified with 3-amino-propyltriethoxysilane (APTS), were prepared by sequentially sampling the reaction mixture at various time intervals, and the diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectra of these samples were measured in the regions 2700–3500 and 1300–2000 cm^-1. The IR bands observed at 1597 and 1629–1633 cm^-1 were assigned to the deformation modes of NH₂ and NH⁺ ₃ groups, respectively. The intensities of these two bands are dependent on both the APTS concentration used in the preparation and the reaction time. The results are summarized as fol-lows. For the sample systems in which smaller APTS concentration were used, most of the NH₂ groups of the aminopropyl segments are converted into the NH⁺ ₃ groups on the surface, showing that the SiO^-…H⁺NH₂-type structure is predominantly stabilized on the surface of the silica gel. As the APTS concentration in the reaction mixture increases, the population of NH₂ groups in the silane layer coated onto the surface increases. Interpretation of the CH stretch region further suggests that cyclic structures may be formed on the surface as a consequence of the formation of NH⁺ ₃ groups. Received: 18 November 1996 Accepted: 14 February 1997     

A Thorough Investigation of the Active Titanium Species in TS‐1 Zeolite by In Situ UV Resonance Raman Spectroscopy

A thorough investigation of the active titanium species in TS‐1 zeolite was conducted by in situ UV resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and epoxidation experiments. A new titanium species was identified with a characteristic Raman band at 695 cm^?1 when excited at the 266 nm laser line. It is shown that the newly found titanium species is active in the epoxidation reactions in addition to the tetrahedrally coordinated titanium species. However, the acidity of the new titanium species could catalyze the ring‐opening reactions of the epoxy products. It results in a lower selectivity toward the epoxy products relative to that of the tetrahedrally coordinated titanium species. The side reaction can be suppressed by the addition of a weak basic reagent.     

New Aspects in the Chemistry of Some Cyclic Esters of Alkylphosphonates

Abstract

Several new methods for the synthesis of 2-alkyl-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxa-phosphorinane (1) and -phosphepane (2) were conducted based on Arbuzov rearrangement, alcoholysis of RP(o)Cl₂ with glycol using dilution method or alkylation of cyclic phosphite under PTC condition. The solvent effect on the ³¹P NMR chemical shift and the characteristic behaviours of the ¹³C NMR spectra of 1 was investigated. It was found that compd 1 with R=CH₃ existed in an equilibrium of e and a forms. The mass spectra of 1 and 2 showed that the ring opening was in competition with the cleavage of P-C bond. According to the fragmentation pathway, 1 can be classified in two categories involving ring opening and cleavage of C-C or P-C bond. For compd 2 the ring opening was a dominant process. Alkaline hydrolysis of 1 and 2 was studied in aqueous dioxane. The hydrolytic process is classified as an AE reaction. Quantitative structure-reactivity relationship was established by multiple regressionanalysis involving the rate constant and the structural parameters of the exocyclic substituents on phosphorus. The difference between the hydrolytic performance of cyclic alkylphosphonates and carboxylates was discussed in terms of various structural changes between ground state and transition state during the hydrolysis.     

Preparation and Optical Properties of Silica-Poly(ethylene oxide) Hybrid Materials

Structural evolution and optical properties of the silica-poly(ethylene oxide) hybrid films prepared from -glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS) and 1-methylimidazol (MI) are studied. Polymerization of the epoxy groups is achieved by using 1-methylimidazol as a thermal curing agent. In liquid state ¹H &¹³ C NMR spectroscopy, it is found that silica condensation mainly occurs without epoxy ring opening. The epoxide polymerization is confirmed by using FT-IR, solid state CP-MAS ¹³C-NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The hybrid material is densified due to the epoxide polymerization as well as silica condensation with thermal curing. As a result, the thermal curing increases refractive index and extinction coefficient and shifts UV optical absorption edge to longer wavelength.     

Substrate‐Controlled Product Divergence: Conversion of CO2 into Heterocyclic Products

Substituted epoxy alcohols and amines allow substrate‐controlled conversion of CO₂ into a wide range of heterocyclic structures through different mechanistic manifolds. This new approach results in an unusual scope of CO₂‐derived products by initial activation of CO₂ through either the amine or alcohol unit, thus providing nucleophiles for intramolecular epoxy ring opening under mild reaction conditions. Control experiments support the crucial role of the amine/alcohol fragment in this process with the nucleophile‐assisted ring‐opening step following an S_Ni pathway, and a 5‐exo‐tet cyclization, thus leading to heterocyclic scaffolds.     

FT-Raman-Spectroscopic Investigations of the System Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane/Aminopropyltriethoxysilane

The base catalyzed sol-gel process in the system 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS)/3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) is highly interesting for the synthesis of hybrid (inorganic-organic) polymers. FT-Raman spectroscopy with excitation in the near infrared as a versatile tool for in situ measurements was used to monitor the kinetic behavior of the hydrolysis reaction.An unexpected slow-down of the hydrolysis of GPTS recorded at higher temperatures can be attributed to a decrease of the pH-value during hydrolysis caused by silanol groups. After condensation has started, the pH-value reincreases and forces hydrolysis to reaccelerate. The results strongly suggest the existence of a pentacoordinated transition state with a negative charge at the silicon atom during base catalyzed hydrolysis.     

Fluorinated benzoxazines and the structure‐property relationship of resulting polybenzoxazines

Three fluorinated benzoxazines ( 14–16 ), which cannot be synthesized by the traditional one‐step approaches, were synthesized by a three‐step procedure using fluorinated aromatic diamines ( 2–4 ) as starting materials. The structures of the monomers were confirmed by ¹H NMR, IR, and high‐resolution mass spectra. The low dielectric thermosets, P( 14–16 ), were prepared by ring‐opening of ( 14–16 ). IR analysis was utilized to monitor the ring‐opening reaction of ( 14–16 ) and to propose the structures of P( 14–16 ). The thermal and dielectric properties of P( 14–16 ) were studied and compared with a nonfluorinated polybenzoxazine P( 13 ), which is derived form the ring‐opening of 2,2‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl)propane ( 1 ). Besides, the structure–property relationship of the P( 13–16 ) is discussed. According to T_g measurement, the ortho‐positioned CF₃ substituents impart greater steric hindrance for ring‐opening of benzoxazines than CF₃ substituents of hexafluoropropane. Incorporating a biphenol F‐based benzoxazine, ( F‐a ), into fluorinated benzoxazines ( 15–16 ) can dilute the effect of ortho‐positioned CF₃ substituents on steric hindrance, leading to a higher crosslinking density and consequently a higher Tg. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4970–4983, 2008     

Predicting H2S Oxidative Dehydrogenation over Graphene Oxides from First Principles

Spin-polarized periodic density functional theory was performed to characterize H₂S adsorption and dissociation on graphene oxides (GO) surface. The comprehensive reaction network of H₂S oxidation with epoxy and hydroxyl groups of GO was discussed. It is shown that the reduction reaction is mainly governed by epoxide ring opening and hydroxyl hydrogenation which is initiated by H transfer from H₂S or its derivatives. Furthermore, the presence of another OH group at the opposite side relative to the adsorbed H₂S activates the oxygen group to facilitate epoxide ring opening and hydroxyl hydrogenation. For H₂S interaction with -O and -OH groups adsorption on each side of graphene, the pathway is a favorable reaction path by the introduction of intermediate states, the predicted energy barriers are 3.2 and 10.4 kcal/mol, respectively, the second H transfer is the rate-determining step in the whole reaction process. In addition, our calculations suggest that both epoxy and hydroxyl groups can enhance the binding of S to the C-C bonds and the effect of hydroxyl group is more local than that of the epoxy.     

Kinetic Method by Using Calorimetry to Mechanism of Epoxy-Amine Cure Reaction

The thermokinetic behavior of the reaction between phenyl glycidyl ether and aniline closely resembles the analogous diepoxy diamine cure reaction in that the reactants are assembled before bond-breaking step occurs, and does not proceed through free reacting groups. The mechanism of the reaction between phenyl glycidyl ether and aniline in solventless system involves in addition to mechanism of the epoxy ring opening, structure changes accompanied by phase separation related to the self-aggregation. In an attempt to obtain further information about the reaction mechanism, the DSC heating runs of the reacted samples have been examined. These results suggest that the observed endothermic peaks are associated with additional ordering. The latter takes place only at lower temperature than reaction temperature. Since the rate constant k ₂ values for autocatalysed reaction follow of Arrhenius behavior, it is possible to calculate the activation energy, which is E=51 kJ mol^-1. Analysis of the kinetic experiments demonstrates that the heat of reaction that are detected in kinetic measurements provide correct information about the mechanism of the process. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Regarding Initial Ring Opening of Propylene Oxide in its Copolymerization with CO2 Catalyzed by a Cobalt(III) Porphyrin Complex

Cobalt(III) tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (TPPCoCl) was experimentally proved to be an active catalyst for poly(propylene carbonate) production. It was chosen as a model catalyst in the present work to investigate the initiation step of propylene oxide (PO)/CO₂ copolymerization, which is supposed to be the ring opening of the epoxide. Ring‐opening intermediates ( 1 – 7 ) were detected by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. A first‐order reaction in TPPCoCl was determined. A combination of monometallic and bimetallic ring‐opening pathways is proposed according to kinetics experiments. Addition of onium salts (e.g., bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride, PPNCl) efficiently promoted the PO ring‐opening rate. The existence of axial ligand exchange in the cobalt porphyrin complex in the presence of onium salts was suggested by analyzing collected ¹H NMR spectra.     

THE RING OPENING REACTION OF AN EPOXY COMPOUND ON THE TOP OF CHEMISORBED CYSTAMINE STUDIED BY THE SERS TECHNIQUE

Metal foils for Raman scattering were prepared by HNO_3 etching method. These foils werefound to exhibit a strong SERS effect and excellent thermal stability. SERS spectra of cystaminehave been taken to illustrate the usefulness of this sample preparation method in the studies ofchemisorption. The ring opening reactions of an epoxy compound have been observed on the topof chemisorbed cystamine on silver foils.     

Isotope effects and the mechanism of fragmentation of epoxy imino-1,3,4-oxadiazolines

The fragmentation of an epoxy imino-1,3,4-oxadiazoline is studied by a combination of isotope effects and theoretical calculations. Significant primary ¹³C isotope effects are observed at the two oxadiazoline carbons but negligible isotope effects are observed at the remaining carbons. This is consistent with a rate-limiting fragmentation of the oxadiazoline without fragmentation of the adjacent epoxide ring. Theoretical calculations support this interpretation. This formal coarctate reaction avoids two complicated coarctate fragmentations in favor of a multi-step mechanism with a simple coarctate final step.     

Kinetic studies of the laser-induced photodecarbonylation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone

The photodecarbonylation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone was initiated by excitation of the ¹(π−π*) and the ¹(n−π*) state, respectively, with the use of emission lines of an argon ion laser. The UV—vis reaction spectra exhibit a strong sensitivity to the selected solvents. Both UV—vis spectra and MR spectra show the existence of a persistent bis-ketene intermediate. The kinetic analysis yields that the course of reaction can be described as a consecutive process. The primary step acts as a light-induced electrocyclic ring cleavage generating the intermediate. In the second step, the CO abstraction leads to the corresponding monoketone.     

Kinetic Method by Using Calorimetry to Mechanism of Epoxy-amine Cure Reaction

Using calorimetric method to reaction kinetics in solventless system, the quantitative aspects of the epoxy ring opening in the reaction between phenyl glycidyl ether and aniline have been discussed. Using the Mangelsdorf method we have found that this reaction system gives fairly clean kinetics through whole process. The kinetic picture of this reaction system is akin to diepoxy-diamine cure mechanism. It was detected kinetically, apart from exothermic effect of the reaction of the epoxy ring opening, the existence another exothermic process at the last stages of the reaction. The latter also contributes to the total heat. The contribution of this thermal effect to the total heat is found to be dependent on the reactant ratio. The data for the reaction between phenyl glycidyl ether and aniline could not be fitted well if uncatalyzed mechanism was ignored. Thus, the reaction of epoxy ring opening by aniline occurs by two concurrent pathways: one is uncatalyzed and the other, the main, is autocatalyzed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hydroxylation and Ring‐Opening Mechanism of an Unusual Flavoprotein Monooxygenase, 2‐Methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic Acid Oxygenase: A Theoretical Study

Hybrid meta‐GGA density functional theory (the MPWB1K functional) was used to study the hydroxylation and ring‐opening mechanism of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic acid oxygenase (MHPCO). This enzyme catalyses the conversion of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic acid (MHPC) to α‐(N‐acetylaminomethylene)succinic acid (AAMS), which is the essential ring‐opening step in the bacterial degradation of vitamin B₆. MHPCO belongs to the flavin‐containing aromatic hydroxylases family. However, MHPCO is capable of catalysing a subsequent aromatic ring‐cleavage reaction to give acyclic products rather than hydroxylated aromatic ones. Our calculations show that the re‐aromatisation of the hydroxylated intermediate occurs spontaneously in aqueous solution; this implies that the ring‐opening process occurs inside the enzyme’s active site, in which limited water is available. The instability of the hydroxylated intermediate of MHPCO is the main reason why acyclic products are formed. Previously proposed mechanisms for the ring‐opening step were studied, and were shown to be less likely to occur (ΔΔG^≠298>35 kcal mol^?1). Two new pathways with reasonable barrier heights (ΔΔG^≠298<15 kcal mol^?1) are reported herein, which are in accordance with all experimental information present to date.     

Study on the initiation step of vinyloxirane and 3-butenyloxirane polymerization by alkalide K, K(15-crown-5)2

Transfer of one electron from potassium anion of alkalide K⁻, K⁺(15-crown-5)₂ to the double bond of vinyloxirane results in the oxirane ring opening exclusively in the α-position. K⁰ and radical anions are formed in the process. The former transfers the second electron mainly to the next monomer molecule. The latter dimerize to potassium glycoxides, which initiate the polymerization of vinyloxirane. The introduction of two CH₂ groups between the double bond and the oxirane ring changes the way of electron transfer. The oxirane ring of 3-butenyloxirane becomes the electron acceptor and its opening occurs in the β-position. In this case K⁰ transfers the second electron to the primarily formed radical anion giving an organopotassium intermediate. It reacts with crown ether. Potassium alkoxides are the reaction products. They become the real initiators of 3-butenyloxirane polymerization.     

NMR investigations of the possible cross reactions between cyanate and epoxy resins

The possible cross reactions indicated by solid-state NMR between cyanate functionalized resin and epoxy functionalized resin have been investigated by using both natural abundance and labeled monofunctional model compounds. These soluble products were isolated and purified by silica gel adsorption chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. They were fully characterized by high resolution ¹H-, ¹³C-, ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy and by mass spectrometry. The major cross-reaction product is a racemic mixture of enantiomers, which contain an oxazolidinone ring formed by one cyanate molecule and two epoxy molecules. However, epoxy consumption lags cyanate consumption in the overall reaction as triazine formation from the cyanate is much faster than the two competing reactions, the cross reaction between cyanate and epoxy, and the self-polymerization of epoxy, under the conditions investigated. The cross reaction between cyanate and epoxy is limited. Approximately 12% of cross reaction between cyanate and epoxy was found in the overall reaction. In addition to the cross reactions of epoxy and cyanate, the reactions of epoxy and the carbamate, which is the major side product for the curing reaction of cyanate resin in solution, have also been investigated, and the mechanism of these reactions discussed. From the reactions of epoxy and carbamate, several products related to cross reaction between epoxy and cyanate have been isolated and identified. It is suggested that the reaction of epoxy and carbamate is one of the pathways in the overall cross reaction between epoxy and cranate resins. Finally, the mechanism of the overall cross-curing reaction between the diepoxy and dicyanate mixed resins is discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thioether glycidyl resins. VI. Reaction products of opening of oxirane ring of phenylthioetherglycidyl resin and of some derivatives under the influence of temperature

The process of oxirane ring opening of thioether glycidyl resins under various temperatures has been described. Reaction rate constants (k) and the activaton parameters (E_α, ΔH*, ΔS*) for epoxy group loss of 1,2-epoxy-3-(phenylthio)propane, 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-tolythio)propane, and 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-chloro-phenylthio)propane using classical kinetic methods were determined. The reaction products were separated and analyzed by means of chromatography and the structure of the compounds was determined by means of the spectral analyses: IR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR