Microwave‐assisted ring‐opening polymerization of p‐dioxanone

The ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of p‐dioxanone (PDO) under microwave irradiation with triethylaluminum (AlEt₃) or tin powder as catalyst was investigated. When the ROP of PDO was catalyzed by AlEt₃, the viscosity‐average molecular weight (M_v) of poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO) reached 317,000 g mol^?1 only in 30 min, and the yield of PPDO achieved 96.0% at 80 °C. Tin powder was successfully used as catalyst for synthesizing PPDO by microwave heating, and PPDO with M_v of 106,000 g mol^?1 was obtained at 100 °C in 210 min. Microwave heating accelerated the ROP of PDO catalyzed by AlEt₃ or tin powder, compared with the conventional heating method. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3207–3213, 2008     

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalyzed Esterification of Acrylic Acid with Ethanol: Reaction Kinetics and Modeling

Kinetics of esterification of acrylic acid with ethanol in the presence of homogeneous (H₂SO₄, HCl, p‐TSA, HI) catalysts as well as heterogeneous catalysts (Dowex 50WX, Amberlyst 15) was studied. The effects and performance of these catalysts on the conversion of acrylic acid were evaluated. In the kinetics of homogeneous catalyzed reaction, both concentration and activity‐based model were employed. Activity coefficients were predicted by the Universal Functional group Contribution (UNIFAC) method to consider nonideal behavior of the liquid phase. The heterogeneous catalyzed reaction mechanisms were developed using Eley–Rideal theory. The model results were compared with the experimental results and were in good agreement. The temperature dependency of the constants, reaction enthalpy, and entropy, and activation energy were determined. The conversion of acrylic acid was obtained as 63.2%, 61.02%, 53.3%, 21.4%, 34.96%, and 14.84% for H₂SO₄, p‐TSA, HCl, HI, Dowex 50WX, and Amberlyst 15, respectively, under process temperature of 70°C, reactant molar ratio of 1:1, and catalyst concentration of 2% (v/v) for homogeneous and 2.17 g for heterogeneous catalyst. These outcomes provide an approach to understand the significant effect of each catalyst on the esterification kinetics of acrylic acid and ethanol.     

Kinetics,mass transfer,and thermodynamic and statistical modeling study for esterification of valeric acid with n‐butanol: Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis

The esterification of valeric acid with n‐butanol was studied with homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. The activity and performance of homogeneous p‐toluenesulfonic acid and heterogeneous cation exchange resin catalysts Amberlyst 36, Indion 190, and Amberlite IRC‐50 were evaluated. The pseudo‐homogeneous kinetic model was used to investigate the kinetic parameters of homogeneous‐ and heterogeneous‐catalyzed esterification. The UNIFAC (universal functional activity coefficient) approach was used to study the nonideality of the esterification reaction. The reaction was statistically modeled and optimized by the application of response surface methodology. The effects of independent variables such as reaction temperature, initial molar ratio, and catalyst loading on the conversion of valeric acid were investigated. The optimized conditions for the esterification reaction catalyzed by Amberlyst‐36 were found as temperature 360.4 K, initial molar ratio 3.8, and catalyst loading 6.7 wt%. The predicted conversion (89%) at these optimized conditions is in good agreement with the experimental conversion (87.3 ± 1.6%).     

Kinetics of the mercury(II)‐catalyzed substitution of coordinated cyanide ion in hexacyanoruthenate(II) by nitroso‐R‐salt

The kinetics and mechanism of Hg²⁺‐catalyzed substitution of cyanide ion in an octahedral hexacyanoruthenate(II) complex by nitroso‐R‐salt have been studied spectrophotometrically at 525 nm (λ_max of the purple‐red–colored complex). The reaction conditions were: temperature = 45.0 ± 0.1°C, pH = 7.00 ± 0.02, and ionic strength (I) = 0.1 M (KCl). The reaction exhibited a first‐order dependence on [nitroso‐R‐salt] and a variable order dependence on [Ru(CN)₆^4?]. The initial rates were obtained from slopes of absorbance versus time plots. The rate of reaction was found to initially increase linearly with [nitroso‐R‐salt], and finally decrease at [nitroso‐R‐salt] = 3.50 × 10^?4 M. The effects of variation of pH, ionic strength, concentration of catalyst, and temperature on the reaction rate were also studied and explained in detail. The values of k₂ and activation parameters for catalyzed reaction were found to be 7.68 × 10^?4 s^?1 and E_a = 49.56 ± 0.091 kJ mol^?1, ΔH^≠ = 46.91 ± 0.036 kJ mol^?1, ΔS^≠ = ?234.13 ± 1.12 J K^?1 mol^?1, respectively. These activation parameters along with other experimental observations supported the solvent assisted interchange dissociative (I_d) mechanism for the reaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 215–226, 2009     

Synthesis of statistical glycidyl methacrylate‐n‐vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers and their reaction with naproxen

Free‐radical copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with N‐vinylpyrrolidone (VPD) was carried out at 50 °C using 3.0 mol · L^?1 of N,N′‐dimethylformamide solution and 9.0 · 10^?3 mol · L^?1 of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The modification reaction of GMA‐VPD copolymers with a model bioactive carboxylic acid, 6‐methoxy‐α‐methyl‐2‐naphthaleneacetic acid (naproxen), was studied in the homogeneous phase using basic catalysts. The influence of the type of catalyst and the GMA content was evaluated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1192–1199, 2002     

Magnetic Nanoparticle Supported Ionic Liquid Assisted Green Synthesis of Pyrazolopyranopyrimidines and 1,6‐diamino‐2‐oxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridine‐3,5‐ dicarbonitriles

A simple and eco‐friendly green protocol was used for synthesis of pyrazolopyranopyrimidines via four‐component reaction of hydrazine hydrate, ethyl acetoacetate, barbituric acid or dimethyl barbituric acid, and aromatic aldehydes under thermal and solvent‐free conditions in the presence of magnetic nanoparticle supported silica bonded n‐propyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride (MNPs@DABCO⁺Cl^?) as an efficient, recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. MNPs@DABCO⁺Cl^? also catalyzed the synthesis of 1,6‐diamino‐2‐oxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile derivatives by four‐component reaction of hydrazine hydrate, malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate and ketones under thermal and solvent‐free conditions at 80 °C. These methods are practical and offer many advantages, such as high yields, short reaction times, and simple work‐up.     

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of ethyl 2‐furoate and ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of ethyl 2‐furoate and 2‐ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate was carried out in a static reaction system over the temperature range of 623.15–683.15 K (350–410°C) and pressure range of 30–113 Torr. The reactions proved to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: ethyl 2‐furoate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.51 ± 0.17)–(185.6 ± 2.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.59 ± 0.19)–(183.8 ± 2.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The elimination products are ethylene and the corresponding heteroaromatic 2‐carboxylic acid. However, as the reaction temperature increases, the intermediate heteroaromatic carboxylic acid products slowly decarboxylate to give the corresponding heteroaromatic furan and thiophene, respectively. The mechanisms of these reactions are suggested and described. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 145–152, 2009     

Kinetics and mechanism of the catalytic dehydration of HCO3− by zinc(II) complexes of tripod ligands

The kinetics of the catalyzed dehydration of HCO₃^? by zinc(II) containing tripod complexes has been studied at 25°C using the stopped‐flow technique. The direction of reaction curve was changed in aqueous solution when the pH of the solution was greater than 7.5. The pH‐profile of rates of the dehydration reactions indicates that only the aqua complex catalyzes the dehydration of HCO₃^? via a ligand substitution process. The second‐order rate constants for the dehydration of HCO₃^? catalyzed by complexes Zn₃L1, Zn₃L2, Zn₃L3, and Zn₃L4 are 0.96, 2.53, 12.05, and 6.99 mol^?1 dm³ s^?1 respectively. At the same time, the pK_a values 7.60, 7.16, 7.51, and 7.42 for the deprotonation of the Zn(II)‐bound water in the four catalysts were obtained, which are consistent with those that resulted from pH titrations, i.e. 7.47, 7.25, 7.52, and 7.38 respectively. The mechanism is proposed and the results are compared with other model complexes of carbonic anhydrase. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 197–203, 2004     

Brønsted acid‐catalyzed polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in water: A mild and straightforward route to poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐graft‐water‐soluble polysaccharides

The polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) has been assessed in water using various Brønsted acids as catalysts. The reaction was found to be quantitative at 100 °C, leading to number–average molecular weights up to 5000 g mol^?1. The Brønsted acid‐catalyzed polymerization of ε‐CL in water was further conducted in the presence of water‐soluble polysaccharides thereby affording graft copolymers. The approach enables an easy, mild access to dextran hydroxyesters. For low degree of substitution, the latter self‐assembles in water to form nanoparticles. Poly(ε‐CL)‐graft‐methylcellulose copolymers can also be obtained via a similar approach. It is noteworthy that the methodology reported herein is a one‐step route to poly(ε‐CL)‐graft‐water‐soluble polysaccharides, operating in mild conditions, that is, at low temperatures, using readily available metal‐free catalysts and water as a solvent. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2139–2145     

Kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of intermediate complex during oxidation of pectate polysaccharide by potassium permanganate in alkaline solutions

The kinetics of decomposition of an [Pect·Mn^VIO₄^2?] intermediate complex have been investigated spectrophotometrically at various temperatures of 15–30°C and a constant ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm^?3. The decomposition reaction was found to be first‐order in the intermediate concentration. The results showed that the rate of reaction was base‐catalyzed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and found to be ΔS^≠ = ? 190.06 ± 9.84 J mol^?1 K^?1, ΔH^≠ = 19.75 ± 0.57 kJ mol^?1, and ΔG^≠ = 76.39 ± 3.50 kJ mol^?1, respectively. A reaction mechanism consistent with the results is discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 67–72, 2003     

Conversion of carbon dioxide to cyclic carbonates using diimine Ru(II) complexes as catalysts

Cationic diimine Ru(II) complexes were synthesized and tested as catalysts for the formation of cyclic organic carbonates from CO₂ and liquid epoxides (propylene oxide, epichlorohydrine, 1,2‐epoxybutane and styrene oxide) which served as both reactant and solvent. The reaction rates not only depended on the type of ligand, but also on reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, base, the epoxide substrates and the use of an additional solvent. Reaction rates in terms of turnover frequencies up to 4050 mol_product mol_cat.^?1 h^?1 at 99% selectivity were achieved by optimizing the diimine ligand as well as the reaction temperature and CO₂ pressure. Consistent with CV measurements, the electron donating group on the p‐position of the aryl ring accelerated the reaction rate. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly Efficient Pd/C-Catalyzed Suzuki Coupling Reaction of p-（un）Substituted Phenyl Halide with （p-Substituted phenyl） Boronic Acid

A highly efficient Pd/C-catalyzed ligandless, heterogeneous Suzuki reaction of p-（un）substituted phenyl halide with （p-substituted phenyl）boronic acid in DMF/H2O solvent in a short reaction time （0.5 h） at 75 ℃ was developed. The key for such a catalytic system was the addition of 1 equivalent of tetrabutylammonium bromide. A wide variety of substituents can be tolerated and high yields of cross coupling products were achieved. The palladium catalyst can be easily recovered and reused without significantly decreasing its efficiency.     

Reactivity of common functional groups with urethanes: Models for reactive compatibilization of thermoplastic polyurethane blends

Two model urethane compounds, dibutyl 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl carbamate) (BMB) and dioctyl 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl carbamate) (OMO) were prepared by capping 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) with n‐butanol and n‐octanol, respectively. The reactions of the two model urethane compounds with several small monofunctional compounds as well as two model poly(ethylene glycols) were carried out with neat mixtures at elevated temperatures. The ranking of reactivity of the functional groups with the urethanes was determined as follows—primary amine > secondary amine ? hydroxyl ～ acid ～ anhydride ? epoxide. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used for the quantitative analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to complement the NMR analysis. Conversions of carbamate in each reaction were monitored over time at constant temperature (200 °C). The reactions between OMO and primary amine were conducted at 170, 180, 190, and 200 °C and best described with a second‐order bimolecular reaction model. The rate constant was estimated to be 1.8 × 10^?3 L · mol^?1 · s^?1 and activation energy 115 kJ · mol^?1. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2310–2328, 2002     

Polycondensation rate of poly(ethylene terephthalate). II. Antimony trioxide–catalyzed polycondensation in static thin films on metal surfaces

In the catalyzed polycondensation reaction of poly(ethylene terephthalate), defined by rates of polymerization in thin films under vacuum are orders of magnitude greater than those observed in an equilibrating system. Such behavior is consistent with a mechanism in which a volatile component of the reaction mixture reacts reversibly with the catalyst to render it unreactive in polycondensation; removal of this component is facilitated as polymerizing melt thickness is decreased. In accord with such a mechanism polycondensation rates for polymerizations carried out on metal surfaces at thicknesses of 1 to 5 mils of polymerizing melt are observed to increase with decreasing thickness, provided a catalyst is present. In the absence of a catalyst there is no tendency of rate to increase with decreasing thickness. A number of metal surfaces were found to dissolve in the polymerizing melt. On rhodium and silver, which were found to be inert to such dissolution, uncatalyzed polycondensation rate constants k_p of 0.03 and 0.04 liter mol^?1 min^?1 were found. These values of k_p are low and identical within experimental error. This behavior is in accord with the assumption that no catalysis occurs at the interface of the polymerizing melt and the metal surface. A typical value for the catalyzed rate constant k_p (uncorrected for catalyst concentration) was 0.6 liter mol^?1 min^?1 in a 1-mil thickness of polymerizing melt at 275°C and in the presence of 0.025 wt-% antimony trioxide. The activation energy for the antimony trioxide–catalyzed polycondensation was found to be 14 kcal; for the uncatalyzed polycondensation it was 45 kcal.     

Use of MEKC for the analysis of reactant and product of Baylis–Hillman reaction

A facile, fast and high efficiency micellar EKC has been explored for the analysis and UV detection of p‐nitrobenzaldehyde and 2‐[hydroxy(4‐nitrophenyl)methyl]‐2‐cyclopenten‐1‐one with a buffer electrolyte of 30.0 mM tetraborate and 50.0 mM sodium taurodeoxycholate at pH 9.3. Under the optimal conditions, a linear range from 7.8×10^–2 to 5.0×10² mM for those analytes (r² > 0.99) was achieved. The LOD was 3.9 μM for 2‐[hydroxy(4‐nitrophenyl)methyl]‐2‐cyclopenten‐1‐one and 7.8 μM for p‐nitrobenzaldehyde, respectively (S/N = 3). The applicability of this new method for the analysis of reactants (p‐nitrobenzaldehyde and cyclopent‐2‐enone), catalysts (imidazole or N‐methyl imidazole or 1‐benzyl‐imidazole) and product (2‐[hydroxy(4‐nitrophenyl)methyl]‐2‐cyclopenten‐1‐one) on offline Baylis–Hillman reaction was examined. The relationship between the reaction time and the amount of product has been studied. Meanwhile, three different kinds of catalysts were investigated for getting the desired moderate to good amount products. It was found that comparing with N‐methyl imidazole or 1‐benzyl‐imidazole catalyst, imidazole‐catalyzed reaction could produce more products within the same reaction time. Furthermore, the results indicated that the rate law for the investigated Baylis–Hillman reaction was second‐order reaction. The rate constant for the reaction is 1.34 (±0.01)×10^–3 mol^–1 m³/s.     

Phenalenyl‐Based Organozinc Catalysts for Intramolecular Hydroamination Reactions: A Combined Catalytic,Kinetic, and Mechanistic Investigation of the Catalytic Cycle

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of two organozinc complexes that contain symmetrical phenalenyl (PLY)‐based N,N‐ligands. The reactions of phenalenyl‐based ligands with ZnMe₂ led to the formation of organozinc complexes [N(Me),N(Me)‐PLY]ZnMe ( 1 ) and [N(iPr),N(iPr)‐PLY]ZnMe ( 2 ) under the evolution of methane. Both complexes ( 1 and 2 ) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The solid‐state structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 2 were used as catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated primary and secondary aminoalkenes. A combined approach of NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations was utilized to obtain better insight into the mechanistic features of the zinc‐catalyzed hydroamination reactions. The progress of the catalysis for primary and secondary aminoalkene substrates with catalyst 2 was investigated by detailed kinetic studies, including kinetic isotope effect measurements. These results suggested pseudo‐first‐order kinetics for both primary and secondary aminoalkene activation processes. Eyring and Arrhenius analyses for the cyclization of a model secondary aminoalkene substrate afforded ΔH^≠=11.3 kcal mol^?1, ΔS^≠=?35.75 cal K^?1 mol^?1, and E_a=11.68 kcal mol^?1. Complex 2 exhibited much‐higher catalytic activity than complex 1 under identical reaction conditions. The in situ NMR experiments supported the formation of a catalytically active zinc cation and the DFT calculations showed that more active catalyst 2 generated a more stable cation. The stability of the catalytically active zinc cation was further supported by an in situ recycling procedure, thereby confirming the retention of catalytic activity of compound 2 for successive catalytic cycles. The DFT calculations showed that the preferred pathway for the zinc‐catalyzed hydroamination reactions is alkene activation rather than the alternative amine‐activation pathway. A detailed investigation with DFT methods emphasized that the remarkably higher catalytic efficiency of catalyst 2 originated from its superior stability and the facile formation of its cation compared to that derived from catalyst 1 .     

Highly Active and Robust Metalloporphyrin Catalysts for the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from a Broad Range of Epoxides and Carbon Dioxide

Bifunctional metalloporphyrins with quaternary ammonium bromides (nucleophiles) at the meta, para, or ortho positions of meso‐phenyl groups were synthesized as catalysts for the formation of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide under solvent‐free conditions. The meta‐substituted catalysts exhibited high catalytic performance, whereas the para‐ and ortho‐substituted catalysts showed moderate and low activity, respectively. DFT calculations revealed the origin of the advantage of the meta‐substituted catalyst, which could use the flexible quaternary ammonium cation at the meta position to stabilize various anionic species generated during catalysis. A zinc(II) porphyrin with eight nucleophiles at the meta positions showed very high catalytic activity (turnover number (TON)=240 000 at 120 °C, turnover frequency (TOF)=31 500 h^?1 at 170 °C) at an initial CO₂ pressure of 1.7 MPa; catalyzed the reaction even at atmospheric CO₂ pressure (balloon) at ambient temperature (20 °C); and was applicable to a broad range of substrates, including terminal and internal epoxides.     

Ag(I)‐Catalyzed Chlorination of Linezolid during Water Treatment: Kinetics and Mechanism

The kinetic and mechanistic study of Ag(I)‐catalyzed chlorination of linezolid (LNZ) by free available chlorine (FAC) was investigated at environmentally relevant pH 4.0–9.0. Apparent second‐order rate constants decreased with an increase in pH of the reaction mixture. The apparent second‐order rate constant for uncatalyzed reaction, e.g., k″_app = 8.15 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at pH 4.0 and k″_app. = 0.076 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at pH 9.0 and 25 ± 0.2°C and for Ag(I) catalyzed reaction total apparent second‐order rate constant, e.g., k″_app = 51.50 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at pH 4.0 and k″_app. = 1.03 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at pH 9.0 and 25 ± 0.2°C. The Ag(I) catalyst accelerates the reaction of LNZ with FAC by 10‐fold. A mechanism involving electrophilic halogenation has been proposed based on the kinetic data and LC/ESI/MS spectra. The influence of temperature on the rate of reaction was studied; the rate constants were found to increase with an increase in temperature. The thermodynamic activation parameters E_a, ΔH^#, ΔS^#, and ΔG^# were evaluated for the reaction and discussed. The influence of catalyst, initially added product, dielectric constant, and ionic strength on the rate of reaction was also investigated. The monochlorinated substituted product along with degraded one was formed by the reaction of LNZ with FAC.     

Theoretical study of omeprazole behavior: Racemization barrier and decomposition reaction

Omeprazole is a substituted benzimidazole which suppresses gastric‐acid secretion by means of H⁺, K⁺‐ATPase inhibition. It is an optically active drug with the sulfur of the sulfoxide being the chiral center. This pro‐drug can be easily converted into its respective sulfenamide at low pH. In this work, omeprazole has been studied in relation to racemization barrier and decomposition reaction. Quantum chemistry coupled to PCA chemometric method were used to find all minimum energy structures. Conformational analysis and calculation of racemization barriers were carried out by PM3 semiempirical method (Gaussian 98). The average racemization energy barrier for all minimum energy structures (43.56 kcal mol^?1) can be related to the velocity constant in Eyring's equation. The enormous half‐life time at 100°C (9.04 × 10⁴ years) indicates that the process cannot be observed in human time scale. On the other hand, the difference of free energy change (Δ(ΔG) = ?266.78 kcal mol^?1) for the decomposition reaction shows that the process is favorable to the sulfenamide formation. The highly negative Δ(ΔG) obtained for the decomposition reaction shows that this process is extremely exothermic. This result explains why omeprazole decomposes and does not racemize. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Size and pressure independent kinetics of CO oxidation on alumina‐supported iridium nanoparticles

The gas‐phase oxidation of CO catalyzed by iridium was studied under CO‐rich reactant conditions over the pressure range 10^?4–10^?2 Pa to investigate the controversial size and pressure dependencies. The reactivity of iridium clusters with an average size of 3 nm was compared to macroscopic metal particles with extended single crystal facets over a range of temperatures (433–573 K), and the apparent activation energies for CO oxidation were consistent with the known activation energies for CO desorption from iridium surfaces. No size‐specific dependence of the reaction kinetics was measured, and no indication of the previously reported “pressure gap” was observed. Unlike many other transition metal catalysts, iridium may be used as a model catalyst for CO oxidation in different morphological forms over a range of pressures without invoking a change in the kinetic model. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 826–830, 2008