Direct polyesterification promoted by a complex of phosphorus oxychloride with LiCl monohydrate

The reaction of benzoic acid and p-chlorophenol with phosphorus oxychloride (POC) was significantly affected by the presence of metal salt hydrates or a mixture of metal salts and water sufficiently aged. Among metal salts examined, LiCl was most effective for the reaction to give quantitative yield of the benzoate. The reaction was assumed to proceed via a complexation of POC with LiCl monohydrate followed by selective hydrolysis of POC by water bound to LiCl. The reaction promoted by a complex derived from POC and LiCl monohydrate in pyridine was successfully used as a new condensing agent for the synthesis of aromatic polyesters by the direct polycondensation or aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols. Under favorable conditions for aging of POC with LiCl monohydrate and for addition of bisphenols, polymers of moderate to high molecular weights were obtained in quantitative yield. The reaction was applied with limited success to the preparation of a copolymer of high molecular weight from hydroxybenzoic acids.     

Direct polyesterification promoted by a complex of diphenyl chlorophosphate with LiBr

The diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP)-promoted polycondensation reaction between aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols was largely improved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of lithium halides to give high molecular weight aromatic polyesters. Among the halides LiBr, which is capable of forming a complex with hexamethylphosphoramide, was most effective, suggesting that a similar complexation of DPCP with LiBr in pyridine facilitates the complete reaction of DPCP with carboxyl groups. The complex could selectively activate carboxyl groups of hydroxybenzoic acids to give high molecular weight copolyesters from several combinations of aromatic hydroxy acids. The reaction could also be adaptable to the copolycondensations of a mixture of the dicarboxylic acids, bisphenols, and hydroxybenzoic acids.     

Direct polycondensation of hydroxybenzoic acids with thionyl chloride in pyridine

The reaction promoted by thionyl chloride and pyridine could selectively activate carboxyl groups of hydroxybenzoic acids to give polyesters of high inherent viscosities up to 3.8. Favorable conditions were studied in terms of the temperatures for the initial reaction with the acids and subsequent aging at room temperature. Copolymers of several combinations of hydroxybenzoic acids with high molecular weights were obtained in quantitative yield by carrying out the polycondensation at 80°C for 3 h. The reaction could also produce high molecular polyesters in a simpler process without the initial activation of dicarboxylic acids by adding a mixture of these monomers to the condensing agent, and a tough film- and fiberforming polymer was obtained from 4,4′-dihydroxyphenylsulfone of low nucleophilicity whose polymer of high molecular weight is difficult to obtain. The process was also successfully applied to the direct copolycondensations of hydroxybenzoic acids, aromatic dicarboxylic acids, and bisphenols to produce polyesters of η_inh up to 5.6.     

Direct polyesterification with thionyl chloride in pyridine improved by a modification of monomer sequences in copolymers

The direct polyesterification with thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) in pyridine was further investigated. Copolycondensations of dicarboxylic acids, bisphenols, and hydroxybenzoic acids were significantly affected by the reaction temperatures and combinations of monomers which could change relative rates of alcoholyses of the activated dicarboxylic acids and the hydroxyacids consequently to vary monomer sequences in the copolymers resulted. The sequences were tried to be varied more directly by stepwise reactions of monomers in copolycondensations of dicarboxylic acids, bisphenols, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB), as well as PHB and m-hydroxybenzoic acid (MHB). The reactions proceeded smoothly and satisfactorily when carried out by initial reaction of dicarboxylic acids and PHB followed by bisphenols likely to favor sequential to random distributions of monomers. Reverse addition of PHB and bisphenols, and then dicarboxylic acids resulted in rapid precipitation due to some oligomerization of PHB at an earlier stage of reaction, and largely retarded the reaction. This was also the case for the copolycondensation of PHB and MHB. Copolymers of high inherent viscosities with up to 65 mol% PHB could be obtained by initial reaction of MHB followed by PHB.     

The formation of polyethylene terephthalate in the presence of dicarboxylic acids

The process of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) formation in the presence of dicarboxylic acids has been studied. Certain amounts of terephthalic acid (TPA) have two- to threefold accelerating efficiency in the polycondensation process. To elucidate the causes of the acceleration the main reactions leading to PET formation in the presence of dicarboxylic acids have been investigated by the use of models. The evaluation of kinetic and equilibrium parameters obtained for model reactions made it possible to conclude that the influence of carboxyl-containing additives on the apparent rate of polycondensation manifests itself in accelerating direct reactions and facilitating the liberation of the eliminated by-product; that is, ethylene glycol (EG) from the polymer melt. Carboxylic acid acts as a catalyst on the ester interchange of 2-hydroxyethyl ester end groups and thus increases the rate of polymer formation in this reaction 10–40 times. The parallel interaction between the 2-hydroxyethyl ester end group and the carboxyl group of the added acid is also catalyzed by the acid and its rate constant is four times larger than that of the catalytic polycondensation of 2-hydroxyethyl ester end groups. Unlike EG, the reaction water formed in the process is more readily removed from the reaction system and thus promotes the intensification of the process. In addition, the carboxyl groups react with the eliminated EG to decrease its amount and shift the equilibrium toward polymer formation. The investigation of the consequent parallel reactions on models made it possible to draw a conclusion about the higher reactivity of 2-hydroxyethyl esters in the esterification processes. This fact has been explained by strengthening the nucleophilicity of the oxygen atom in the hydroxyl of a 2-hydroxyethyl ester group compared with that of EG; for example, by the formation of an intramolecular cycle involving a hydrogen bond. Simultaneously, it has been found that in the system simulating PET polycondensation in the presence of dicarboxylic acids the reaction mechanism involves the catalysis by a proton formed during the carboxyl group dissociation and accepted by the 2-hydroxyethyl ester group.     

Direct polyesterification with thionyl chloride in pyridine improved by a modification of monomer sequences in copolymers

The direct polyesterification with thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) in pyridine was further investigated. Copolycondensations of dicarboxylic acids, bisphenols, and hydroxybenzoic acids were significantly affected by the reaction temperatures and combinations of monomers which could change relative rates of alcoholyses of the activated dicarboxylic acids and the hydroxyacids consequently to vary monomer sequences in the copolymers resulted. The sequences were tried to be varied more directly by stepwise reactions of monomers in copolycondensations of dicarboxylic acids, bisphenols, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB), as well as PHB and m-hydroxybenzoic acid (MHB). The reactions proceeded smoothly and satisfactorily when carried out by initial reaction of dicarboxylic acids and PHB followed by bisphenols likely to favor sequential to random distributions of monomers. Reverse addition of PHB and bisphenols, and then dicarboxylic acids resulted in rapid precipitation due to some oligomerization of PHB at an earlier stage of reaction, and largely retarded the reaction. This was also the case for the copolycondensation of PHB and MHB. Copolymers of high inherent viscosities with up to 65 mol % PHB could be obtained by initial reaction of MHB followed by PHB.     

Preparation of aromatic copolyesteramides by the direct polycondensation with a vilsmeier adduct derived from tosyl chloride and N,N-dimethylformamide

The reaction promoted by Vilsmeier adduct derived from tosyl chloride (TsCl) with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was successfully applied to the preparation of copolyesteramides of high molecular weights directly from aromatic dicarboxylic acids, diamines, and bisphenols. The polycondensation was significantly affected by the reaction of activated dicarboxylic acids with bisphenols and diamines. Addition of a mixture of bisphenols and diamines likely caused gelation of the reaction mixtures, resulting in insoluble polymers, especially with high mol % diamines. Stepweise addition of them, however, gave the homogeneous reaction mixtures and copolymers of better solubility. These phenomena were studied in terms of sequence length distribution of polyester units, which was estimated by thermal analyses of the random copolymers prepared under various conditions for the initial reaction with bisphenols.     

Polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols with a new tosyl chloride/triphenylphosphine oxide/pyridine condensing agent

A new condensing agent comprised of tosyl chloride (TsCl) and triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) in pyridine was very effective for the preparation of polyesters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols with higher molecular weight than those obtained from TsCl/dimethylformamide in pyridine. Among the phosphorus compounds examined TPPO was most effective, and the reaction using half an equivalent with respect to the carboxyl groups yielded the most favorable results at temperatures of more than 100°C.     

Light-Driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation of Dicarboxylic Acids

Photodecarboxylase from Chlorella variabillis (CvFAP) is one of the three known light-activated enzymes that catalyzes the decarboxylation of fatty acids into the corresponding C1-shortened alkanes. Although the substrate scope of CvFAP has been altered by protein engineering and decoy molecules, it is still limited to mono-fatty acids. Our studies demonstrate for the first time that long chain dicarboxylic acids can be converted by CvFAP. Notably, the conversion of dicarboxylic acids to alkanes still represents a chemically very challenging reaction. Herein, the light-driven enzymatic decarboxylation of dicarboxylic acids to the corresponding (C2-shortened) alkanes using CvFAP is described. A series of dicarboxylic acids is decarboxylated into alkanes in good yields by means of this approach, even for the preparative scales. Reaction pathway studies show that mono-fatty acids are formed as the intermediate products before the final release of C2-shortened alkanes. In addition, the thermostability, storage stability, and recyclability of CvFAP for decarboxylation of dicarboxylic acids are well evaluated. These results represent an advancement over the current state-of-the-art.     

Preparation of polyaryl esters by a new direct polycondensation reaction with arylsulfonyl chlorides in pyridine

Arylsulfonyl chlorides were successfully used as a new condensing agent for the synthesis of polyaryl esters by the direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols. High-molecular-weight polymers (M_w = 84,000) were prepared by reacting dicarboxylic acids with the sulfonyl chlorides in pyridine in the presence of LiCI, followed by treating with a pyridine solution of bisphenols. The polycondensation was significantly affected by factors, such as, the kind of arylsulfonyl chlorides, its amount, the conditions of initial reaction of the acids with the sulfonyl chlorides, the amounts of LiCI added, and dropwise addition of bisphenols.     

Direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols with tosyl chloride and N,N-dimethylformamide in pyridine

A Vilsmeier adduct derived from arylsulfonyl chlorides and DMF in pyridine was successfully used as a new condensating agent for the synthesis of aromatic polyesters by the direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols and also of hydroxybenzoic acids. Polymers of high molecular weights (M?_w = 78,000) with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (M?_w/M?_n ≈ 3.0) were prepared by reacting aromatic dicarboxylic acids with the adduct in pyridine, followed by addition of bisphenols. The polycondensation was significantly affected by the amount of DMF, the nature of the arylsulfonyl chlorides, the conditions of initial reaction of the acids with the adduct, and the rate of reaction with bisphenols. The process was adaptable to the direct polycondensation of hydroxybenzoic acids, affording polymers of high molecular weight (η_inh = 1.73).     

不同结构二元羧酸改性棉纤维铁配合物的制备和光催化性能

分别使用3种不同结构的二元羧酸[酒石酸(TA)、 苹果酸(MA)和丁二酸(SA)]对棉纤维改性引入羧基并与Fe ³⁺离子反应制备羧酸改性棉纤维铁配合物, 考察了二元羧酸结构和浓度对改性棉纤维的羧基含量(Q_COOH)及其铁配合物的铁配合量(Q_Fe)的影响. 研究了3种羧酸改性棉纤维铁配合物作为有机染料氧化降解反应和Cr(Ⅵ)还原反应光催化剂的性能. 结果表明, 改性棉纤维的Q_COOH值随羧酸浓度的增加而增加. 不含羟基的SA比2种羟基羧酸TA和MA能给棉纤维引入更多羧基, 而2种羟基羧酸改性棉纤维铁配合物则具有更高的Q_Fe值. 3种羧酸改性棉纤维铁配合物对染料氧化降解反应和Cr(Ⅵ)还原反应都表现出显著的光催化作用, 且随其Q_Fe和辐射光强度的提高而增强. TA改性棉纤维铁配合物比其它2种配合物具有更高的光催化活性. 3种配合物不但能将Cr(Ⅵ)还原为Cr(Ⅲ)离子, 而且还能将其部分吸附去除, MA改性棉纤维铁配合物具有较高的铬离子去除效率.     

Formation of polyimides by ?COOH and ?CN reactions

The synthesis of linear polyimides by the addition of dicarboxylic acids to dinitriles has been investigated. Adipic, suberic, m- and p-phenylenediacetic, isophthalic, and p-cyanobenzoic acids as well as adiponitrile, m- and p-phenylenediacetonitrile, and isophthalonitrile were studied. Fairly favorable results, low molecular weight polymers only, were obtained in the reaction of p-phenylenediacetic acid with p-phenylenediacetonitrile. The formation of polyimides seems to be restricted by the solubilities of the reactants and products as well as by the pK values of the starting dicarboxylic acid and of the acid which is formed.     

New Applications of the CD Exciton Chirality Method. Stereochemical Assignment of Organic Compounds Containing Carboxylic Acid Groups

Summary. CD exciton chirality methods are described for the stereochemical assignment of organic compounds containing carboxylic acid groups. Using the chromophoric combination 2-naphthoate or 2-anthroate and 9-anthrylmethyl group the absolute stereochemistry of - and -hydroxy carboxylic acids can be deduced from a single CD measurement. Furthermore, as demonstrated with cyclic and acylic dicarboxylic acids, the direct esterification of sterically hindered carboxyl groups with 2-naphthol also allows the stereochemical assignment via CD spectroscopy.     

New Applications of the CD Exciton Chirality Method. Stereochemical Assignment of Organic Compounds Containing Carboxylic Acid Groups

CD exciton chirality methods are described for the stereochemical assignment of organic compounds containing carboxylic acid groups. Using the chromophoric combination 2-naphthoate or 2-anthroate and 9-anthrylmethyl group the absolute stereochemistry of - and -hydroxy carboxylic acids can be deduced from a single CD measurement. Furthermore, as demonstrated with cyclic and acylic dicarboxylic acids, the direct esterification of sterically hindered carboxyl groups with 2-naphthol also allows the stereochemical assignment via CD spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of polyamides by a new direct polycondensation reaction using triphenyl phosphite and lithium chloride

Metal salts such as lithium chloride were found to facilitate significantly the reaction of carboxylic acids and amines promoted by triphenyl phosphite, and the reaction was applied successfully to the direct polycondensation reaction of dicarboxylic acids and diamines and of p-aminobenzoic acid. Among metal salts tested, lithium chloride was most effective to the reaction; the chloride was involved catalytically in the reaction, its addition of about twice equivalent to triphenyl phosphite giving the most favorable results. Triphenyl phosphite was most effective, whereas diphenyl phosphite was less effective, and alkyl esters gave no polymers. The reaction was also markedly affected by solvents, the most favorable results being given in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). Various polyamides of high molecular weight were obtained in quantitative yield.     

Preparation of Polyester Polyol from Epoxidized Palm Olein

In this work, polyester polyols with high weight average molecular weight (M_w) (M_w?10000–15000) were prepared from epoxidized palm olein (EPO_o) and a series of dicarboxylic acids (C₆–C₁₂) at elevated temperature under non‐catalyzed condition. The optimal reaction conditions were determined as 180°C for 4 h. Longer carbon chain length of dicarboxylic acids was more reactive when reacted with EPO_o. The physical appearance of the product was observed as liquid at room temperature. This palm oil‐based polyester polyol is proposed as starting material for flexible polyurethane. For reaction monitoring purposes, FTIR was used while ¹H NMR analysis was carried out to characterize the important functional groups of the products. The effects of reaction time and temperature on the M_w of the reaction mixture were also studied by GPC.     

2-Naphthol as a powerful chromophore for the configurational assignment of carboxylic acid groups via the CD exciton chirality method

A novel approach for the stereochemical assignment of carboxylic acid groups via the circular dichroism (CD) exciton chirality method using the 2-naphthyl chromophore is described. Direct esterification of carboxyl groups with 2-naphthol was effectively achieved with the employment of N,N-bis[2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl]phosphorodiamidic chloride as the activating reagent. The method was tested with several model compounds, including both cyclic and acyclic dicarboxylic acids, and also applied to the natural product abietic acid.     

Direct polyamidation with thionyl chloride in N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Mechanistic features of the reaction promoted by thionyl chloride and amides such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) were studied. The reaction was effective in the amidation of carboxylic acids, but not effective in the esterification. The amidation was affected by the kind and the amount of amides used, most favorably by two equivalents of NMP with respect to the acid. These amides were assumed to be involved in the intermediate formation, and the reaction was proposed to proceed via Vilsmeier adducts derived from thionyl chloride and the amides, and through activation of a carboxylic acid different from an acyl chloride. The reaction was successfully applied to the direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and diamines in NMP at 70°C to produce polyamides with high molecular weights. Initial reaction of dicarboxylic acids with the adducts, additive effect of tertiary amines, and polycondensation temperatures were studied in terms of the inherent viscosity of the polymers produced.     

A 13C NMR spectroscopic study of the phase transitions of alkane dicarboxylic acids in the solid state

¹³C NMR spectra of a few odd-member alkane dicarboxylic acids such as glutaric and pimelic acids have been studied across their phase transitions. The spectra provide clear evidence for the structural changes accompanying the transitions. In the case of malonic acid, the study establishes that the two carboxyl units are equivalent in the high-temperature phase unlike in the other odd-member dicarboxylic acids where they are non-equivalent.