Photoinitiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate with 14C-labeled benzoin methyl ethers

Three ¹⁴C-labeled benzoin methyl ether (α-methoxy-α-phenylacetophenone) derivatives were utilized as photoinitiators in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl acrylate (MA). The results of polymer end-group analysis are in accord with a mechanism of benzoin ether photocleavage into initiator radicals and dispute earlier labeling studies which were interpreted as evidence for copolymerization of excited-state benzoin ethers with reactive monomers. In MMA polymerization, the results indicate a preference for termination by disproportionation (～60%) and provide evidence for primary radical termination at 0.041M photoinitiator (optically dense solutions) in neat MMA. Evidence for chain branching by initiator radical hydrogen abstraction from poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) is also presented. The benzoyl and α-methoxybenzyl radicals, produced on photolysis of benzoin methyl ether, appear to be equally effective in both initiation and hydrogen-abstraction processes. Quantum yields at 366 and 313 nm indicate the absence of a wavelength effect.     

Initiation mechanisms in copolymerization: Reaction of t-butoxyl radicals with co-monomers ethyl vinyl ether and methyl methacrylate

The radical trapping technique employing 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-2-yloxyl as a scavenger has been used to investigate the reaction of t-butoxyl radicals with mixtures of ethyl vinyl ether and methyl methacrylate. The range of identified products includes those from both addition and hydrogen abstraction with both monomers, head addition with ethyl vinyl ether, and some second monomer addition products. Relative rate constants have been obtained for various pairs of constituent reactions. t-Butoxyl radicals add to ethyl vinyl ether one to two times faster than to methyl methacrylate, depending on which monomer is in excess. The ratio is less than 1 in nonolefinic solvents and as high as 6 in t-butanol. This solvent effect is thought to be due to the radicals complexing to either methyl methacrylate or t-butanol (H-bonding), thereby increasing its electrophilic character. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The very low-pressure pyrolysis of phenyl ethyl ether,phenyl allyl ether,and benzyl methyl ether and the enthalpy of formation of the phenoxy radical

A value of the enthalpy of formation of the phenoxy radical in the gas phase, ΔH°_,298K (?O·, g) = 11.4 ± 2.0 kcal/mol, has been obtained from the kinetic study of the unimolecular decompositions of phenyl ethyl ether, phenyl allyl ether, and benzyl methyl ether

1 Trivial names for ethoxy benzene, 2-propenoxy (allyloxy) benzene, and α-methoxytoluene, respectively

at very low pressures. Bond fission, producing phenoxy or benzyl radicals, respectively, is the only mode of decomposition in each case. The present value leads to a bond dissociation energy BDE(?O—H) = 86.5 ± 2 kcal/mol,

2 1 kcal = 4.18674 kJ (absolute)

in good agreement with recent estimates made on the basis of competitive oxidation steps in the liquid phase. A comparison with bond dissociation energies of aliphatic alcohols, BDE(RO—H) = 104 kcal/mol, reveals that the stabilization energy of the phenoxy radical (17.5 kcal/mol) is considerably greater than the one observed for the isoelectronic benzyl radical (13.2 kcal/mol). Decomposition of phenoxy radicals into cyclopentadienyl radicals and CO has been observed at temperatures above 1000°K, and a mechanism for this reaction is proposed.     

Kinetics of free-radical polymerization of p-vinylbenzyl methyl ether: Crosslinking by initiator free radicals

Kinetics of polymerization of p-vinylbenzyl methyl ether at low conversion either in bulk or in benzene have been found to be quite similar to those of the unsubstituted monomer styrene. Rates of polymerization initiated by peroxides or α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile over the temperature range 50–70°C. have been found to be proportional to [Monomer][Initiator]^1/2 with an activation energy difference E_propagation – 1/2 E_termination ≈ 6 kcal./mole. Azo initiation leads to essentially unbranched poly(vinyl-benzyl methyl ether) even at very high conversions, whereas initiation of undiluted monomer by diacyl peroxides results in some crosslinking at high conversion. Use of biacetyl as a photoinitiator of polymerization over the temperature range 0–60°C. with either bulk monomer or monomer solutions in benzene has been found in each instance to yield crosslinked, insoluble polymers at low degrees of conversion. Benzene solutions of soluble polymer have been converted to high molecular weight branched polymers by free radicals generated by photolysis of biacetyl, and a substantial preference of methyl free radicals to abstract benzyl hydrogens of poly(p-vinylbenzyl methyl ether) rather than add to solvent benzene has been observed.     

Copolymerization of butyl vinyl ether and methyl methacrylate by combination of radical and radical promoted cationic mechanisms

Butyl vinyl ether (BVE) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) mixtures were polymerized by using free radical initiators in conjunction with a cationic initiator such as diphenyl iodonium salt. Polymerization mechanism involves free radical polymerization of MMA which is switched to cationic polymerization of BVE by addition of growing poly(MMA) radicals to BVE and subsequent oxidation of electron donating polymeric radicals to the corresponding cations by iodonium ions. Two representative bifunctional monomers, ethylene glycol divinyl ether (EGDVE) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were also used together with MMA and BVE, respectively, in photo and thermal crosslinking polymerizations. Vinyl ether and methacrylate type monomers can successfully be copolymerized by this double-mode polymerization under photochemical conditions.     

Unimolecular reactions of ionized methyl allyl ether

The fragmentation of CH₂?CHCH₂OCH₃^+· cation-radicals has been investigated by means of ²H- and ¹³C-labelling experiments and by analysis of collision-induced dissociation spectra. Metastable C₄H₈O^+· species decompose via one of three main channels which involve loss of (a) a hydrogen atom, (b) a methyl radical or (c) a formaldehyde molecule. Extensive, but not complete, exchange of the hydrogen and deuterium atoms in specifically labelled C₄H₈-_nD_nO^+· analogues precedes each of the three fragmentation pathways. The role of distonic ions in the rearrangement steps which bring about hydrogen exchange is discussed. The influence of isotope effects on the relative rates of the major reactions and the associated kinetic energy releases is examined. Only loss of a hydrogen atom is subject to a substantial isotope effect. Elimination of a methyl radical releases a large amount of kinetic energy, as is shown by the broad and dish-topped appearance of the corresponding metastable peak (T_1/2 ≈ 42 kJ mol^?1). The carbon atom of the original methoxy group is specifically expelled in this process. Both the large T_1/2 value and the unusual site selectivity are atypical of methyl and other alkyl radical losses from ionized alkenyl methyl ethers. The carbon atom of the methoxy group also participates specifically in formaldehyde elimination, but the two hydrogen atoms are not always selected from the three contained in the initial methoxy group. The implications of these labelling results for the synchronicity of concert of formaldehyde loss, which can be formu lated as a pericyclic process, is analysed.     

Determination of diethyl ether and methyl iodide in dimethylcadmium using headspace analysis

The possibility of direct gas-chromatographic analysis of dimethylcadmium was demonstrated. A procedure for determining impurities of diethyl ether and methyl iodide using headspace analysis was developed. The limits of detection for diethyl ether and methyl iodide were 3 x 10^-4 and 2 x 10^-3 mol %, respectively.     

Unimolecular dissociation of tert-butyl methyl ether via an ion-neutral complex

Ab initio calculations are presented representing the ionization of tertbutyl methyl ether and its subsequent fragmentation via loss of a methyl radical. This process is shown to proceed via an ion-molecule complex, the nature of which is explored. The results obtained are found to be consistent with mass spectrometric evidence.     

The mechanism of CO loss in the electron impact-induced fragmentation of benzoin and its methyl ether

The electron impact-induced fragmentation of benzoin methyl ether gives rise to the formation of an m/e 91 fragment ion which is not present in the mass spectrum of benzoin. Deuterium and ¹³C labelling, as well as low energy experiments, revealed that this ion is formed from [M – benzoyl]⁺ by transfer of both the ether methyl group and the hydrogen atom from the α-position to the adjacent phenyl ring followed by loss of CO and hydrogen.     

Kinetics of the reaction of OH radicals with t-amyl methyl ether revisited

The kinetics of the reaction of OH radicals with t-amyl methyl ether (TAME) have been reinvestigated using both absolute (flash photolysis resonance fluorescence) and relative rate techniques. Relative rate experiments were conducted at 295 K in 99 kPa (740 torr) of synthetic air using ethyl t-butyl ether, cyclohexane, and di-isopropyl ether as reference compounds. Absolute rate experiments were performed over the temperature range 240–400 K at a total pressure of 4.7 kPa (35 torr) of argon. Rate constant determinations from both techniques are in good agreement and can be represented by k₁=(6.32 ± 0.72) × 10^?12 exp[(?40 ± 70)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Quoted errors represent 2σ from the least squares analysis and do not include any estimate of systematic errors. We show that results from the previous kinetic study of reaction (1) are in error due to the presence of a reactive impurity. Results are discussed in terms of the atmospheric chemistry of TAME. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Marchantin M tri­methyl ether

The title macrocycle, C₃₁H₃₀O₅, is comprised of two bi­benzyl ether moieties linked cyclically by spacers which each consist of two‐carbon alkyl chains. The observed conformation of the macrocycle may be partly stabilized by intramolecular C—H?O close contacts. The packing appears to be directed by van der Waals forces. This work explains the occurrence of a signal found in the ¹H NMR spectra of both marchantin­quinone and marchantin M tri­methyl ether at δ = 5.49 and 5.56 p.p.m., respectively. The shift in the position of the expected peak can be explained by the proximity of an H atom belonging to one of the aromatic rings to another ring in the same mol­ecule.     

Rearrangement and dissociative processes in the [C3H6O]+˙ potential energy surface. Methyl vinyl ether: An example of non-ergodic behaviour?

The unimolecular dissociation reaction of the methyl vinyl ether radical cation to acetyl cation plus methyl radical was studied by means of ¹³C labelling and tandem mass spectrometric techniques. The results are in good agreement, in all major aspects, with previous data for ¹³C-labeled propene oxide. The data are discussed in terms of non-ergodic behaviour. Isomerization of the methoxyethylidene radical cation intermediate to the acetone radical cation is ruled out on the basis of the labelling experiments and comparison with the hydroxymethene radical cation system.     

The UV photolysis (λ = 185 nm) of liquid t-butyl methyl ether

t-Butyl methyl ether has been UV photolysed (λ = 185 nm) to a maximal conversion of less than 0·1%. A study of the products (quantum yields) has been made: methanol (0·40₅), t-butanol (0·20), isobutene (0·17₈), t-butyl neopentyl ether (0·14₂), t-butyl ethyl ether (0·13₄), 1,2-di-t-butoxyethane (0·097), methane (0·056), isobutane (0·046), isopropenyl methyl ether (0·030), hydrogen (0·020), neopentane (0·016), ethane (0·015), formaldehyde (0·012), 2-methoxy-2-methyl-4-t-butoxybutane (0·005), hexamethylethane (0·0048), 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane (0·0027), 2-methoxy-2-methyl-3-t-butoxypropane (0·002), isopropyl methyl ether (0·0015), formaldehyde t-butyl methyl acetal (0·001), formaldehyde di-t-butyl acetal (0·001), 2-methoxy-2-methyl-4,4-dimethylpentane (0-001), 2-methoxy-2-methyl-3,3-dimethylbutane (0·0003), 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dimethylhexane (0·0002), di-t-butyl ether (5 · 10^?5), 2,2-dimethyloxirane (?, <- 0·001). There is no decomposition of the t-BuO radical into acetone (< 5 · 10^?4) and CH₃. Cyclisation reactions leading to α,α-dimethyloxetane (< 10^?4) and 1-methoxy-1-methylcyclopropane (< 10^?4) do not occur. The material balance yields C₅H_11·97O_1·018.The main modes of fragmentation (ca 82%) are represented by the homolytic CO bond split, either into t-butyl and methoxy (ca 52%) or into t-butoxy and methyl (ca 30%), Fragmentation into methanol and isobutene (8·5%) as well as into formaldehyde and isobutane (2%) are further modes of decomposition. The break of a CC linkage (4·5%) mainly occurs by elimination of molecular methane. A CH bond split has a probability of ca 3% with the methoxy CH bond the more likely one to break.     

Determination of lipoic acid, Trolox methyl ether and tocopherols in human plasma by liquid-chromatography and ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous determination of lipoic acid and/or Trolox methyl ether, along with α‐, γ‐ and δ‐tocopherol was developed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with negative electrospray ionization (HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) in an ion‐trap mass spectrometer. Detection and quantification were accomplished by a multiple reaction monitoring method, using specific transitions from precursor ion to product ion for each analyte. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a 12 min run using a C₁₈‐bonded phase and methanol–aqueous ammonium acetate elution gradient. Linear correlations of the chromatographic peak area (r.u. × s^?1) to the injected amount (ng) gave the slope values (r.u. × s^?1 × ng^?1) 2.34 × 10⁴ for α‐tocopherol, 5.05 × 10⁴ for γ‐tocopherol, 1.27 × 10⁵ for δ‐tocopherol, 8.86 × 10⁵ for lipoic acid and 1.23 × 10⁵ for Trolox methyl ether. The lower limit of quantification ranged between 0.02 and 1.22 ng for Trolox methyl ether and lipoic acid. MS³ experiments of γ‐ and δ‐tocopherol suggest ion‐radical reactions and dependence of the tocopherol fragmentation pattern on the phenolic ring methylation degree. The method is shown to be applicable to measurement of these metabolites in human serum after extraction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the atmospheric oxidation of tertiary amyl methyl ether

Tertiary-amyl methyl ether (TAME) is proposed for use as an additive to increase the oxygen content of gasoline as stipulated in the 1990 Clean Air Amendments. The present experiments have been performed to examine the kinetics and mechanisms of the atmospheric removal of TAME. The kinetics of the reaction of OH with TAME was examined by using a relative rate technique in which photolysis of methyl nitrite or nitrous acid was used as the source of OH. The OH rate constant for TAME and two major products (t-amyl formate and methyl acetate) were measured and yields for ten products were determined as primary products from the reaction. Values determined for the rate constants for the reaction with OH were 5.48 × 10^?12 (TAME), 1.75 × 10^?12 (t-amyl formate), and 3.85 × 10^?13 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1 (methyl acetate) at 298 ± 2 K. The primary products (with corrected yields where required) from the OH + TAME that have been observed include (1) t-amyl formate (0.366), methyl acetate (0.349), acetaldehyde (0.43, corrected), acetone (0.036), formaldehyde (0.549), t-amyl alcohol (0.026), 3-methyoxy-3-methyl-butanal (0.044, corrected), t-amyloxy methyl nitrate (0.029), 3-methyoxy-3-methyl-2-butyl nitrate (0.010), and 2-methoxy-2-methyl butyl nitrate (0.004). Mechanisms leading to these products involve OH abstraction from each of the four different hydrogen atoms of TAME. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Molecular conformations of methyl formate and methyl vinyl ether from ab initio molecular orbital calculations

Ab initio molecular orbital theory with minimal and extended basis sets and a flexible rotor geometric model has been used to investigate the rotational potential surfaces of methyl formate and methyl vinyl ether. For both molecules, the most stable structures (IA and IIA, respectively) are planar cis; additional potential minima are found which correspond to planar trans structures (IB and IIB). The latter lie respectively about 4—8 and 1—2 kcal mol^?1 above the corresponding cis rotational isomers. Methyl rotational barriers have been determined for cis and trans structures of each molecule. For trans methyl formate, there is a slight but unexpected preference for an eclipsed arrangement of the methyl group.     

Ionic polymerization of p-vinylbenzyl methyl ether

Ionic polymerizations of vinylbenzyl methyl ether initiated by either carbanions or Lewis acids has been found to lead to crosslinked polymers. By comparative studies of strong carbanionic bases and Lewis acids with benzyl ethers, it has been possible to define details of mechanisms which in conjunction with cationic or anionic propagation lead to crosslinks. The α-hydrogens of benzyl ethers have been found to be sufficiently acidic to terminate anionic polymerization of styrene and displacement of alkoxide anion from the benzyl ether linkage by nucelophilic polymer anions is proposed as a mechanism leading to branching and eventual crosslinking in anionic polymerization of vinylbenzyl methyl ether. Cationic polymerization of vinylbenzyl methyl ether is quite complex. In addition to propagation, chain transfer, and spontaneous termination of cation chain carriers, there is evidence for complex formation between Lewis acid initiator and the benzyl ether substituent. A slow decomposition of ether–Lewis acid complexes produces benzylcarbonium ions which alkylate aromatic rings of polymer and thereby crosslink the polymer. Benzyl ether has been found to be an effective chain terminator for cationic styrene polymerization.     

Vibrational circular dichroism,absolute configuration and predominant conformations of volatile anesthetics: 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl methyl ether

Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra of (−)-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl methyl ether have been measured in CCl₄ solution in the 2000–900 cm⁻¹ region. These spectra are compared with the ab initio predictions of absorption and VCD spectra obtained with density functional theory using B3LYP/6-31G* and B3PW91/6-311G(2d) basis sets for different conformers of (R)-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl methyl ether. The results suggest that the trans-conformer of 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl methyl ether is predominant in the solution phase and that the (−)-enantiomer has the R-configuration.     

Kinetics of polymeric radical oxidation with molecular oxygen in poly(methyl methacrylate) films

In poly(methyl methacrylate) films, the kinetics of the oxidation of polymeric radicals and azobenzenenitrenes with molecular oxygen dissolved in the polymer is studied. The free radicals are produced at 77 K by irradiating the polymer with UV light, fast electrons, or γ rays. The concentration of oxygen is varied from 4.5 × 10¹⁸ to 3.1 × 10¹⁹ cm^?3; the temperature of the reaction, from 90 to 130 K. The reaction is carried out in excess oxygen. The kinetics of radical oxidation is shown to be independent of the type of radiation that stimulates the formation of radicals and coincides with the kinetics of the oxidation of azobenzenenitrenes, which are uniformly dissolved in the polymer. It is concluded that the structure of the polymer in the vicinity of the radicals is virtually the same as the structure of the polymer bulk. The activation energy of the oxygen diffusion coefficient calculated according to the radical oxidation kinetics amounts to ～30 kJ/mol.     

The photooxidation of methyl tertiary butyl ether

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) has been proposed and is being used as an additive to increase the octane of gasoline without the use of tetraethyl lead and alkylbenzenes. The present experiments have been performed to examine the kinetics and mechanisms of the atmospheric removal of MTBE. The kinetics of the reaction of OH with MTBE was examined by using a relative rate technique in which photolysis of methyl nitrite was used as the source of OH. With n-butane as the reference compound a value of (2.99 ± 0.12) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at a temperature of 298 K was obtained for the rate constant. The products (and product yields) for the OH reaction with MTBE in the presence of NO_x were also determined and found to be t-butyl formate (0.68 ± 0.05), methyl acetate (0.14 ± 0.02), acetone (0.026 ± 0.003), t-butanol (0.062 ± 0.009), and formaldehyde (0.48 ± 0.05) in mols/mol MTBE converted. The OH rate constant for the major product formed, t-butyl formate was also measured and found to be (7.37 ± 0.05) × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Mechanisms to rationalize the formation of the products are presented.