9‐Bromoanthracene photodimers as initiators in controlled radical polymerization: Silane radical atom abstraction coupled with nitroxide mediated polymerization

Slow initiation relative to propagation has previously prevented photodimers of 9‐bromoanthracene or 9‐chloroanthracene, formed by [4 + 4] photocyclization reactions of the analogous 9‐haloanthracene, from being viable initiators in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reactions. The resulting polymers were found to possess high polydispersity index (PDI) values, much higher than expected number average molecular weight (M_n) values, with the reaction displaying a nonlinear relationship between monomer conversion and M_n. We report here the use of silane radical atom abstraction (SRAA) to create initiating bridgehead radicals in the presence of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) to mediate the polymerization. When using SRAA coupled with nitroxide mediated polymerization, a dramatic decrease in PDI values was observed compared with analogous ATRP reactions, with M_n values much closer to those anticipated based on monomer‐to‐initiator ratios. Analysis using UV‐Vis spectroscopy indicated only partial anthracene labeling (～ 25%) on the polymers, consistent with thermolysis of the anthracene photodimer coupled with competition between initiation from the bridgehead photodimer radical and silane‐based radical. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6016–6022, 2008     

Electrophilic reactivities of 7-L-4-nitrobenzofurazans in σ-complexation processes: Kinetic studies and structure–reactivity relationships

The second-order rate constants (k) for reaction of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzofurazan 1 and 7-methoxy-4-nitrobenzofurazan 2 with a series of nitroalkyl anions and several of para-substituted phenoxide anions in aqueous solution at 20 °C have been reported. On the basis of the linear novel approach recently designed by Mayr and coworkers, the electrophilicity parameters E at the C-5 position of the two nitrobenzofurazans 1 and 2 have been quantified and ranked on the comprehensive electrophilicity scale. Mayr's approach was found to correctly predict the rate constants for the addition of phenoxide anions at the C-5 position of 1 and 2 witting a factor of <2. Analysis of the kinetic measurements using Brønsted's model shows that β_nuc values remain remarkably constant for changes in the nature of the substituent and that the σ-complexation process is associated with high Marcus intrinsic barriers. In addition, satisfactory correlations between the log k_exp (k_exp values measured in this work for reactions of benzofurazans 1 and 2 with a series of phenoxide anions in aqueous solution at 20 °C) and log k_calcd (k_calcd values calculated from equation 1 using the electrophilicity parameters E of benzofurazans 1 and 2 and the previously published nucleophilicity parameters N and s_N of the phenoxide anions) with a slope very close to unity have been obtained and discussed.     

Voltammetric Study of Nitro Radical Anion Generated from Some Nitrofuran Compounds of Pharmacological Significance

The electrochemical behavior of 2‐(5‐amino‐ 1,3,4‐oxadiazolyl)‐5‐nitrofuran (NF359) and its comparison with well‐known drugs such as nifurtimox (NFX) and nitrofurazone (NFZ) in protic, mixed and aprotic media by cyclic voltammetry, tast and differential pulse polarography was studied. All the compounds were electrochemically reducible in all media being the reduction of the nitrofuran group the main voltammetric signal. The one‐electron reduction couple due to the nitro radical anion formation was visualized in mixed (for NF359 and NFZ) and aprotic media (for all compounds). By applying a cyclic voltammetric methodology we have calculated the decay constants (k₂) of the corresponding nitro radical anions in mixed and aprotic media. In mixed medium data fit well with a disproportionation reaction of the nitro radical anion but in aprotic medium fit better with a dimerization reaction. Also, considering cyclic voltammetric measurements in aprotic media we have estimated the reduction potential of the RNO₂/RNO₂^.? couple in aqueous medium, pH 7 (E¹₇ values) finding very good correlation with E¹₇ values obtained by pulse radiolysis. Furthermore we have calculated the equilibrium constants from the electron transfer from nitro radical anion to oxygen (k_O2) finding that nitro radical anion from NF359 is thermodynamically favored to react with oxygen in respect to both NFZ and NFX.     

Propagation Kinetics of Isoprene Radical Homopolymerization Derived from Pulsed Laser Initiated Polymerizations

The propagation kinetics of isoprene radical polymerizations in bulk and in solution are investigated via pulsed laser initiated polymerizations and subsequent polymer analyses via size‐exclusion chromatography, the PLP‐SEC method. Because of low polymerization rate and high volatility of isoprene, the polymerizations are carried out at elevated pressure ranging from 134 to 1320 bar. The temperatures are varied between 55 and 105 °C. PLP‐SEC yields activation parameters of k_p (Arrhenius parameters and activation volume) over a wide temperature and pressure range that allow for the calculation of k_p at technically relevant ambient pressure conditions. The k_p values determined are very low, e.g., 99 L mol^?1 s^?1 at 50 °C, which is even lower than the corresponding value for styrene polymerizations. The presence of a polar solvent results in a slight increase of k_p compared to the bulk system. The k_p values reported are important for determining rate coefficients of other elemental reactions from coupled parameters as well as for modeling isoprene free‐radical polymerizations and reversible deactivation radical polymerization with respect to tailored polymer properties and optimizing the polymerization processes.     

Kinetics and stereoregulation in the isotactic-specific and living polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Kinetic studies on the isotactic-specific living polymerization of methyl methacrylate with t-C₄H₉MgBr were carried out in toluene at −78°C and the kinetic orders with respect to the monomer and initiator were found to be unity. Propagation rate in the early stage of polymerization and the initiation rate were studied by kinetic measurement and analysis of oligomer distribution. The rate constants for the propagation of the unimer (k₁), dimer (k₂), and trimer anions (k₃) were found to be in the following order; k₁ >> k₂ > k₃. ¹³C NMR spectra of the oligomer anions indicated the coordination of penultimate and antepenultimate ester groups to Mg counterion. Possible mechanism for stereoregulation in the early stage of polymerization was discussed.     

Homoleptic 2,2′‐bipyridine metalates(–I) of iron and cobalt,one cocrystallized with an anthracene radical anion and the other with neutral anthracene

Homoleptic 2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy) metalates of iron and cobalt have been synthesized directly from the corresponding homoleptic anthracene metalates. In the iron structure, bis[([2.2.2]cryptand)potassium(I)] tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ferrate(–I) anthracene(–I), [K(C₁₈H₃₆N₂O₆)]₂[Fe(C₁₀H₈N₂)₃](C₁₄H₁₀), the asymmetric unit contains one potassium complex cation in a general position, the Fe center and one and a half bipy ligands of the ferrate complex on a crystallographic twofold axis that includes the Fe atom, and one half of an anthracene radical anion whose other half is generated by a crystallographic inversion center. The cations and anions are well separated and the geometry about the Fe center is essentially octahedral. In the cobalt structure, ([2.2.2]cryptand)potassium(I) bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)cobaltate(–I) anthracene hemisolvate tetrahydrofuran (THF) disolvate, [K(C₁₈H₃₆N₂O₆)][Co(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂]·0.5C₁₄H₁₀·2C₄H₈O, the asymmetric unit contains the cation, anion, and both cocrystallized THF solvent molecules in general positions, and one half of a cocrystallized anthracene molecule whose other half is generated by a crystallographic inversion center. The cation and anion are well separated and the ligand planes in the cobaltate anion are periplanar. Each anthracene molecule is midway between and is oriented perpendicular to a pair of symmetry‐related bipy ligands such that aromatic donor–acceptor interactions may play a role in the packing arrangement. The lengths of the bonds that connect the bipy rings support the assertion that the ligands are bipy radical anions in the iron structure. However, in the case of cobalt, these lengths are between the known ranges for a bipy radical anion and a bipy dianion, and therefore no conclusion can be made from the crystallography alone. One cocrystallized THF solvent molecule in the cobalt structure was modeled as disordered over three positions with appropriate geometric and thermal restraints, which resulted in a refined component mass ratio of 0.412 (4):0.387 (3):0.201 (3).     

ESR study on radical polymerization and its application to microemulsion systems

Well-resolved electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of propagating radicals of vinyl and diene compounds were observed in a single scan by a conventional CW-ESR spectrometry without the aid of computer accumulation and the specially designed cavity and cells. Although solvents which could be used for ESR measurements were restricted to nonpolar solvents, such as benzene, toluene, and hexane, new information on dynamic behavior and reactivity of the propagating radicals in the radical polymerization of vinyl and diene compounds were obtained. Thus, values of propagation rate constants (k_p) for vinyl and diene compounds were determined by an ESR method. Some of the k_p values were in a fair agreement with those obtained by a pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) method. Furthermore, polymer chain effect on apparent k_p was clearly observed in the radical polymerization of macromonomers and in the microemulsion polymerization. In ESR measurement on inclusion polymerization system, important information on the origin of the 9-line spectrum observed in the radical polymerization of methacrylate propagating radicals was obtained.     

Specific solvent effects on the complexation of anions by ligands

From conductimetric measurements, the association constants K_A of chlorides and nitrates in acetonitrile and of bromides in both acetonitrile and nitrobenzene were determined in the presence of various amounts of benzoic acids. From these data it was possible to determine the values of the complexation constants k ₁ ^? between the ligands and the anions. In both solvents linear relationships exist between log k₁ and the Hammett σ parameters of the substituents. However, the values of both log k ₂ ^? for the unsubstituted benzoic acid and the correlation factors (η) are much lower in acetonitrile than in nitrobenzene. It is shown that this effect is due, to a large extent, to the complexation of the ligands by acetonitrile which competes with the ligandanion interaction. The η factors for the three anions lie in the order of their basicity in water.     

A comparison of the absolute reactivity of vinyl monomers. I. Kinetic studies on radical polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by a Mn3+–diglycolic acid redox system

The kinetics of polymerization of acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), and acrylonitrile (AN) initiated by the redox system Mn³⁺–diglycolic acid (DGA) was studied. All three systems followed the same mechanism; namely, initiation by an organic free radical arising from the oxidation of diglycolic acid and termination by the interaction of polymer radicals with Mn³⁺ ion. The rate coefficients k_i/k₀ and k_p/k_t were related to monomer and polymer radical reactivity, respectively. An inverse relation between monomer and polymer radical reactivity was observed. Monomers with higher Q values gave higher k_i/k₀ values but lower k_p/k_t values. The e values of the monomers were important in determining the reactivities of monomers with nearly the same Q values.     

Adenine-based urea receptors in fluorescent recognition of iodide

Adenine-based receptors 1 and 2 are designed and synthesized for selective sensing of iodide over the other halides and carboxylate anions. Both the receptors 1 and 2 use the urea motif for binding carboxylates and halides. Emissions of the naphthalene and the anthracene in 1 and 2, respectively, are monitored in CHCl₃ in detecting the anions. While carboxylates, fluoride, chloride, and bromide increase the emissions of naphthalene and anthracene in both the receptors 1 and 2 during complexation, iodide quenches the emission. Such selective quenching allows iodide to be discriminated from other halides and carboxylate anions.     

Hydrogen transfer from ketyl radicals to nitroxyl radicals

The transfer of an H atom from a ketyl radical (KR) to a nitroxyl radical is the sole reaction occurring between benzophenone or acetone KR and nitroxyl radicals (NR). The rate constants (k_H) of the reaction of the KR of substituted benzophenones with the NR-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1oxyl and 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl in various solvents were measured by the pulse photolysis method. In low-viscosity solvents (up to 1-2 cP), the values of k_H are not limited by the diffusion of the reagents. The k_H values decrease with increase in the Hammet's -constants of the substituents in the KR and with decrease in the reduction potential of the NR, which indicates a charge transfer from the KR to NR in the transition state of the reaction. A cyclic structure was proposed for the transition state. The reaction is characterized by a low isotopic effect (k_H/k_D=1.4–1.5). The dependence of log k_H on the solvation parameter of the solvent E_t(30) is V-shaped in character.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 999–1003, May, 1990.     

Kinetics and mechanism of protection of thymine from phosphate radical anion under anoxic conditions

The rates of photooxidation of thymine in the presence of peroxydiphosphate (PDP) have been determined by measuring the absorbance of thymine at 264 nm spectrophotometrically. The rates and the quantum yields (φ) of oxidation of thymine by phosphate radical anion have been determined in the presence of different concentrations of dithiothreitol (DTT). An increase in DTT is found to decrease the rate of oxidation of thymine, suggesting that DTT acts as an efficient scavenger of PO₄^·2? and protects thymine from it. Phosphate radical anion competes for thymine as well as DTT; the rate constant for the phosphate radical anion with DTT has been calculated to be 2.21 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, assuming the rate constant of phosphate radical anion reaction with thymine as 9.6 × 10⁷ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1. The quantum yields of photooxidation of thymine have been calculated from the rates of oxidation of thymine and the light intensity absorbed by PDP at 254 nm, the wavelength at which PDP is activated to phosphate radical anion. From the results of experimentally determined quantum yields (φ_exptl) and the quantum yields calculated (φ_cl), assuming DTT acts only as a scavenger of PO₄^·2? radicals, show that φ_exptl values are lower than φ_cl values. The φ′ values, which are experimentally found quantum yield values at each DTT concentration and corrected for PO₄^·2? scavenging by DTT, are also found to be greater than φ_exptl values. These observations suggest that the thymine radicals are repaired by DTT in addition to scavenging of phosphate radical anions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 271–275, 2001     

Alkyl radical adducts of aromatic N-oxides as hydrogen-abstracting agents: The reactivity of phenazine-N,N′-dioxide-methyl radical adduct

An O-methylated analog of protonated phenazine-di-N-oxide radical anion abstracts hydrogen from primary and secondary alcohols in a slow (k ₁ < 500 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) bimolecular reaction. No kinetic evidence has been found for the unimolecular release of free methoxyl radicals through the homolytic N-OMe bond cleavage in these species. DFT calculations at the UB3LYP 6-31G(d) level indicate that protonated and O-alkylated radical anions of pyrazine, quinoxaline and phenazine di-N-oxides are close analogues of aromatic nitroxyl radicals with the highest spin density localized on the oxygen and nitrogen of the nitrone moiety.     

Hydrogen transfer from 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene to anthracene

Kinetic studies of the transfer of hydrogen from 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene to anthracene were done at 350°C in the liquid phase. Principal products were phenanthrene and 9,10-dihydroanthracene. Autocatalysis occurred at low extents of reaction, where H-transfer from 9,10-dihydroanthracene to anthracene caused an increase in free radical concentrations. At higher extents of reaction, 9,10-dihydroanthracene inhibited rates by diverting intermediate 9-hydrophenanthryl radicals back to reactants. A quantitative kinetic model based on literature rate and thermodynamic data fits the observations well. A key net reaction is the transfer of an H-atom from a radical (9-hydrophenanthryl) to a molecule (anthracene). It is shown that this process does not involve a free H-atom intermediate. The derived rate constant for this exothermic process (7.5 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1) is considerably greater than that for the related, but thermoneutral H-transfer between anthracene moieties (120 M^?1 s^?1).     

Analysis of polymerization rates in radical polymerization with primary radical termination of some methacrylates

Polymerization rates in polymerizations with primary radical termination of ethyl methacrylate, β-phenylethyl methacrylate, β-methoxyethyl methacrylate, and phenyl methacrylate initiated by 2,2'-azobis-(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) at 60°C were analyzed by using a simple linear equation. The values obtained of k_ti/k_ik_p (where k_ti is the primary radical termination rate constant, k_i is the rate constant of addition on to monomer of primary radical, and k_p is the propagation rate constant) on these analyses are discussed on the theoretical base.     

Kinetic isotope effect in the protonation of anthracenide salts by MeOH and MeOD role of counterions and solvents

Kinetics of protonation of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺ salts of anthracene radical anions (A^?_·,Cat⁺) and dianions (A^2?, 2Cat⁺) by MeOH and MeOD in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethoxyethane (DME) led to the determination of the isotope effect (k_H/k_D) in the following reactions: Studies of cation and solvent influence on the rate constants of these reactions and on the magnitude of the isotope effect permitted us to draw some conclusions about the structure of the pertinent transition states. It seems that only the tight A^?·,Na⁺ pairs participate in the protonation, and on this basis the fraction of tight ion paris of A^?·,Na⁺ in DME was estimated. Our results have been compared with data reported in the literature.     

Mechanisms of polymerization of methacrylate copolymers of biological interest

The kinetics of the free radical copolymerization of HEMA, EGDMA and TEGDA with MMA have been studied using NIR spectroscopy to follow the reduction in the total C=C concentration with time and ¹H NMR to distinguish between the monofunctional and difunctional monomers. ESR measurements of the concentrations of propagating radicals during polymerization have been combined with the conversion results to derive values for the rate constants k_p (propagation) and k_t (termination). HEMA decreases the gel time of MMA, but the initial rate is unchanged, whereas EGDMA and TEGDA decrease the gel-time and increase the initial rate of polymerization.     

Theoretical study of homogeneous electron self-exchange in polar aromatic molecules: the role of the reactant structure

The solvent reorganization energies λ₀ of the electron self-exchange reaction between neutral molecules (nitrobenzene, its five para-substituted derivatives and benzonitrile) and the corresponding radical anions are discussed in terms of the Kirkwood approach combined with a semi-empirical calculation of the reactant structure (AM1 and intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) methods). The theoretical values of λ₀ are compared with the experimental reorganization energies λ calculated from the Marcus equation and the homogeneous rate constants k_ex. It is found that the values of λ₀ obtained using the INDO method are approximately equal to the experimental λ, whereas the AM1 method gives poor results for para-substituted nitrobenzenes. The linear correlation of log k_ex with a_N² where a_N is a nitrogen coupling constant, established for para-substituted nitrobenzenes is interpreted. A simple criterion for slow electron transfer of an arbitrary flat polar arene is formulated in terms of the reactant structure and the model of the “specifying group” suggested earlier by some of the authors.     

Reaction Rates of t-Butyl and Pivaloyl Radicals in Solution

The rate constants of the unimolecular decomposition of the pivaloyl radical (k_D) and of the bimolecular self terminations of pivaloyl (k₁) and t-butyl radicals (k₂) in liquid methylcyclopentane are determined by ESR.-spectroscopy: The viscosity dependence of (k₂) is analysed with respect to diffusion control of the reaction. Comparison of (k_D) values of different acyl radicals reveals a strong dependence of the activation energies on radical structure.