Chain extension of polyesters PET and PBT with N,N′-bis (glycidyl ester) pyromellitimides. I

Three N,N′-bis (glycidyl ester imide) of pyromellitic acid (diepoxides) were prepared and were used as chain extenders for poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT). The typical reaction conditions for the coupling of the polyester macromolecules were heating with the chain extender under argon atmosphere above the melting temperature (280°C for PET and 250°C for PBT) for several minutes. The Characterization of the samples, obtained at variable residence times in the reactor, was based on solution viscosity measurements and carboxyl and hydroxyl end-group determinations. Two of the diepoxides used gave satisfactory results. Starting from a PET having intrinsic viscosity [η] = 0.60 dL/g, and carboxyl content CC = 42 eq/10⁶ g, one could obtain PET with [η] = 1.15 dL/g and CC = 16 eq/10⁶ g within 30 min at 280°C. Analogous results were observed for PBT. The hydroxyl content of polyester in all cases was increased. When the quantity of the chain extender used was higher than that theoretically required for its reaction with all carboxyl end groups of the polyester, this resulted in some gel formation indicative of crosslinking. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of Phosphorus Containing Polymers by Phase Transfer Catalysis (PTC). I. Comparative Study between Liquid-Liquid and Liquid-Vapor Systems

Abstract

Polyphosphonates were synthesized by interfacial alkaline polycondensation of bispheml A (BA) with phenyldichlorophosphonate (PPD) and cyclohexyl-dichlorophosphonate (CPD) in liquid-liquid[1] (1–1) and Iiquid-vapoR[2] (I-v) systems.     

Dual catalytic performance of arene-ruthenium amine complexes for norbornene ring-opening metathesis and methyl methacrylate atom-transfer radical polymerizations

Arene ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the cyclic amines RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(pyrrolidine)] ( 1 ), [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(piperidine)] ( 2 ), and [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(peridroazepine)] ( 3 ) were successfully synthesized. Complexes 1 – 3 were fully characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, computational methods, and one of the complexes was further studied by single crystal X-ray crystallography. These compounds were evaluated as catalytic precursors for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) and atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). NBE polymerization via ROMP was evaluated using complexes 1 – 3 as precatalysts in the presence of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) under different [NBE]/[EDA]/[Ru] ratios, temperatures (25 and 50°C), and reaction times (5–60 min). The highest yields of polyNBE were obtained with [NBE]/[EDA]/[Ru] = 5000/28/1 for 60 min at 50°C. MMA polymerization via ATRP was conducted using 1 – 3 as catalysts in the presence of ethyl-α-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as initiator. The catalytic tests were evaluated as a function of the reaction time using the initial molar ratio of [MMA]/[EBiB]/[Ru] = 1000/2/1 at 95°C. The increase in molecular weight as function of time indicates that complexes 1–3 were able to mediate the MMA polymerization with an acceptable rate and some level of control. Differences in the rate of polymerization were observed in the order 3 > 2 > 1 for the ROMP and ATRP.     

Synthesis of polyacrylamide-bound hydroquinone via a homolytic pathway: Application to the removal of heavy metals

Polyacrylamide (PAAm) was chemically modified with hydroquinone (HQ) via a homolytic route. A degree of modification of approximately 58% was obtained under optimal reaction conditions: time of 6 h, and [modifier]/[acrylamide] molar ratio of 5. PAAm and its modified form HQ–PAAm were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, FT–IR spectroscopy, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, DSC, TGA, XRD, and SEM. A relatively lower molecular weight of the corresponding hydroquinone-functionalized form was measured. The glass transition temperature of the modified polymeric material was lower than that of the pristine one: 78.82 °C for HQ–PAAm versus 161.19 °C for PAAm. A study of Cu(II) adsorption by the cross-linked PAAm and HQ–PAAm resins was conducted by varying the following parameters: pH, time, temperature, ionic strength, sorbent mass, and initial Cu(II) concentration. The adsorption capacity of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by the different resins and their corresponding extents of desorption were estimated. The optimal conditions for metal ion uptake by polyacrylamide and its modified resin were: pH = 5.4, time = 120 min, temperature = 45 °C. The sorption extent by the modified resin was in the order Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II). The desorption of the experimented metallic ions from the resins exceeded 97%. A new way of cross-linking PAAm and its modified form is described herein.     

[η3-methallyl-nickel-dad]PF6 complex: new catalyst precursor for ethylene polymerization

The complex [η³-methallyl-nickel-dad]PF₆ is a new catalyst precursor for ethylene polymerization. The system is active in the presence of usual organoaluminium compounds like diethylaluminium chloride, at low Al/Ni ratios and under mild reaction conditions (temperatures between −10°C and 25°C, ethylene partial pressure from 1 to 15 atm). The polymers show extensive methyl branching, whose content is controlled by reaction parameters like temperature and ethylene pressure.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the formation of silver nanoparticles by reduction of silver (I) with maltose in the presence of some active surfactants in aqueous medium

The kinetics and mechanism of the formation of silver nanoparticles by reduction of Ag⁺ with maltose were studied spectrophotometrically by monitoring the absorbance change at 412 nm in aqueous and micellar media at a temperature range 45–60 °C. The reaction was carried out under pseudo-first-order conditions by taking the [maltose] (>tenfold) the [Ag⁺]. A mechanism of the reaction between silver ion and maltose is proposed, and the rate equation derived from the mechanism was consistent with the experimental rate law. The effect of surfactants, namely cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, a cationic surfactant) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, an anionic surfactant), on the reaction rate has been studied. The enthalpy and the entropy of the activation were calculated using the transition state theory equation. The particle size of silver sols was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and some physiochemical and spectroscopic tools.     

Thermal studies of cobalt,iron and tin metalloporphyrins

A free-base tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP) and its corresponding metalloporphyrins (MTPP) where M = Co, Fe and Sn were synthesized and characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR and ¹Hnmr spectroscopy. Thermal studies of these porphyrins were carried out in synthetic air from room temperature to 800 °C using thermal analyser. The residues of MTPP after thermal treatment were qualitatively analysed, which showed the presence of corresponding metal oxides. Further, the above MTPP were subjected to thermogravimetry–evolved gas and mass spectrometry (TG–EGA–MS) analysis for the detailed information about evolved gases at their corresponding decomposition temperatures. This information may be used to predict the probable mechanism for ring opening of the macromolecular porphyrins.     

Synthesis and properties of new crystalline poly(arylene ether nitriles)

Crystalline poly(arylene ether nitrile) could be prepared by the polycondensation of 2,6-dihalobenzonitrile with resorcinol at 200°C in N-methylpyrrolidone in the presence of sodium carbonate. A reaction temperature of at least 200°C was necessary to attain high molecular weight polymer. Spectral data indicated that the polymer had the structure of a poly(meta-phenylene ether) with pendent nitrile groups on every other phenylene unit. Despite this structure, the crystallinity and the crystallization rate of the polymer were greater than those of the corresponding polymer with a para-linked structure. The glass transition temperature and the melting temperature of the polymer were almost the same as those of poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK^TM). A series of other new poly(arylene ether nitriles) were also examined. The polymers derived from 4,4′-biphenol, dihydroxytetra-phenylmethane, dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, and 1,5-isoquinolinediol had high glass transition temperatures. The poly(arylene ether nitriles) exhibited excellent tensile strength compared with the corresponding ketone- or sulfone-containing polymers. Comparing the three different kinds of polymers containing the same bisphenol units, the order of glass transition temperature was found to be sulfone- > nitrile- > ketone-containing polymers, while the order of tensile strength was nitrile- > ketone- > sulfone-containing polymers. The excellent mechanical properties are attributable to dipole-dipole interactions of nitrile groups. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated poly(benzoxazole ether ketone)s by direct copolymerization as novel polymers for proton-exchange membranes

A new series of sulfonated poly(benzoxazole ether ketone)s (SPAEKBO-X) were prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic polycondensation of 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)-diphenol with 2,2′-bis[2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzoxazol-6-yl]hexafluoropropane and sodium 5,5′-carbonylbis-2-fluorobenzenesulfonate in various ratios. Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR were used to characterize the structures and sulfonic acid contents of the copolymers. The copolymers were soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide and could form tough and flexible membranes. The protonated membranes were thermally stable up to 320 °C in air. The water uptake, hydrolytic and oxidative stability, and mechanical properties were evaluated. At 30–90 °C and 95% relative humidity, the proton conductivities of the membranes increased with the sulfonic acid content and temperature and almost reached that of Nafion 112. At 90–130 °C, without external humidification, the conductivities increased with the temperature and benzoxazole content and reached above 10⁻² S/cm. The SPAEKBO-X membranes, especially those with high benzoxazole compositions, possessed a large amount of strongly bound water (>50%). The experimental results indicate that SPAEKBO-X copolymers are promising for proton-exchange membranes in fuel cells, and their properties might be tailored by the adjustment of the copolymer composition for low temperatures and high humidity or for high temperatures and low humidity; they are especially promising for high-temperature applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2273–2286, 2007     

Studies on reactions of the N-phosphonium salts of pyridines. XIV. Wholly aromatic polyamides by the direct polycondensation reaction by using phosphites in the presence of metal salts

Poly-p-benzamide of high molecular weight (η_inh = ～ in H₂SO₄) was obtained by the direct polycondensation reaction of p-aminobenzoic acid (p-ABA) by means of diphenyl and triaryl phosphites in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-pyridine solution containing lithium and calcium chlorides. Molecular weight of polymer varied with the amount of these salts, showing maximum values at the concentration of about 4 wt-% of LiCl or about 8 wt-% of CaCl₂ in the reaction mixture. The reaction temperature at around 80°C gave a polymer of the highest viscosity. The polycondensation reaction was also affected by monomer concentration, solvents, and tertiary amines like pyridine. Similarly, aromatic polyamides with high molecular weight (η_inh values up to 1.34 in H₂SO₄) were prepared from isophthalic acid and aromatic diamines, whereas terephthalic acid gave only low-viscosity polymers.     

Preparation of polyamide-imides via the phosphorylation reaction. II. Synthesis of wholly aromatic polyamide-imides from N-[p-(or m-) carboxyphenyl]trimellitimides and various aromatic diamines

Wholly aromatic polyamide-imides with high molecular weight (η_inh up to 1.7 dL/g in DMAc–5% LiCl) were obtained by the direct polycondensation reaction of N-[p-( or m-) carboxyphenyl]trimellitimide [p-(or m-)CPTMI] and aromatic diamines by means of di- or triphenyl phosphite in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)-pyridine solution in the presence of lithium or calcium chloride. The factors affecting the phosphorylation reaction were investigated, in particular for the reaction of p-CPTMI and 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA). Molecular weight of polymers varied with the amount of metal salts and showed maximum values at the concentration of 10-15 wt % in the reaction mixture. Monomer concentration of 0.2 mol/L produced polymer of the highest viscosity. Higher concentrations produced gelation and yielded polymers of low molecular weight. A reaction temperature of about 120°C gave the best results. Among the solvents tested, NMP was significantly the most effective for the reaction. The highest inherent viscosity values, η_inh = 1.35 and 1.58 dL/g, were obtained with triphenyl phosphite (TPP)/monomer and diphenyl phosphite (DPP)/monomer molar ratios of 2.0. Excessive addition of phosphites did not cause a serious deleterious effect on the molecular weight of polymer. Polycondensations of several combinations of p-or m-CPTMI and aromatic diamines were carried out with satisfactory results.     

Chain extension of polyesters PET and PBT with two new diimidodiepoxides. II

Two new diglycidyl ester compounds containing preformed imide rings for better thermal stability were prepared to be used as chain extenders for PET and PBT. The preparation of these compounds was carried out in two steps. In the first step, diimidodiacids were prepared from pyromellitic anhydride and 3-aminopropanoic acid or 4-(aminomethyl)benzoic acid. From these diimidoacids, in a second step, diimidodiepoxides were obtained by reaction with epichlorohydrin. The aforementioned diimidodiepoxides were used as chain extenders for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with satisfactory results. The polyester samples obtained from various residence times in the reactor, were characterized by solution viscosity measurements, carboxyl, and hydroxyl end-group determination. Starting from a PET having intrinsic viscosity ([η]) of 0.60 dL/g and carboxyl content (CC) of 42 equiv/10⁶ g, one could obtain PET with [η] of 1.16 and CC below 5 equiv/10⁶ g. The typical reaction condition for the coupling of PET was its heating with the chain extender under argon atmosphere above its melting temperature (280°C) for several minutes. Analogous results were obtained for PBT. The hydroxyl content in all cases was increased. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermal and optical properties of some phosphorus‐containing poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐ester‐imide)s

A series of phosphorus‐containing poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐ester‐imide)s was prepared by polycondensation reaction of an aromatic dianhydride, namely 1,4‐[2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz<c,e><1,2>oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)]‐naphthalene‐bis(trimellitate)dianhydride, with different aromatic diamines containing 1,3,4‐oxadiazole ring. A solution imidization procedure was used to convert quantitatively the poly(amic acid) intermediates to the corresponding polyimides. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The polymers were easily soluble in polar solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N‐dimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran. They exhibited good thermal properties having the decomposition temperature above 380°C and the glass transition temperature in the range of 201–232°C. Due to the presence of phosphorus the polymers gave high char yield in termogravimetric analysis, hence good flame retardant properties. Optical properties were analyzed in solution by using UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Solutions of the polymers in NMP exhibited photoluminescence in the blue region. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and some properties of nylon-4,2

An attempt was made to produce a new short-chain alphatic polyamide nylon-4,2. This polyoxamide can be prepared by polycondensation of tetramethylene diamine and diethyl oxalate. A high molecular weight polymer (η_inh = 1.9 from 0.5% solutions in 96% sulphuric acid) has been obtained by employing a two-step polycondensation method; the precondensation was carried out in solution at low temperatures (20–140°C) and the postcondensation in the solid state at high temperatures (250–300°C). The effect of solvent composition and reaction temperature on the prepolymerization and the effect of reaction time and temperature on the postcondensation was studied. We also investigated the influence of moisture during washing, storing, and the solid-state reaction on the polymerizability by the postcondensation. Nylon-4,2 is soluble only in highly polar solvents such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), dichloroacetic acid, and 96% sulphuric acid. Films were cast from TFA. With these films we studied the IR spectrum, WAXS pattern, water absorption, and melting behavior. Nylon-4,2 was found to melt at 388–392°C, has a crystallinity of 70%, and a low water absorption (3.1% at 50% RH). The glass transition temperature of the dry sample was found to be at ～120°C and for the wet sample at ?15°C.     

The reaction of ruthenium atoms with buta-1,3-diene: synthesis of [RuL(η4-C4H6)2] where L = PF3, CO and (CH3)3 CNC

Condensation of ruthenium vapour with a mixture of pentane and buta-1,3-diene vapours at ?196°C, followed by warming to ?40°C, yields an unstable brown solution which reacts above ?40°C with PF₃, CO or (CH₃)₃ CNC to give the corresponding complex [RuL(η⁴-C₄H₆)₂] in > 40% yield. The ease of isolation and purification of these air sensitive complexes decreases in the order PF₃ > (CH₃)₃CNC > CO.     

Aqueous polymerization of methacrylic acid initiated by Ce4+ -glycolic acid redox pair

The aqueous polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) initiated by a Ce⁴⁺ -glycolic acid (GA) system was observed in a sulfuric acid medium at 35 ± 0.2°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of monomer disappearance was proportional to [MAA]¹ and the rate of ceric ion disappearance was proportional to [GA][Ce⁴⁺]. An increase in the reaction temperature from 30 to 45°C raised the rate and the overall activation energy was 63 kJ/mol. The molecular weight increased with a rise in [MAA] and a reduction in [Ce⁴⁺]. The effect of varying [H₂SO₄] was also studied.     

Conformational behaviour of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) in solution—I: Intrinsic viscosity as a function of temperature

Intrinsic viscosities [η] of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) solutions have been measured as a function of temperature between 60 and 25°C. The solvents were toluene and trichloroethene. In both solvents, the [η]-T curve exhibited a point of inflection in the range 45-35°. This phenomenon is explained as a conformational transition, which is possibly involved in the nucleation process of the solution crystallization of PPO. Assuming constancy of the coil expansion factor α_η and the solvent draining over the whole temperature interval, a slight increase of characteristic parameter C_α, with decreasing temperature has been calculated.     

Heptane-soluble homogeneous zirconocene catalyst: Synthesis of a single diastereomer,polymerization catalysis,and effect of silica supports

Bis(1-indenyl)-di[1′S, 2′R, 5′S)-methoxy]silane ( 1 ) was converted into a mixture of corresponding ansa-diastereomeric zirconocenes. Further purification afforded a single dia-stereomer, di[(1′S, 2′R, 5′S)-methoxy] silylene-bis[η⁵-1(R, R)-(+)-indenyl] dichlorozirconium ( 2 ), which is optically active and hydrocarbon soluble. Extremely rapid ethylene, propylene, and ethylene-hexene polymerizations were observed both in toluene and n-heptane solutions; for instance, at 50°C, activity for ethylene polymerization reaches ～ 1.5×10¹⁰ (g of PE/((mol of Zr) · [C₂H₄] · h). The “bare” zirconocenium ion generated from 2/TIBA/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ exhibits unusual polymerization behaviors; the polymerization activity increases monotonically with temperature of polymerization (T_p) up to a conventional polymerization condition (50–70°C), and the ¹³C NMR study shows that the isotactic poly-propylene obtained has fairly high [mmmm] methyl pentad distributions at high T_p (?25°C with [mmmm] ～ 0.93–0.75) and a perfect stereoregularity at low T_p (?0°C with [mmmm] > 0.99). The catalyst precursors 2 and Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ ( 3 ) supported on silica by different approaches produced poly(olefins) of different molecular weights and stereoregularities, and a methylaluminokane and Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ free silica-supported zirconocene system was found to be activated by triisobutylaluminum. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solvent influence on complex formation between Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in binary mixed nonaqueous solvents at 15–45°C

The complexation reaction of Cd²⁺ cation with 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ) was studied in acetonitrile (AN), 2-PrOH, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), EtOH, dimethylformamide (DMF) and in binary solutions AN–2-PrOH, AN–DMF, AN–EtOH, and AN–EtOAc using conductometric method at 15–45°C. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of the Cd²⁺ complex with HNQ in all solvent systems is 1 : 1. In the pure solvents the stability of the complex changes in the order AN > 2-PrOH > EtOH > DMF. The stability of the complex at 25°C in the studied mixtures changes in the following order : AN?EtOAc > AN?2-PrOH > AN?EtOH > AN?DMF. These orders are affected by the nature and composition of the solvent systems and by the temperature. From the temperature dependence data, the thermodynamic functions values (ΔH° and ΔS°) for the complex formation were calculated.     

Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Polycalix[4]amides Containing Mesogenic Triazole Units and Investigations of Their Thermo Physical Properties and Heavy Metal Sorption Behavior

Novel polyamides bearing calix[4]arene and triazole units, polytriazolecalixamides (PTCAs), were prepared by direct polycondensation of a new bistriazole substituted dicarboxylic acid derivative of calix[4]arene with commercial diamines. The polytriazolecalixamides were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.42–0.59 dl/g. These polytriazolecalixamides were readily soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as NMP, DMSO, DMAc at room temperature and in THF by heating. Nanocrystalline structures were determined by XRD patterns and confirmed by DSC as well as TEM and AFM imaging techniques. The photophysical study was performed by UV-absorption spectroscopy and maximum wavelength for each polymer specified in details. Glass transition temperatures were between 134 and 154°C. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that these polyamides displayed high thermal stability ranged from 273 to 312°C at the point of 10% weight loss, and char yields were about 51.4–67.4% at 600°C in nitrogen. All of these nanocrystalline polycalixamides showed promising sorption properties towards transition metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Cr²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺ and especially Pb²⁺ in solid-liquid extraction which fulfill our needs in synthesizing novel high performance polyamides.