Biodegradable polymers based on renewable resources. II. Synthesis and biodegradability of polyesters containing furan rings

A series of polyesters were synthesized by the bulk polycondensations of the respective combinations of two difuranic diesters, i.e., bis(5-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-furyl)methane ( 4a ) and 1,1-bis(5-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-furyl)ethane ( 4b ), with two 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydrohexitols [1,4 : 3,6-dianhydro-D -glucitol ( 1 ) and 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydro-D -mannitol ( 2 )], four aliphatic diols, and three oligo(ethylene glycol)s. The polycondensations were carried out at 220–230°C in the presence of titanium isopropoxide as a catalyst, giving polyesters having number average molecular weight up to 2.4 × 10⁴. These polyesters are soluble in a variety of solvents including chlorinated hydrocarbons, 1,4-dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, and sulfolane. Soil-burial tests along with enzymatic degradation experiments showed that these polyesters are potentially biodegradable. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2729–2737, 1997     

Polyesters,polyurethanes and epoxy resins derived from 2,2′-(1,4-phenylenedivinylene)bis-8-hydroxyquinaldine and 6-(4-hydroxystyryl)-3-hydroxypyridine

New polyesters and polyurethanes as well as diepoxides bearing styrylpyridine segments were prepared utilizing 2,2′-(1,4-phenylenedivinylene)bis-8-hydroxyquinaldine (PBHQ) and 6-(4-hydroxystyryl)-3-hydroxypyridine (HSHP) as starting materials. The polyesters were prepared by reacting PBHQ or HSHP with terephthaloyl dichloride in the presence of an acid acceptor utilizing the solution polycondensation method. The polyurethanes were prepared from the reactions of PBHQ and HSHP with tolylene diisocyanate and methylenebis(4-phenylisocyanate). In addition, model diesters and diurethanes were synthesized by reacting PBHQ and HSHP with benzoyl chloride and phenyl isocyanate, respectively. Model compounds and polymers were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy as well as by DTA and TGA. Diepoxides were also prepared from the reactions of PBHQ and HSHP with epichlorohydrin which were polymerized in the presence of 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone. The polyesters were the most thermostable polymers obtained. After curing at 240°C for 20 h, they were stable in N₂ up to 345–370°C and afforded anaerobic char yields of 65–75% at 800°C. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of new polyesters having tetrahydrofuran rings in their main chains

New polyesters 6a–6c consisting of 2,4-linked tetrahydrofuran rings were synthesized by bulk polycondensation of methyl trans- and cis-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylates ( 5a and 5b ) and a stereoisomeric mixture of methyl 4-hydroxy-5-methyltetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylate ( 5c ) at high temperature. These monomers were prepared from methyl glycolate or methyl lactate and diethyl maleate through a four-step reaction sequence. The polycondensation was carried out without solvent at different temperatures ranging from 150 to 220°C. Titanium isopropoxide was most effective among the catalysts examined, giving polyesters with number-average molecular weights up to 2 × 10⁴. Polyester 6a consisting of trans-2,4-linked tetrahydrofuran rings was soluble in trifluoroacetic acid and a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol (10/1, v/v). Polyester 6b composed of cis-2,4-linked tetrahydrofuran rings was soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide in addition to the two solvents for 6a . Polyester 6c with 5-methyl-substituted tetrahydrofuran rings was composed of a mixture of stereoisomeric units and thus was soluble in a variety of solvents including chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dimethylformamide. The glass transition temperatures of 6a, 6b , and 6c determined by DSC were 109, 88, and 66°C. These polyesters were found to be very slowly hydrolyzed in a neutral phosphate buffer solution at ambient temperature. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polyesters by lipase-catalyzed polycondensation of unsaturated and epoxidized long-chain α,ω-dicarboxylic acid methyl esters with diols

Long-chain, symmetrically unsaturated α,ω-dicarboxylic acid methyl esters (C₁₈, C₂₀, C₂₆) were obtained by the catalytic metathetical condensation of 9-decenoic, 10-undecenoic, and 13-tetradecenoic acid methyl esters, respectively, with the homogeneous Grubbs catalyst bis(tricyclohexyl phosphine) benzylidene ruthenium dichloride dissolved in methylene chloride. The dicarboxylic acid esters were epoxidized chemoenzymatically with H₂O₂/methyl acetate with Novozym 435^®, an immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica. Polyesters from symmetrically unsaturated or epoxidized α,ω-dicarboxylic acid methyl esters with 1,3-propanediol or 1,4-butanediol, respectively, were achieved by enzymatic polycondensation with the same biocatalyst applied. With 1,3-propanediol as a substrate, the linear unsaturated and epoxidized polyesters had molecular weights of 1950–3300 g/mol and melting points of 47–75 °C, whereas with 1,4-butanediol as a substrate, the resulting polyesters showed higher molecular weights, 7900–11,600 g/mol, with similar melting points of 55–74 °C. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1601–1609, 2001     

Polyesters,polyurethanes, and epoxy resin derived from 2,2′-(1,4-phenylenedivinylene)bis-5-hydroxypyridine

2,2′-(1,4-Phenylenedivinylene)bis-5-hydroxypyridine (PBHP) was used as a starting material for preparing new polyesters and polyurethanes as well as a diepoxide-bearing styrylpyridine segments. The diesters were prepared by reacting PBHP with terephthaloyl or adipoyl dichloride utilizing the interfacial polycondensation method. The diesters were prepared from the reaction of PBHP with tolylene diisocyanate or methylenebis(4-phenylisocyanate). In addition, a model diester and diurethane were synthesized by reacting PBHP with benzoyl chloride and phenyl isocyanate, respectively. Both model compounds and polymers were characterized by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, as well as by DTA and TGA. A diepoxide was also prepared from the reaction of PBHP with epichlorohydrin which was polymerized in the presence of 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone. The polyester derived from PBHP and terephthaloyl dichloride was the most thermostable polymer obtained. It was stable in N₂ up to 355°C and afforded an anaerobic char yield of 59% at 800°C. The thermal stabilities of polymers were improved by curing.     

Biodegradable polymers based on renewable resources. VII. Novel random and alternating copolycarbonates from 1,4:3,6‐dianhydrohexitols and aliphatic diols

Novel copolycarbonates containing 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐D ‐glucitol or 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐D ‐mannitol units, with various methylene chain lengths, were synthesized by bulk and solution polycondensations, of several combinations of carbonate‐modified sugar derivatives and aliphatic diols. Bulk polycondensations of 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐2,5‐bis‐O‐(phenoxycarbonyl)‐D ‐glucitol or 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐2,5‐bis‐O‐(phenoxycarbonyl)‐D ‐mannitol with four α,ω‐alkanediols having methylene chain lengths of 4, 6, 8, and 10, respectively, at 180 °C afforded the corresponding copolycarbonates with number‐average molecular weight (M_n) values up to 19.₂ × 10³. ¹³C NMR analysis disclosed that these polymers had scrambled structures in which the sugar carbonate and aliphatic carbonate moieties were nearly randomly distributed along a polymer chain. However, solution polycondensations between 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐2,5‐bis‐O‐(p‐nitrophenoxycarbonyl)‐D ‐glucitol or 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐2,5‐bis‐O‐(p‐nitrophenoxycarbonyl)‐D ‐mannitol, and the α,ω‐alkanediols in sulfolane or dimethyl sulfoxide at 60 °C gave well‐defined copolycarbonates having regular structures consisting of alternating sugar carbonate and aliphatic carbonate moieties with M_n values up to 33.₈ × 10³. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that all the copolycarbonates were amorphous with glass‐transition temperatures ranging from 1 to 65 °C, which decreased with increasing lengths of the methylene chain of the aliphatic diols. Additionally, all the copolycarbonates were stable up to 310–330 °C as estimated by thermogravimetric analysis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2312–2321, 2003     

Synthesis and properties of dipyridinium betaines of derivatives of 1,4-benzoquinone and tetracyanoquinodimethane

Reaction of chloranil with excess pyridine gives the poorly stable 2,5-di(N-pyridinium)-3,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone dichloride which is readily hydrolyzed to give the bisbetaine of 2,5-di(N-pyridinium)-1,4-benzoquinone-3,6-dioxide. Treatment with acid gives its mono- and bisprotonated derivatives as the perchlorate and dibromide and bromination gives the betaine 2-bromo-2,5-di(N-pyridinium)-5-cyclohexene-1,3,4-trione-6-oxide perbromide. The reaction of malonodinitrile with 2,5-di(N-pyridinium)-3,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone dichloride in situ gives the poorly stable bisbetaine of 2,5-di(N-pyridinium)-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane-3,6-dioxide.Riga Technical University, Riga LV-1048. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 346–349, March, 1998.     

A novel thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester containing phosphorus and aromatic ether moity toward high flame retardancy and low mesophase temperature

A series of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters containing phosphorus and aromatic ether groups (TLCP‐AEs) were synthesized from p‐acetoxybenzoic acid (p‐ABA), terephthalic acid (TPA), 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) (OBBA), and acetylated 2‐(6‐oxid‐6H‐dibenz(c,e) (1,2) oxaphosphorin 6‐yl) 1,4‐benzenediol (DOPO‐AHQ). The chemical structure and the properties of TLCP‐AEs were characterized by Fourier‐transform spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), limiting oxygen index, and UL‐94 tests, respectively. The results showed that TLCP‐AEs had low and broad mesophase temperatures (230–400 °C). TLCP‐AEs also showed excellent thermal stability; their 5%‐weight‐loss temperatures were above 440 °C and the char yields at 700 °C were higher than 45 wt %. All TLCP‐AE polyesters exhibited high flame retardancy with a LOI value of higher than 70 and UL‐94 V‐0 rating. The SEM observation revealed that TLCP‐AEs had good fibrillation ability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1182–1189, 2010     

The preparation,characterization, and selected charge transfer properties of some anthracene functionalized polyesters

Novel anthracene backboned polyesters were successfully prepared by the melt condensation polymerization of anthracene 9,10-diacetic acid dimethyl ester using titanium (IV) n-butoxide as catalyst. Monomer and polymer structures were identified by a variety of methods. The melt polymerizations were carefully controlled to give low molecular weight polyesters soluble in chloroform. ¹H-NMR was used to determine the degree of polymerization and number-average molecular weight for each of the polyesters. Analysis of the 3-5 ppm spectral region contained the necessary resonances for the interpretation. Spectral results show . Higher molecular weight polymers can also be prepared but chloroform solubility is lost. Thermal studies reveal the T_g of these materials varies from 50–60°C depending upon the aliphatic segment of the polymer. Decomposition temperatures in the range of 400–500°C were observed. Charge transfer complexes of these polymers were also studied. Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy indicates these polyesters are good electron donating systems. Complexation with tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranil) have absorption maxima at approximately 662 nm. Absorption studies also reveal perturbations do exist in the polymer complexes suggesting the possibility of polymer effects. The emission spectra of these materials also confirms that fact.     

Synthesis and properties of phosphorus-containing polyesters derived from 2-(6-oxido-6H-dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin-6-yl)-1,4- hydroxyethoxy phenylene

A series of phosphorous-containing aliphatic polyesters were synthesized by high-temperature solution condensation of 2-(6-oxido-6H-dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin-6-yl)-1,4-hydroxyethoxy phenylene (III) with various aromatic acid chlorides in o-dichlorobenzene. All polyesters are amorphous and readily soluble in many organic solvents such as DMAc, NMP, DMSO, and o-dichlorobenzene at room temperature or upon heating. These polyesters are thermally quite stable. The glass transition temperatures of these aliphatic polyesters ranged from 126.6 to 162.2°C. The degradation temperatures (T_d onset) in nitrogen ranged from 424 to 448°C, and the char yields at 700°C are 20–32%. The activation energies of degradation ranged from 160.9 to 226.0 kJ/mol. The LOIs of these polyesters ranged from 36 to 43. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 3051–3061, 1998     

Synthesis of a novel starch-derived AB-type polyurethane

Starting from 1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol (DAS, 1 ), a five step monomer synthesis led to 2-deoxy-1,4:3,6-dianhydro-2-isocyanato-L -iditol, 9 , which by catalytic polyaddition gave polyurethane 13 . A second route required the synthesis of 2-azido-5-O-chloroformyl-2-deoxy-1,4:3,6-dianhydro-L -iditol, 11 . During catalytic hydrogenation, the intermediate 2-aminochloroformyl derivative 12 underwent spontaneous polycondensation. The structure of 13 was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Gel-permeation chromatography showed M̄_n = 8 000–12 000 corresponding to a degree of polymerisation up to 70. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed the polyadduct to be semicrystalline with a glass transition at T_g = 118°C and a melting range of 190–200°C. The polycondensation product was found to be crystalline with a melting range of 140–180°C.     

New polymer syntheses. 60. Thermostable polymers of 2-(hydroxyaryl)benzoxazole-5-carboxylic acids

Tristrimethylsilyl-3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid was condensed with various aromatic acetoxy carboxylic acid chlorides in Marlotherms-S® at 20–350°C. Under these conditions formation of an amide group, ring closure to benzoxazole groups and polycondensation occur step by step in a “one-pot procedure”. The crude polyesters were hydrolyzed to yield pure 2-(hydroxyaryl) benzoxazole-5-carboxylic acids which were acetylated and polycondensed. The pure polyesters obtained in this way were characterized by viscosity and DSC measurements, WAXS-powder patterns, and thermogravimetric analyses. The polyester of 2-(4-hydrophenyl) benzoxazole-5-carboxylic acid has a degree of crystallinity > 90% and a short term in thermostability in air up to 500°C.     

Neue cyclische und bicyclische Systeme aus Phosphor,Kohlenstoff und Schwefel

New Cyclic and Bicyclic Systems Made of Phosphorus, Carbon, and Sulfur By reaction of P₄S₁₀ with tertiary alkyl amines dialkylammonium salts of 3, 6- dialkyl1-2, 5-dithioxo-2λ⁵, 5°⁵-[1.4.2.5]dithiadiphosphorinan-2, 5-dithiols (V) are obtained. By pyrolysis the 3,6-dialkyl-2, 5, 7-trithia-1, 4-diphosphabicyclo[2.2.1] heptane-1,4-disulfides are formed ( VIII ). The result of an X-ray structural analysis of 3,6-di-isopropyl1-2,5,7-trithia-1,4-diphosphabicyclo [2.2.1]heptane-1,4-disulfide ( VIIIc ) is reported.     

Soluble polyimides containing 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐d‐glucidol and fluorinated units: Preparation,characterization, optical,and dielectric properties

Aiming to develop soluble and colorless polyimides, two novel diamines, 2,5‐bis(2‐trifluoromethyl‐4‐amino‐phenoxy)‐1,4:3,6‐dianhydrosorbitol (2a) and 2,5‐bis(2‐methyl‐4‐amino‐phenoxy)‐1,4:3,6‐dianhydrosorbitol (2b), were designed and synthesized by the reduction of corresponding dinitro monomer which was obtained via solvent‐free melt heating method. Polyimides (PI–(1–5)) containing 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐d ‐glucidol fragments were prepared from 2a and five kinds of common dianhydrides and PI–6 was synthesized from 2b and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)‐diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) via a two‐step thermal imidization. All the polyimides were readily soluble in common polar solvents and could afford flexible, tough, and transparent films with transparency as high as 87% at 450 nm. Meanwhile, PI–(1–6) exhibited unexpectedly low dielectric constants of 2.02–2.52 at 1 MHz. In addition, analogs PI–7 derived from 2,5‐bis(4‐amino‐phenoxy)‐1,4:3,6‐dianhydrosorbitol (2c) and 6FDA and PI–8 derived from 4,4′‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)biphenyl (2d) and 6FDA were also obtained via a two‐step thermal imidization for comparision with PI–(1–6) on aspects of thermal, mechnical, optical, electrical, and morphological properties. The structure–property relationships of PI–(1–8) were discussed in detail. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3253–3265     

Broad-line NMR and dynamic mechanical behavior of some aromatic polyesters

The dynamic mechanical properties of four aromatic polyesters were measured at temperatures in the 78–540°K region at 10³–10⁴ cps. The polymers studied were: poly(1,3 phenylene isophthalate), poly(1,4 phenylene terephthalate), poly(4,4′ diphenylene isophthalate), and poly(4,4′ diphenylene terephthalate). All four polymers had β loss peaks at about 280°K. Distinct β^* mechanical processes were found for the two terephthalate esters. Broad-line nuclear magnetic resonance measurements were carried out in the 150–440°K temperature range on the four polyesters mentioned above in addition to poly(4,4′ diphenylene 4,4′ biphenyl dicarboxylate). A change in NMR second moment takes place in the 190–330°K region, the magnitude of which is dependent on the polymer structure. The results are compared with those found for a series of aromatic polyamides and are discussed in terms of possible motional processes.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Photosensitive Phosphorus Based Polymers Containing α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones in the Main Chain

1,3‐Bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propenone (BHPP) and 3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy phenyl)‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propenone (HMPHPP) were used as monomers for preparing photosensitive phosphorus containing polyesters. The photosensitive monomers BHPP and HMPHPP were prepared respectively by refluxing 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde with 4‐hydroxy acetophenone. The polyesters were synthesized by interfacial polycondensation of photosensitive diols with N‐phenylphosphoramidic dichloride using hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMAB) as phase‐transfer catalyst. Copolymers were also prepared by incorporating terephthaloyl chloride in the polymer backbone. The synthesized monomers and polymers were characterized by UV, FT‐IR and ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.15–0.51 dL/g and showed good solubility in polar organic solvents. The thermal properties of the polymers were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry under nitrogen atmosphere. The TGA data revealed that the 10% weight loss occurs at 275–320°C and all the synthesized polymers showed high char residues. DSC studies indicate that these polymers possess T_g in the range of 48 to 64°C. The photosensitive property of the polymers in film and solution state was investigated by ultraviolet spectroscopy. The effect of incorporation of terephthaloyl unit on photocrosslinking and thermal properties of the polymers was also studied.     

Synthesis and properties of polyimides derived from 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz[c,e] [1,2]oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl) phenylene

A new phosphorus‐containing aromatic diamine, 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz[c,e] [1,2]oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl) phenylene ( 3 ) was synthesized by the nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz[c,e] [1,2]oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)‐1,4‐dihydroxy phenylene ( 1 ) with 4‐fluoronitrobenzene, followed by catalytic hydrogenation. Light color, flexible, and creasable polyimides with high molecular weight, high glass transition, high thermal stability, improved organosolubility, and good oxygen plasma resistance were synthesized from the condensation of ( 3 ) with various aromatic dianhydrides in N,N‐dimethylacetamide, followed by thermal imidization. The number‐average molecular weights of polyimides are in the range of 7.0–8.3 × 10⁴ g/mol, and the weight‐average molecular weights are in the range of 12.5–16.5 × 10⁴ g/mol. The T_gs of these polyimides range from 230 to 304 °C by differential scanning calorimetry and from 228 to 305 °C by DMA. These polyimides are tough and flexible, with tensile strength at around 100 MPa. The degradation temperatures (T_d 5%) and char yields at 800 °C in nitrogen range from 544 to 597 °C and 59–65 wt %, respectively. Polyimides 5c and 5e , derived from OPDA and 6FDA, respectively, with the cutoff wavelength of 347 and 342 μm, respectively, show very light color. These polyimides also exhibit good oxygen plasma resistance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2897–2912, 2007     

Internal motion in some aromatic polyesters and linear aromatic chains

Low-temperature internal motions of the following polyesters have been investigated by broad line nuclear magnetic resonance: poly(methylene terephthalates) (2–6 methylene groups), poly[1,4-(dimethylene)cyclohexylene terephthalate], poly(diethyleneglycol terephthalate), poly(1,2-propylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-phenylene terephthalate), poly(2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoropentamethylene terephthalate), poly[1,4-phenylenebis(dimethyl) siloxane], and poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide). No complex line structure was found for any of the samples. Molecular motions in the polyesters appear to be restricted by polar forces arising from the ester groups. Above—196°C. the line width decreases smoothly with increasing temperatures for all polymers except poly[1,4-(dimethylene)cyclohexylene terephthalate] and poly[1,4-phenylenebis(dimethyl)siloxane]. These two show a definite transition in line width at ?20°C. and +12°C., respectively, caused by the onset of considerable internal motion. At ?196°C. the lattices are rigid except for polymers containing methyl groups: poly(1,2-propylene terephthalate), poly[1,4-phenylenebis(dimethyl) siloxane], and poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide). Internal motion that can be ascribed to be a reorientation of the methyl groups is present at ?196°C. for these three polymers, as is demonstrated by comparison of experimental second moments and those calculated on the basis of various models.     

HPLC and 1H-NMR Studies of Alkaline Hydrolysis of Some 7-(Oxyiminoacyl)cephalosporins

Alkaline hydrolysis (pH 10.5) of the three 7-(oxyiminoacyl)cephalosporins 1a–c (cefuroxime, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone) was studied at 37° using HPLC and ¹H-NMR techniques. The 7-epicephalosporin 2 , the 3-methylidene compound 3 , and the 6-epimer 4 of the 3-methylidene compound 3 were identified for each cephalosporin as the major degradation products under the conditions used; ceftazidime ( 1b ) yielded also the Δ²-isomer 5b (Scheme 1). A kinetic scheme was developed to account for the production of these compounds, and the different kinetic constants involved in the process were calculated. The experimental results show that the presence of a pyridinio group at position C–C(3) favours the appearance of the Δ²-isomer, which was detected mainly in cephalosporins bearing an ester function at C(4). The presence of an oxyimino group at C? CONH? C(7) facilitates epimerization at C(7) (→ 2 ), whereas that of an electron-withdrawing group at C? C(3) results in a increased formation constant for the 3-methylidene compound 3 . The 3-methylidene compounds 3a–c produced by the three cephalosporins on cleavage of the β-lactam ring all underwent epimerization at C(6) to yield the corresponding 6-epimer 4 .     

Synthesis of dimethyl 3-perfluoroalkyl-4-(3-oxo-2-triphenyl-phosphoranylidenbutanylidene)-pent-2-enedioate and its cyclization

The title compounds 5a-5c were prepared via the reaction of methyl 2-perfluoroal-kynoates (4) with methyl 5-oxo-4-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)hex-2-enoate (3), which was obtained from the reaction of methyl propynate (2) with acetylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane (1) at -5-0℃. Intramolecular elimination of Ph3PO took place when compound 5 was heated in aqueous methanol at 115-120℃ in sealed tube, yielding dimethyl 2-trifluoromethyl-4-methylisophthalate (6a) from 5a and methyl 5-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2-heptafluoropropanylbenzoate (6b) from 5b, respectively. The structures of compounds 5, 6a and 6b were confirmed by IR, MS, 1H NMR, 19F NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Rection mechanisms for the formation of compounds 5, 6a and 6b were proposed.