Cationic polymerization of styrene in a neutral ionic liquid

The cationic polymerization of styrene in a neutral ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, with a 1‐phenetyl chloride/TiCl₄ initiating system is reported. The polymerization proceeds to a high conversion, but an analysis of the matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight spectra of the polymers indicates that chain transfer is significant, leading to a lack of control over the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3230–3235, 2004     

Initiation process of L‐lactide polymerization carried out with zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate

Lactide polymerization using zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate [Zr(acac)₄] as an initiator was investigated. In the reaction between Zr(acac)₄ and the monomer molecule, lactide deprotonation and the release of acetylacetone occurred. The structures of the obtained complexes were analyzed with high‐resolution NMR spectroscopy. A computational method was used to calculate the hypothetical structures. The role of the obtained complexes in the initiation of polymerization and the reaction of chain growth was proposed. The influence of the reaction temperature on the structures of the complexes was investigated. Polylactide chain growth proceeded by an insertion‐coordination mechanism. The polymer chain grew on one ligand, which was formed in advance from a deprotonated lactide. The molecular masses of the obtained polymers were the same as the theoretical masses and were directly proportional to the reaction conversion. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1886–1900, 2004     

Pressure-temperature phase diagrams of smectogenic 4'-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyls (9CB, 10CB, 11CB and 12CB)

The pressure-temperature ( p - T ) phase diagrams for four smectogenic members of the 4'-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyl homologous series ( n CB, n =9, 10, 11 and 12) over the temperature range 320-410 K and pressure range 0.1-300 MPa (3 kbar) were constructed using DTA. At 1 atm 9CB exhibits nematic and smectic A d phases, while the other members show only the smectic A d phase. However, at elevated pressures the clearing line splits in the case of 10CB and 11CB which indicates the induction of a nematic phase. It was found that the triple point, where the isotropic, nematic and smectic phases coexist, is strongly shifted to higher pressures with increasing chain length. This was interpreted as being caused by a loss of the rod-like shape of the molecules containing longer alkyl tails which explore a range of conformations. The slope of the clearing line, d T /d p , depends strongly on the length of the alkyl chain for the n CB series, but does not show a step-wise change between the nematogenic and smectogenic members.     

Synthesis of biodegradable copolymers with low‐toxicity zirconium compounds. V. Multiblock and random copolymers of L‐lactide with trimethylene carbonate obtained in copolymerizations initiated with zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate

Using zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate as an initiator of lactide/trimethylene carbonate copolymerization allowed us to obtain high‐molecular‐weight copolymers with high efficiency. The reactivity ratios of the comonomers were 13.0 for lactide and 0.53 for trimethylene carbonate. Despite the large differences between the values of the reactivity ratios, copolymers with randomized chain structures were obtained. This phenomenon occurred as a result of an intensive intermolecular transesterification process proceeding along with the reaction of copolymer chain growth and modifying its final structure. Conducting the copolymerization at the relatively low temperature of about 110 °C, which minimized the influence of intermolecular transesterification, made it possible to obtain semicrystalline copolymers with multiblock structures. Increasing the temperature of copolymerization up to 180 °C was associated with strong intensification of the transesterification reactions. At this temperature, amorphous copolymers were obtained with identical compositions but highly randomized chain structures. An analysis of the chain microstructures of the obtained copolymers, determining the average length of the blocks, the intermolecular transesterification ratio, and the degree of chain randomization, was conducted by means of NMR spectroscopy. For this purpose, very specific signal assignment in the carbonyl and methylene carbon regions of the ¹³C NMR spectra to appropriate comonomer sequences of polymeric chains was performed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3184–3201, 2006     

Synthesis of biodegradable copolymers with low‐toxicity zirconium compounds. IV. Copolymerization of glycolide with trimethylene carbonate and 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate: Microstructure analysis of copolymer chains by high‐resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The results of the copolymerization of glycolide with cyclic trimethylene carbonate and 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate are described. The copolymerization was conducted in the presence of low‐toxicity zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate as an initiator. With this kind of initiator, the composition of the comonomer units in the copolymer chains was assumed to be obtained with high efficiency. Despite significant differences in the comonomer reactivity, in copolymers containing comparable amounts of glycolidyl and carbonate sequences, highly randomized chain structures were observed. This effect resulted from strong intermolecular transesterification that proceeded during the studied copolymerization and caused glycolidyl microblock randomization. The assignment of the spectral NMR lines to appropriate comonomer sequences of polymeric chains was performed in the region of methylene protons of glycolidyl units in ¹H NMR spectra of the copolymers and in the carbonyl region of carbon spectra. The equations were formulated for a detailed characterization of the obtained copolymer chains, the average lengths of the blocks, and the transesterification and randomization coefficients. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 98–114, 2006     

Structure of 18-cyanoprogesterone,C22H29O2N

The crystal structure of 18-cyanoprogesterone was determined by X-ray diffraction methods:P2₁2₁2₁ a=7.436(2),b=11.322(2),c=22.642(2) Å. The structure was solved usingShelx-86. Final conventionalR=0.054.R _w =0.051 for 1841 reflections. TheA ring has an intermediate sofa-half-chair conformation with asymmetry parameters C _s ^/1 =11.0, C ₂ ^3,4 =14.9. The steroid skeleton exhibits a flattening of theA ring relative to the rest of the molecule. The progesterone side chain has a typical conformation, and the C16-C17-C20-O20 torsion angle is –19.0(6)°.     

Über eine neue automatische Apparatur zur Zentigramm-Bestimmung von Kohlenstoff und Wasserstoff in organischen Substanzen

Zusammenfassung Das vom Verfasser undE. Sucharda schon 1928 angewandte Prinzip, die durch das Verhalten der Substanz beim Erhitzen bewirkten Druckschwankungen im Verbrennungsrohre zum Zwecke der automatischen Regulierung der Vergasungsgeschwindigkeit der Substanz bei der Elementaranalyse auszunutzen, wurde bei der Konstruktion einer neuen, elektrisch betriebenen, automatischen Apparatur angewandt. Hierbei wird das mit der Substanz gefüllte Mikroschiffchen mittels eines elektrischen Hochfrequenzgenerators erhitzt. Der Stromzufluß zu dem Hochfrequenzgenerator wird durch die erwähnten Druckschwankungen einoder ausgeschaltet. Die Verbrennung verläuft dann bei praktisch konstantem Druck im Verbrennungsrohre, also auch bei konstantem Sauerstoffüberschuß. Die neue Apparatur wird an Hand beigefügter Abbildungen beschrieben. Als Absorptionsmittel für Stickstoffoxyde werden 1 bis 2 g Bleidioxyd in einem 12 cm langen Porzellanschiffchen bei 190° angewandt. Die Absorption des Wassers erfolgt durch wasserfreies Kobaltchlorid, die der Kohlensäure ausschließlich durch Ascarit. Die Sauerstoffgeschwindigkeit im Verbrennungsrohre beträgt 8 ml pro Minute. Bei Substanzen, die mehr als 10% N enthalten, wird zwischen den Kohlensäureabsorptionsapparat und den Wasserabsorptionsapparat ein mit Mangandioxyd gefüllter Apparat eingeschaltet.

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Summary The principle used by the author andE. Sucharda as early as 1928, which employs the variations in pressure in the combustion tube resulting from the behavior of the substance when heated, for automatically regulating the rate of gasifying the substance was applied in the construction of a new electrically operated automatic apparatus. The micro boat charged with the sample is heated by means of a high frequency generator. The flow of current to the high frequency generator is switched on and off by the variations in pressure mentioned above. The combustion then proceeds at practically constant pressure in the combustion tube, and even when there is a constant excess of oxygen. The new apparatus is described in the accompanying figures. The nitrogen oxides are absorbed in 1 to 2 grams of lead dioxide contained in a porcelain boat (12 cm long) at 190°. The absorption of the water is by means of anhydrous cobalt chloride, while the carbon dioxide is taken up in ascarite. The speed of the oxygen in the combustion tube is 8 ml per minute. In the case of samples that contain more than 10% nitrogen, an apparatus filled with manganese dioxide is placed between the carbon dioxide absorber and the apparatus for taking up the water.

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Résumé Le principe de l'utilisation des variations de pression qui se produisent dans un tube à combustion en analyse élémentaire, lors du chauffage de la substance, a été utilisé dès 1928 par l'auteur etE. Sucharda pour la régulation automatique de la gazéification de cette substance. Il a été appliqué à la construction d'un nouvel appareil automatique commandé électriquement. La micronacelle qui contient la substance est chauffée électriquement à l'aide d'un générateur de courant de haute fréquence. Les variations de pression pendant la combustion provoquent l'ouverture ou la fermeture du circuit d'alimentation de ce générateur. Il en résulte que la combustion est effectuée à pression pratiquement constante ainsi qu'à excès d'oxygène constant. Ce nouvel appareil est décrit sur les figures de la publication.On utilise 1 à 2 grammes de bioxyde de plomb disposés dans une nacelle de porcelaine de 12 cm de longueur, portée à 190° pour absorber les oxydes de l'azote. L'eau est absorbée par du chlorure de cobalt anhydre et l'anhydride carbonique exclusivement par de l'ascarite. Le débit du courant d'oxygène dans le tube de combustion est de 8 ml par minute. Pour les substances contenant plus de 10% d'azote, on intercale un absorbeur à bioxyde de manganèse entre l'absorbeur à anhydride carbonique et l'absorbeur à eau.

     

Thermal properties of flame retardant viscose fibers

This paper discusses the problem of the thermal properties of flame retarding additives based on phosphazene derivatives and of the commercial agents TomflamB, FlammexT23P and StockhausenW-20949, as well as of flame resistant viscose fibers containing the above agents. Results of this investigation showed the action of FlammexT23P, StockhausenW-20949 and phosphazene derivatives at lower temperature. TomflamB acted within a much wider range of temperatures. The flame retardant additives applied to viscose fibers change the thermal properties of the fiber material.     

Electrospray mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry of the natural mixture of cyclic peptides from linseed

The cyclic peptides from linseed are composed exclusively of the hydrophobic amino acids: Phe, Leu, Ile, Val, Met, Pro, and Trp. Because these compounds does not contain functional groups which undergo easily protonation or deprotonation. their ionization in solvents used usually for peptide analysis is not efficient. A rapid and sensitive procedure for detection and structure elucidation of the cyclic peptides based on ionization with Na+ and NH4+ ions. A cationisation of methionine containing peptides with methyl iodide has been also described. The extract of seeds of Linum utitatissimum was analyzed directly by ESI-MS and neutral loss ESI-MS/MS technique. The analysis confirms the presence of cyclolinopeptides reported previously: CLA (c(Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe-Leu-Ile-Ile-Leu-Val), and CLB (c(Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe-Val-Ile-Met-Ile-Leu)). Cyclolinopeptides CLC, CLD, CLE, and CLG, which contain methionine oxide, were detected in relatively small quantities. These peptides results likely from the oxidation of their not reported precursors: CLD' (c (Pro- Phe-Phe-Trp-Ile-Met-Leu-Leu)), CLE'(c (Pro-Leu-Phe-Ile-Met-Leu-Val-Phe)), CLF (c (Pro-Phe-Phe-Trp- Val-Met-Leu-Met), and CLG (c (Pro-Phe-Phe-Trp-Ile-Met-Leu-Met), present at higher concentrations in the extract protected from atmospheric oxygen. The sequences of the unreported cyclic peptides were proposed on the basis of CID experiments and homology with peptides described by Morita,1,2 and supported by the fragmentation of synthetic analogues of CLA of a known structure.     

Creatinine biosensor based on ammonium ion selective electrode and its application in flow-injection analysis

A new, highly sensitive, fast responding and stable potentiometric biosensor for creatinine determination is developed. The biosensor is based on an ammonium ion-selective electrode. Creatinine deiminase (EC 3.5.4.21) is chemically immobilized on the surface of the polymeric ion-sensitive membrane in the form of monomolecular layer using a simple, one-step carbodiimide covalent attachment method. The resulting enzyme electrodes are useful for measurement under flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions. The biosensors exhibit excellent operational and storage stability. The enzyme electrodes retain over 70% of initial sensitivity after ten weeks of work under FIA conditions. The storage stability at 4 °C is longer than half a year without loss of sensitivity. Under optimized conditions near 30 samples per hour can be analyzed and the determination range (0.02-20.0 mmol l⁻¹) fully covers creatinine concentrations important from clinical and biomedical point of view. The simple biosensor/FIA system has been successfully used for determination of creatinine in urine, serum and posthemodialysate samples.