A study of thermal decomposition of the solid-layered fluorocarbon,poly(carbon monofluoride)

Isothermal-thermogravimetric analyses were used to obtain kinetic data on the CF_x decomposition. Weight of samplevs. time curves were obtained for compounds having stoichiometries CF_0,61, CF_0.96, CF_1.08, and CF_1.12 for several different temperatures over the range 450–650° and in both a nitrogen atmosphere and in vacuum. A small percentage of fluorine in the atmosphere was shown to strongly inhibit thermal decomposition.These experimental results were fit to various theoretical models and it was found that a satisfactory fit was obtained by use of the Avrami equation, -In(1–)=(kt)ⁿ, where is the extent of reaction,k is an apparent rate constant, andn is an apparent reaction order. The valuen=2.0 was indicated which corresponds to planar growth of the decomposed phase.This information was combined with analytical data for the gaseous and solid products of decomposition to formulate a detailed mechanism.

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Zusammenfassung Isotherm-thermogravimetrische Analysen wurden durchgeführt um kinetische Daten über die Zersetzung von CF_x zu erhalten. Probengewicht-Zeit-Kurven wurden für Verbindungen mit stöchiometrischen Verhältnissen von CF_0.61, CF_0.96, CF_1.08 und CF_1.12 bei verschiedenen Temperaturen im Bereich von 450° bis 650°, in Stickstoff sowie im Vakuum aufgenommen. Ein geringer Prozentsatz an Fluor in der Atmosphäre wirkte stark inhibierend auf die thermische Zersetzung.Diese Versuchsergebnisse wurden verschiedenen theoretischen Modellen angepasst und es wurde gezeigt, dass mit Hilfe der Avrami-Gleichung -In (1–)=(kt)ⁿ eine befriedigende Anpassung möglich ist, wobei =Ausmaß der Reaktion, k=scheinbare Geschwindigkeitskonstante undn=scheinbare Reaktionsordnung ist. Der angedeutete Wertn=2.0 entspricht einer planaren Zunahme der zersetzten Phasen.Diese Information wurde mit analytischen Daten der gasförmungen und festen Zersetzungsprodukte kombiniert um einen Mechanismus in allen Einzelheiten zu formulieren.

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Résumé La TG isotherme a été utilisée pour obtenir des données cinétiques sur la décomposition de CF_x. Les courbes donnant le poids de l'échantillon en fonction du temps ont été energistrées à différentes températures, entre 450 et 650°, en atmosphère d'azote et sous vide, sur des composés de composition CF_0.61, CF_0.96 et CF_1.08. Un faible pourcentage de fluor dans l'atmosphèere s'est avéré inhiber considérablement la décomposition thermique.Ces résultats expérimentaux ont été confrontés à divers modèles mathématiques. On a trouvé un ajustement satisfaisant à l'aide de l'équation d'Avrami, -In (1–)=(kt)ⁿ, où es l'avancement de la réaction,k une constante de vitesse apparente etn un ordre de réaction apparent. La valeurn=2.0 correspond à une croissance dans le plan de la phase décomposée.Cette information a été combinée avec des données analytiques sur les produits de décomposition gazeux et solides, afin de formuler un mécanisme détaillé.

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- CF_x. — CF_0.61, CF_0.96, CF_1.08 F_1.12 450°–650°, , . . , -1(1–)= (kt)ⁿ, — , k — , n — . n=2, . , .

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Abstracted in part from the Ph. D. thesis of Peter Kamarchik, Jr. Rice University, Houston, Texas, May, 1976.

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This work was supported financially by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army Research Office (Durham), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Robert A. Welch Foundation. Liquid helium was provided under a grant from the Office of Naval Research.     

Polymer blends—I. Mechanical and morphological behaviour of polyethylene/polyvinyl chloride blends

As part of a fundamental study of the behaviour of mixed plastics during reprocessing and in service, blends of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been investigated. It was found that Young's modulus increased steadily from pure LDPE to pure PVC whereas both tensile strength at break and elongation at break passed through a minimum at about 5% PVC. Optical and scanning electron microscope studies have related this mechanical behaviour to morphological changes in the two phase system under stress.     

Effect of some additives on the photoxidation of rigid PVC

The photoxidative degradation of PVC was studied by i.r. and u.v. spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. It was found that the photoxidative degradation of unprocessed PVC is an auto-accelerating chain scission process. Carboxylic groups were found to be the main product formed during degradation. The molecular weights $\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{n}}$ and $\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{w}}$ both decreased, but the molecular weight distribution widened with increasing length of exposure. Single additives, such as calcium stearate. Wax E and a solid organotin stabilizer, altered the rate but not the mode of the degradation. Combination of the three additives changed the mode of the photoxidation from auto-accelerating to constant rate of degradation. Processing at 170° with the combined additives increased the rate constants.     

The use of Hückel theory charge densities and localization energies for the prediction of kinetic and thermodynamic factors involved in an assumed model for the hydrohalogenation of 1,3-butadiene,isoprene and chloroprene

It is assumed that the first step in the hydrohalogenation of a diene under conditions such that an ionic mechanism is operative involves the formation of a linear carbonium ion via attachment of a proton to the 1-position and that the second step involves addition of the halide ion to either the 2- or 4-positions. If it is also assumed that hyperconjugation plays some non-negligible role in the carbonium ion intermediate, then it turns out that the use of Hückel theory charge densities and localization energies predict (1) that the 1,2-product is kinetically favored in the cases of butadiene and isoprene, (2) that the 1,4-product is kinetically favored in the case of chloroprene, and (3) that the 1,4-product is thermodynamically favored in all of the above systems. All of these predictions appear to be in agreement with available experimental results.

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Zusammenfassung Bei der Addition von Halogenwasserstoffen an die hier untersuchten Diene wird im Reaktions-ablauf ein lineares Carbeniumion angenommen. Das Proton wird in 1-Stellung addiert und in einem zweiten Schritt wird das Halogenion in 2- oder 4-Stellung angelagert. Weiter wird angenommen, daß Hyperkonjugation beim intermediären Carbeniumion eine Rolle spielt. Aus den mit der Hückel-theorie ermittelten Ladungsverteilungen und Lokalisierungsenergien läßt sich dann voraussagen, daß (1) das 1,2-Produkt bei Butadien und Isopren, (2) das 1,4-Produkt bei Chloropren kinetisch und (3) das 1,4-Produkt in allen Fällen thermodynamisch bevorzugt ist. Diese Voraussagen scheinen mit den bekannten experimentellen Resultaten übereinzustimmen.

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Résumé On admet que l'hydrohalogénation d'un diène dans des conditions où prévaut un mécanisme ionique comporte comme première étape la formation d'un ion carbonium linéaire par addition d'un proton à la position 1 et comme seconde étape l'addition de l'ion halogène à l'une des positions 2 ou 4. Si l'on admet par ailleurs que l'hyperconjuguaison joue un rôle non négligeable dans l'intermédiaire carbonium, l'emploi de la théorie de Hückel permet de prédire à l'aide des densités de charge et des énergies de localisation (1) que le produit 1,2 est favorable du point de vue cinétique dans les cas du butadiène et de l'isoprène (2) que le produit 1,4 est favorable du point de vue cinétique dans le cas du chloroprène et (3) que le produit 1,4 est favorable du point de vue thermodynamique dans tous ces systèmes. Toutes ces prédictions sont apparemment en accord avec les résultats expérimentaux disponibles.

     

New methodologies for the preparation of porphodimethenes and their conversion to trans-porphyrins with functionalized naphthyl spacers

The MacDonald [2 + 2]-type condensation of readily available 5-aryl-substituted dipyrromethanes with acenaphthenequinone leads to the trans-syn- and anti-porphodimethenes, which in turn can be converted to the alpha,alpha- and alpha,beta-porphyrin atropisomers, respectively. Treatment of the metalated or unmetalated porphodimethenes with KOH or NaOMe in THF followed by protonation with HCl results in a ring opening of the acenaphthenone and formation of the trans-8-carboxynaphthylporphyrins or their esters (NaOMe) after oxidation. Alternatively, the porphyrin formation can be accomplished by reaction of the porphodimethenes with acids in the presence of water or methanol. Reaction with NaBH(4) in a THF--methanol mixture yields the corresponding dialcohols in nearly quantitative yields. Sixteen different building blocks were prepared in order to evaluate the generality of this new synthetic approach, with Ar = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2); 2,6-Cl(2)C(6)H(3); 2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3); 3,4-tBu(2)C(6)H(3); 3,4,5-(MeO)(3)C(6)H(2); 4-BrC(6)H(4); 4-MeC(6)H(4); and 4-MeOOCC(6)H(4) at the meso positions. The synthesized porphodimethenes and porphyrins have been fully characterized, and the X-ray structure analyses of three representative derivatives are presented.     

Optical rotatory dispersion studies—CIV Low-temperature circular dichroism behavior of various chromophoric derivatives of alcohols and amines

The low-temperature circular dichroism behavior of various cyclic and alicyclic systems containing the methyl xanthato-, N,N-diethyl-N′-acylthioureyl-, N-phthalimido-, nitrito- and dithio-carbalkoxy- chromophores is discussed. Rotational strength (R₀^T) values are reported where possible and changes in this parameter upon variation of the temperature are interpreted, where relevant, in terms of the degree of steric inhibition to free rotation about the various bonds connected to the asymmetric center bearing (or nearest to) the chromophore moiety.     

Rhodopsin exhibits a preference for solvation by polyunsaturated docosohexaenoic acid

An all-atom molecular dynamics simulation of rhodopsin in a membrane environment has been carried out with lipid composition similar to that of the retinal membrane. The initial conformation of the protein was taken from the X-ray crystallographic structure (1F88), while those of the lipids came from a previous molecular dynamics simulation. During the course of the 12.5 ns simulation, the initially randomly placed lipids adopt an anisotropic solvation structure around the protein. The lipids, having one saturated stearic acid chain and one polyunsaturated docosohexaenoic acid chain with a zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine headgroup, arrange themselves to maximize contact between the polyunsaturated chain and the protein surface. This organization is driven by energetically favorable interactions between the transmembrance helices and the docosohexaenoyl chains that are largely of the van der Waals type. These observations are consistent with various experimental studies on rhodopsin and other G-protein coupled receptors and with the picture of extreme flexibility in polyunsaturated fatty acid chains that has arisen from recent NMR and computational work.     

Improvements to the distance geometry algorithm for conformational sampling of cyclic structures

Modifications to the distance geometry algorithm as embodied in the program DGEOM have been made to improve sampling capabilities. Specifically, torsion angle sampling replaces distance sampling for 1,4 atomic relationships and correlated distance sampling is disabled. The effects of these modifications are illustrated by comparing the different sets of conformations produced for butane. In addition, these changes are shown to increase the conformational sampling of two medium-sized rings, cycloheptadecane and caprylolactam. The current results for these molecules are compared to those of other conformational searching methods.     

Free-electron attachment to coronene and corannulene in the gas phase

Electron attachment to the polyaromatic hydrocarbons coronene and corannulene is studied in the electron energy range of about 0-14 eV using a high-resolution crossed electron-neutral beam setup. The major anions observed are the parent anions peaking at about 0 eV with cross sections of 3.8 x 10(-20) and 1 x 10(-19) m(2), respectively. The only fragment anions formed in coronene and corannulene are the dehydrogenated coronene and corannulene anions. Other anions observed in the negative mass spectra at about 0 eV can be ascribed to impurities of the sample. High-level quantum-mechanical studies are carried out for the determination of electron affinities, hydrogen binding energies, and structures of both molecules. The behavior of coronene and corannulene upon electron attachment is compared with that of other polyaromatic hydrocarbons studied previously.     

Preferred dimerization of tetra-tolyl- and tetra-tosylurea derivatives of flexible and rigidified calix[4]arenes

The dimerization of tetratolyl- and tetratosyl-urea derivatives 1 and 2, derived from a tetrapentoxy calix[4]arene in the cone conformation and of the corresponding tetra-urea derivatives 3 and 4, in which the cone conformation is rigidified by the two crown-3 tethers, have been studied. All six possible equimolar mixtures were examined by 1H NMR using CDCl3 and CD2Cl2 as solvents. While no heterodimers are found for the combinations 1/3 and 2/4 in either solvent, all remaining combinations lead to the (exclusive) formation of heterodimers in CD2Cl2. In CDCl3 heterodimers are only observed for the combinations of 3 with 2 or 4. These results are discussed in terms of entropic and enthalpic contributions and compared with MD-simulations in a box of chloroform solvent molecules.