Interface Structure between Immiscible Reactive Polymers under Transreaction: a Monte Carlo Simulation

Summary: The interface structure between two immiscible melts, a polycondensate polymer A (e.g., polycarbonate, polyester or polyamide) and a polymer B, was studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations using the bond fluctuation model. Polymer B contained a reactive end group (e.g., OH, NH₂ or COOH). Copolymers were generated in‐situ at the interfaces by transreactions (alcoholysis, aminolysis or acidolysis), composing of various length of block A, depending on the position of transreaction in the polycondensate chain A. The content of copolymer at the interface increased with the time, particular fast at the early stage. Fragments of polymers A were released with an end group, reactive to polymers A. This resulted in the proceeding of internal transreactions. An asymmetric interface structure was formed. The simulation also showed that copolymers generated by interfacial transreactions increased the compatibility of the two polymers and enhanced the adhesion strength at the interfaces.

     

Stratification of the Radiation Field Inside a Photobioreactor During Microalgae Growth

Light availability is a main issue in autotrophic growth of photosynthetic microorganisms. The change of the suspended cells concentration and that of their chlorophylls content during microalgal growth alters the optical properties of the aqueous suspension. This brings about changes in the properties of the radiation field inside the reactor. In this work, we have computed the evolution in time of the local volumetric rate of absorption of photons inside a photobioreactor by means of a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm previously developed. From this study, we have computed two operational variables that are useful tools for the analysis, performance comparison, optimization and scaling up of photobioreactors: the average rate of photon absorption and the volumetric distribution function of photons absorption rates. Based on these two variables, it is possible to systematically quantify the degree of stratification of the culture medium, which is a decisive aspect that hampers the reactor efficiency regarding the energy usage for biomass production.     

Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Phosphate Ester Derivatives of 3(5)-Methylpyrazole and 3-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole

Ester derivatives of N-phosphorylated 3(5)-methylpyrazole and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, respectively, have been synthesized. The results of hydrolysis studies are described.     

4-Silapiperidine and 4-silapiperidinium derivatives: syntheses and structural characterization

A series of novel 4-silapiperidine and 4-silapiperidinium derivatives, with two silicon-bound aryl groups and various N-organyl groups, have been synthesized and structurally characterized (solution ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy; eight crystal structure analyses). These synthetic and structural investigations provide the basis for the development of novel silicon-based drugs containing a 4-silapiperidine or 4-silapiperidinium skeleton.     

Branched and dendritic metallo-carbosiloxanes with OCH2PPh2MLn end-grafted units

A straightforward method for the preparation of metallo carbosiloxanes of type Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂[OCH₂PPh₂M(CO)_n])₄ (n = 3, M = Ni, 7a; n = 4, M = Fe, 7b; n = 5: M = Mo, 7c; M = W, 7d), Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe[OCH₂PPh₂Ni(CO)₃]₂)₄ (8) and Me₂Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe[OCH₂PPh₂Ni(CO)₃]₂)₂ (11) is described. The reaction of Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMeXCl)₄ (1: X = Me, 2: X = Cl) or Me₂Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMeCl₂)₂ (9) with HOCH₂PPh₂ (3) produces Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂(OCH₂PPh₂))₄ (4), Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe(OCH₂PPh₂)₂)₄ (5) or Me₂Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe(OCH₂PPh₂)₂)₂ (10) in presence of DABCO. Treatment of the latter molecules with Ni(CO)₄ (6a), Fe₂(CO)₉ (6b), M(CO)₅(Thf) (6c: M = Mo; 6d: M = W), respectively, gives the title compounds 7a-7d, 8 and 11 in which the PPh₂ groups are datively bound to a 16-valence-electron metal carbonyl fragment.The formation of analytical pure and uniform branched and dendritic metallo carbosiloxanes is based on elemental analysis, and IR, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ²⁹Si{¹H} and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopic studies. In addition, ESI-TOF mass spectrometric studies were carried out.     

Synthesis and characterization of heavier dioxouranium(VI) dihalides

The synthesis and characterization of the dioxouranium(VI) dibromide and iodide hydrates, UO(2)Br(2)x3H(2)O (1), [UO(2)Br(2)(OH(2))(2)](2) (2), and UO(2)I(2)x2H(2)Ox4Et(2)O (3), are reported. Moreover, adducts of UO(2)I(2) and UO(2)Br(2) with large, bulky OP(NMe(2))(3) and OPPh(3) ligands such as UO(2)I(2)(OP(NMe(2))(3))(2) (4), UO(2)Br(2)(OP(NMe(2))(3))(2) (5), and UO(2)I(2)(OPPh(3))(2)(6) are discussed. The structures of the following compounds were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques: (1) monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 9.7376(8) A, b = 6.5471(5) A, c = 12.817(1) A, beta = 94.104(1) degrees , V = 815.0(1) A(3), Z = 4; (2) monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 6.0568(7) A, b = 10.5117(9) A, c = 10.362(1) A, beta = 99.62(1) degrees , V = 650.5(1) A(3), Z = 2; (4) tetragonal, P4(1)2(1)2, a = 10.6519(3) A, b = 10.6519(3) A, c = 24.0758(6) A, V = 2731.7(1) A(3), Z = 4; (5) tetragonal, P4(1)2(1)2, a = 10.4645(1) A, b = 10.4645(1) A, c = 23.7805(3) A, V = 2604.10(5) A(3), Z = 4, and (6) monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 9.6543(1) A, b = 18.8968(3) A, c = 10.9042(2) A, beta =115.2134(5) degrees , V = 1783.01(5) A(3), Z = 2. Whereas 1 and 2 are the first UO(2)Br(2) hydrates and the last missing members of the UO(2)X(2) hydrate (X = Cl --> I) series to be structurally characterized, 4 and 6 contain room-temperature stable U(VI)-I bonds with 4 being the first structurally characterized room temperature stable U(VI)-I compound which can be conveniently prepared on a gram scale in quantitative yield. The synthesis and characterization of 5 using an analogous halogen exchange reaction to that used for the preparation of 4 is also reported.     

Influence of the aluminum alkyl co-catalyst type in Ziegler-Natta ethene polymerization on the formation of active sites, polymerization rate, and molecular weight

The influence of the concentration of the co-catalysts triethylaluminium (TEAL), tri-iso-butylaluminium (TIBAL), tri-n-octylaluminium on the polymerization rate for standard Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems was studied. By comparing the influence of monomeric TIBAL with TEAL co-catalyst on the polymerization activity, the effect of TEAL dimerization was described. The use of the Eley-Ridealadsorption model instead of Langmuir-Hinselwood model is proposed for the absorption of monomeric aluminiumalkyl species and for the formation of active centers C*. It is further proposed that steric hindrance from different co-catalysts, which results in a higher molecular weight (MW) of polymers, is caused by active centers with reduced space for chain transfer reactions.