Emulsion polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate using a hydrophobically modified inulin and comparison with other surfactants

The use of a new class of graft polymer surfactants, based on inulin, in emulsion polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) particles is described. PS and PMMA were synthesized by emulsion polymerization, and stable particles with a high monomer content (50 wt %) were obtained with a very small amount of polymeric surfactant ([surfactant]/[monomer] = 0.0033). The latex dispersions were characterized by dynamic light scattering and by transmission electron microscopy to obtain the average particle size and the polydispersity index, and the stability was determined by turbidimetry measurements and expressed in terms of critical coagulation concentration. The last section gives a comparison of PMMA particles prepared by emulsion polymerization using classical surfactants from different types as emulsifiers with that obtained using the copolymer surfactant. It shows the superiority of INUTEC SP1 as it is the only one that allows stable particles at 20 wt % monomer content, with a smaller ratio [surfactant]/[monomer] = 0.002.     

Transition metal-mediated intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloisomerizations of cyclic triynes and enediynes

[reaction: see text] Nitrogen-containing 15-membered triacetylenic macrocycles known as 1,6,11-tris(arylsulfonyl)-1,6,11-triazacyclopentadeca-3,8,13-triynes (1) and enediynic macrocycles called 1,6,11-tris(arylsulfonyl)-1,6,11-triazacyclopentadeca-3-ene-8,13-diynes (4 and 5) were satisfactorily prepared. [2+2+2] cycloisomerization processes catalyzed by transition metals were tested in the above-mentioned macrocycles. Readily available and familiar cyclotrimerization precatalysts were examined for efficiency. Among them, the RhCl(CO)(PPh(3))(2) complex was found to catalyze the cycloisomerization reaction giving the desired cycloadducts in high yields.     

New synthetic “tricks”. Triphenylphosphine-mediated amide formation from carboxylic acids and azides

Equimolar amounts of carboxylic acids, aryl or alkyl azides, and Ph₃P in refluxing benzene (hexane, toluene) afford amides in good yields. Insolubility of zwitterions Ph₃P⁺-NH(CH₂)_nCOO-, arising from μ-azido acids and Ph₃P, limits the utilization of the method for lactame formation.     

A Convenient Stereoselective Synthesis of (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(Neopentyloxy)isoborneol

A convenient preparation of (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(neopentyloxy)isoborneol (= (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(2,2-dimethyl-propoxy)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol; 1a ), a valuable chiral auxiliary, is described. The synthesis involves six steps starting from the readily available camphorquinone ( 5 ) and gives 1a in 48% overall yield. The key step is the chemoselective hydrolysis of the less hindered 1,3-dioxolane moiety in the camphorquinone di-acetal 4 .     

Insertion reactions of [M(SR)3(PMe2Ph)2] with CS2 (M = Ru, Os; R = C6F4H-4, C6F5). X-ray structures of [Ru(S2CSC6F4H-4)2(PMe2Ph)2], trans-thiolates [M(SR)2(S2CSR)(PMe2Ph)2] (M = Ru; R = C6F5 and M = Os; R = C6F4H-4), and trans-thiolate-phosphine [Os(SC6F5)2(S2CSC6F5)(PMe2Ph)2

Reactions of [M(SR)(3)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (M = Ru, Os; R = C(6)F(4)H-4, C(6)F(5)) with CS(2) in acetone afford [Ru(S(2)CSR)(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 1; C(6)F(5), 3) and trans-thiolates [Ru(SR)(2)(S(2)CSR)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 2; C(6)F(5), 4) or the isomers trans-thiolates [Os(SR)(2)(S(2)CSR)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 5; C(6)F(5), 7) and trans-thiolate-phosphine [Os(SR)(2)(S(2)CSR)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 6; C(6)F(5), 8) through processes involving CS(2) insertion into M-SR bonds. The ruthenium(III) complexes [Ru(SR)(3)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] react with CS(2) to give the diamagnetic thiolate-thioxanthato ruthenium(II) and the paramagnetic ruthenium(III) complexes while osmium(III) complexes [Os(SR)(3)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] react to give the paramagnetic thiolate-thioxanthato osmium(III) isomers. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1, 4, 5, and 8 show distorted octahedral structures. (31)P [(1)H] and (19)F NMR studies show that the solution structures of 1 and 3 are consistent with the solid-state structure of 1.     

Silica-supported PtSn alloy doped with Ga, In or, Tl: Characterization and catalytic behaviour in n-hexane dehydrogenation

Silica-supported trimetallic catalysts containing Pt, Sn and a group 13 metal (PtSnM, M=Ga, In, Tl) were prepared by consecutive impregnation steps from cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] and chloride precursors. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (ED) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) showed large platelet-like particles of PtSn_1−xM_x phases. PtSnGa catalyst with a Pt/(Sn+Ga) molar ratio of 1.72 showed a bimodal particle distribution and a Pt phase was identified. Differences in surface structures were also revealed by the performance of catalysts in the dehydrogenation of n-hexane. For PtSnIn and PtSnTl (Pt/(Sn+M) molar ratio of about 1) the dehydrogenation was favoured. In contrast, PtSnGa catalyst yielded hydrogenolysis products. Photoelectron spectra showed the Pt 4f_7/2 level at a binding energy of 70.0–71.8 eV in all cases. Moreover, the FT-IR spectra of chemisorbed CO on the PtSnGa showed a slight shift in the ν(CO) toward higher values with respect to the monometallic catalyst, pointing to an electronic effect in accordance with photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers containing nitroterephthalic units. III. Methanolytic degradation

The methanolytic degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) copolymers containing nitroterephthalic units was investigated. Random poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐nitroterephthalate) copolyesters (PETNT) containing 15 and 30 mol % nitrated units were prepared from ethylene glycol and a mixture of dimethyl terephthalate and dimethyl nitroterephthalate. A detailed study of the influence of the nitro group on the methanolytic degradation rate of the nitrated bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) nitroterephthalate (BHENT) model compound in comparison with the nonnitrated bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) model compound was carried out. The kinetics of the methanolysis of BHENT and BHET were evaluated with high‐performance liquid chromatography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. BHENT appeared to be much more reactive than BHET. The methanolytic degradation of PET and PETNT copolyesters at 80 °C was followed by changes in the weight and viscosity, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The copolyesters degraded faster than PET, and the degradation increased with the content of nitrated units and occurred preferentially by cleavage of the ester groups placed at the meta position of the nitro group in the nitrated units. For both PET and PETNT copolyesters, an increase in crystallinity accompanied methanolysis. A surface degradation mechanism entailing solubilization of the fragmented polymer and consequent loss of mass was found to operate in the methanolysis of the copolyesters. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2276–2285, 2002     

Local aromaticity of [n]acenes, [n]phenacenes, and [n]helicenes (n = 1-9)

The local aromaticity of the six-membered rings in three series of benzenoid compounds, namely, the [n]acenes, [n]phenacenes, and [n]helicenes for n = 1-9, has been assessed by means of three probes of local aromaticity based on structural, magnetic, and electron delocalization properties. For [n]acenes our analysis shows that the more reactive inner rings are more aromatic than the outer rings. For [n]phenacenes, all indicators of aromaticity show that the external rings are the most aromatic. From the external to the central ring, the local aromaticity varies in a damped alternate way. The trends for the [n]helicene series are the same as those found for [n]phenacenes. Despite the departure from planarity in [n]helicenes, only a very slight loss of aromaticity is detected in [n]helicenes as compared to the corresponding [n]phenacenes. Finally, because of magnetic couplings between superimposed six-membered rings in the higher members of the [n]helicenes series, we have demonstrated that the NICS indicator of aromaticity artificially increases the local aromaticity of their most external rings.     

Two Methods for Retrieving UV Index for All Cloud Conditions from Sky Imager Products or Total SW Radiation Measurements

Cloud effects on UV Index (UVI) and total solar radiation (TR) as a function of cloud cover and sunny conditions (from sky images) as well as of solar zenith angle (SZA) are assessed. These analyses are undertaken for a southern‐hemisphere mid‐latitude site where a 10‐years dataset is available. It is confirmed that clouds reduce TR more than UV, in particular for obscured Sun conditions, low cloud fraction (<60%) and large SZA (>60°). Similarly, local short‐time enhancement effects are stronger for TR than for UV, mainly for visible Sun conditions, large cloud fraction and large SZA. Two methods to estimate UVI are developed: (1) from sky imaging cloud cover and sunny conditions, and (2) from TR measurements. Both methods may be used in practical applications, although Method 2 shows overall the best performance, as TR allows considering cloud optical properties. The mean absolute (relative) differences of Method 2 estimations with respect to measured values are 0.17 UVI units (6.7%, for 1 min data) and 0.79 Standard Erythemal Dose (SED) units (3.9%, for daily integrations). Method 1 shows less accurate results but it is still suitable to estimate UVI: mean absolute differences are 0.37 UVI units (15%) and 1.6 SED (8.0%).