Hexamethylenetetramine (urotropine) C6H12N2: Interpreting the vibrational spectra of -d0 and -d12 isotopomers by scaling the quantum-chemical force field

The equilibrium structure and quadratic and cubic force fields of the urotropine molecule are calculated at the MP2 (full)/cc-pVTZ level. Pulay scaling of the quadratic force field allows unambiguous interpretation of the vibrational spectra of -d₀ and -d₁₂ urotropines. A reliable matrix for the quadratic force constants of urotropine is obtained which may be used to determine the parameters of the equilibrium structure of the urotropine molecule by means of gas-phase electron diffraction.     

Multicentered self-immobilized ethylene polymerization catalysts based on functionalized titanium halide salicylaldiminate complexes for the synthesis of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

Specific features of ethylene polymerization using a new group of catalytic systems based on ten methylalumoxane-activated titanium halide salicylaldiminato complexes functionalized with ??-vinylalkoxy groups and containing tert-butyl substituents in the phenoxide moiety were studied. The catalytic activity of the new group of activated complexes is strongly affected by the position of the ??-vinylalkoxy functional group and by the number and position of substituents in the phenoxide moiety. These factors determine the ratio of the homogeneous and heterogeneous steps of the polymerization as a result of the catalyst self-immobilization onto the polymer formed, and also the molecular characteristics of the polymer obtained at 20, 40, and 60°C and ethylene pressure of 0.4 MPa. The possibility and conditions of preparing ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with improved morphology were revealed.     

New silicone hydrogels based on interpenetrating polymer networks comprising polysiloxane and poly(vinyl alcohol) networks

A method for the synthesis of a new silicone hydrogel as a biphase material for soft contact lenses is considered. The method is based on the synthesis of sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) and includes the following stages: (1) cross‐linked silicone synthesis by the reaction of vinyl‐ and hydride‐containing oligosiloxanes; (2) silicone network saturation with vinyl acetate and cross‐linking monomer followed by UV‐initiated polymerization to form an IPN comprising the silicone and cross‐linked poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) network; (3) PVAc network alcoholysis with methanol to obtain silicone hydrogels comprising the silicone and cross‐linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAl). A study of hydrophilic, optical, mechanical, and structural features of the silicone hydrogels showed that optical transparency is achieved for materials with the highest density of silicone network cross‐linking where the size of IPN structural units does not exceed 100 nm. The water content in hydrophilic networks of silicone hydrogel is found to be below the values typical of cross‐linked PVAl, leading to non‐additivity of IPN mechanical properties. Indeed, the elasticity moduli (E) of the hydrophilic and silicone networks are 0.4–0.7 and 0.7–1.8 MPa, respectively, whereas for some IPN this value reaches 3.0 MPa. The optimal parameters of synthesis providing the reduction of E to 0.8–1.6 MPa without deterioration of the required performance characteristics (optical transparency 90–92%, water content 20–39 wt%) are determined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.