Polymerization of 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene (durene) in direct-current discharge

Polymer films possessing dielectric properties were prepared from 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene (durene) at the cathode in a dc discharge. The chemical structure of the films was studied by IR and UV spectroscopy. It was shown that the polymer synthesized from durene in a dc discharge contains basically polyene structures produced via the opening of aromatic rings.     

Kinetics of heat-induced transformation of copper complexes with amino acids

We have studied the effect of substituent R on the rate and mechanism of thermal decomposition of copper(II) complexes with L-α-amino acids anions H₂NCH(R)COO^?. The homolytic decomposition rate increases in the series of CuL₂ complexes with alanine, glycine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and serine. Intramolecular redox formation of ^·+CuGly cation-radical upon reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and oxidation of H₂NCH₂COO^? into H₂NCH₂COO^· carboxylamine radical is the primary stage of heat-induced decomposition.