Degradative chain transfer in vinyl acetate polymerizations using toluene as solvent

In this work, we propose that retardation in vinyl acetate polymerization rate in the presence of toluene is due to degradative chain transfer. The transfer constant to toluene (C_trs) determined using the Mayo method is equal to 3.8 × 10^?3, which is remarkably similar to the value calculated from the rate data, assuming degradative chain transfer (2.7 × 10^?3). Simulations, including chain‐length‐dependent termination, were carried out to compare our degradative chain transfer model with experimental results. The conversion–time profiles showed excellent agreement between experiment and simulation. Good agreement was found for the M_n data as a function of conversion. The experimental and simulation data strongly support the postulate that degradative chain transfer is the dominant kinetic mechanism. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3620–3625, 2007     

Complexes in polymers IV. FTIR microscopic characterization of thin organic polymer films containing embedded transition-metal carbonyl complexes

Thin films of polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer (PS-AN), containing various embedded transition-metal complexes, have been studied by FTIR microscopy. The spatial distributions of the transition-metal carbonyl complexes throughout the thin organic polymer films have been determined by a two-dimensional IR mapping procedure. The spectral variations observed in the distribution of the metal carbonyls throughout the different polymer films are discussed. The IR data show that the technique used to prepare the organometallic-embedded thin films (viz. freeze-drying of solutions followed by hot mechanical pressing of the residues) does in general lead to homogeneous films which may eventually find industrial application, e.g. as membrane sensors for small molecules.     

Alumina-catalyzed condensation of 2-methylquinoline with methanol

The alumina-catalyzed reaction of 2-methylquinoline with excess methanol at 500° produced a mixture of 2-ethyl-, 2-isopropyl-, and 2-isopropenylquinolines in yields of 10%, 7%, and 2%, respectively. A mechanistic interpretation of this reaction is presented.     

Extremes of censored and uncensored lifetimes in survival data

Extremes - We consider a random censoring model for survival analysis, allowing the possibility that only a proportion of individuals in the population are susceptible to death or failure, and the...     

Synthesis of tetrazolopiperazine building blocks by a novel multi-component reaction

A novel Ugi-five-centre-four-component reaction (U-5C-4CR) of aldehydes, primary amines, trimethylsilylazide and 2-isocyanoethyltosylate yielding tetrazolopiperazine building blocks is described.     

Energy migration and transfer in poly(phenylacetylene)

Studies have been made of energy migration and transfer in dilute solutions of poly(phenylacetylene). In fluid media, “down-chain” energy migration is very efficient (being limited only by chain length in the system studied); however, in a rigid matrix, the energy migration rate is significantly lower. It is suggested that segmental rotation in a fluid environment brings neighbouring chain units into conformations suitable for resonance energy transfer and also breaks conjugated sequences functioning as exciton “traps”. The broad absorption spectrum (and relatively high extinction coefficients) coupled with the efficient transfer of the energy make these substances very efficient energy transfer additives in polymer systems.     

The effect of preparation conditions on the activity and stability of copreciptitated Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for the methanation of carbon monoxide

The activities and stabilities of coprecipitated Ni/Al₂O₃ methanation catalysts depend markedly on their preparation and pretreatment. The results are discussed in relation to the structure of the precipitate and to changes which occur during calcination and reduction.

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Detection of a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease from synthetic and clinical samples using a nanoscale optical biosensor

A nanoscale optical biosensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectroscopy has been developed to monitor the interaction between the antigen, amyloid-beta derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs), and specific anti-ADDL antibodies. Using the sandwich assay format, this nanosensor provides quantitative binding information for both antigen and second antibody detection that permits the determination of ADDL concentration and offers the unique analysis of the aggregation mechanisms of this putative Alzheimer's disease pathogen at physiologically relevant monomer concentrations. Monitoring the LSPR-induced shifts from both ADDLs and a second polyclonal anti-ADDL antibody as a function of ADDL concentration reveals two ADDL epitopes that have binding constants to the specific anti-ADDL antibodies of 7.3 x 10(12) M(-1) and 9.5 x 10(8) M(-1). The analysis of human brain extract and cerebrospinal fluid samples from control and Alzheimer's disease patients reveals that the LSPR nanosensor provides new information relevant to the understanding and possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.