Kinetic study of radical polymerization of dialkyl fumarates using electron spin resonance spectroscopy

The radical polymerization of dialkyl fumarates (DRF) bearing various ester alkyl groups was kinetically studied. The propagation and termination rate constants were determined using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The introduction of the bulky ester alkyl groups such as a tert-butyl group decreased the termination rate constant as expected. However, it has also been revealed that the bulky groups promote propagation despite the steric repulsion. The propagation rate and mechanism are discussed in relation to the propagation manner, i.e., tacticity of the polymer. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Heterogeneous continuous flow synthetic system using cyclohexane-based multiphase electrolyte solutions

The discovery that supporting electrolytes can be effectively confined in typical organic solvents in a c-Hex-based multiphase electrolyte solution has led to the development of a novel heterogeneous continuous flow synthetic system. PTFE fiber functions as a separation filter that can efficiently isolate the c-Hex phase from multiphase electrolyte solutions. This system has demonstrated both electrochemical solvating and carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. Hydrophobic substrates can be introduced into the reactor as c-Hex solutions, which are then electrochemically transformed into the target hydrophobic products that pass through the PTFE fiber as c-Hex solutions.     

Ion chromatographic system with a novel switching suppression device

Ion chromatography (IC) has been a powerful tool for measuring ionic species in environmental samples such as tap, river and drain waters. Suppressor modules (membrane and disposable column types) have been used for reducing the background of a baseline. A new type of suppressor device, which has a suppressor resin and switching valve was developed. Fresh ionic resin is introduced into a groove for each analysis to perform the suppression of the working eluent. The eluent composition for obtaining higher sensitivity and better resolutions among ionic species and carbonate ion was also investigated. Although carbonate buffers are used for ion separation in general, the separation of carbonate ion from other ions was not achieved. A borate eluent resulted in good resolutions and higher sensitivity. A new column was also developed for obtaining higher column efficiency and resolution. The optimization of anion separation using a new IC system (IC-2001) that consists of a new suppressor device, an anion-exchange column (TSKgel SuperIC-Anion, 150x4.6 mm), an autosampler, a conductivity cell and a pump in a compact module is described.