Polymerization of Acrylamide Initiated by the Redox System Potassium Persulfate/Lactic Acid,Catalyzed by Silver Ions

The aqueous polymerization of acrylamide initiated by the potassium persulfate/lactic acid system catalyzed by Ag⁺ ions has been studied iodometrically over the temperature range from 35 to 50 ± 0.2°C. The rate of polymerization is governed by the expression R_p ∞ [M]^0.8[K₂S₂O₈]^1.0[Ag]^1.0 The deviation from normal kinetics has been studied. A tentative mechanism of initiation is suggested. The overall energy of activation is 5.52 kcal/mol.     

Successful Application of an Ionic Liquid Carrying the Fluoride Counter‐ion in Biomacromolecular Chemistry: Microwave‐Assisted Acylation of Cellulose in the Presence of 1‐Allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Fluoride/DMSO Mixtures

The use of ionic liquids with fluoride anion (IL‐F) is challenging because of side reactions. Neat 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium fluoride (AlMeImF) is used as a solvent in microwave‐assisted acylation of cellulose. The results are disappointing due to side reactions in the IL proper, and F^–‐mediated hydrolysis of the produced ester. A dramatic improvement is observed, when AlMeImF/DMSO mixture is employed. The results are comparable to those obtained when pure 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride is employed. FTIR spectroscopy shows that dissolving a carboxylic acid anhydride in IL‐F leads to the formation of acyl fluoride. Thus ILs are far from being “spectator” solvents. The new approach (use of IL‐F/DMSO) is attractive because of its efficiency, low cost, and applicability to the derivatization of any polymer.

     

In Situ Spectroscopy of Calcium Fluoride Anchored Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films during Gas Sorption

Surface-mounted metal–organic frameworks (SURMOFs) show promising behavior for a manifold of applications. As MOF thin films are often unsuitable for conventional characterization techniques, understanding their advantageous properties over their bulk counterparts presents a great analytical challenge. In this work, we demonstrate that MOFs can be grown on calcium fluoride (CaF₂) windows after proper functionalization. As CaF₂ is optically (in the IR and UV/Vis range of the spectrum) transparent, this makes it possible to study SURMOFs using conventional spectroscopic tools typically used during catalysis or gas sorption. Hence, we have measured HKUST-1 during the adsorption of CO and NO. We show that no copper oxide impurities are observed and also confirm that SURMOFs grown by a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach possess Cu⁺ species in paddlewheel confirmation, but 1.9 times less than in bulk HKUST-1. The developed methodology paves the way for studying the interaction of any adsorbed gases with thin films, not limited to MOFs, low temperatures, or these specific probe molecules, pushing the boundaries of our current understanding of functional porous materials.     

Designing Fixed Bed Column and Batch Studies of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Defluoridation of Drinking Water

The aim of present investigation was to prepare nanoparticles of chitosan and perform batch and column studies with them to study their defluoridation capacity. The nanoparticles of chitosan were characterized by techniques like FTIR, SEM, TEM, etc. Effect of initial fluoride concentration, adsorbent dose, pH and temperature were studied in the batch studies. Effect of bed height, flow rate, and inlet concentration on the column performance were studied. Performance of packed columns were described through the concept of breakthrough curves and column parameters were predicted as a function of bed heights. The breakthrough curves were defined by the Adams-Bohart and Wolborska models.     

Polymer electrolyte membranes by in situ polymerization of poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) macromonomers in blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene)

Salt‐containing membranes based on polymethacrylates having poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) side chains, as well as their blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP), have been studied. Self‐supportive ion conductive membranes were prepared by casting films of methacrylate functional poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) macromonomers containing lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt, followed by irradiation with UV‐light to polymerize the methacrylate units in situ. Homogenous electrolyte membranes based on the polymerized macromonomers showed a conductivity of 6.3 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 at 20 °C. The preparation of polymer blends, by the addition of PVDF‐HFP to the electrolytes, was found to greatly improve the mechanical properties. However, the addition led to an increase of the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the ion conductive phase by ～5 °C. The conductivity of the blend membranes was thus lower in relation to the corresponding homogeneous polymer electrolytes, and 2.5 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 was recorded for a membrane containing 10 wt % PVDF‐HFP at 20 °C. Increasing the salt concentration in the blend membranes was found to increase the T_g of the ion conductive component and decrease the propensity for the crystallization of the PVDF‐HFP component. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 79–90, 2007     

Addition of Allyltrimethylsilane to tert-Butanesulfinyl Imines Triggered by Tetra-n-butylammonium Fluoride

Amines are prevalent in drugs, natural products, materials, catalysts etc.. The reaction of C=N in imines is one of the most important approaches to synthesize amines1. Sulfinyl group as an excellent chiral auxiliary and activator of the C=N bond for nucl…     

Zwitterionic adducts from addition of imines to the α-carbon atom of pentacarbonyl(vinylidene)chromium and -tungsten complexes

Imines, Im, such as MeN=C(Ph)H (5), 2-methyl 4,5-dihydrothiazole (8a), 2-methyl 4,5-dihydrooxazole (8b) and MeN=C(OMe)Me (13) add to the α-carbon atom of the vinylidene ligand in [(CO)₅Cr=C=CMe₂] (4) to give isolable zwitterionic adducts, [(CO)₅Cr⁻–C(=CMe₂)(Im⁺)]. The reaction of [(CO)₅W=C=CPh₂] (12) with 13 also yields an adduct, [(CO)₅W⁻–C(=CPh₂){NMe=C(OMe)Me}⁺] (15), whereas from the corresponding reaction of 4 with xanthylideneimine, H–N=C(C₆H₄)₂O (16), a carbene complex, [(CO)₅Cr=C(i-Pr)–N=C(C₆H₄)₂O] (17), is obtained. Complex 17 presumably is formed by initial addition of 16 to 4 and subsequently rapid rearrangement. In solution, the adduct [(CO)₅Cr⁻–C(=CMe₂)(NMe=C(Ph)H)⁺] (6) slowly cyclizes to form the 2-azetidin-1-ylidene complex [(CO)₅Cr= Me₂] (7). In contrast, when solution of those zwitterions are heated that are formed by addition of 4,5-dihydrothiazole or 4,5-dihydrooxazole to 4, no cyclization is observed but rather the formation of 4,5-dihydrothiazole and 4,5-dihydrooxazole complexes, respectively. The structures of two adducts, [(CO)₅Cr⁻–C(=CMe₂)(Im⁺)] (Im=MeN=C(Ph)H, 2-methyl 4,5-dihydrothiazole) and of the substitution product [(CO)₅W(2-methyl 4,5-dihydrothiazole)] have been established by X-ray structural analyses.