Brominated poly(isobutylene‐co‐para‐methylstyrene) (BIMS)‐clay nanocomposites: Synthesis and characterization

In this work, preparation and properties of different nanoclays modified by organic amines (octadecyl amine, a primary amine, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, a tertiary amine) and brominated polyisobutylene‐co‐paramethylstyrene (BIMS)‐clay nanocomposites are reported. The clays and the rubber nanocomposites have been characterized with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The X‐ray diffraction peaks observed in the range of 3 °–10 ° for the modified clays disappear in the rubber nanocomposites. TEM photographs show predominantly exfoliation of the clays in the range of 12 ± 4 nm in the BIMS. In the FTIR spectra of the nanocomposites, there are common peaks of virgin rubber as well as those of the clays. Excellent improvement in mechanical properties like tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus is observed on incorporation of the nanoclays in the BIMS. Structure‐property correlation in the above nanocomposites is attempted. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4489–4502, 2004     

A thiazole-containing tripodal ligand: synthesis, characterization, and interactions with metal ions and matrix metalloproteinases

A new tripodal ligand, tris[2-(((2-thiazolyl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine (Tatren), has been synthesized and characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Tatren forms stable complexes with transition metal ions (Zn(2+), 1; Mn(2+), 2; Co(2+), 3) and the alkaline earth metal ions (Ca(2+), 4; Mg(2+), 5). Single-crystal X-ray structures of 1, 2, and 5 revealed six-coordinate chelate complexes with formula [M(Tatren)](ClO(4))(2) in which the metal centers are coordinated by three thiazolyl N atoms and three acyclic imine N atoms. Crystals of 1, 2, and 5 are monoclinic, P2(1)/c space group. Crystals of 4 are triclinic, P space group. The Ca(2+) complex is eight-coordinate with all N atoms of Tatren and one water molecule coordinated to the metal ion. Spectrophotometric titrations show that formation constants for the chelates of metal ions are >1 in methanol. Free Tatren inhibits the catalytic domain of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13, collagenase-3) with K(i) = 3.5 +/- 0.6 microM. Molecular mechanics-based docking calculations suggest that one leg of Tatren coordinates to the catalytic Zn(2+) in MMPs-2, -9, and -13 with significant hydrogen bonding to backbone amide groups. High-level DFT calculations suggest that, in the absence of nonbonded interactions between Tatren and the enzyme, the most stable first coordination sphere of the catalytic Zn(2+) is achieved with three imidazolyl groups from His residues and two imine N atoms from one leg of Tatren. While complexes (1-3) do not inhibit MMP-13 to a significant extent, 4 does (K(i) = 30 +/- 10 microM). Hence, this study shows that tripodal chelating ligands of this class and their Ca(2+) complexes have potential as active-site inhibitors for MMPs.     

Studies on crosslinking of EPDM-PE blends by thermoanalytical techniques

The effect of blend ratio and peroxide concentration on crosslinking characteristics of EPDM-PE blends were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Brabender plasticorder and Rheometer. Crosslinking of EPDM-PE blends follows first order reaction kinetics. The curing exotherm increases but activation energy decreases with increase in EPDM content in the blends. The same however increases with the increase in concentration of DCP upto a certain level, while the activation energy is almost independent of peroxide concentration. The cure rate increases whereas optimum cure time and energy consumption for curing decrease with increase in the EPDM-PE ratio. A method for determination of crosslinking efficiency in the case of blend systems was developed from high temperature modulus to predict the properties and the curing behaviour of the blends.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels DSC, Brabender Plasticorder und Rheometer wurde der Einfluß von Mischungsverhältnis und Peroxidkonzentration auf den Vernetzungsverlauf von EPDM-PE-Gemischen untersucht. Die Vernetzung von EPDM-PE-Gemischen verläuft nach einer Reaktion erster Ordnung. Je höher der Anteil von EPDM im Gemisch, um so exothermer ist die Vernetzung und um so kleiner ist die dazugehörige Aktivierungsenergie. Mit dem Anwachsen der DCP-Konzentration bis zu einem gewissen Niveau wächst der exotherme Charakter, während die Aktivierungsenergie fast unabhängig von der Peroxidkonzentration ist. Mit dem Anstieg des EPDM/PE-Verhältnisses wächst die vernetzungsgeschwindigkeit, während die optimale Vernetzungszeit und der Energieverbrauch für die Vernetzung sinken. Es wurde ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Vernetzungseffizienz bei Mischsystemen entwickelt, um Eigenschaften und Vernetzungsverhalten von Gemischen voraussagen zu können.

     

Silver (I)-promoted asymmetric halohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones: scope and limitations

The halohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones 1 by halogen (Br₂/I₂) and water were efficiently carried out in aqueous organic solvent promoted by silver(I) with high anti- and regioselectivity and moderate to good diastereoselectivities. The alkenoyl, cinnamoyl and electron-deficient cinnamoyl substrates smoothly underwent bromohydrin reaction in aqueous acetone but no iodohydrin reaction, where as electron-rich cinnamoyl substrates preferred to undergo iodohydrin reaction in aqueous acetone with moderate diastereoselectivity and enhanced diastereoselectivity was observed in aqueous THF.     

Degradation of rocket insulator at high temperature

The degradation of a rocket insulator compound based on ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) containing asbestor, cork and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) as fillers has been studied at high temperature (up to 600°) by using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG). The changes in physical properties on high-temperature aging are also reported. EPDM gum vulcanizates involving different types of diene, namely ethylidene norbornene (ENB), dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and 1,4-hexadiene (HD), were used. In each case, the kinetic parameters for degradation have been evaluated. From these data, the lifetime of the rocket insulator compound has been found.

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Zusammenfassung Die Zersetzung einer Raketenisolator-Verbindung auf Äthylen-Propylen-Dien-Gummibasis (EPDM) mit Asbest, Kork und Eisenoxid (Fe₂O₃) als Füllstoffe wurden bei hohen Temperaturen (bis 600°) mittels Differentialthermalanalyse (DTA) und Thermogravimetrie (TG) untersucht. Die bei Hochtemperaturen eintretenden Veränderungen der physikalischen Eigenschaften sind ebenfalls angegeben. Verschiedene Typen von Dienen, nämlich Äthyliden-norbornen (ENB), Dicyclopentadien (DCPD) und 1,4-Hexadien (HD) enthaltenden EPDM-Gummivulkanisate waren Gegenstand der Untersuchung. In allen Fällen wurden die kinetischen Parameter der Zersetzung ermittelt. Aus diesen Daten wurde die Lebensdauer der Raketenisolator-Verbindung bestimmt.

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600° (), , . , . , , 1,4- . . .

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The authors are grateful to the Indian Space Research Organization for funding, and acknowledge the help and suggestions from Mr. T. S. Ram and Mr. Baby John, R.P.P., V.S.S.C., Trivandrum. The authors are also grateful to Prof. S. K. De, Rubber Technology Centre, and Prof. R. Ghosh, Chemistry Department, I.I.T., Kharagpur.

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The authors thank Mr. Asutosh Ghosh, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, for experimental assistance.     

Incompressibility of strange matter

Strange stars (ReSS) calculated from a realistic equation of state (EOS), that incorporate chiral symmetry restoration as well as deconfinement at high density [Phys. Lett. B 438 (1998) 123; Phys. Lett. B 447 (1999) 352, Addendum; Phys. Lett. B 467 (1999) 303, Erratum; Indian J. Phys. B 73 (1999) 377] show compact objects in the mass radius curve. We compare our calculations of incompressibility for this EOS with that of nuclear matter. One of the nuclear matter EOS has a continuous transition to ud-matter at about five times normal density. Another nuclear matter EOS incorporates density dependent coupling constants. From a look at the consequent velocity of sound, it is found that the transition to ud-matter seems necessary.     

A canted antiferromagnetic ordered phase of cyanido-bridged Mn(III)(2)Re(IV) single-chain magnets

A new cyanido-bridged Re(IV)-Mn(III) heterometallic 1D system, [Mn(III)(5-Me-saltmen)](2)[Re(IV)Cl(4)(CN)(2)]·3CH(3)CN (), was designed and structurally characterized. Interchain interactions stabilize a canted antiferromagnetic ordered state below 6.2 K that does not prevent slow relaxation of the magnetization reminiscent of the single-chain magnet properties of the individual chains.