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Notes: Abstract Within the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, state of the art computer graphics animation is done in the Computer Graphics Laboratory. The topics of the animations cover many scientific disciplines. Specific features of the system developed there, both hardware and software, are discussed. The prime mover of the effort is Dr. James F. Blinn of Pasadena; his role and experiences are elaborated. Their current largest project is The Mechanical Universe; the system is used for its production.

Notes: Pseudo first-order rate constants for the solvolytic displacement of benzyl bromide in 100% ethanol and in 80 and 60% aqueous ethanol (v/v) are reported. The effect of adding poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and PEG dithiols and diamines to the solvolytic solutions has been studied. The solvolytic rates are mildly retarded on adding PEG, MW 950, or PEG dimercaptoacetate, MW 548 or 748 (at a concentration of about 8% of the polymer) to reactions in absolute ethanol. In 80% ethanol, however, a rate acceleration by the polymers was observed, with the thiols exhibiting the largest effects. PEG di(3-mercaptopropionate) reacts slightly faster than the PEG dimercaptoacetates, but liberated acid affects the former's reaction. Three molecular weights of primary diamines structurally derived from propylene oxide-capped PEG were evaluated and found to increase solvolytic rates of benzyl bromide significantly. Kinetic evaluation and comparisons with reactions containing equivalent amine groups per gram in an appropriate model (ethanolamine) revealed that the polymer's amine groups are actively involved nucleophilically. Grunwald-Winstein plots and second-order rate constants revealed that the polymeric diamines caused the benzyl bromide to undergo polymer-assisted displacement in all solvent compositions. Since it was noted that the second-order rates increased as the PEG amine molecular weight increased, it appears that the PEG framework may be assisting the reaction.

Notes: The reaction of poly(vinylidene fluoride) with several different bases in dimethylformamide solution yields dehydrofluorinated products with conjugated polyene structures. The extent of elimination can be controlled by varying the amount of added base. The structural properties of dehydrofluorinated materials depend on the base used. Polymer films cast from DMF solution exhibit electronic conductivity upon iodine doping; the conductivity is also a function of the base used.

Notes: For calculating the ratio of the intrinsic viscosities of branched and linear polymers of the same molecular weight, [η]B/[η]L, a new theory taking into account the excluded volume effect is presented. By using the modified Flory equation, the excluded volume effect of branched polymers is predicted with the aid of the first-order perturbation theory. The linear expansion factor αs is converted to the hydrodynamic expansion factor αη by using the Kurata-Yamakawa theory. Our calculated results, i.e., [η]B/[η]L and 〈s2〉B/〈s2〉L, agree well with experiment for various type branched polymers, i.e., randomly branched and comb-shaped polymers of poly(vinyl acetate).

Notes: The synthesis of crosslinked polydiacetylenes and its two-component interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) was carried out utilizing its polar and flexible substituent groups. Polydiacetylenes were crosslinked by the formation of allophanate linkages utilizing urethane groups in the substituent groups of the polydiacetylenes. Elemental analysis, DSC, TMA, solvent resistance, and IR spectra are presented as evidence for the formation of crosslinked polydiacetylenes. IPNs of polydiacetylenes and an epoxy resin (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A) were synthesized by using simultaneous and sequential methods of synthesis. A study of phase morphology of the simultaneous and sequential IPNs was carried out using electron microscopy, TMA, and DSC.

Notes: The final network structure of epoxy polymers cured with a crosslinking agent is strongly connected with the type and amount of the curing agent and conditions. Concerning the morphology of this network, it has been reported that cured epoxies are two-phase systems, containing roughly spherical floccules arranged in a matrix resembling the constituent phases. In this paper and by using an epoxy-polymer cured with different amounts (i.e., different than the stoichiometric one) of a curing agent, strong indications of their network-structure heterogeneity have been disclosed. For this study, two different experimental techniques, such as dynamic mechanical measurements and DSC tests have been utilised. It was found that cured epoxy-polymers consist of two extreme regions, with low and high crosslink densities, whose volume fractions have been estimated by using a mechanical model applicable for two-phase systems.

Notes: The polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by an ascorbic acid-peroxodisulfate redox system was studied in an aqueous solution at 35°C in the presence of air. Molecular oxygen was found to have no effect on the polymerization reaction. An increase in ionic strength slightly increased the rate. The overall rate of polymerization, Rp, showed a square dependence on [monomer] and a half-order dependence on [peroxodisulfate]. A first-order dependence on [ascorbic acid] at low concentrations (〈3.0 × 10-3 mol L-1) followed by a decrease in Rp at higher concentrations of ascorbic acid (〉3.0 × 10-3 mol L-1) was also noted. Rp remained unchanged up to 40°C and showed a decline thereafter. Addition of catalytic amounts of cupric ions decreased the rate whereas ferric ions were found to increase the rate. Added sulfuric acid in the range (6.0-50.0) × 10-5 mol L-1 decreased the Rp.

Notes: Esters of cyanoacetic acid are a novel class of epoxy curing agents. The model reaction between ethyl cyanoacetate (ECA) and phenyl glycidylether (PGE) yielded a cyano-spiro-dilactone under conditions similar to the resin cure. The structure of the spiro compound resulting from 2 ECA and 2 PGE was elucidated by MS, IR, 1H-, and 13C-NMR techniques. Ammonia is split off from 1 ECA and acts in statu nascendi as a satellite hardener. An overall model reaction equation for the cyanoacetyl cure is proposed. The cure of bisphenol A-diglycidylether (BADGE) with ECA and with neopentylglycol-biscyanoacetate (NPGCA) is described over a wide range of the molar ratio. Clear and tough solids are obtained with a glass transition temperature up to 130°C. Cyanoacetates are latent hardeners requiring a curing initiator. Since N-4-chlorophenyl N′-dimethylurea is a latent initiator, liquid “one-shot” systems can be formulated that are stable at room temperature and harden quickly above 120°C. Heat aging properties of cured specimens are reported. A series of novel liquid, resinous, and crystalline cyanoacetates and their potential as curing agents are described.

Notes: Glow-discharge plasma polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane was carried out on the cellulose acetate substrate in the presence of iodine crystal and the effect of I2 doping on liquid permeability such as water, cyclohexane, alcohol homologues, and a water-alcohol mixture was investigated. It was found that I2-doped poly(siloxane) (PHMS-I2) membrane exhibited larger water permeability than nondoped (PHMS) membrane with anomalous pressure dependence (fourth power with pressure gradient). The permeability of alcohol homologues of PHMS membrane increased with increasing the molecular size and the hydrophobicity, whereas that of PHMS-I2 membrane decreased significantly. The presence of a small amount of hemoglobin also increased the water permeability of both membranes. From the results of flow tests of various kinds of fluid it was assumed that these membranes permeate the liquid predominantly by solution-diffusion mechanism.

Notes: This paper further investigates imide formation in amidation reactions involving Bischloride A2 and suitably selected mono- and difunctional analogues on the one hand, and primary aromatic mono- and diamines on the other. It also investigates the reaction of these acid chlorides with secondary mono- and diamines. If, say, N,N′ dimethyl p-phenylene diamine and hydroquinone dioxyacetyl chloride or bischloride A2 were to react quantitatively, then a linear unbranched polyamide would be expected to be the result which, in the absence of any hydrogen remaining at the amide link, would no longer present a site for further electrophilic attack on the part of the exceptionally reactive aroxyacetyl chloride. There also arises the possibility that a monoamine such as aniline could conceivably act as a difunctional reagent in the presence of aroxyacetyl chlorides. In the event of this reaction proceeding quantitatively one would expect to obtain a linear polyimide in which each imide-nitrogen atom carries a phenyl group. In carrying out the experimental preparative work which is required to elucidate these points we used both monofunctional reactants as model compounds and difunctional reactants in order to assess the polymeric resultants. The products were characterized by means of 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR spectroscopy, TLC, and Tg determinations. The conclusions drawn on the basis of the experimental work provided a satisfactory interpretation of the complex reactions which occur during the polyamidation of bischloride A2. They also point to interesting possibilities for the use of difunctional aroxyacetyl chlorides as modifying comonomers in minor amounts in the preparation of copolyaramides with reduced crystallinity. Such copolyaramides would be expected to have better solubility in common solvents and to be more easily processable than the rather specialized and extremely high-melting polyaramides currently commercially available and could therefore extend the range of useful applications for this class of polymers.The experimental section is preceded by an introduction which briefly reviews the “state of the art,” especially as far as bischloride A2-based polyamidation reactions are concerned. It is followed by a discussion of the results, by the conclusions, and a brief summary.

Notes: The relative availabilities of accessible O(2)H, O(3)H, and O(6)H in the cellulose of developing cotton fibers were measured by conducting a reaction to a low degree of substitution under mild conditions in an aqueous medium. Raw cotton fibers from unopened bolls and from mature, opened bolls were studied. Correction was made for the presence of a β-1,3-glucan that was detected by substitution at the abundant O(4)H of this polysaccharide. The order of decreasing availability of hydroxyl groups of cellulose was O(2)H 〉 O(6)H 〉 〉 O(3)H. Results indicate that cellulose in the secondary wall of the cotton fiber is laid down with a high degree of order and that this order decreases with opening of the boll.

Notes: In the previous paper, some ω-(1-imidazolyl) and ω-[4(5)-imidazolyl]alkanoic acids were synthesized and grafted onto poly(vinylamine). These water soluble catalysts of varying apolarity contain both hydrophobic and electrostatic binding sites for neutral and charged substrates. The influence of side chain length, percent graft, and the substitution in the imidazole ring are described. The grafts possessing the longer side chains and lesser apolar weight were more efficient catalysts than the grafts containing numerous short side chains and greater apolar weight. These grafts exhibited slower rates than poly[4(5)-vinylimidazole].

Notes: The affinity chromatographic characteristics of some chemically modified copolymers based on glycidyl methacrylate have been evaluated. The copolymers were modified by means of reaction of suitable ligands with epoxy groups. Purification of pencillin acylase was carried out using these matrices as the stationary phase in the chromatographic column. Effect of the nature of the ligands and pH on the binding and desorption efficiency of the enzyme was evaluated.

Notes: The IR laser-induced degradations of liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) vapor and of hexamethyldisiloxane vapor have been studied in order to determine whether the high temperature thermal properties of the dimethylsiloxane unit is best represented by Si—O bond rearrangement (the conventional pyrolysis mechanism) or Si—C bond cleavage (the thermodynamic reaction pathway). The volatile products of these pulsed laser experiments with various viscosities of PDMS are methane, ethane, ethylene, and hydrogen. These results are consistent with Si—C bond cleavage to form methyl radicals, which can then recombine to form ethane or abstract a hydrogen atom from a matrix molecule to form methane. The presence of ethylene and hydrogen can be explained by the decomposition of hot ethane molecules. No evidence of Si—O bond cleavage was observed. Reaction temperatures are estimated with computer modeling using heat capacity data.

Notes: The thermal decomposition of poly(sec-amyl methacrylate) is studied by simultaneous thermogravimetry-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and by pyrolysis-gas chromatography. The TG curve has four distinct breaks and a plateau. Results of the identification of the evolved gas at the individual breaks by GC-MS techniques lead to the conclusion that these breaks correspond to the individual processes in the decomposition mechanism like that of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate): the first break, the depolymerization initiated at the unsaturated chain ends; the second break, the depolymerization initiated at the saturated chain ends; the third break, the ester decomposition; the plateau, the inhibition of decomposition by the formation of poly(methacrylic anhydride); the fourth break, the decomposition of poly(methacrylic anhydride). The extent of ester decomposition is related to the substituent constants based on Hammett equation. The ester decomposition product is separated into three pentene isomers by pyrolysis-gas chromatography: trans-2-pentene, cis-2-pentene, and 1-pentene. As raising decomposition temperature, the composition ratio of trans-2-pentene decreases and becomes constant above 620 K, and the composition ratios of cis-2-pentene and 1-pentene increase and also become constant above 620 K. These results are accounted for by mobility of atoms included in the substituent at forming a ring transition state.

Notes: The use of metal phthalocyanine tetraamines in curing epoxy resins to form high-temperature-resistant matrix polymers for composites has been reported earlier. The effect of adding carboxy-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile (CTBN) elastomer is now described; preliminary measurements of tensile, flexural, and short-beam shear strengths, dynamic moduli, resin content, and moisture absorption are presented, and the results of dynamic thermogravimetric analyses are given. In addition to their high char yield (86-87.5% at 800°C in a nitrogen atmosphere) and limiting oxygen index (48.3-50.3), the laminates showed good mechanical properties.

Notes: The surface aspects of plasma polymers derived from ferrocene, dimethylaminomethylferrocene, and vinylferrocene were studied by electron spectroscopy for chemical applications. From a consideration of the ESCA peak area ratios it is apparent that ferrocene and vinylferrocene maintain a carbon-to-iron ratio characteristic of the “monomer”, whereas dimethylaminomethylferrocene plasma polymer is richer in iron than its monomer.

Notes: More than a hundred propylene polymerizations were carried out with the CW catalyst (our particular MgCl2/ethylbenzoate/p-cresol/AlEt3/TiCl4 supported high mileage catalyst). Highest I.I. index (% yield of boiling heptane insoluble product) of 96.2 ± 0.9 was obtained at [Ti] = 2.4 × 10-4 M, A/T (amount of AlEt3 with 0.33 equivalent of methyl-p-toluate to amount of Ti in the catalyst) = 167 at 50°C. The I.I. values became lower when any one of these variables was changed. The I.I. values did not change with time of polymerization, indicating that both stereospecific and nonstereospecific sites were produced at the same time and polymerized monomers during the course of a polymerization. Estimates of maximum active site concentrations, [Ti*]0,Because of the complexity of the catalyst system, the active sites are designated as follows: [Ti*], active sites of all kinds at a given time; [Ti*]0 active sites of all kinds at time zero; [Ti1*], active sites of the first kind formed initially upon activation; [Ti2], active sites of the second kind, which were transformed from the former, and are responsible for olefin polymerization after the initial phase of rapid decay of activity; [Ti*]i, stereospecific active sites; [Ti*]a, nonstereospecific active sites, and [Ti*]t = [Ti*]i + [Ti*]a Similarly, the subscripts 1 and 2 for the various rate constants refer to active sites Ti1* and Ti2*, respectively. Finally [Ti] is the concentration of total titanium in the amount of catalyst used. [Ti-P] is the titanium polymer bond concentration as determined by 14CO tagging; [Ti-P] (1 h) and [Ti-P] (48 h) are the values obtained with indicated time of contact of 14CO with the polymerization mixture in the obsence of monomer. were obtained from a variation of vn-1 versus t-1. The values of [Ti*]0.i and [Ti*]0,a for the stereospecific and nonstereospecific sites, respectively, are in excellent agreement with those values of [MPB]0 (metal polymer bond concentrations at t = 0) determined earlier by radiotagging with tritiated methanol. The rate of formation of [Ti*]1 (the initial active site) is first order with respect to [Ti] and [A] with an activation energy of 12 kcal mol-1 where [A] is the AlEt3 concentration. The rate constants of propagation at 50°C are kp,i ∼ 160M-1s-1 and kp,a ∼ 11M-1s-1. The activation energy for the stereospecific propagation is about 4.1 kcal mol-1. At 50°C the rate of polymerization decreases according to second order kinetics suggesting bimolecular processes which transform one-half to one-fourth of the Ti1* site to Ti2* types depending upon experimental conditions, while the remainder decay to inactive species. The values of kt1 lie between 19 and 61M-1s-1. These processes are more complicated at 70°C involving two consecutive reactions; at low [A], the data fits better with first order decay kinetics. Comparison of the [Ti2*] values and the values of [Ti-P] obtained by 14CO tagging suggests that CO reacts primarily with the Ti2* sites and very little with the initially formed Ti1* sites. The Ti2* sites are slightly less active than the Ti1* sites having kp2,i ∼ 86M-1s-1 and kp2,a ∼ 7M-1s-1 at 50°C.

Notes: Metal powders were incorporated into various elastomers and the mixtures were subjected to intense shearing in air or a nitrogen atmosphere. The molecular weight after shearing was still relatively high, however; greater than 100 kg/mol. The elastomer was then dissolved and centrifuged to remove the metal particles and the solution was analyzed for reaction products. A strongly ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing species was formed by shearing a styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR) with iron powder. The concentration increased with the concentration of iron powder in the mixture and the extent of shearing, and it was greater after shearing in a nitrogen atmosphere. These results are attributed to the direct reaction of macromolecular radicals, formed by shearing, with iron powder to yield an iron-polymer compound. Natural rubber (cis-polyisoprene), which absorbed 100-200 μg of iron per gram of polymer, was about as reactive as SBR. Polybutadiene was less reactive, and an ethylene-propylene copolymer did not react with or solubilize a significant amount of iron. Zinc was, in general, solubilized to a somewhat lesser degree than iron, whereas aluminum powder appeared to undergo virtually no reaction with sheared elastomers. The maximum extent of reaction (solubilization) was of the order of one metal atom per final polymer molecule, which was consistent with the proposed mechanism. Moreover, an analogous reaction took place between simple organic radicals and iron particles in suspension.

Notes: The major features of polymerization induction periods for acrylic acid inhibited with phenothiazine and p-methoxyphenol have been characterized at 100°C, including duration of the induction periods, and rates of inhibitor disappearance, molecular oxygen absorption, and peroxide formation. Surprisingly, thermally produced radicals react more rapidly with phenothiazine than with oxygen since there is no detectable oxygen absorption or peroxide for mation during phenothiazine-induced induction periods. Thus, phenothiazine has been used to estimate the thermal rate of radical formation. Phenothiazine's effectiveness as an inhibitor is not directly affected by oxygen, although it does undergo oxygen-promoted, noninhibition-related side reactions. p-Methoxyphenol, on the other hand, depends entirely on the presence of oxygen to function as an inhibitor. Compared with equivalent concentrations of p-methoxyphenol, induction periods obtained with phenothiazine are very long, and the rate of inhibitor disappearance is slower by at least an order of magnitude. The characteristics of p-methoxyphenol inhibition reflect a greater radical flux deriving from the significant rates of oligomeric peroxide formation and decomposition which we measured during p-methoxyphenol-induced induction periods at 100°C. MEHQ is an effective inhibitor at ambient temperatures in part because of the greater stability of the peroxides at these lower temperatures.

Notes: Thermal gravimetric analysis, and differential thermal behavior of holo- and hemicelluloses obtained from rice straw and bagasse were investigated. Degradation was found to be of first order reaction. The activation energy values and the rate constants were calculated from the kinetic of weight loss. Hemicellulose was found to be less stable than holocellulose, and the stability of the samples was arranged in the order, rice straw holo- 〉 bagasse holo- 〉 rice straw hemi- 〉 bagasse hemicellulose. Degradation of rice straw (holo- as well as hemicellulose) was performed via two exothermic processes, whereas bagasse hemicellulose combustion was completed through three exothermic processes. The magnitude and the shape of the exotherms depend, mainly, on the chemical composition of the sample.

Notes: The application of Fourier transform (FT) two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to the study of the composite of bis[N,N-di(2,3-epoxypropyl)-4-aminophenyl] methane (TGMDA) and the curing agent bis(4-aminophenyl)sulfone (DDS) is discussed. The combination of 2D-J resolved and homonuclear (proton) shift correlated experiments permits the complex proton spectrum due to the glycidylamine moiety to be completely elucidated. The potential utility of this in the study of the aging of prepreg is briefly discussed.

Notes: Measurements of saturated liquid densities and ethylene solubilities in ethylene - polyethylene systems up to 26.1 MPa and 493.1 K were obtained using a new variable-volume static cell after a careful investigation of the influence of inhibitors of polymerization of ethylene under experimental conditions.

Notes: Copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) was carried out in bulk at 70°C ± 1°C using 0.2% benzoyl peroxide as initiator in nitrogen atmosphere. Number average molecular weight (Mn) of the copolymers was determined by dynamic osmometry. Intrinsic viscosity [η] of HEMA-BMA copolymers was evaluated at 35°C in dimethyl formamide. These copolymers were also characterized by infrared spectroscopy and density measurements. Cohesive energy densities (CED) of these polymers were determined by observing their swelling behavior in different solvents. It was found that a decrease in alkyl methacrylate content resulted in an increase in the CED values of the copolymers.

Notes: The reactions of poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) and poly(2-chloroethyl vinyl ether) (PCEVE) with various reagents were investigated using phase transfer catalyst (PTC) such as tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB), 18-crown-6 (CR6), and dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DCHC) is a solid - liquid two-phase system. Although the reactions of these polymers hardly occurred without PTC in nonpolar solvents such as toluene and diglyme under mild conditions, the addition of PTC caused the reactions to proceed smoothly under the same conditions. In addition, the reactions of PECH and PCEVE with a strong base such as potassium hydroxide proceeded selectively through β-elimination reaction to produce the polymers with pendant vinyl groups. These results suggested this method is useful for the syntheses of functional polymers. On the other hand, it turned out that quaternary ammonium salts such as TBAB have higher catalytic activity than crown ethers such as CRG and DCHE in these reactions. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of quaternary ammonium salts was strongly influenced by their chain length and the structure of the polymers.

Notes: p-Vinylphenylsulfonylnitromethane (3) was synthesized by the reaction of sodium p-styrenesulfinate with nitromethane. Free radical copolymerizations of 3 with styrene and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone provided soluble copolymers. Conversions of RCH2X (X = Br, OAc) with the copolymers as reagents proceeded in a different manner from the corresponding lowmolecular-weight compound, phenylsulfonylnitromethane, to afford RCOOH in addition to the expected RCH2CH2NO2 and RCH2COOH; no nitriles were formed.

Notes: The kinetics for the cycloaddition of dichlorocarbene to cis-1,4-polybutadiene (BR) have been examined for aqueous and solid sodium hydroxide-chloroform mixtures containing 350 molecular weight α-methyl-ω-hydroxy-poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) (Carbowax 350) as a phase transfer catalyst. This study describes the influence of reaction variables on rate and the partitioning of dichlorocarbene between dichlorocyclopropanation and hydrolysis. The results are consistent with a kinetic model derived for the case where mass transfer is not rate limiting. However, this does not apply at high conversions where mass transfer control occurs due to large increases in viscosity. Higher BR concentrations can be achieved by replacing chloroform with methylene chloride containing stoichiometric amounts of chloroform. This mass action effect causes more favorable partitioning toward cyclopropanation; otherwise, chloroform and methylene chloride behave similarly as solvents. Water is an essential component in this reaction because it greatly increases the ability of the catalyst to extract sodium hydroxide into the organic phase.

Notes: A new series of polyhalogenated, principally polybrominated polyamides have been prepared either by polymerization in a melt-phase process at high temperature or by a low-temperature solution process. The polymers were obtained from perchloroterephthaloyl-, perbromoterephthaloyl-, and 2,5-dibrometerephthaloyl dichlorides and tetrabromophthalic anhydride with aromatic and aliphatic diamines. They were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosities, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and flame-resistance testing.

Notes: The thermal and radical-induced polymerizations of 9-anthrylmethyl acrylate (I), 9-anthrylmethyl methacrylate (II), 1′-(9-anthryl)ethyl acrylate (III), and 1′-(9-anthryl)ethyl methacrylate (IV) have been studied. It was found that the radical-induced polymerization takes place for the methacrylates only, while thermal polymerization leads to polymers for both types of monomers and takes place by Diels-Alder cycloaddition in the case of acrylates, and by both normal enchainment and Diels-Alder cycloaddition in the case of methacrylates.

Notes: Homogeneous Ziegler-Natta systems for the ethylene polymerization, deriving from R2R2′M complexes (R = cyclopentadienyl; R′ = alkyl, aryl; M = Ti, Zr, Hf) and oligomeric oxoalane compounds, were studied. Further results concerning the methyl aluminoxane synthesis and the related chemistry are reported. On the basis of spectroscopic data a delocalized electronic structure could be inferred for these compounds. Results from polymerization experiments showed that the highest productivities are obtained only by oxoalane cocatalysts having a high degree of oligomerization. The catalytic activity of the systems under investigation was strongly affected also by changing both the σ-alkyl and the π-cyclo-pentadienyl ligands. Furthermore, it was found that in the presence of methyl aluminoxane, the homoleptic σ-alkyl derivatives of IVB transition metals, such as Zr(CH2C6H5)4, are also able to polymerize ethylene with a fairly high productivity. Active species containing Zr—O—Al bonds have been postulated.

Notes: Polyamides were synthesized at -60°, -40°, -20°, and 0°C from sebacyl bisketene and 1,6-hexamethylenediamine in either acetone or methylene chloride. At the lower reaction temperatures oligomers predominated in solution but at 0°C the product was crosslinked. The polyamides were subjected to m-cresol extraction at elevated temperatures for up to 14 days. The m-cresol soluble and insoluble fractions were characterized by weight, infrared spectroscopy, dilute solution viscosity, and gel permeation chromatography. Infrared analysis of the soluble and insoluble portions showed the degree of branching of the polyamide, identified the branching point at the secondary amide proton position, and gave an indication of the degree of branching required before insoluble products resulted. Dilute solution viscosity and gel permeation chromatography were used to demonstrate the existence of low molecular weight (Mw) oligomer species in the soluble portion. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments revealed that polyamides synthesized below their glass transition temperature would not crystallize which resulted in abnormal thermal characteristics. Annealing at elevated temperatures allowed crystallization to occur and the expected thermal character to develop.

Notes: Water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions of methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylic acid (AA), sodium acrylamidostearate (NaAAS), and water were investigated. MMA, AA, and NaAAS could be terpolymerized in these microemulsions. For a composition of 54% MMA, 34% AA, 2% NaAAS, and 10% H2O, polymers of high molecular weights of about 1,000,000 were obtained between 3.5 to 24% polymer conversion. The system became a transparent gel when conversion exceeded 36%. Transparent solid terpolymer containing water up to 16% were also obtained after fully polymerizations of certain compositions.

Notes: Mixing and curing experiments with suspensions of boron in hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) have been performed. In kneading experiments on a plastograph very high viscous masses with bad curing properties were obtained. The experiments indicated that HTPB is attached with its OH groups to acidic impurities on the surface of the boron powder. By adding a basic substance, such as octadecyl amine, mixing and curing were undertaken with much less difficulty.

Notes: The products of the reaction between MgO and polypropylene-glycol adipates of different acid values and water contents were analyzed for the water generated and the magnesium reacted into the resin by means of Karl Fischer titration and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The results conclusively show that both basic and neutral salts are present in the products. The ratio of the amounts of basic and neutral salts present in the mixture, rB/N, could also be calculated from the results. It was found that as R, the moles of MgO added per mole of acid groups, is increased both the amount of oxide reacted and rB/N increase while these are relatively unaffected by the water content of the resin. The minimum value of R at which basic salt exists in the reaction products was found to increase with decreasing acid value. It is proposed that diffusional effects account for these observations as well as those reported in literature.

Notes: Procedures for the synthesis of polyacetylene ([CH]x) with Mn (number average molecular weight) from 400 to about 106 have been developed. This probably represents the largest range of molecular weight (MW) obtainable for a given monomer by a single initiator system. The catalyst residue level in [CH]x can be significantly reduced by acidic-methanol purification. The very low MW polymer L-[CH]x (polyacetylenes with Mn 400-500), has the same cis crystal structure as the higher MW polymers but is less ordered along the c-axis. It is isomerized to the trans material with apparently a more compact unit cell than high MW polymers. There is annealing of crystallite which increases the longitudinal order during thermal isomerization. This process occurs more readily and with lower activation energy in L-[CH]x than for polymers with higher MW. Isomerization of high MW polymers tends to trap cis units which can result in degradation as evidenced by the formation of sp3 carbon vibrations in IR spectra. This is true even for L-[CH]x after prolonged heating. The results render credence to the proposal based on anamalous resonance Raman scattering profile that there can be very short trans segments in thermally isomerized trans-[CH]x.

Notes: The interfacial reaction between a liquid polyfunctional aromatic isocyanate and a diol was studied using infrared spectroscopy to follow the reduction in concentration of the isocyanate group. It was shown that the product polyurethane formed a gel layer around dispersed isocyanate droplets which were swollen by the diol but not by the isocyanate. A model for the process is suggested based on the reaction occuring at the interface of a diminishing droplet surface. It is suggested that the reaction is controlled by the reaction kinetic parameters and the mass transfer by diffusion of the diol through the product layer. Quantitative evaluation is based on steady and nonsteady state diffusion theories.

Notes: Cationic polymerization of bicyclo ortho ester, 1-phenyl-4-ethyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, was carried out with Lewis acids and cation sources to obtain the polyether containing ester group in the side chain. It was found that boron trifluoride etherate was the most active initiator in the Lewis acids. Magnesium perchlorate and triphenylcarbenium tetrafluoroborate, which have lower nucleophilic counter ions, initiated effectively the polymerization of bicyclo ortho ester.

Notes: Plasma polymerization of tetra fluoroethylene (TFE), perfluoro-2-butyl-tetrahydrofuran (PFBTHF), ethylene, and styrene were investigated in various combinations of monomer flow rates and discharge wattages for the substrate temperature range of -50 to 80°C. The polymer deposition rates can be generally expressed by k0 = Ae-bt, where k0 is the specific deposition rate given by k0 = (deposition rate)/(mass flow rate of monomer), A is the preexponential factor representing the extrapolated value of k0 at zero absolute temperature, and b is the temperature-dependence coefficient. It was found that the value of b is not dependent on the condensibility of monomer but depends largely on the group of monomer; that is, perfluorocarbons versus hydrocarbons. The values of A are dependent on domains of plasma polymerization. In the energy deficient region A is given by A = α(W/FM)n, where α is the proportionality constant, W is discharge wattage, FM is the mass flow rate, and n is close to unity. In the monomer deficient region A becomes a constant. The kinetic equation is discussed in view of the bicyclic rapid step-growth polymerization mechanisms.

Notes: The free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the hexakis (arylisocyano)chromium(0)-CCl4 system has been studied for a number of derivatives in which both chlorine and methyl groups have been introduced into the benzene ring. It has been found that single substituents in the benzene ring, irrespective of position, have little effect on the activity of the system other than that which can be explained by the electronic effects of these substituents. However, where steric overcrowding occurs it has been shown that the rate of initiation is reduced considerably. This confirms the established mechanism of initiation for this type of derivative.

Notes: Laser-initiated polymerization of cyclohexene oxide in the presence of maleic anhydride was investigated. The influences of solvents laser irradiation time and the monomer feed ratio on the polymer yield and composition were evaluated. The rate of polymerization increased with an increase in the molar concentration of maleic anhydride in the monomer feed. Short irradiation times of 1-3 min duration gave very high yield of epoxy polymer (〉80% conversion). Infrared spectral studies of the polymer product indicated the formation of polyether linkage at lower levels of conversion and an adduct of polyether and maleic anhydride at higher polymer conversions. The quantitative chemical analyses results also showed similar results. The results indicated that the polymerization was initiated by the excited charge transfer complex between the electron donor, cyclohexane oxide, and the electron acceptor-maleic anhydride. In the initial stages of polymerization, cyclohexene oxide undergoes a cationic polymerization in the presence of the radical anion of maleic anhydride. Laser-initiated polymerization of cyclohexene oxide/maleic anhydride is several hundred times more efficient than UV-initiated polymerization, as measured by the energy absorbed by the polymer system.

Notes: The ring-opening copolymerization of alkylene carbonate with cyclic acid anhydride was found to be initiated by carbon black containing potassium carboxylate (COOK) groups to give an alternating polymer, i.e., polyester. The polyester was propagated from COOK groups and effectively grafted from carbon black surface: e.g., the grafting ratio of polyester from ethylene carbonate (EC) and phthalic anhydride (PAn) went up to over 100%. On the other hand, the initiating activity of alkali metal carboxylate groups increased, depending on the alkali metal countercation, in the following order: COOLi 〈 COONa 〈 COOK 〈 COORb 〈 COOCs. This order was in agreement with that of increasing electropositivity of the counteraction. The activation energy of the copolymerization of EC with PAn was determined to be 26.3 kcal/mol. The rate of the copolymerization was accelerated in an aprotic solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Furthermore, the effect of solvent and polymerization temperature on the grafting ratio of polyester was investigated.

Notes: The emulsion copolymerization of styrene and sodium styrene sulfonate has been shown to be a feasible preparative route to ionomeric sulfonated polystyrene. The properties of these copolymers are reported elsewhere. The copolymerization rate was found to be dramatically enhanced when compared to that for the emulsion copolymerization of styrene under identical conditions. This copolymerization was studied in detail and two mechanisms were proposed to account for these rate differences. An increase in the number of polymerizing particles in the copolymerization with consequent rate enhancement was substantiated by electron microscopy. However, the data indicate that the rate differences cannot be fully accounted for by this effect. In addition, a gel effect is proposed as a second contributor to the enhanced rate. This gel effect is believed to result from the intermolecular association of the incorporated metal sulfonate units in the growing polymer particles. When a third monomer that plasticizes the ionic interactions is used the polymerization rate decreases. This supports the gel effect hypothesis.

Notes: A sulfonium salt derived from tosyl chloride and N-methylimidazole was successfully used as an effective condensing agent for the preparation of high-molecular-weight aromatic polyesters by the direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols. Conditions for the formation of the sulfonium salt and of the reaction of the salt with dicarboxylic acids favorable for the polycondensation were examined. Thermal property of a polymer was investigated in terms of random sequences of monomer in the polymer backbone. Preparation of a polyamide and a polyesteramide was attempted with limited success.

Notes: Poly(dicyanoacetylene) (PDCA) has been synthesized and characterized. The pristine polymer has EPR g-value, linewidth, unpaired spin concentration, spin - spin relaxation time (T2), and room temperature dc conductivity (σRT) very similar to those of pristine cis-polyacetylene (PA), but shorter spin - lattice relaxation time (T1). Saturation doping with iodine has little effect on most EPR characteristics of the polymer except for a slight increase in T1. The doped PDCA has σRT value of only 5 X 10-9 (Ω cm)-1, indicating either low carrier concentration and/or carrier mobility. Partial cyclization of the nitrile groups by heating at 400°C of PDCA produces l-PDCA with significant increases in unpaired spin concentration and σRT but marginal effects on other properties. Saturation doping of l-PDCA with iodine increases σRT to 7 × 10-3 (Ω cm)-1 without appreciable changes in EPR characteristics. The dopants in both polymers can be removed by evacuation indicating only weak charge transfer interactions. The possible stereoelectronic contribution toward the property differences between the PDCA polymers and PA are discussed.

Notes: Plasma polymerizations of bis(dimethylamino)methylsilane (BDMAMVS), bis(dimethylamino) methylvinylsilane (BDMAMVS), and trimethylsilyldimethylamine (TMSDMA) were investigated by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and ESCA. Polymer deposition was fairly faster in the BDMAMVS and TMSDMA systems than in the BDMAMS system, indicating that vinyl and methyl substituents contribute to polymer formation, whereas hydrogen substituents disturb the polymer formation. IR and ESCA spectra for these polymers showed that some dependence of the polymers formed in the chemical composition on the nature of the monomers. A part of methylamino groups in these monomers were oxidized to give amido and amine oxide groups. BDMAMVS and TMSDMA yielded polymers with few fragmentations of methylamino groups, whereas the polymers formed from BDMAMS had no methylamino groups.

Notes: The influence of the N-alkyl group of tertiary hindered amines on the photostabilization of polymers was studied. The photostabilizing effects of the tertiary amine derivatives of 4-benzoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (1a) in polypropylene were compared. All tertiary amine derivatives having α-H to hindered N showed higher effectiveness than 1a. Model liquid phase photoxidations were carried out by irradiating (UV-lamp) the solutions of tertiary hindered amines containing tert-butyl hydroperoxide as a photoinitiator. The tertiary hindered amines were oxidized more easily than corresponding parent hindered amine and converted to the parent amine, which was identified as its salt, resulting from the carboxylic acid produced from the N-alkyl group by oxidation. The thermal reaction of the tertiary hindered amines with tert-butyl hydroperoxide was also studied in the liquid phase. The tertiary hindered amines decomposed tert-butyl hydroperoxide more rapidly than the parent secondary hindered amine, and generated the parent amine. It was also found that the photostabilizing effects of tertiary hindered amines for polyolefins were higher than that of the parent secondary hindered amine.

Notes: Macroreticular resins (RST) bearing polyethylenepolyamine side chain were prepared by the amination of the chloromethylated macroreticular styrene - divinylbenzene copolymer beads. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in a water - organic solvent mixture containing hydroperoxide and RST. The polymerization of MMA proceeded smoothly in the presence of both hydroperoxide and RST. The presence of water was indispensable for this polymerization. 1,4-Dioxane hydroperoxide showed a high activity for the polymerization of MMA. The polymerization of MMA by this system was greatly affected by the structure of the resins. It was especially accelerated by using macroreticular resins with appropriate porosities.

Notes: We report a study of the conditions of the phosphorylation reaction for the preparation of aromatic polyamides using the Higashi reaction medium. For poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPD-T), the optimum conditions are: reaction temperature, 115°C; monomer concentration, C = 0.083 mol/L; and ratio of triphenyl phosphite (TPP) to monomer, 2.0. These optimum conditions produce PPD-T having ηinh = 6.2 dL/g. At temperatures of 120°C and above PPD-T precipitates from the reaction mixture, leading to lower molecular weights. At lower temperatures the reaction mixture gels, and the gel time decreases with increasing reaction temperature. However, polycondensation continues in the gel state. Monomer concentrations C = 0.10 mol/L and above produce precipitation and yield polyamides of lower molecular weight. For the preparation of poly(p-benzamide) (PBA), the optimum ratio of TPP to monomer is 0.6 for either p- aminobenzoic acid or N-4-(4′-aminobenzamido)benzoic acid. In the former case the inherent viscosity of polymer prepared at 115°C showed little dependence upon the concentration of the monomer. The highest value, ηinh = 1.8 dL/g, was obtained with C = 0.40 mol/L and a TPP/monomer ratio of 0.6. However, for the same TPP/monomer ratio, the monomer containing a preformed amide linkage, N-4-(4′-aminobenzamido)benzoic acid, gave PBA with ηinh = 4.6 dL/g when the monomer concentration is 0.33 mol/L. This is the highest value reported for PBA using the phosphorylation reaction. In A-A + B-B polycondensation, examples in which one of the monomers contained one or two preformed amide linkages produced polyamides having ηinh = 7.8 and 8.9 dL/g, respectively.

Notes: The emission properties of 1-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-3-(9-phenanthryl)propane, Ph(CH2)3 DMA, and 1,3-di-(9-phenanthyrl)propane, Ph(CH2)3Ph, were studied in comparison with those of poly(9-vinylphenanthrene-co-p-N,N-dimethylaminostyrene). Ph(CH2)3DMA showed an intense intramolecular exciplex fluorescence in dioxane. Ph(CH2)3Ph did not exhibit a clear intramolecular excimer fluorescence. The quenching of the intramolecular exciplex by several electron acceptors was studied. As a result moderate electron acceptors, such as cyanobenzene, methyl benzoate, and acrylonitrile, selectively quenched the intramolecular exciplex, and in the case of cyanobenzene the subsequent formation of another fluorescent exciplex was observed. The results were discussed in terms of the reduction potentials of electron accepting quenchers.

Notes: The diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP)-promoted polycondensation reaction between aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols was largely improved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of lithium halides to give high molecular weight aromatic polyesters. Among the halides LiBr, which is capable of forming a complex with hexamethylphosphoramide, was most effective, suggesting that a similar complexation of DPCP with LiBr in pyridine facilitates the complete reaction of DPCP with carboxyl groups. The complex could selectively activate carboxyl groups of hydroxybenzoic acids to give high molecular weight copolyesters from several combinations of aromatic hydroxy acids. The reaction could also be adaptable to the copolycondensations of a mixture of the dicarboxylic acids, bisphenols, and hydroxybenzoic acids.

Notes: Oligomers of 4-vinylpyridine were prepared by reaction in vacuo of 4-vinylpyridine with lithio-4-ethylpyridine at -78°C, followed by reaction with CH3I(13CH3I) or CH3OH. The stereochemistry was studied by NMR and GC. Methylation and the addition of 4-vinylpyridine occurred in a stereochemically nonselective manner. The data also indicated that in contrast to the oligomerization of 2-vinylpyridine the stereoisomeric meso and racemic 4-pyridyl carbanions propagated with equal reaction rates. The stereochemistry was readily explained by an absence of coordination of the Li ion by the nitrogen of the penultimate pyridine ring observed in the corresponding oligomerization of 2-vinylpyridine.

Notes: Well defined BAB-type poly[styrene(ST)-b-2-methyl-2-oxazoline(MeOz)] was prepared by the cationic polymerization of α,ω-p-toluenesulfonic acid ester-terminated PST (PST-BTs) as an initiator. Alkaline hydrolysis of this block copolymer was carried out under various reaction conditions to obtain BAB-type poly[ST-b-ethylene imine(EI)]. Morphologies of these block copolymer specimens cast from several solvents were observed by electron microscope. The results are discussed in some detail.

Notes: The interaction of copolymer latex particles with emulsifiers is governed to a great extent by the monomer composition of the particle surface. In this article it is demonstrated that for methylmethacrylate butylacrylate copolymer latexes this quantity, within certain limits, may be determined by XPS (ESCA) by a detailed analysis of the C(1s) line. It is shown that in this analysis secondary shifts in binding energy caused by the two carboxyl-oxygen atoms have to be taken into account, a fact that has been neglected in the literature so far.

Notes: Polymers that have crown ether groups as cation binding sites and cinnamic acid ester groups as photodimerizable groups were prepared by the cationic polymerizations of 2-vinyloxyethyl 4′-(2,3-benzo-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxa-2-cyclopentadecene)acrylate and 2-vinyloxyethyl 4′-(2,3-benzo-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxa-2-cyclooctadecene)acrylate. When irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light the cinnamic acid ester groups of the polymers caused dimerization in dilute solution without the formation of insoluble materials. The irradiation was carried out in a dioxane solution and an aqueous solution in the presence and absence of salts. The effect of phototransformation of polymers on the cation binding properties was investigated by a method of picrate salts extraction. The binding ability of the phototransformed polymers for alkali and alkaline earth metal cations was higher than that of the native polymer. Furthermore the cation binding ability of the phototransformed polymers was less sensitive to temperature than that of the native polymer. The effect of the degree of photodimerization of the polymers and the concentration of KCl that exists during irradiation on the cation binding ability was also investigated.

Notes: Sulfonated polystyrene (S-PS), which is of considerable scientific and technological interest, has been traditionally prepared by the sulfonation of preformed polystyrene. This report describes the preparation and properties of S-PS prepared by emulsion copolymerization of styrene and sodium styrene sulfonate. S-PS prepared by copolymerization gave solubility, solution behavior and thermal characteristics that are consistent with an ionomeric structure. The solubility characteristics indicated some chain-to-chain sulfonate heterogeneity. Thermal analysis studies indicated that the glass transition does not increase with increasing sulfonate content. This is contrary to what has been observed for S-PS prepared by sulfonation and suggests that the S-PS prepared by copolymerization is fundamentally different in structure than S-PS prepared by sulfonation of polystyrene.

Notes: New thermally stable polymers that contained benzimidazole and benzimidazobenzoisoquinoline fragments in polymer chains were synthesized by one-stage cyclopolycondensation of aromatic tetramines (3,3′, 4,4′-tetraminodiphenyl ether, 3,3′,4,4′-tetraminodiphenyl methane, 3,3′,4,4′-tetraminodiphenyl sylfone, and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine) with 1,4,5-naphthalene tricarboxylic acid 4:5-anhydride in polyphosphoric acid and with 1,4,5-naphthalene tricarboxylic acid 4:5-anhydride 1-phenyl ester. All polymers obtained were soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid, 85% phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, methane sylfonic acid. Some were soluble in formic acid. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that these polymers were stable up to 450-500°C in air. The polymers had good hydrolytic stability.

Notes: A comparative ESR study of low-temperature photolysis at 77 and 4.2 K of isotactic polypropylene, preoxidized under controlled conditions, and of 2.6.8 trimethylnonane-4-one as a model compound of the inchain PP ketones —CH2COCH2— is presented. The results show conclusively that the ESR spectra of low-temperature PP photolysis reported in the literature arise from the decomposition of tertiary hydroperoxides, whereas the contribution by the Norrish I photolytic cleavage of ketones is of minor importance; the relative efficiency of radical production at 77 K (λ ≥ 300 nm) by both types of photoactive compound has been measured by ESR and found to be about 15 times greater for the hydroperoxides. The mechanism of solid-state photolysis of PP hydroperoxides is dominated by the nearly complete decay of excited alkoxyls during the photolytic events that yield the chain end radicals —CH(CH3)CH2· by β scission (87.8%) and the inchain radicals —CH2C(CH3)CH2— by hydrogen abstraction (10.4%). The low yield of methyl radicals detected (1.8%) and their delayed appearance strongly suggest that these species are of secondary origin and that the decomposition of alkoxyls via C—CH3 scission is of negligible importance. From the ESR anisotropy of the deliberately prepared peroxyradicals —CH(CH3)CH2O2· and —CH2C(CH3)(O2)CH2— evidence of the misalignment of terminal chain segments following scission of alkoxyls at 77 K was obtained. An unexpected result of the measurements at 4.2 K is represented by the identification of a clear signal by H atoms: the H atoms apparently are not trapped in perprotiated matrices, even at 4.2 K, because of their unusually high reactivity toward the hydrogen abstraction assisted by tunneling effects.

Notes: Poly[S-(2-9′-acridinylethyl)-L-cysteine] (5) was synthesized by the N-carboxy anhydride procedure. It was converted to the trifluoroacetic acid salt (6), which was treated with LiTCNQ in methanol to give the TCNQ anion radical salt (7). 7 showed electrical conductivity of 10-8 S/cm at 295 K.

Notes: Novel poly(metal phthalocyanine)imide copolymers of high thermal stability have been synthesized using metal(II) 4,4′,4″,4‴-phthalocyanine tetraamine (metal = copper, cobalt, and nickel); diamines: p-phenylene diamine; 4.4′-methylene dianiline and 9,9-bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene; and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride. Polymers with medium to high degree of polymerization can be prepared depending upon the metal phthalocyanine concentrations. Effects of temperature, order of addition, solvent type, and metal phthalocyanine concentrations were studied to ascertain the optimum conditions to obtain polymers having good thermal stability with a high degree of polymerization. These polymers had decomposition temperatures greater than 500°C both in air and in nitrogen atmospheres. Their anaerobic char yield at 800°C varied between 65-80%. These new copolymers have promising applications as heat resistant films, fibers, and varnishes.

Notes: Dissolving pulp and its partially xanthated derivative were grafted with styrene, using either the Fe2+-K2S2O8 redox system of potassium persulfate alone as initiators. The conversion of styrene to both copolymer and homopolymer was found to be influenced by agitator speed. The effect of stirring was much more pronounced with the xanthated substrate in that a welldefined conversion maximum was observed at the same agitation speed for both total polymer and copolymer. Grafting onto dissolving pulp with the redox initiator also showed a maximum, but a maximum total polymer and maximum copolymer were located at different agitator speeds. Grafting of styrene onto dissolving pulp initiated by potassium persulfate was almost independent of stirring in the 0-910 rpm range.

Notes: Anionic (KOH) polymerization of glycidol, or its trimethylsilyl ether (TMSGE) followed by hydrolysis, gives a low molecular weight, largely amorphous polymer that is not the reported 1,3-polyglycidol but, based on 13C-NMR, largely a 1,4-poly(3-hydroxyoxetane) with much branching. This result is achieved by a simple rearrangement of the usual, propagating secondary oxyanion to a primary one. Substantial amounts of four dimers (5-10%), four trimers, and some tetramers were also found. One dimer was isolated and shown to be glycidyl glycerin, the usual thermal dimer from glycidol. Possible structures of the other dimers are proposed. The polymerization appears to begin with the rapid formation of the glycidoxy anion , formed by base abstraction of a proton from glycidol and by nucleophilic displacement of the SiMe3 group from TMSGE. Other bases such as KOtert-Bu give similar 1,4 polymer for glycidol but, with TMSGE, there is considerable 1,3 polymerization. Detailed mechanisms are proposed. The polymer perpared from R-TMSGE with KOH was highly crystalline, high melting (166°C), H2O soluble, isotactic poly(3-hydroxyoxetane). The cationic polymerization of tert-butyl glycidyl ether (TBGE) and TMSGE gave low molecular weight 1,3 polyethers. The TBGE polymer was all head-to-tail whereas the polyglycidol from TMSGE contained extensive head-to-head chain units with considerable branching. Mechanisms for these interesting differences are proposed.

Notes: Some two-, three- and four-component phenolic copolymers have been characterized, and mixed in definite stoichiometric proportions. The total amount of acidic and basic functional groups in a given weight of the copolymer mixture have been calculated from the characteristic parameters of the polymer components. Analysis of these copolymer mixtures by electrometric titration techniques revealed an excellent correlation between the calculated and observed values of functional groups.

Notes: The structure changes accompanying phase transitions in poly(diethylsiloxane) (PDES) have been studied by WAXS and SAXS techniques using oriented and isotropic samples. PDES may exist in two low-temperature modifications (the monoclinic α1-form and presumably the “tetragonal” β1-form) and two high-temperature modifications (the monoclinic α2-form and the “tetragonal” β2-form). In linear PDES the crystal - crystal transitions α1-α2 and β1-β2 occur near 214 and 206 K, respectively. At higher temperatures α2 (280 K) and β2 (290 K) forms transform into the mesomorphic phase αm that gradually melts at 280-300 K giving an amorphous phase. According to x-ray and density data, αm phase is also characterized by monoclinic structure slightly different from hexagonal packing.

Notes: Three samples, A, B and C, of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were prepared at 90, 60, and 0°C, respectively, to give them different isotactic content measured by 13C-NMR spectroscopy. A kinetic study of the nucleophilic substitution with sodium thiophenate, carried out for the three samples, showed that even at temperatures as high as 60°C a fraction of the units remain unreactive and that the extent of this fraction depends on the syndiotactic content of the polymer. This was also supported by a comparison of the behavior of samples B and C in substitution experiments at 5 and 60°C. In contrast the substitution experiments at -30°C demonstrated that, as suggested, a small fraction of extremely reactive units exists in PVC, the content of which is higher as the isotactic content of the polymer increases. In this connection, and even though a slight contribution of some defect structures cannot be ruled out, a 13C-NMR analysis of sample B after modification at 40°C to various degrees demonstrates that the reactivity of the isotactic triads is high in relation to the heterotactic. On the basis of the results obtained and the possible conformations in PVC the substitution mechanism is related to the occurrence of isotactic TT conformations. The results, as discussed in terms of the various ways in which isotactic TT conformations appear open new prospects in the field of PVC chemical modification and stabilization mechanisms.

Notes: The preparation of a new type of thermally stable (up to 385°C) heterocyclic polymer, containing a five-membered fused ring system, is described. The ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra indicate that this solid-state polymerization probably proceeds via formation of an azomethine-type intermolecular crosslink, rather than via opening of the C4N4 ring system. The reaction is facilitated by the presence of reactive protons, which act as an efficient catalyst for this nucleophilic addition to the nitrile group. It is suggested that this type of solid-state polymerization may possibly be carried out on a single HC7N7 crystal resulting in a fully ordered macroscopic polymer single crystal.

Notes: Micellization of cationic salts of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) quaternized with n-alkyl bromides such as octyl, lauryl, myristyl, and stearyl bromide and their polymerizations were investigated. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) in water at 25°C was determined by electrical conductivity and dye(azobenzene) solubilization methods and the relation log(cmc) = 1.46-0.31N was obtained, where cmc is in mmol L-1 and N corresponds to carbon number of alkyl bromides used for the monomer preparations. All of these monomeric salts exhibited a high radical polymerizability in water and benzene. The polymerizations in water appeared to proceed with a higher rate with increasing a chain length of the alkyl moiety of the monomers and those in benzene gave the polymers with a remarkably high viscosity. The rate of polymerization of lauryl bromide salt in anisotropic solutions (in water and benzene) was exceedingly fast as compared with that in isotropic solution(in acetonitrile). All of the polymers obtained here were insoluble in water. Solubility characteristics of these monomers and polymers in other solvents were also presented. The reduced viscosity, in dimethylformamide and methanol, of poly(lauryl bromide salt) prepared in water increased with dilution but that for the polymer obtained in benzene exhibited an inverse concentration dependence. Some discussions were made on the peculiarities of the polymerizations of these monomers and the resulting polymers.

Notes: The macromolecular chain conformational state during the amination of chloromethylated polystyrene (CMPS) with two aliphatic amines, namely methyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amine (MHEA) and N,N-dimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (DM2HPA), has been studied. Viscosimetric and light scattering measurements were performed during reactions in binary solvent mixtures. The observed kinetic deviations have been related with the conformational transformations of the macromolecular chain.

Notes: The preparations of new model polymers of polynucleotides with linear poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) backbones and an optically active nucleic acid base derivative as a pending side chain are described. (±)-, (+)-, and (-)-2-(thymin-1-yl)propionic acid were grafted onto PVA through ester bonds by direct coupling with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in the presence of highly active catalyst 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (PPY) to give optically active graft polymers. The corresponding monomer and dimer models have been prepared.

Notes: A microstructure analysis of polychloroprenes by 1H and 13C NMR produced slightly different results which, however, are in good agreement. The main uncertainty concerned the assignment of the 1,4-cis and trans head-to-head and tail-to-tail additions. In the (+ 12, +70°C) region of polymerization temperatures the principal addition mode was 1,4. An increase in the polymerization temperature to 70°C increased the abnormal head-to-head, tail-to-tail additions, and 1,4-cis additions (6-7%), and all vinyl structures that were not higher than 2-3% were equally distributed between 1,2 and 3,4. Under the experimental conditions used in this study no isomerized vinyl structures were found. As in all radical polymerizations the influence of temperature on the propagation mechanisms, namely, the addition modes, was relatively weak, but because of the great number of possible addition modes in microstructure - physicomechanical relationships variations in the microstructure must be taken into account. Only 1H and 13C NMR are capable of determining these variations quantitatively.

Notes: Specific modification of the reducing end group of dextran has been achieved using the reductive amination procedure and solvent systems designed to optimize polymer reactivity. Dextran fraction (with Mw ranging from 10,000 to 500,000 daltons) were derivatized with [14C]-octadecylamine in yields of up to 60% to afford the corresponding alkyl dextrans which are of interest as affinity ligands. Reactive dextran intermediates with terminal amine, carboxyl, and aldehyde functions were prepared using sodium cyanoborohydride and ammonium acetate, glycine, and glucosamine, respectively. The dextran glucosamine derivative was further modified by reductive amination with octadecylamine. Similarly, condensation of dextran with streptomycin produced a new type of cationic derivative bearing a terminal, branched saccharide residue. Other reducing-end modifications included nitroxide-spin labelling, covalent attachment to aminopropyl-activated glass beads, and a carbodiimide-mediated amidation of carboxyl - dextran. The reductive amination method was also applied to guar gum and locust bean gum.

Notes: The polymerization of fluorene with various chloromethylating reagents (methylene chloride, methoxyacetyl chloride, and chloromethyl methyl ether) in the presence of aluminum chloride was studied. The products that were obtained were insoluble, infusible, colored powders which contain a low concentration of aromatic radicals. Each of the polymers is composed predominantly of fluorene nuclei bridged at the 2 and 7 positions by methylene groups. In addition, the materials possess varying amounts of crosslinked and ring-fused moieties. Based on physical and spectral properties and reaction stoichiometry, the fluorene/methylene chloride polymer is the most highly crosslinked of the three. The fluorene/methoxyacetyl chloride and fluorene/chloromethyl methyl ether polymers are similar to each other in most respects.

Notes: Some hindered amine polymers containing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine structure were synthesized. A new monomer, 4-O-vinylbenzyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, was homopolymerized and copolymerized with some vinyl monomers in the presence of AIBN as an initiator. The obtained amine polymers were oxidized with hydrogen peroxide to obtain the polymers having nitroxyl radical moiety.

Notes: Dark blue poly(copper 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octacyanophthalocyanine) has been prepared by reacting 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene with cuprous chloride in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone at ca. 150°C. The product has been characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, infrared and UV-VIS spectroscopies. The polymer has high purity and exhibits good thermal stability in an inert atmosphere.

Notes: The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto natural rubber (NR) is investigated using potassium peroxydiphosphate as the initiator. The rate of grafting is determined by varying monomer concentration, peroxydiphosphate concentration, and temperature. The graft yield increased with an increase in monomer concentration up to 1.4082M/L and thereafter the graft yield decreases. The graft yield increases significantly with an increase of peroxydiphosphate concentration up to 150 X 10-1M/L and thereafter the graft yield decreases. The grafting reaction is temperature dependent. A suitable kinetic scheme is proposed and the rate equation is evaluated.

Notes: The synthesis of nylon 4,T from tetramethylenediamine and a terephthalic acid derivative was studied in a two step-process: prepolymerization, followed by postcondensation in the solid state (4 h, 290°C). The prepolymers were prepared by the nylon salt method, ester polymerization method, interfacial method, and a low temperature solution method. A maximum ηinh of 1.52 was obtained. From a solution in trifluoroacetic acid, films were cast and on these films we studied its IR spectrum, WAXS, and melting behavior with DSC. A boiled up sample had a double melting transition at 434 and 475°C and a ΔH0 of 130 J/g.

Notes: Electroinitiated polymerizations can be carried out by direct electron transfer if the anodic (Ep,a) and cathodic (Ep,c) potentials of monomers are known. Peak potentials of various halostyrenes were measured by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile for the first time. Polymerizations were carried out at measured peak potentials, on Pt0 electrode versus Ag0/Ag+, in dichloromethane in which chain transfer is negligible. Frontier molecular orbital energies εm and εm+1 of monomers were calculated by Hückel molecular orbital considerations. Measured Ep,a and Ep,c values were correlated to calculated HOMO and LUMO energies, respectively. Linear equations have been developed for the above correlations as well as for Ep,a  -  Ep,c versus εm  -  εm+1.

Notes: A heat-resistant polybismaleimide was obtained by the thermal polymerization of bis(maleimidophenoxy)- tetrakis(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene. The thermal stabilities of the polybismaleimide were evaluated in nitrogen and in air by thermogravimetric analysis. The polybismaleimide was stable to 340°C and has char yield of 70% at 800°C in nitrogen and of 60% at 700°C in air. The monomer bismaleimide was obtained by the reaction of bis(4-aminophenoxy)tetrakis(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene with maleic anhydride. The diamine was synthesized by a stepwise reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with phenol and 4-nitrophenol to give bis(4-nitrophenoxy)tetrakis(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene and reducing the nitro groups. The structure of the cyclotriphosphazenes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.

Notes: Based on a redox function of 1,2-dithiolane ⇌ 1,3-dithiol, lipoamide (LAm), and polymers having lipoamide structure were found to work as reducing catalysts for the reduction of p-substituted nitrobenzenes to corresponding anilines with sodium borohydride in the presence of ferrous chloride in ethanol. Polyallylamine having lipoamide structure (PAA - LAm) showed a good reactivity for the reduction and was easily separated from the reaction mixture.

Notes: A new polymer-forming monomer, 2,5-bis(4-carboxyphenyl) - 3,4-diphenylthiophene, was synthesized either by the Friedel - Crafts reaction of tetraphenylthiophene with oxalyl chloride directly, or by the Friedel - Crafts acetylation of tetraphenylthiophene, followed by oxidation. The low temperature solution polycondensation of 2,5-bis(4-chloroformylphenyl) - 3,4-diphenylthiophene with various aromatic diamines in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) afforded tetraphenylthiophene-containing aromatic polyamides with inherent viscosities of 0.5-1.0 dL/g. Copolyamides were obtained from a mixture of the diacid chloride and isophthaloyl or terephthaloyl chloride. Except for two polyamides, all the others were readily soluble in amidetype solvents including DMAc, and were cast into transparent and flexible films. These polymers had glass transition at around 300°C. Thermal stability of the polymers was evaluated by thermogravimetry which showed no weight loss below 390°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres.

Notes: Model reactions for the sequential analysis of polyesters, especially those of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) type, by stepwise chemical degradation were performed. The cyclic degradation products, containing the reagent and an ethylene terephthalate or butylene terephthalate unit, terephthalic acid mono(2-{o{N-〈N′-[4-(iminomethyl-) benzoyl-]〉 2′-(imino)ethoxycarbonyl-}iminobenzoyl-} oxyalkyl) ester N″-lactams, were deliberately synthesized.

Notes: 2-Phenyl-3-vinyloxirane derivatives that undergo radical ring-opening polymerization were prepared from allyl bromide and corresponding aldehydes. The difunctional monomers containing vinyloxirane structure were also synthesized from dialdehydes such as isophthalaldehyde and terephthalaldehyde. The obtained monomers undertook the radical isomeric polymerization to obtain the corresponding polymers.

Notes: Dye interaction analysis in hexafluoroisopropanol was used to determine end carboxyl groups in polyglycolic acid (PGA). The rate of heterogeneous hydrolysis of purified PGA in water at 37°C shows a first-order dependence on carboxyl end group concentration at levels above 12 meq/kg. Reaction of molten PGA with a tetraarylorthocarbonate or a triarylketenimine gave end-capped PGA with carboxyl levels as low as 1 meq/kg. These samples were somewhat more resistant to hydrolysis than untreated PGA despite an increased initial rate at the lower carboxyl levels.

Notes: The polymerization of butadiene by lithium-based initiators in aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents in the presence of dipiperidinoethane gives a highly 1,2 structure. This system was studied to determine the factors that govern the structure. The effect of this complexing agent on the kinetics of propagation, the microstructure of the polymer, and the ultraviolet spectrum of the active chain end was measured. The results suggest that more than one solvated species form, all giving highly 1,2 polymer structures, but that a solvate containing one chain end with one dipiperidinoethane molecule is the principal reacting species which gives close to 100% 1,2 structure. This reacting center has a high proportion of trans-structure in the allyllic ion, únlike most complexed active chain ends, which are often highly cis. It is this transstructure in the ion that is thought to be responsible for the polymer structure.

Notes: Copolymerization of 3-buten-2-one (MVK) and 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one (MIPK) with allylbenzene (AB) in the presence of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) was studied. The apparent monomer reactivity ratio decreased with an increasing concentration of ZnCl2 added. By assuming a terpolymerization system as free vinyl ketone (M1), vinyl ketone complexed with ZnCl2 (M2), and AB(M3), the absolute monomer reactivity ratios were determined by using the least squares method: k11/k12 = 0.0038, k11/k13 = 11.77, k22/k21 = 1.37, and k22/k23 = 3.77 for the MVK-AB system, and k11/k12 = 0.0070, k11/k13 = 55.47, k22/k21 = 1.84, and k22/k23 = 11.16 for the MIPK-AB system, respectively. It is seen from these values that the complexed vinyl ketones are more reactive to both polymer radicals which have free and complexed vinyl ketone units at its terminal position than the free vinyl ketones. Q and e values for MVK and MIPK complexed with ZnCl2 were found to be Q(MVK)2ZnCl2 = 850, e(MVK)2ZnCl2 = 2.97, Q(MIPK)2ZnCl2 = 644, and e(MIPK)2ZnCl2 = 2.62, respectively.

Notes: EPDM terpolymers with ethylidene norbornene as diene monomer could be prepared by means of a soluble Ziegler catalyst formed from biscyclopentadienyl zirconium dimethyl and methylaluminoxane. The overall activities lie between 100 and 1000 kg EPDM/(molZr h bar), obtainable at zirconium concentrations as low as 5 × 10-7 mol/L. After an induction period (0.5-5 h) the polymerization rates increased and then leveled to a value which was constant for several days. From copolymerization kinetics reactivity ratios r12 = 31.5, r21 = 5 × 10-3, and r13 = 3.1 could be derived, and by 13C-NMR spectroscopy r12 · r21 = 0.3 was found (1: ethylene, 2: propylene and 3: ethylidene norbornene). The regiospecifity of the catalyst toward propylene leads exclusively to the formation of head-to-tail enchainments. The diene polymerizes via vinyl polymerization of the cyclic double bond, and the tendency to branching is low. Molecular weights were estimated between 40,000 and 160,000. The average molecular weight distribution of 1.7 is remarkably narrow. Glass transition temperatures of -60 to -50°C could be observed. The cure behavior and the physical properties of cured samples were also tested.

Notes: Sulfone/ester polymers containing pendent ethynyl groups were prepared by multistep and direct routes. Hydroxy-terminated sulfone oligomers(Mn = 2650 and 8890 g/mol) were reacted with diacid chlorides to yield high-molecular-weight polymers. In the multistep route, a pendent bromo group on the polymer was converted to an ethynyl group. In the direct route, the hydroxy-terminated sulfone oligomers were reacted with a stoichiometric amount of 5-(4-ethynylphenoxy)isophthaloyl chloride to yield high polymers. The pendent ethynyl groups on the sulfone/ester polymers were reacted in the 200 to 300°C range to provide branching and crosslinking. The resultant polymers exhibited higher Tgs and better resistance to chloroform than comparable polymers void of ethynyl groups. Films of the cured polymers displayed good mechanical properties. The synthesis and characterization of the monomer, oligomers, and polymers are discussed.

Notes: IR specular reflectance spectra with respect to hydrogen peroxide formation during uncatalyzed and Cu (oxide)-catalyzed oxidation of isotactic Polypropylene films have been measured as function of time and temperature (90-130°C). Energies of activation for the various cases have been obtained. The originally proposed kinetic scheme based on oxygen-absorption measurements has been modified in order to accommodate the spectroscopical results. The amount of ROOH groups present at any time on the polymer is very small, indicating relatively slow rates of ROOH formation and fast rates of their decomposition. The kinetic scheme fits well the experimental data. However, the reasons for the variations of the relevant energies of activation obtained for the catalyzed oxidation in absence and presence of the main volatile reaction products, H2O and CO2, are not yet understood, i.e., the mechanism needs further investigations.

Notes: Pure isotactic and enriched syndiotactic poly(tributyltin methacrylate) were synthesized by the reaction of the respective poly(methacrylic acid) with tributyltin oxide. The heterotactic polymer was prepared in a similar manner and from free radical initiated (AIBN or BPO) polymerization of tributyltin methacrylate. In each case, polymer configuration was confirmed by 1H-NMR of the hydrolyzed/esterfied product. The relatively large 119Sn-NMR linewidth of the isotactic tributyltin containing polymer suggests an intra-molecular exchange of the pendant tin groups. Tg, Td, and Mv data are also reported. Poly(tributyltinmethacrylate-co-styrene) was prepared by free radical polymerization and reactivity ratios [r(styrene) = 0.51, r(TBTM) = 0.49] and Q-e values for TBTM (0.78, 0.38) were determined.

Notes: The thermal polymerization of methyl methacrylate [MMA] was carried out using ylide (4-picolinium 4-chloro phenacyl methylide) as an initiator. The rate of polymerization (Rp) increases with increasing monomer and initiator concentrations; The exponent value has been computed to be 1 ± 0.02 and 0.5, respectively. The reaction was carried out at four different temperatures and the overall activation energy has been computed to be 16.01 kcal/mol. The polymerization was inhibited in the presence of hydroquinone as a radical scavanger. Kinetic studies indicates that the overall polymerization takes place by a radical mechanism.

Notes: Methyl methacrylate was polymerized in the liquid state by plasma initiation. The conversion curves obtained for different polymerization conditions strikingly illustrated the effects of applied vacuum, discharge period, post-polymerization, time, and temperature on monomer conversion and polymerization rate. The plasma initiated PMMA samples are not as monodisperse, as previously predicted.

Notes: Polyacetylene (PA) deposited on a platinum surface is synthesized by electrochemical polymerization of acetylene in a cell with platinum strip as cathode, nickel strip as anode, and nickel bromide in acetonitrile as electrolyte. The electrolytic solution is presaturated with acetylene. The PA so produced has a granular morphology and high surface area (79 m2/g), and is insoluble. Polymerization at lower temperature gives higher content in cis units. It has the same chemical structure as that produced using the Shirakawa method as examined by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry.