In-situ microscopic FTIR spectroelectrochemistry of ascorbic acid in poly(ethylene glycol)/LiClO4 electrolyte paste and in the presence of dispersed cobalt hexacyanoferrate microcrystalline powder

In-situ microscopic FTIR spectroelectrochemical technique(MFTIRs) was applied to studying the electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid(AA) in poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) paste at a 100 mu m diameter Pt disk electrode. Using this technique, the catalytic ability of cobalt hexacyanoferrate(CoHCF) microcrystalline toward AA oxidation was also studied, it was found that the dispersed CoHCF powder in the PEG paste can generate well-shaped thin-layer cyclic voltammetric waves with the peak height proportional to the scan rate, corresponding to the Fe centered redox reactions. This oxidation step catalyzed the AA oxidation. Also, this pasted CoHCF powder generated well-resolved in-situ MFTIRs spectra, by which a chemical interaction between C = C bond of AA ring and CoHCF lattice was revealed. A corresponding surface docking mechanism for the catalytic reaction has been proposed.

Ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone by lanthanocene catalysis

Ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (CL) catalyzed by lanthanocenes, O(C2H4C5H3CH3)(2)YCl (Cat-YCl) and Me2Si[(CH3)(3)SiC5R3](2)NdCl (Cat-NdCl) has been carried out for the first time. It has been found that both yttrocene and neodymocene are very efficient to catalyze the polymerization of CL, giving high molecular weight poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL). The effects of [cat]/[epsilon-CL] molar ratio, polymerization temperature and time, as well as solvents were investigated and polymerization temperature is found to be the most important factor affecting the polymerization. The bulk polymerization gives higher molecular weight PCL and higher conversion than that in solution polymerization. NaBPh4 was found to promote the polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone, and thus to increase both the polymerization conversion and MW of poly(epsilon-caprolactone).

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of C-60 with methyl ethers CH3OCnH2n+1

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of buckminsterfullerene (C-60) with the ion systems generated from the self-chemical-ionization of alkyl methyl ethers(CH3OCnH2n+1, n =2 , 3, 4) were studied in the ion source of a mass spectrometer. The adduct cation [C60C2H5O](+) and protonated molecular ion [C60H](+) were observed as the major products, The former was produced by the reactions.of C-60 with the methoxymethyl ion [CH3O = CH2](+) , the latter corresponded to the proton transfer reactions from the protonated alkyl methyl ethers to C60 It is suggested that the [3+2] cycloadduct is the most favorable structure among the probable isomers with special chemical properties, Our investigation provides the guidance for the synthesis of this compound in condensed phase.

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of neutral C-60 with alkyl methyl ethers under chemical ionization conditions

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of buckminsterfullerene (C-60) with the ion systems generated from the self-chemical ionization of alkyl methyl ethers (CH3OR, R = n-C2H5, n-C3H7, n-C4H9) were studied in the ion source of a mass spectrometer. The adduct cation [C60C2H5O](+) and protonated molecule [C60H](+) were observed as the major products. The former adduct ion was produced by the reactions of C-60 with the methoxymethyl ion [CH3OCH2](+), and the latter resulted from the proton transfer reactions from protonated alkyl methyl ethers to C-60 It is suggested that the [3+2] cycloadduct to a 6-6 bond of C-60 (a C-C bond common to two annulated six-membered rings) is the most favorable structure among the probable isomers of [C60C2H5O](+). (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ring-opening polymerization of polyarylates

A series of new macrocyclic arylates have been efficiently synthesized and unambiguously characterized by a combination of GPC, MS(FAB) and H-1 NMR. These macrocycles undergo facile ring-opening polymerization in the presence of anionic initiators to give high molecular weight polyarylates.

Novel morphology in ring-banded spherulites from single-phase mixtures of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)

Novel morphology of ring-banded spherulites in the surface of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PCL/SAN) blends was discovered and studied by SEM and TEM. The ring-banded spherulites separate into those exhibiting a very dark contrast, of relatively regular bundles of lamellae and others appearing with a much brighter intensity, of a coarse and irregular aggregates of lamellae. The origin of the novel morphology is not due to different crystalline structures as in the case of isotactic polypropylene because only one crystal structure exists in PCL/SAN blends. The formation may reflect whether spherulites in PCL/SAN blends are nucleated at the bottom surface or at the top (free) surface.

Several new phenomena in the formation of ring-banded spherulites of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(styrene-random-acrylonitrile) blends

Ring-banded spherulites in crystallization of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly (styrene-random-acrylonitrile) blends were observed with polarizing optical microscopy and digital image analysis technique was applied directly to the image obtained by polarizing microscope, Several new interesting phenomena were found. One is that the ring-banded structure is still clearly seen after the analyzer was removed and this astonished phenomenon couldn't result from the general concept about formation mechanism of ring-banded spherulite - lamellae twisting, Another one is that there is a slight, dark line in the bright band when cross polars were added, which may be related to the formation process and mechanism of ring-banded spherulites in the blends of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) and poly (styrene-random-acrylonitrile).

Structure of [C8H7](+) and intramolecular proton transfer reactions in 3-phenyl-1-butyn-3-ol by MS/MS technique

The electron impact mass spectrum (EIMS) of 3-phenyl-1-butyn-3-ol was reported in this paper. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) was used to study the gas phase ion structure of [C8H7](+) formed by the fragmentation of ionized 3-phenyl-1-butyn-3-ol, and that it has the same structure as m/z 103 ions generated by cinnamic acid and alpha-methylstyrene. Deuterium labelling, metastable ion (MI) and CID experimental results indicate the formation of m/z 103 ion resulting from molecular ion of 3-phenyl-1-butyn-3-ol, which is a stepwise procedure via twice proton transfers, rather than concerted process during the successive elimination of methyl radical and neutral carbon monoxide accompanying hydrogen transfer. Moreover, in order to rationalized these fragmentation processes, the bimolecular proton bound complex between benzyne and acetylene intermediate has been proposed.

Periodic radial growth in ring-banded spherulites of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) blends

The isothermal crystallization process of a PCL/SAN blend (90/10 wt.-%) was investigated by using real time image analysis and hot stage optical microscopy. It was found that the growth rate of ring-banded spherulites in the isothermal crystallization process is not constant. Slow growth occurs in the bright bands, while fast growth is found in the dark bands. The radially unequal growth rate of ring-banded spherulites in PCL/SAN blends may be related to the convex band structure on the surface. This new discovery gives us the idea that rhythmic growth is effective in the growth process of ring banded spherulites.

Ion-molecule reactions of cis- and trans-cyclopropane derivatives with methane, acetone and vinyl acetate under chemical ionization conditions

Ion-molecule reactions of four isomeric cyclopropane derivatives were investigated under chemical ionization(CI) conditions, using methane, acetone and vinyl acetate as reagent gases, The methane positive-ion CI mass spectra of each of two isomer pairs 1,2 and 3,4 are identical, and so are the collision-induced dissociation (CTD) spectra of the protonated molecules of each of the two isomer pairs, The protonation reactions for the isomer pairs 1,2 and 3,4 occurred on the sites of the carboxyl groups and the R groups, respectively, Differences between isomers 1 and 2 are observed in their acetone (A) positive-ion CI mass spectra and in the CID spectra of their adduct ions ([M+H+A](+)), The adduct ions of compounds 2, 3 and 4 with protonated acetone and with protonated acetone dimer are observed in their CI mass spectra, However, only the adduct ions of compound 1 with protonated acetone appear in its CI mass spectrum, The protonated dimers of each of the four compounds are found in their vinyl acetate positive-ion CI mass spectra, and the CID spectra of these dimers for isomers 1 and 2 can also reflect their stereostructural difference. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gas phase derivations of endohedral metallofullerenes by ion-molecular reactions

Gas phase ion-molecular reactions of endohedral metallofullerenes with the self-chemical ionization ion system of vinyl acetate, benzene and acetone in the ion source of the mass spectrometer have been studied. Several derivatized endohedral metallofullerene cations [M@C-82-C2H3O](+), [M-2@C-80-C2H3O](+), [M@C-82-C6H6](+) and [M@C-82-CO-CH3](+) are observed as the major products. The experimental results indicate that endohedral metallofullerenes have active gas phase reactivities and can be efficiently derivatized by some small organic cations.

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study for vanadium hexacyanoferrates: monitoring of film growth and ion effects during redox reactions

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance was employed to monitor directly the growth of vanadium hexacyanoferrate (VHF) films on platinum substrates during electrodeposition and interfacial coagulation in the solution containing sulfuric acid electrolyte, vanadium(IV) and hexacyanoferrate(III). Mass changes of the gold/crystal working electrode were correlated with cyclic voltammetry data. Effects of cations (NH4+, Li+, Na+ and K+), anions (SO42- and NO3-) and solvent during redox reactions of the films were studied. The results show that cations were incorporated into the film during reduction and expelled from the film during oxidation. Solvent also participates in VHF electrochemistry, and its role cannot be neglected. Anions play no role in VHF electrochemistry. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical study of (OEP)Co in the presence of acrylonitrile, ethanol, N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide in dichloroethane solution

The ligand effects of acrylonitrile, EtOH, DMF and DMSO on the electrochemical oxidation reactions of (OEP)Co were investigated by CV monitored electrochemical titration and in - situ thin - layer spectroelectrochemical method. The formation constants of (OEP)Co(III) with these molecules were calculated. The magnitude of the values shows the order of acrylonitrile ring cation radicals of the Co(III) can form one or two axial bindings with these molecules.

The formation of ring-banded spherulites of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) in its miscible mixtures with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)

Ring-banded spherulites in polymer blends of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) were investigated by optical microscopy equipped with a digital image analysis system. PCL/SAN blends exhibit not only spherulites with a Maltese cross, but also distinct extinction rings. The periodic distance of rings changes with blend ratio and crystallization temperature and was plotted as a function of the undercooling and overall mobility of the mixtures, respectively. It was found that the overall mobility of chain segments in the mixtures could be mainly attributed to the origin of the formation of ring-banded spherulites. It was believed that for the first time a quantitative experimental result was obtained about the relationship of periodic distance of rings and the overall mobility of the mixtures. This relationship may be useful to explain the formation mechanism of ring-banded spherulites in polymer blends or even in homopolymers in the future. (C) 1977 Elsevier Science Ltd.