Effect of Copolymerization Time on the Microstructure and Properties of Polypropylene/Poly(ethylene-co-propylene) In-Reactor Alloys

Three Polypropylene/Poly(ethylene-co-propylene) (PP/EPR) in-reactor alloys produced by a two-stage slurry/gas polymerization had different ethylene contents and mechanical properties, which were achieved by controlling the copolymerization time. The three alloys were fractionated into five fractions via temperature rising dissolution fractionation (TRDF), respectively. The chain structures of the whole samples and their fractions were analyzed using high-temperature gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (C-13 NMR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. These three in-reactor alloys mainly contained four portions: ethylenepropylene random copolymer (EPR), ethylene-propylene (EP) segmented and block copolymers, and propylene homopolymer. The increased copolymerization time caused the increased ethylene content of the sample. The weight percent of EPR, EP segmented and block copolymer also became higher.

Synthesis, photophysical and electrophosphorescent properties of mononuclear Pt(II) complexes with arylamine functionalized cyclometalating ligands

Four cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes, i.e., [(L-2)PtCl] (1b), [(L-3)PtCl] (1c), [(L-2)PtC CC6H5] (2b) and [(L-3)PtC CC6H5] (2c) (HL2 = 4-[p-(N-butyl-N-phenyl)anilino]-6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine and HL3 = 4-[p(-N,N'-dibutyl-N'-phenyl)phenylene-diamino]-phenyl-6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), have been synthesized and verified by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and X-ray crystallography. Unlike previously reported complexes [(L-1)PtCl] (1a) and [(L-1)PtC CC6H5] (2a) (HL1 = 4,6-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), intense and continuous absorption bands in the region of 300-500 nm with strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((MLCT)-M-1) (d pi(Pt) -> pi*(L)) transitions (epsilon similar to 2 x 10(4) dm(3) mol (1) cm (1)) at 449-467 nm were observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra of complexes 1b, 1c, 2b and 2c.

Carbon dioxide/propylene oxide coupling reaction catalyzed by chromium salen complexes

A series of chromium/Schiff base complexes N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamino chromium(III) X were prepared and employed for the alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide with racemic propylene oxide in the presence of (4-dimethylamino)pyridine. The effect of the complex structure and reaction conditions on the catalytic activity, the poly(propylene carbonate)/cyclic carbonate (PPC/PC) selectivity, and the polymer head-to-tail linkages was examined. The experiments indicated that N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamino chromium(III) (NO3) exhibited the highest PPC/PC selectivity as well as polymer head-to-tail linkages and N,N'-bis(3,5-dichlorosalicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediimino chromiu(III) (NO3) possessed the highest catalytic activity among these chromium/Schiff base complexes. The structure of the produced copolymer was characterized by the IR, H-1 NMR, and C-13 NMR measurements.

Preparation and characterization of cationic corn starch with a high degree of substitution in dioxane-THF-water media

Cationic corn starch derivatives with a high degree of substitution are prepared in alkaline solution or in mixed media of organic solvent and water with different levels of the cationic reagent, 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride. The starch cationization yield is investigated, and the results indicate that the degree of substitution (DS) of the samples depends on the reaction conditions and reaction media. The maximum DS values are up to 1.37 in 1,4-dioxane alkali ne-aqueous solution. Meanwhile, the structures of the cationic starch derivatives are characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and C-13 NMR spectroscopy, as well as by SEM techniques.

Copolymerization of ethylene with norbornene catalyzed by cationic rare earth metal fluorenyl functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes attached by fluorenyl modified N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) (Flu-NHC)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2) (Flu-NHC = (C13H8CH2CH2(NCHCCHN)C6H2Me3-2,4,6); Ln = Sc (2a); Y (2b); Ho (2c); Lu (2d)), ((tBu)Flu-NHC)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2) ((tBu)Flu-NHC = 2,7-(Bu2C13H6CH2CH2)-Bu-t(NCHCCHN)C6H2Me3-2,4,6; Ln = Sc (1a); Lu (1d)) and attached by indenyl modified N-heterocyclic carbene (Ind-NHC)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2) (Ind-NHC = C9H6CH2CH2(NCHCCHN)C6H2Me3-2,4,6; Ln = Sc (3a); Lu (3d)), under the activation of (AlBu3)-Bu-i and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)(4)], showed varied catalytic activities toward homo- and copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene. Among which the scandium complexes, in spite of ligand type, exhibited medium to high catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization (10(5) g mol(Sc)(-1) h(-1) atm(-1)), but all were almost inert to norbornene polymerization. Remarkably, higher activity was found for the copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene when using Sc based catalytic systems, which reached up to 5 x 10(6) g mol(Sc)(-1) h(-1) atm(-1) with 2a. The composition of the isolated copolymer was varying from random to alternating according to the feed ratio of the two monomers (r(E) = 4.1, r(NB) = 0.013).

Copolymerizations of ethylene with alpha-olefin-omega-ols by highly active vanadium(III) catalysts bearing [N,O] bidentate chelated ligands

The copolymerizations of ethylene with polar hydroxyl monomers such as 10-undecen-1-ol, 5-hexen-1-ol and 3-buten-1-ol were investigated by the vanadium(III) catalysts bearing bidentate [N,O] ligands (1, [PhN=C(CH3)CHC(Ph)O]VCl2(THF)(2): 2, [PhN=CHC6H4O]VCl2(THF)(2); 3, [PhN=CHC(Ph)CHO]VCl2(THF)(2)). The polar monomers were pretreated by alkylaluminum before the polymerization. High catalytic activities and efficient comonomer incorporations can be easily obtained by changing monomer masking reagents and polymerization conditions in the presence of diethylaluminium chloride as a cocatalyst. The longer the spacer group, the higher the incorporation of the monomer. Under the mild conditions, the incorporation level of 10-undecen-1-ol reached 13.9 mol% in the resultant copolymers was obtained. The reactivity ratios of copolymerization (r(1) = 41.4, r(2) = 0.02, r(1)r(2) = 0.83) were evaluated by Fineman-Ross method. According to C-13 NMR spectra, polar units were located both on the main chain and at the chain end.

Effect of main-chain rigidity on the phase transitional behavior of comblike polymers

The influence of the rigidity of polymer backbones on the side-chain crystallization and phase transition behavior was systematically investigated by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and high-resolution solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). DSC investigation indicated that the crystallization number of alkyl carbon atoms of the side chains grafted onto the rigid polymer backbone, poly(p-benzamide) (PBA), is much lower than that of the alkyl carbon atoms of the side chains grafted onto the flexible polymer backbone, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), implying that the conformational state of the polymer backbones has a strong effect on the side-chain crystallization behavior in comblike polymers. WAXD and FTIR results proved that these two comblike polymers pack into hexagonal (PBA18C) and orthorhombic (PEI18C) crystals, respectively, depending on the adjusting ability of the polymer backbones for particular conformational states. It was also found that the presence of the crystalline-amorphous interphase (delta = 31.6 ppm) in PBA18C detected by solid-state C-13 NMR spectroscopy can be attributed to the rigid PBA backbone, which restricts the mobility of the alkyl side chains.

Alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide catalyzed by (R,R)-SalenCo(III)-(2,4-dinitrophenoxy) and Lewis-basic cocatalyst

A binary catalyst system of a chiral (R,R)-SalenCo(III)(2,4-dinitrophenoxy) (salen = N,N-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-diphenylethylenediimine) in conjunction with (4-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) was developed to generate the copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO2) and racemic propylene oxide (rac-PO). The influence of the molar ratio of catalyst components, the operating temperature, and reaction pressure on the yield as well as the molecular weight of polycarbonate were systematically investigated. High yield of turnover frequency (TOF) 501.2 h(-1) and high molecular weight of 70,400 were achieved at an appropriate combination of all variables. The structures of as-prepared products were characterized by the IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR measurements. The linear carbonate linkage, highly regionselectivity and almost 100% carbonate content of the resulting polycarbonate were obtained with the help of these effective catalyst systems under facile conditions.

Syntheses and ethylene polymerization behavior of supported salicylaldimine-based neutral nickel(II) catalysts

Two novel salicylaldimine-based neutral nickel(II) complexes, [(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3))NCH(2-ArC6H3O)]Ni(PPh3)Ph (6, Ar = 2-(OH)C6H4; 8, Ar = 2-OH-3-(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)NCH)C6H3), have been synthesized, and their structures have also been confirmed by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, and H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra. An important structural feature of the two complexes is the free hydroxyl group, which allows them to react with silica pretreated with trimethylaluminum under immobilization by the formation of a covalent bond between the neutral nickel(II) complex and the pretreated silica. As active single-component catalysts, the two complexes exhibited high catalytic activities up to 1.14 and 1.47 x 10(6) g PE/mol(Ni)center dot h for ethylene polymerization, respectively, and yielded branched polymers. Requiring no cocatalyst, the two supported catalysts also showed relatively high activities up to 4.0 x 10(5) g PE/mol(Ni)center dot h and produced polyethylenes with high weight-average molecular weights of up to 120 kg/mol and a moderate degree of branching (ca. 13-26 branches per 1000 carbon atoms).

Facile synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched poly(ether amide)s generated from Michael addition polymerization of in situ created AB(2) monomers

A new straightforward strategy for synthesis of novel hyperbranched poly (ether amide)s from readily available monomers has been developed. By optimizing the reaction conditions, the AB(2)-type monomers were formed dominantly during the initial reaction stage. Without any purification, the AB(2) intermediate was subjected to further polymerization in the presence (or absence) of an initiator, to prepare the hyperbranched polymer-bearing multihydroxyl end-groups. The influence of monomer, initiator, and solvent on polymerization and the molecular weight (MW) of the resultant polymers was studied thoroughly. The MALDI-TOF MS of the polymers indicated that the polymerization proceeded in the proposed way. Analyses of H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectra revealed the branched structures of the polymers obtained. These polymers exhibit high-moderate MWs and broad MW distributions determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in combination with triple detectors, including refractive index, light scattering, and viscosity detectors. In addition, the examination of the solution behavior of these polymers showed that the values of intrinsic viscosity [eta] and the Mark-Houwink exponent a were remarkably lower compared with their linear analogs, because of their branched nature.

Synthesis and properties of a novel isomeric polyimide/SiO2 hybrid material

A novel isomeric polyimide/SiO2 hybrid material was successfully prepared through sol-gel technique, and its structure, thermal properties and nano-indenter properties were investigated. First, 3-[(4-phenylethynyl)phthalimide]propyl triethoxysilane (PEIPTES) was successfully synthesized, its structure was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and C-13 NMR. The researches on solubility and thermal properties of PEIPTES show that it can be used for modifying nano-SiO2 precursor. Nano-SiO2 precursor was synthesized by tetraethoxysilane (TECS) through sol-gel technique. Then the PEIPTES solution and the nano-SiO2 precursor were mixed for 6 h to let the PEIPTES molecules react with the nano-SiO2 precursor, and modified nano-SiO2 precursor was obtained. The modified reaction was confirmed by the analyses of FT-IR. At last, isomeric polyimide/SiO2 hybrid material was produced by using isomeric polyimide resin solution and the modified nano-SiO2 precursor after heat treatment process. The structure analysis by SEM indicated that SiO2 particles dispersed in isomeric polyimide matrix homogeneously with nanoscale. Thermogravimetric analyzer, dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer and nano-indenter XP was employed to detect the properties of the materials, the results demonstrated that isomeric polyimide/SiO2 hybrid material has much better thermal properties and nano-indenter properties than those of isomeric polyimide.

A facile approach to biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-based polyurethanes containing pendant amino groups

A novel biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-based polyurethanes (PCL-PEG-PU) with pendant amino groups was synthesized by direct coupling of PEG ester of NH2-protected-(aspartic acid) (PEG-Asp-PEG diols) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) diols with hexamethylene dissocyanate (HDI) under mild reaction conditions and by subsequent deprotection of benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) groups. GPC, H-1 NMR, and C-13 NMR studies confirmed the polymer structures and the complete deprotection. DSC and WXRD results indicated that the crystallinity of the copolymer was enhanced with increasing PCL diols in the copolymer. The content of amino group in the polymer could be adjusted by changing the molar ratio of PEG-Asp-PEG diols to PCL diols. Thus the results of this study provide a good way to prepare polyurethanes bearing hydrophilic PEG segments and reactive amino groups without complicated synthesis.

Poly(L-lysine)-graft-chitosan copolymers: Synthesis, characterization, and gene transfection effect

Polypeptide/polysaccharide graft copolymers poly(L-lysine)-graft-chitosan (PLL-g-Chi) were prepared by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-benzoxycarbonyl L-lysine N-carboxyanhydrides (Z-L-lysine NCA) in the presence of 6-O-triphenylmethyl chitosan. The PLL-g-Chi copolymers were thoroughly characterized by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The number-average degree of polymerization of PLL grafted onto the chitosan backbone could be adjusted by controlling the feed ratio of NCA to 6-O-triphenylmethyl chitosan. The particle size of the complexes formed from the copolymer and calf thymus DNA was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found in the range of 120 similar to 340 nm. The gel retardation electrophoresis showed that the PLL-g-Chi copolymers possessed better plasmid DNA-binding ability than chitosan. The gene transfection effect in HEK 293T cells of the copolymers was evaluated, and the results showed that the gene transfection ability of the copolymer was better than that of chitosan and was dependent on the PLL grafting ratio. The PLL-g-Chi copolymers could be used as effective gene delivery vectors.

Synthesis and structural characterization of new tungsten(VI) complexes with polycarboxylate ligands

The reactions of (NH4)(2)WS4 and three polycarboxylate ligands {including nitrilotriacetate (nta(3-)), citrate (Hcit(3-)) and ethylenediaminetetra acetate (EDTA(4-))} in H2O/EtOH at ambient temperature have resulted in three new trioxotungsten (VI) complexes, K-3[WO3(nta)]center dot H2O 1, (NH4)(4)[WO3(cit)]center dot 2 H2O 2 and K-2(NH4)(2)[W2O6(EDTA)]center dot 4H(2)O 3, respectively. These three complexes have been characterized by IR, XPS, TGA-DTA, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. And their structures have been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies, which confirm that I and 2 are mononuclear compounds and 3 is a binuclear compound. Each tungsten atom in 1-3 is coordinated to three unshared oxygen atoms, which adopt fac stereochemistry, while the remaining fac positions are occupied by three atoms from the ligands. The electrochemical properties of 2 and 3 have been investigated.