Cellulose swelling by aprotic and protic solvents: What are the similarities and differences?

The swelling of microcrystalline, native and mercerized cotton and eucalyptus celluloses by 16 aprotic solvents was investigated. The number of moles of solvent/anhydroglucose unit, nSw, correlates well with solvent molar volume, basicity and dipolarity/polarizability. Swelling is sensitive to cellulose crystallite size, surface area and the presence of its chains in parallel or anti-parallel arrangements. Use of solvatochromic parameters is a superior alternative to the use of other descriptors, such as Hildebrand`s solubility parameters and Gutmann`s donor numbers. The calculated nSw for 28 protic and aprotic solvents correlated well with their experimental counterparts, although hydrogen bond donation by the solvent was not included.

Using Room Temperature Ionic Liquids as Solvents to Probe Structural Effects in Electro-Reduction Processes. Electrochemical Behavior of Mutagenic Disperse Nitroazo Dyes in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids

The electrochemical reduction of the disperse azo dyes Red1, Red13 and Orange1 (Or1) was investigated in the RTILs [C(4)mim][NTf2] and [C(4)mpyrr][NTf2], and in contrast with their behavior in conventional aprotic solvents, was shown to proceed via a reversible one electron step to form stable radical anion, which is further reduced at more negative potentials to the dianion. In [C(4)mpyrr][NTf2], cleavage of the N-H bond on the secondary amine was inferred for Orange1, and the ease at which this cleavage occurred is rationalized in terms of acidity of the amine moiety. The ease of reduction was observed to decrease in the order Or1 > Red13 > Red1, and is related to the electron delocalization within the molecule and the electron withdrawing power of the substituents.

Photolysis of the dithiolactone 4-isopropylidene-3,3-dimethyl-1-thietan-2-thione; a Norrish type I reaction

The dithiolactone (1) upon excitation gives the dithione (2) in cyclohexane and other aprotic solvents and a 1 : 1 adduct in hydroxylic solvents from an n* excited singlet state via an -cleavage process.

Chemical Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Using Amine-Boranes

The development of new synthetic strategies to obtain mono-disperse metal nanoparticles on large scales is an attractive prospect in the context of sustainability. Recently, amine-boranes, the classical Lewis acid-base adducts, have been employed as reducing agents for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles. They offer several advantages over the traditional reducing agents like the borohydrides; for example, a much better control of the rate of reduction and, hence, the particle size distribution of metal nanoparticles; diversity in their reducing abilities by varying the substituents on the nitrogen atom; and solubility in various protic and aprotic solvents. Amine-boranes have not only been used successfully as reducing agents in solution but also in solventless conditions, in which along with the reduction of the metal precursor, they undergo in situ transformation to afford the stabilizing agent for the generated metal nanoparticles, thereby bringing about atom economy as well. The use of amine boranes for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles has experienced an explosive growth in a very short period of time. In this Minireview, recent progress on the use of amine boranes for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, with a focus towards the development of pathways for sustainability, is discussed.

Triplet excited electronic state switching induced by hydrogen bonding: A transient absorption spectroscopy and time-dependent DFT study

The solvent plays a decisive role in the photochemistry and photophysics of aromatic ketones. Xanthone (XT) is one such aromatic ketone and its triplet-triplet (T-T) absorption spectra show intriguing solvatochromic behavior. Also, the reactivity of XT towards H-atom abstraction shows an unprecedented decrease in protic solvents relative to aprotic solvents. Therefore, a comprehensive solvatochromic analysis of the triplet-triplet absorption spectra of XT was carried out in conjunction with time dependent density functional theory using the ad hoc explicit solvent model approach. A detailed solvatochromic analysis of the T-T absorption bands of XT suggests that the hydrogen bonding interactions are different in the corresponding triplet excited states. Furthermore, the contributions of non-specific and hydrogen bonding interactions towards differential solvation of the triplet states in protic solvents were found to be of equal magnitude. The frontier molecular orbital and electron density difference analysis of the T-1 and T-2 states of XT indicates that the charge redistribution in these states leads to intermolecular hydrogen bond strengthening and weakening, respectively, relative to the S-0 state. This is further supported by the vertical excitation energy calculations of the XT-methanol supra-molecular complex. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding potential energy curves obtained for this complex in the S-0, T-1, and T-2 states support the model. In summary, we propose that the different hydrogen bonding mechanisms exhibited by the two lowest triplet excited states of XT result in a decreasing role of the n pi* triplet state, and are thus responsible for its reduced reactivity towards H-atom abstraction in protic solvents. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

One-Step Ionic Liquid-Assisted Electrochemical Synthesis of Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Graphene Sheet Directly from Graphite

Graphite, inexpensive and available in large quantities, unfortunately does not readily exfoliate to yield individual graphene sheets. Here a mild, one-step electrochemical approach for the preparation of ionic-liquid-functionalized graphite sheets with the assistance of an ionic liquid and water is presented. These ionic-liquid-treated graphite sheets can be exfoliated into functionalized graphene nanosheets that can not only be individuated and homogeneously distributed into polar aprotic solvents, but also need not be further deoxidized. Different types of ionic liquids and different ratios of the ionic liquid to water can influence the properties of the graphene nanosheets. Graphene nanosheet/polystyrene composites synthesized by a liquid-phase blend route exhibit a percolation threshold of 0.1 vol % for room temperature electrical conductivity, and, at only 4.19 vol %, this composite has a conductivity of 13.84 S m(-1), which is 3-15 times that of polystyrene composites filled with single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Synthesis of Soluble Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Ionomers with Pendant Quaternary Ammonium Groups for Anion Exchange Membranes

A new bisphenol monomer, 2,2'-dimethylaminemetllylene-4,4'-biphenol (DABP), was easily prepared by Mannich reaction of dimethylamine and formaldehyde with 4,4'-biphenol. Novel partially fluorinated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with pendant quaternary ammonium groups were prepared by copolymerization of DABP, 4,4'-biphenol, and 3,3',4,4'- tetrafluorodiphenylsulfone, followed by reaction with iodomethane. The resulting copolymers PSQNI-x (where x represents the molar fraction of DABP in the feed) with high molecular weight exhibited outstanding solubility in polar aprotic solvents; thus, the flexible and tough membranes of PSQNI-x with varying ionic content could be prepared by casting from the DMAc solution. Novel anion exchange membranes, PSQNOH-x, were obtained by an anion exchange of PSQNI-x with 1 N NaOH.

Polyimides Derived from 1,4-Bis [3-oxy-(N-aminophthalimide)] Benzene

A novel diamine, 1,4-bis [3-oxy-(N-aminophthalimide)] benzene (BOAPIB), was synthesized from 1,4-bis [3-oxy-(N-phenylphthalimide)] benzene and hydrazine. Its structure was determined via IR, H-1 NMR, and elemental analysis. A series of five-member ring, hydrazine-based polyimides were prepared from this diamine and various aromatic dianhydrides via one-step polycondensation in p-chlorophenol. The inherent viscosities of these polyimides were in the range of 0.17-0.61 dL/g. These polymers were soluble in polar aprotic solvents and phenols at room temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the 5% weight-loss temperatures of the polyimides were near 450 degrees C in air and 500 degrees C in nitrogen. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) indicated that the glass-transition temperatures (T(g)s) of these polymers were in the range of 265-360 degrees C. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction showed that all the polyimides were amorphous.

Synthesis of bis(amine anhydride)s for novel high T(g)s and organosoluble poly(amine imide)s by palladium-catalyzed amination of 4-chlorophthalide anhydride

Two novel bis(amine anhydride)s, NN-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)aniline dianhydride (I) and N,N-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-p-tert-butylaniline (II), were synthesized from the palladium-catalyzed amination reaction of N-methyl-protected 4-chlorophthalic anhydride with arylamines, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(amine-phthalimide)s and subsequent dehydration of the resulting tetraacids. The X-ray structures of anhydride I and II were determined. The obtained dianhydride monomers were reacted with various aromatic diamines to produce a series of novel polyimides. Because of the incorporation of bulky, propeller-shaped triphenylamine units along the polymer backbone, all polyimides exhibited good solubility in many aprotic solvents while maintaining their high thermal properties. These polymers had glass transition temperatures in the range of 298-408 degrees C. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that all polymers were stable, with 10% weight loss recorded above 525 degrees C in nitrogen.The tough polymer films, obtained by casting from solution, had tensile strength, elongation at break, and tensile modulus values in the range of 95-164 MPa, 8.8-15.7%, and 1.3-2.2 GPa, respectively.

Synthesis and gas permeability of novel fluorinated poly(phenylene-co-naphthalimide)s

A new class of high-performance polymers [poly(phenylene-co-naphthalimide)s] was prepared through the Ni(0) catalytic coupling of N-(4-chloro-2-trifluromethylphenyl)-5-chloro-1,8-naphthalimide and 2,5-dichlorobenzophenone. The resulting copolymers exhibited high molecular weights (high inherent viscosities) and a combination of desirable properties such as good solubility in dipolar aprotic solvents, film-forming capability, and mechanical properties. The glass-transition temperatures of the copolymers ranged from 320 to 403 degrees C and increased as the content of the naphthalimide moiety increased. Tough polymer films, obtained via casting from N-methylpyrrolidone solutions, had tensile strengths of 64-107 MPa and tensile moduli of 3.4-4.7 GPa. The gas permeability coefficients of the copolymers were measured for H-2, CO2, O-2, CH4, and N-2. They showed oxygen permeability coefficients and permeability selectivity of oxygen to nitrogen (permeability coefficient for O-2/permeability coefficient for N-2) in the ranges of 1.39-4.31 and 4.92-5.38 barrer, respectively.

Synthesis and characterization of soluble poly(amideimide)s bearing triethylamine sulfonate groups as gas dehumidification membrane material

A series of soluble poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) bearing triethylammonium sulfonate groups were synthesized directly using trimellitic anhydride chloride (TMAC) polycondensation with sulfonated diamine such as 2,2'-benzidinedisulfonic acid (BDSA), 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether-2,2'-disulfonic acid (ODADS), and nonsulfonated diamine 4,4-diaminodiphenyl methane in the presence of triethylamine. The resulting copolymers exhibited high molecular weights (high inherent viscosity), and a combination of desirable properties such as good solubility in dipolar aprotic solvents, film-forming capability, and good mechanical properties. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that the polymers were amorphous. These copolymers showed high permeability coefficients of water vapor because of the presence of the hydrophilic triethylammonium sulfonate groups. The water vapor permeability coefficients (P-w) and permselectivity coefficients of water vapor to nitrogen and methane [alpha(H2O/N-2) and (alpha(H2O/CH4)] Of the films increased with increasing the amount of the triethylammonium sulfonated groups.

Polyimides derived from 3,3 '-bis(N-aminophthalimide)

A novel diamine, 3,3'-bis(N-aminophthalimide) (BAPI), was prepared from 3,3'-bis(N-phenylphthalimide). Its structure was determined via IR, H-1 NMR, N-15 NMR, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A series of homo- and copolyimides were synthesized by a conventional one-step method in p-chlorophenol. The characteristic IR absorption bands of hydrazine-based imide groups were near 1780, 1750, 1350, 1100, and 730 cm(-1). The polymers showed good solubility in polar aprotic solvents and phenols at room temperature. The temperatures of 5% weight loss (T-5%) of the polyimides ranged from 495 to 530 degrees C in air. DMTA analyses indicated that the glass-transition temperatures (Tgs) of the polyimides were in the range 371-432 degrees C. These polymers had cutoff wavelengths between 350 and 400 nm. The polyimide films of 6FDA/BAPI and 4,4'-HQPDA/BAPI were colorless; other films were pale yellow or yellow.

Polyimides from isomeric diphenylthioether dianhydrides

3,3',4,4'-Diphenylthioether dianhydride (4,4'-TDPA), 2,3,3',4'-diphenylthioether dianhydride (3,4'-TDPA), and 2,2',3,3-diphenylthioether dianhydride (3,3'TDPA) were synthesized from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride and 4-chlorophthalic anhydride. A series of polyimides derived from the isomeric diphenylthioether dianhydrides with several diamines were prepared. The properties, such as the solubility, thermal and mechanical behavior, dynamic mechanical behavior, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and permeability to some gases, were compared among the isomeric polyimides. Both 3,3'-TDPA- and 3,4-TDPA-based polyimides had good solubility in polar aprotic solvents and phenols. The 5% weight loss temperatures of all the obtained polyimides was near 500 degrees C in nitrogen. The glass-transition temperatures decreased according to the order of the polyimides based on 3,3'-TDPA, 3,4'-TDPA, and 4,4'-TDPA. The 3,4'-TDPA-based polyimides had the best permeability and lowest permselectivity, whereas the 4,4'-TDPA-based polyimides had the highest permselectivity and the lowest permeability of the three isomers. Furthermore, the rheological properties of thermoplastic polyimide resins based on the isomeric dipbenylthioether dianhydrides were investigated, and they showed that polyimide 3,4'-TDPA/4,4-oxydianiline had the lowest melt viscosity among the isomers; this indicated that the melt processibility had been greatly improved.

Polyimides from isomeric oxydiphthalic anhydrides

2,2',3,3'-Oxydiphthalic dianhydride (2,2',3,3'-ODPA) and 2,3,3',4'-ODPA were synthesized from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride with 2,3-xylenol and 3,4-xylenol, respectively. Their structures were determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A series of polyimides derived from isomeric ODPAs with several diamines were prepared in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) with the conventional two-step method. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight spectra showed that the polymerization of 2,2',3,3'-ODPA with 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA) has a greater trend to form cyclic oligomers than that of 2,3,3',4'-ODPA. Both 2,2',3,3'-ODPA and 2,3,3',4'-ODPA based polyimides have good solubility in polar aprotic solvents such as DMAc, dimethylformamide, and N-methylpyrrolidone. The 5% weight-loss temperatures of all polyimides were obtained near 500 degreesC in air. Their glass-transition temperatures measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis or differential scanning calorimetry decreased according to the order of polyimides on the basis of 2,2',3,3'-ODPA, 2,3,3',4'-ODPA, and 3,3',4,4'-ODPA. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction of all polyimide films from isomeric ODPAs and ODA showed some certain extent of crystallization after stretching. Rheological properties revealed that polyimide (2,3,3',4'-ODPA/ODA) has a comparatively lower melt viscosity than its isomers, which indicated its better melt processability.

Polyimides from isomeric biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydrides and the effects of chemical structure on solubility

A series of homopolyimides and copolyimides was synthesized by the solution condensation of biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) isomers and various diamines followed by chemical imidization. These polyimides had intermediate to high molecular weights with inherent viscosities of 0.34-1.01 dL/g for homopolyimides and 0.48-1.02 dL/g for copolyimides. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the aromatic polyimides were stable up to 500degreesC, and the 5% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 506-597degreesC in an air atmosphere and in the range of 517-601degreesC in a nitrogen atmosphere, depending on the diamines used. The glass transition temperatures of aromatic homopolyimides were above 271degreesC, while the glass transition temperatures of the copolyimides increased with an increase in the 2, 2', 3, 3'-BPDA-component. The effects of the chemical structure of the polymer chain on the solubility were investigated. It was found that the solubility of BPDA-based polyimides could be improved by the introduction of flexible units, nonlinear and non-coplanar units, and copolymerization. The polyimides with nonlinear and non-coplanar units derived from 2, 2', 3, 3'-BPDA appeared to have prominently enhanced solubility in polar aprotic solvents and polychlorocarbons when compared with the homopolyimide derived from 3, 3', 4, 4'-BPDA.