Electrochemical polymerization of 2‐phenylindole and characterization of its polymer

High‐quality poly(2‐phenylindole) (PPI) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of 2‐phenylindole (PI) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The onset oxidation potential of PI in this medium was measured to be only 0.83 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE), which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile (ACN) containing 0.1 mol L^–1 tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (1.05 V vs. SCE). PPI films obtained from BFEE showed good electrochemical behavior and thermal stability with an electrical conductivity of 10^–2 S cm^–1. Structural studies showed that the polymerization of PI mainly occurred at the 3,6‐positions. As‐formed PPI films could be partly dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. Fluorescence spectral studies indicated that PPI was a blue‐green light emitter. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Electrochemical polymerization of phenanthrene in mixed electrolytes of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and concentrated sulfuric acid

A novel high‐quality polyphenanthrene (PPH) film with electrical conductivity of 10^?1 S cm^?1 was synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of phenanthrene in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate containing 10% concentrated sulfuric acid (v/v). The oxidation onset potential of phenanthrene in this medium was measured to be only 0.91 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE), which was lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L^?1 Bu₄NBF₄ (1.56 V versus SCE). As‐formed PPH films from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and stability. De‐doped PPH films were thoroughly soluble in dimethylsulfoxide or CHCl₃. The structure and morphology of the polymer were investigated using UV‐visible and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra showed that the PPH was grown via the coupling of the monomer mainly at the C₄, C₅, C₉ and C₁₀ positions. Fluorescence spectral studies indicated that PPH was a blue‐green light emitter. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermosetting polymers from cationic copolymerization of tung oil: Synthesis and characterization

The cationic copolymerization of tung oil with the divinylbenzene comonomer initiated by boron trifluoride diethyl etherate produces promising plastics. The gel times are largely dependent on the relative composition and the reaction conditions and vary from a few seconds to 1 h. Controlled reactions producing homogeneous materials can be obtained by (1) lowering the reaction temperature or (2) decreasing the initiator concentration to less than 1 wt % or (3) adding a certain amount of a less reactive oil, such as soybean oil, low saturation soybean oil (LoSatSoy), or conjugated LoSatSoy to the reaction. The resulting polymers are rigid and dark brown in color. The weight % of the starting materials converted to the crosslinked polymer is ∼85–98% as determined by Soxhlet extraction with methylene chloride. The structure of the bulk product is that of a crosslinked polymer network plasticized by a small amount of low molecular weight oil. The chemical composition of the bulk polymers varies with the original composition of the tung oil system. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the resulting products are typical thermosetting polymers with densely crosslinked structures. The modulus of the plastics is approximately 2.0 × 10⁹ Pa at room temperature. One broad glass transition is observed at approximately 100°C. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the tung oil polymers are thermally stable below 200°C with a 10% weight loss in air around 430°C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1044–1056, 2000     

Electrodeposition of High-quality Polycarbazole Films in Composite Electrolytes of Boron Trifluoride Diethyl Etherate and Ethyl Ether

High-quality polycarbazole (PCZ) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct oxidation of carbazole in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing vol. 20% ethyl ether (EE). The oxidation potential of carbazole in this medium was measured to be only 0.90 V vs. SCE, which was lower than that determined in acetonitrile containing 0.1 mol l⁻¹ Bu₄NBF₄ (1.35 V vs. SCE). PCZ films obtained from this medium showed better electrochemical behavior, better thermal stability with conductivity of 7.5 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ being one order of magnitude higher than those reported previously, indicating that BFEE/EE was a better medium than acetonitrile for the electrosyntheses of PCZ films. As-formed PCZ films can be partly dissolved in acetone, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran. Spectral analysis provided evidence for the existence of the conjugated structure of the PCZ chain. Fluorescent spectra indicate that electrosynthesized PCZ is an ideal blue light emitter.     

Synthesis,structure, and thermophysical and mechanical properties of new polymers prepared by the cationic copolymerization of corn oil,styrene, and divinylbenzene

New thermosetting polymeric materials were prepared by the cationic copolymerization of corn oil or conjugated corn oil with styrene and divinylbenzene initiated by boron trifluoride diethyl etherate or related modified initiators. The gel times ranged from a few minutes to hours or even days depending on the stoichiometry and curing temperatures. These polymeric materials possessed crosslink densities of 50 to 1.5 × 10⁴ mol/m³ and glass‐transition temperatures of 30–99°C. The materials range from soft rubbers to tough and rigid plastics. The Young's moduli of these materials varied from 0.6 to 474 MPa, the ultimate tensile strengths varied from 0.5 to 17.6 MPa, the elongation at break percentages varied from 2 to 198%, the flexural strengths varied from 0.2 to 36 MPa, and the compressive strengths varied from 4.8 to 63.8 MPa. In addition to having commercially viable thermophysical and mechanical properties, these new materials also possessed good damping and shape‐memory properties, suggesting numerous, promising applications for these novel corn oil‐based polymeric materials. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1830–1838, 2003     

Multicolor electrochromism of low‐bandgap copolymers based on pyrrole and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene: Fine‐tuning colors through feed ratio

The copolymerization of pyrrole with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) is successfully achieved in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate via direct anodic oxidation of the monomer mixtures on indium‐tin oxide working electrodes. The resultant copolymers are characterized by electrochemical methods, FT‐IR, XPS, SEM, and spectroelectrochemical analysis. The copolymer films present excellent electrochromic properties especially the multicolor electrochromism which can be tuned through the feed ratio of pyrrole and EDOT. The neutral copolymer films exhibit blue‐shift with the increasing feed ratio of pyrrole and EDOT, and the calculated band gaps of the copolymers are as low as that of PEDOT film. Furthermore, the electrochemical and optical stability has been improved by the incorporation of EDOT units into the polymer chains. The copolymer prepared with the changing feed ratio of pyrrole and EDOT at 1/4 retains 71% of its original electroactivity after 500 cycles and 72% of its optical contrast after 500 steps. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Low-potential electrochemical polymerization of fluorene and its alkyl-polymer precursor

High quality polymer films can be easily produced by low-potential anodic oxidation of fluorene and its alkyl-polymer precursor through 9,9 position (9,9-dibromohexylfluorene, 9-(6-bromohexyl)fluorene, poly(fluorene-9,9-diyl-alt-alkan-1,6-diyl); Scheme 1) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) or mixed electrolytes of BFEE + CHCl₃. As-formed polymer films showed good redox behavior and were characterized by UV-vis, infrared, fluorescence spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Fluorescence spectral studies both in solution and in solid-state revealed that as-formed polymer films were good blue-green light emitters with strong emissions at about 420 and 560 nm. The substitutions of alkyl group and alkyl-polymer fluorene precursors were helpful for the red shift of emission wavelength of as-formed polyfluorenes.     

Electrosyntheses and characterization of poly(5‐bromoindole) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate

Poly(5‐bromoindole) (PBrI) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct oxidation of 5‐bromoindole in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate. The oxidation potential of 5‐bromoindole in this medium was measured to be only 0.97 V vs. saturated calomel electrode, which was lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L^?1 Bu₄NBF₄ (1.08 V). PBrI films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and good thermal stability. Structural studies showed that the polymerization of 5‐bromoindole ring occurred at 2,3 position. As‐formed PBrI films were thoroughly soluble in strong polar solvent dimethylsulfoxide and partly soluble in tetrahydrofuran. Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that PBrI was a good blue‐light emitter. The excitation and emission spectra of PBrI showed a significant shift to longer wavelength compared with that of the monomer, consistent with the greater extent of electron delocalization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 539–547, 2006     

Solubility of fish oil fatty acid ethyl esters in suband supercritical carbon dioxide

Mutual solubilities and K-values of fish oil fatty acid ethyl esters, prepared from sand launce oil, and sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide have been measured in an apparatus originally designed for phase equilibrium, density and gasoil ratio measurements of reservoir fluids. The measurements were performed at pressures from 2 to 22 MPa at temperatures of 283.2, 313.2 and 343.2°K. Experimental temperatures, pressures, solubilities, K-values and densities are reported. The K-values of ethyl myristate, palmitate, oleate, eicosapentaenoate and docosahexaenoate are compared with published experimental binary and/or multicomponent data. Because both vapor and liquid solubilities are reported, such data are applicable in the design of supercritical extraction plants.     

Rapid quantitation of fish oil fatty acids and their ethyl esters by FT‐NIR models

Consumption of fish oil and dietary supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has steadily increased because of their reported health benefits. A rapid procedure based on Fourier Transform Near Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐NIR) models was developed for analysis of fish oil and their ethyl ester derivatives to replace the time consuming GC method. Inclusion of fish oil or ethyl esters containing varied concentrations of OA, EPA, and DHA into the FT‐NIR classification models made possible their classification and quantification. Accurate GC analysis is essential in developing reliable quantitative models since FT‐NIR is matrix dependent. Development of FT‐NIR models based on 30 m PEG capillary GC column results, as recommended by the official GC method for analysis of marine oils, proved problematic, since these columns did not resolve many geometric isomers compared to 100 m highly polar cyanopropyl polysiloxane columns. Depending on the content of geometric isomers in fish oils and ethyl esters, the levels of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA would be overestimated if the model used were based on the results from a 30 m column. The FT‐NIR method was found to be applicable to all fish oil and ethyl ester samples, except when fatty acids were outside the range examined, or contaminants were present. The FT‐NIR method was applicable to analysis of in‐plant intermediates provided contaminants were absent, or identified so they could be incorporated into the model. The FT‐NIR method was suitable to evaluate the shelf life of n‐3 PUFA concentrates.     

Soybean and castor oil based monomers: Synthesis and copolymerization with styrene

In this study, castor oil was alcoholyzed with both aliphatic alcohols, such as glycerol and pentaerythritol, and an aromatic alcohol, bisphenol A propoxylate. The resulting alcoholysis products were then malinated and cured in the presence of styrene. Soybean oil pentaerythritol glyceride maleates were also prepared for a direct comparison of the properties of the castor oil and soybean oil based resins. Castor oil was directly malinated as well to see the effect of the alcoholysis step on the properties of the castor oil based resins. The monomers synthesized were characterized by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, and the styrenated resin liquid properties, such as viscosity and surface energy values, were determined. The conversion of polymerization was determined using time resolved FTIR analysis for the styrenated soybean oil pentaerythritol glyceride maleates, castor oil maleates, and castor oil pentaerythritol glyceride maleates. The effect of monomer identity and styrene content on the conversion of polymerization was explored. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2433–2447, 2006     

Supercritical carbon dioxide fractionation of fish oil fatty acid ethyl esters

Fractionation of fish oil fatty acid ethyl esters was investigated with the aim of obtaining a lipid fraction enriched in ω-3 fatty acids and with a suitable EPA/DHA ratio. The results obtained highlight the possibility of modifying the original fatty acid ethyl esters concentration by optimizing the extraction conditions in terms of pressure, temperature, and supercritical carbon dioxide flow rate. Supercritical fluid fractionation (SFF) appears to be a useful processing technique for changing the composition of lipids in order to obtain high value functional products. The use of proper fractionation temperatures and pressures along the column influenced the solvent-to-feed ratio to obtain fractions with suitable composition for market requirements.     

Electrochemical polymerization of p‐terphenyl in mixed electrolyte of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and CH2Cl2

High quality poly(p‐phenylene) (PPP) film with conductivity of 0.015 S cm^?1 was synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of p‐terphenyl (PP) oligomers in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing 37.5% CH₂Cl₂ (v/v). The oxidation onset potential of PP in this medium was measured to be only 1.23 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE), which was lower than that determined in CH₂Cl₂ + 0.1 mol L^?1 Bu₄NBF₄ (1.87 V vs. SCE). As‐formed PPP films showed good electrochemical behavior, good electrochromic property and good thermal stability. The structures and morphology of doped and dedoped PPP were investigated by UV‐vis, FTIR, and Scanning electron micrographs. The infrared spectroscopic measurements for the estimation of chain lengths revealed that PPP was composed of about 10 phenyl rings. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

紫外光引发AM—DMC自由基共聚研究

采用光敏引发聚合的方法,以丙烯酰胺（AM）和甲基丙烯酰氧乙基三甲基氯化铵（DMC）为单体,通过水溶液自由基共聚法制备了阳离子聚丙烯酰胺（CPAM）,讨论了单体浓度、阳离子单体比例、引发温度、引发剂浓度、光照强度对产品性能的影响,最终确定了最佳反应条件：单体质量分数30％,阳离子单体质量分数5％,引发温度22℃,引发剂质量分数0．35％,光照强度0．798mW／cm^2。通过红外光谱对产品进行了表征。     

Electrodeposition of poly(indole-5-carboxylic acid) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate containing additional diethyl ether

High quality poly(indole-5-carboxylic acid) (PICA) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of indole-5-carboxylic acid (ICA) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing additional 80% diethyl ether (EE) (by volume). PICA films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and good thermal stability with a conductivity of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹. The doping level of PICA increased during electrochemical growth processes. Dedoped PICA films were soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The structure of the polymer were studied by UV-vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, which indicated that the polymerization occurred at C₍₂₎ and C₍₃₎ position. Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that PICA was a good blue-light emitter.     

酸白土催化体系开环八甲基环四硅氧烷的研究及机理探讨

Cationic ring opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane （Da） initiated by acid treated bentonite was investigated. The experimental conditions were chosen on the basis of preliminary experiments.Higher temperature was found beneficial for the reaction process while stirring intensity beyond a certain level showed no obvious effect on the reaction rate. Polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance （IH-NMR） and gel perneation chromotography. The width of molecular mass distribution was found ranging between 1.2 and 1.4, which is extraordinarlly narrow compared with that of cationic polymerizations reported elsewhere （〉 1.9）. The results were believed due to the absence of free proton and counter ion which simplifies the polymerization process and the huge steric hindrance provided by bentonite particles which keeps the propagation of polysiloxane onto the surface of bentonite particles in a much more regular way. A feasible mechanism is proposed and seems to be supported well by experiments. Additionally, from the results of α, ω-dihydrogen terminated polysiloxanes prepared, the possibility of applying this potential environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalyst in industrial polymerization of cyclosiloxanes is anticipated.     

Fatty acid ethyl esters production from distillers corn oil by enzymatic catalysis

Distillers corn oil (DCO), a by-product from the corn ethanol production, is an alternative source of glycerides to produce biodiesel. In the present work, this feedstock was enzymatically converted into fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE). DCO presented relative density of 0.912 g/cm³, peroxide index of 3.05 ± 0.3 (meq/1000 g of sample) and acidity of 13.1 ± 1.96 (wt.%), with prevalence of the oleic (18:1) and linoleic (18:2) acids (sum equal to 76.9%). Three strategies were evaluated to improve the FAEE content: ethanol stepwise addition (ethanol:oil molar ratio of 4:1 (1/2 of ethanol at 0 and 1.5 h) and 3:1 (1/3 of ethanol at 0 h and 2/3 at 1.5 h or 1/3 of ethanol at 0, 1 and 2 h)); consecutive reactions (with Novozym 40086 [Rhizomucor miehei lipase] as biocatalyst); and mixture of enzymes (Novozym 40086 (6 wt.%) + Novozym 435 (Candida antarctica B lipase) (2 wt.%). The concept of combi-lipases was evaluated for the first time using this raw material, resulting in a high ester content (>96%). The higher ester yields attained with DCO, compared to refined corn oil (33%) can be related to the better solubilization of ethanol and/or glycerol by-product in the medium with DCO. The combi-lipase system kept high than 80% of this initial activity after three repeated batches of reaction. The use of DCO enables the integration of corn ethanol and biodiesel production within the same general facility, which has logistic, environmental and, economic relevance.     

Preparation of thermoset composites from natural fibres and acrylate modified soybean oil resins

Structural composites with a high content of renewable material were produced from natural fibres and an acrylated epoxidized soybean oil resin. Composites were prepared by spray impregnation followed by compression moulding at elevated temperature. The resulting composites had good mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and flexural strength. Tensile testing as well as dynamical mechanical thermal analysis showed that increasing the fibre content, increased the mechanical properties. The resin can be reinforced with up to 70 wt % fibre without sacrifice in processability. The tensile modulus ranged between 5.8 and 9.7 GPa depending on the type of fibre mat. The study of the adhesion by low vacuum scanning electron microscopy shows that the fibres are well impregnated in the matrix. The aging properties were finally evaluated. This study shows that composites with a very high content of renewable constituents can be produced from soy bean oil resins and natural fibres. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

鱼油磷酸酯加脂剂的合成

以鱼油作为原料,采用固体酸催化酯交换反应,制得酯交换鱼油,其最佳工艺条件是:n(甲醇)∶n(鱼油)=4.5∶1,催化剂用量为2.0%,反应温度为65℃,反应时间为5h;然后在60～70℃下,以P2O5为磷酸化试剂反应5h,使产物中单酯和双酯的摩尔比达到4.17∶1,游离磷酸的含量不大于3.07%。探讨了作为磷酸酯皮革加脂剂的P2O5溶剂应遵循的原则以及采用溶剂分散法加料对磷酸酯合成的优点,再与其他加脂材料复配,制得鱼油磷酸酯加脂剂,其外观为浅红至红棕色透明油状物,流动性好,总固含量为50%～60%,乳液(1∶9)在24h内不分层。     

The conjugation and epoxidation of fish oil

Wilkinson's catalyst [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] has been used to conjugate fish oils in high yields under very mild reaction conditions. A catalyst load of 0.35 mol% of RhCl(PPh₃)₃, 0.43 mol% of (o-CH₃C₆H₄)₃P, and 0.87 mol% of SnCl₂·2H₂O in ethanol solvent at 60°C for 2 d produces 82% conjugated Norway fish oil affords 90% conjugated fish oil in 93% yield. The Sharpless epoxidation procedure has also been employed to epoxidize fish oils. Using 0.34 mol% of CH₃ReO₃, 8.15 mol% of pyridine, and 1.03 equivalents of aq. 30% hydrogen peroxide in methylene chloride solvent at 25°C for 6 h, the Norway fish oil ethyl ester can be 100% epoxidized in an 86% yield. The Capelin fish oil gives 100% epoxidized fish oil in a 72% yield. Decreasing the amounts of CH₃ReO₃ and pyridine used in the reaction results in partially epoxidized fish oils.