Solvent extraction studies of Sm(III) from nitrate medium and separation factors of rare earth elements with mixtures of sec‐octylphenoxyacetic acid and 1,10‐phenthroline

BACKGROUND: Liquid–liquid extraction is widely used for the separation of rare earths, among which synergistic extraction has attracted more and more attention. Numerous types of synergistic extraction systems have been applied to rare earths with high extraction efficiency and selectivities. In the present study, mixtures of sec‐octylphenoxyacetic acid (CA12, H₂A₂) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen, B) have been used for the extraction of rare earths from nitrate medium. The stoichiometry of samarium(III) extraction has been studied using the methods of slope analysis and constant molar ratio. The possibility of using synergistic extraction effects to separate rare earths has also been studied. RESULTS: Mixtures of CA12 and phen display synergistic effects in the extraction of rare earth elements giving maximum enhancement coefficients of 5.5 (La); 13.7 (Nd); 15.9 (Sm); 24.5 (Tb); 45.4 (Yb) and 12.3 (Y). Samarium(III) is extracted as SmHA₄B₃ with mixtures of CA12 and phen instead of SmHA₄ when extracted with CA12 alone. The calculated logarithm of the equilibrium constant is 6.0 and the thermodynamic functions, ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS, have been calculated as 4.3 kJ mol^?1, ? 33.7 kJ mol^?1 and 129.7 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. CONCLUSION: Mixtures of CA12 and phen exhibit synergistic effects on rare earth elements. Graphical and numerical methods have been successfully used to determine their stoichiometries. The different synergistic effects may provide the possibility of separating yttrium from heavy lanthanoids at an appropriate ratio of CA12 and phen. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Extraction and separation of rare earths from chloride medium with mixtures of 2‐ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) ester and sec‐nonylphenoxy acetic acid

BACKGROUND: 2‐ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) ester (HEHEHP, H₂A₂) has been applied extensively to the extraction of rare earths. However, there are some limitations to its further utilization and the synergistic extraction of rare earths with mixtures of HEHEHP and another extractant has attracted much attention. Organic carboxylic acids are also a type of extractant employed for the extraction of rare earths, e.g. naphthenic acid has been widely used to separate yttrium from rare earths. Compared with naphthenic acid, sec‐nonylphenoxy acetic acid (CA100, H₂B₂) has many advantages such as stable composition, low solubility, and strong acidity in the aqueous phase. In the present study, the extraction of rare earths with mixtures of HEHEHP and CA100 has been investigated. The separation of the rare earth elements is also studied. RESULTS: The synergistic enhancement coefficient decreases with increasing atomic number of the lanthanoid. A significant synergistic effect is found for the extraction of La³⁺ as the complex LaH₂ClA₂B₂ with mixtures of HEHEHP and CA100. The equilibrium constant and thermodynamic functions obtained from the experimental results are 10^?0.92 (K_AB), 13.23 kJ mol^?1 (ΔH), 5.25 kJ mol^?1 (ΔG), and 26.75 J mol^?1 K^?1 (ΔS), respectively. CONCLUSION: Graphical and numerical methods have been successfully employed to determine the stoichiometries for the extraction of La³⁺ with mixtures of HEHEHP and CA100. The mixtures have different extraction effects on different rare earths, which provides the possibility for the separation of yttrium from heavy rare earths at an appropriate ratio of HEHEHP and CA100. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Studies on the solvent extraction of rare earths from nitrate media with a combination of di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and sec‐octylphenoxyacetic acid

BACKGROUND: Di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA, H₂A₂) has been used extensively in hydrometallurgy for the extraction of rare earths, but it has some limitations. Synergistic extraction has attracted much attention because of its enhanced extractabilities and selectivities. In the present study, sec‐octylphenoxyacetic acid (CA12, H₂B₂) was added into D2EHPA systems for the extraction and separation of rare earths. The extraction mechanism of lanthanum with the mixtures and the separation of lanthanoids and yttrium were investigated. RESULTS: The synergistic enhancement coefficient for La³⁺ extracted with D2EHPA + CA12 was calculated as 3.63. La³⁺ was extracted as La(NO₃)₂H₂A₂B with the mixture. The logarithm of the equilibrium constant was determined as 0.80. The thermodynamic functions, ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS were calculated to be 4.03 kJ mol^?1, ? 1.96 kJ mol^?1, and 20.46 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. The mixtures have synergistic effects on Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, and Y³⁺, with an especially strong synergistic effect on Y³⁺. Neither synergistic nor antagonistic effects on Dy³⁺ and weak antagonistic effects on Lu³⁺ were found. CONCLUSION: Mixtures of D2EHPA and CA12 exhibit evident synergistic effects when used to extract La³⁺ from nitric solution. The stoichiometries of the extracted complexes have been determined by graphical and numerical methods to be La(NO₃)₂H₂A₂B with the mixture. The extraction is an endothermic process. The mixture exhibits different extraction effects on rare earths, which provides possibilities for the separation of Y³⁺ from Ln³⁺ at a proper ratio of D2EHPA and CA12. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fluorescent chemosensor based on the conjugated polymer incorporating 2,2′‐bipyridyl moiety for transition metal ions

A fluorescent conjugated polymer was synthesized by the polymerization of 1,4‐dibromo‐2,3‐bisbutoxynaphthalene ( M‐2 ) with 5,5′‐divinyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine ( M‐3 ) via Heck reaction. The conjugated polymer shows strong blue–green fluorescence because of the extended π‐electronic structure between the repeating unit 2,3‐bisbutoxynaphthyl group and the conjugated linker 2,2′‐bipyridyl (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) moiety via vinylene bridge. The responsive properties of the conjugated polymer on transition metal ions were investigated by fluorescent and UV–vis spectra. The results show that Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ can form nonradiative metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer complexes with the polymer, whereas, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ do not produce the pronounced differences from the polymer fluorescence and UV–vis spectra. The fluorescent quenching can probably be attributed to the intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) or photoinduced charge transfer (PCT). The results can also suggest that 2,2′‐bipyridyl moiety in the main chain backbone of the conjugated polymer can act as the recognition site of a special fluorescent chemosensor for sensitive detection of transition metal ions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyaspartimides derived from 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐maleimidophenoxy)biphenyl and various diamines

A novel bismaleimide, 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐maleimidophenoxy)biphenyl, containing noncoplanar 2,2′‐dimethylbiphenylene and flexible ether units in the polymer backbone was synthesized from 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)biphenyl with maleic anhydride. The bismaleimide was reacted with 11 diamines using m‐cresol as a solvent and glacial acetic acid as a catalyst to produce novel polyaspartimides. Polymers were identified by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, and characterized by solubility test, X‐ray diffraction, and thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis). The inherent viscosities of the polymers varied from 0.22 to 0.48 dL g⁻¹ in concentration of 1.0 g dL⁻¹ of N,N‐dimethylformamide. All polymers are soluble in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, pyridine, m‐cresol, and tetrahydrofuran. The polymers, except PASI‐4, had moderate glass transition temperature in the range of 188°–226°C and good thermo‐oxidative stability, losing 10% mass in the range of 375°–426°C in air and 357°–415°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 279–286, 1999     

Crystallography and Structure–Property Relationships in 2,2′,2″,2′′′,4,4′,4″,4′′′,6,6′,6″,6′′′‐Dodecanitro‐1,1′ : 3′1″ : 3″,1′′′‐ Quaterphenyl (DODECA)

X‐ray crystallographic study of 2,2′,2″,2′′′,4,4′,4″,4′′′,6,6′,6″,6′′′‐dodecanitro‐1,1′ : 3′1″ : 3″,1′′′‐quaterphenyl (DODECA) has been carried out. Nonbonding interatomic distances of oxygen atoms inside of all the nitro groups are shorter than those corresponding to the intermolecular contact radii for oxygen. By means of the DFT B3LYP/6‐31(d, p) method a difference of 136 kJ mol⁻¹ between the X‐ray and DFT structures of DODECA was found. The bearer of the highest initiation reactivity in its molecule in solid phase should be the nitro group at 4′′′‐position, in contrast to those at 2′‐ or 2″‐positions in its isolated molecule. The most reactive nitro group in the DODECA molecule can be well specified by the relationship between net charges on nitro groups and charges on their nitrogen atoms, both of them for the X‐ray structure. The ¹⁵N chemical shift, corresponding to this nitro group for the initiation by impact and shock, correlates very well with these shifts of the reaction centers of the other six “genuine” polynitro arenes.     

Synthesis of Substituted 2,2′‐Bipyridines and 2,2′:6′,2′′‐Terpyridines by Cobalt‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitriles and α,ω‐Diynes with Exclusive Regioselectivity

A variety of substituted 2,2′‐bipyridines were synthesized by a 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe)/cobalt chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂⋅6 H₂O)/zinc‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of diynes and nitriles, with all reactions exhibiting exclusive regioselectivity. Thus, symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,6‐diynes and 2‐cyanopyridine reacted in the presence of 5 mol % of dppe, 5 mol % of CoCl₂⋅6 H₂O and 10 mol % of zinc powder to provide the corresponding 2,2′‐bipyridines. Under identical reaction conditions, 1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,6‐diynes and nitriles reacted smoothly with exclusive regioselectivity to produce 2,2′‐bipyridines in good yield. 2,2′‐Bipyridines were also obtained by the double [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,6,8,13‐tetraynes with nitriles. Similarly, 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridines were synthesized from 1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,6‐diyne and 2‐cyanopyridine. The regiochemistry observed can be explained by considering the electronic nature of cobaltacyclopentadiene intermediates and nitriles. A survey of the exclusive regiochemical trend gives reasonable credence to the synthetic potential of the present method.     

Alterations in fatty acid composition and fluidity of cell membranes affect the accumulation of PCB congener 2,2′,5,5′‐tetrachlorobiphenyl by Ralstonia eutropha H850

The effect of alterations in fatty acid composition and fluidity of cell membranes on the accumulation of PCB congener 2,2′,5,5′‐tetrachlorobiphenyl (TeCB) by Ralstonia eutropha (formerly Alcaligenes eutrophus) H850 was studied. Cells of R eutropha H850 grown on either biphenyl or fructose were used. Significant increases in saturated fatty acid composition and decreases in membrane fluidity of bacteria grown on biphenyl at 28 °C were observed compared with those grown on fructose at 17 or 28 °C. The ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids and membrane fluidity of R eutropha H850 grown on biphenyl at 28 °C resembled those of cells grown on fructose at 37 °C. No inhibition effect of the uncoupler 2,4‐dinitrophenol (2,4‐DNP) on TeCB accumulation was observed, suggesting an energy‐independent mechanism for TeCB accumulation in cells of R eutropha H850. The amount of TeCB accumulated was considerably higher in R eutropha H850 grown on fructose at 17 and 28 °C than when grown on biphenyl at 28 °C. Similar amounts of TeCB accumulated in bacteria grown on biphenyl at 28 °C as compared with those grown on fructose at 37 °C. These results suggest the alterations in fatty acid composition and membrane fluidity of R eutropha H850 may affect the accumulation of TeCB. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

气液液微分散萃取强化低浓度稀土离子富集回收

我国稀土矿产资源分布广泛,种类丰富齐全。但稀土开采过程中的酸沉、浸出等流程会产生大量富含低浓度稀土离子等污染物的废水,该部分废水若排放进入地下水体或河流,会对生态环境和人民的身体健康造成严重的影响。萃取技术在稀土离子分离领域应用广泛,然而传统的萃取技术和设备若在大相比下操作将存在萃取剂耗量大、溶剂夹带损失严重、萃取效率低、易乳化等弊端。气液液微分散技术近年来成为微流控、微化工、微分析等领域的重要研究内容。其应用于萃取过程具有传质速度快、分相时间短的独特优势。本文介绍了气液液微分散萃取技术在低浓度稀土离子富集回收领域的研究进展,具体包括气液液微分散体系的微流控制备方法和调控规律、多相微分散体系的流型、气液液微分散萃取技术在低浓度稀土离子萃取回收领域的应用及其过程放大研究。已有的研究结果表明气液液微分散萃取技术在低浓度稀土离子富集回收领域展现出了独特的优势,有望解决稀土浸矿尾液处理的难题。本文主要针对以上几个方面的研究进展进行综述,并对其未来的发展方向进行了展望。     

Preparation and properties of novel fluorinated polyimides based on 2,2′,6,6′-tetrafluorobenzidine

Fluorinated polyimides were prepared from 2,2′,6,6′-tetrafluorobenzidine and four conventional dianhydride monomers by a solution polycondensation reaction followed by a chemical imidization. Polyimide based on 2,2′,6,6′-tetrafluorobenzidine and hexafluoroisopropylidene bis(3,4-phthalic anhydride) (6FDA) is soluble in organic solvents such as NMP, DMA, DMF, THF, chloroform, and acetone while those based on 2,2′,6,6′-tetrafluorobenzidine and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), benzophenone-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA), diphenylether-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (ETDA) are not. Polyimide from 2,2′,6,6′-tetrafluorobenzidine and 6FDA possesses high optical transparency at 350–700 nm and has a in-plane refractive index of 1.558 at 632.8 nm. All polyimides exhibit glass transition temperatures above 350°C. They also possess very high thermal stability. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 1605–1609, 1998     

Electropolymerization of hydrogen bond supramolecular associations between terthiophene‐3‐acetic acid and 4,4′‐bipyridine

Supramolecular assemblies based on 4,4′‐bipyridine as hydrogen acceptor and a terthiophene carboxylic acid (3‐TTAA) as hydrogen donor were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and DSC. Their electropolymerization was successful in methylene chloride or acetonitrile. The concept of using such supramolecular assemblies in electropolymerization opens the way to the facile synthesis of new π‐conjugated polymers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

离子液体在稀土萃取分离中的应用

稀土元素萃取分离是获得高纯单一稀土的关键步骤之一,开发对稀土元素具有高效分离能力的新材料和新过程是全球科技工作者研究的热点。离子液体作为一类代表性的新材料,因具有不挥发、不易燃、稳定性好、结构性质可调等独特的物理化学性质,近年来在稀土元素萃取分离领域的应用受到广泛关注。在稀土元素萃取分离过程中,离子液体不仅可用作萃取剂,也可作为稀释剂、协萃剂或同时作为萃取剂和稀释剂。系统评述了离子液体在稀土元素萃取分离中的研究进展,对非功能化离子液体和功能化离子液体在稀土元素萃取分离中的萃取行为和萃取机理进行了分析。同时,对该领域的发展所面临的主要问题和进一步的研究工作进行了探讨。     

Crystallography and Structure–Property Relationships of 2,2″,4,4′,4″,6,6′,6″‐Octanitro‐1,1′ : 3′,1″‐Terphenyl (ONT)

An X‐ray crystallographic study of 2,2″,4,4′,4″,6,6′,6″‐octanitro‐1,1′ : 3′,1″‐terphenyl (ONT) has been carried out. The dihedral angles between benzene rings vary from 84.9° to 89.4°. Nonbinding interatomic distances of oxygen atoms inside all the nitro groups are shorter than the intermolecular contact radii for oxygen. On the basis of the DFT B3LYP/6‐31(d, p) method it was found that the difference between the X‐ray structure in the solid phase and DFT result for the gas phase is 98 kJ mol⁻¹, and the bearer of the highest initiation reactivity of the ONT molecule in the solid phase should be the nitro group at 4″‐position, in contrast to those at 4′‐ or 6′‐position that play this role in the isolated molecule. It has been stated that the nitro groups at the reaction centers of the ONT molecule are relatively well specified by their ¹⁵N NMR chemical shifts.     

Application of ionic liquid in extraction and separation of rare earth

The extraction and separation of rare earth elements is one of the key steps to obtain high-purity single rare earths. The development of new materials and new processes with high-efficiency separation capabilities for rare earth elements is a hot spot for scientific and technological workers worldwide. As a representative new material, ionic liquid has unique physical and chemical properties such as non-volatile, non-flammable, good stability, and adjustable structural properties. In recent years, its application in the field of rare earth element extraction and separation has received extensive attention.This paper provides a systematical review of the publications in recent years reporting the application of ILs in extraction and separation of rare earth (RE) that is essential to obtain high-purity RE products. The ILs-based extraction and separation by use of non-functional and/or functional ILs were here reviewed and discussed in terms of extraction/stripping behaviors, separation performance and mechanisms. The challenges and future directions for the development and application of ILs-based extraction on RE separation were discussed finally.     

Extraction Equilibria of Trimellitic and [ 1,1′-Biphenyl]-2,2′-dicarboxylic Acid with 1-Octanol, 50%TBP,and 10%TRPO in Kerosene

To explore the feasibility of extracting aromatic acid products from oxidizing coal, two aromatic acids, trimellitic and [1,1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid, were selected as the solutes, and the extraction equilibrium of the acids were studied with 1-octanol, 50% tributyl phosphate （TBP） in kerosene, and 10% trialkylphosphine oxide （TRPO） in kerosene. The results showed that the degree of extraction of [1,1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid was larger than that of trimellitic acid for all of the solvent, and the extraction capacity with TRPO is more effective than the one with TBP. The extraction behavior of aromatic polyacid is different from that of carboxylic acid, and the reactive extraction function of aromatic acids with TBP and TRPO is not as effective as that of carboxylic acid. 1-octanol could be used to remove [1,1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid from the mixture of trimellitic acid and [1,1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid. Because the weak hydrogen bond association exists between -OH in 1-octanol and -COOH in aromatic acid, the extractive selectivity of [ 1, 1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-dicarboxylic to trimellitic acid depends on the stoichiometric ratio.     

Aerobic oxidative radical coupling catalyzed by TEMPO for the preparation of 2,2′‐dibenzothiazole disulfide

BACKGROUND: 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide is widely used as a vulcanization accelerator in rubber production and as an intermediate in the drug industry. Its current industrial process, the oxidation of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole by sodium nitrite in acidic solution, produces large quantities of liquid waste water. A novel and green synthetic method was developed, which used dioxygen as the oxidant and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) as the catalyst without any metallic compounds. RESULTS: The conditions, including temperature, solvents, amount of catalyst, dioxygen pressure and time, were optimized. Thus 94% yield of 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide was obtained at 60 °C in acetonitrile under 0.2 MPa oxygen pressure for 3 h. Theoretical calculations and UV spectra showed that hydrogen‐transfer reaction between 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole and TEMPO was the key step, and 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide was generated by the coupling of the formed thiyl radical of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole. CONCLUSION: 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide was prepared efficiently by aerobic oxidative coupling of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole with TEMPO as the catalyst. This ‘environmentally friendly’ approach with easy handling, mild reaction conditions and simple separation represents a viable means of producing 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A fluorescent chemosensor based on optically active 2,2′‐binaphtho‐20‐crown‐6 for metal ions

A chiral conjugated polymer can be obtained by the polymerization of (S)‐6,6′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐binaphtho‐20‐crown‐6 and 1,4‐divinyl‐2,5‐dibutoxybenzene via a palladium‐catalyzed Heck cross‐coupling reaction. The chiral conjugated polymer shows strong green‐blue fluorescence. The responsive properties of the chiral polymer to metal ions were investigated using fluorescence and UV‐visible absorption spectra. K⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ba²⁺ enhance the fluorescence of the polymer; in contrast, Hg²⁺ causes effective quenching of the fluorescence of the polymer. The obvious influences on the fluorescence indicate that the 2,2′‐binaphtho‐20‐crown‐6 moiety plays an important role in fluorescence recognition for Hg²⁺ due to the effective photo‐induced electron transfer or charge transfer between the conjugated polymer backbone and the receptor ions. The responsive properties of the polymer to metal ions show that the chiral conjugated polymer incorporating 2,2′‐binaphtho‐20‐crown‐6 moieties in the main‐chain backbone as recognition sites can act as an excellent fluorescent probe for the sensitive detection of Hg²⁺. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study on syntheses and properties of 2,2′‐mercaptoethylsulfide dimethacrylate transparent homo‐ and copolymer resins having high refractive index

2,2′‐Mercaptoethylsulfide dimethacrylate (MESDMA) was synthesized from 2,2′‐mercaptoethylsulfide (MES) by a Phase‐Transfer Catalysis technique and, was characterized and corroborated by ¹H‐NMR and FTIR spectra. Except for the poor impact strength, the MESDMA homopolymer resin shows better comprehensive properties, such as a higher refractive index (1.625), lower dispersion (Abbe's number 36), and good heat‐resistance (T_g 150°C) and surface hardness (3H), etc. Copolymerizing with styrene (St) can modify most of the properties of the resin. The refractive index, Abbe's number, onset wavelength, density, water‐absorption ratio, and absorption intensity of peaks in NIR region, etc. all display a regular change along with the proportion of MESDMA/St. The main absorption peaks in NIR region are assigned as follows: 1680 (first overtone) and 1144 nm (second overtone) to the phenyl C—H vibration of polystyrene; 1694 nm (first overtone) to ν(CH₃); 1730 and 1750 nm (first overtone) to ν(CH₂) for ordinary CH₂ and for CH₂ connected with S or COS groups, respectively; and 1186 nm (second overtone) to aliphatic C—H vibration. The prominent advantage achieved by copolymerization is that the impact strength can be improved as much as 10‐fold at a proper composition of the monomers (75% St). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1474–1479, 2000     

Effect of carboxylic acids on 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide‐ and tetramethylthiuram disulfide‐accelerated sulfur vulcanization. II. Vulcanization of polyisoprene in the absence of ZnO

Polyisoprene was vulcanized by 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide (MBTS)/sulfur and tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)/sulfur in the absence and presence of benzoic and stearic acids. It was found that the crosslink density of MBTS vulcanizates is halved by the addition of carboxylic acids and this can be explained in terms of the attack of the acids on the accelerator polysulfides. TMTD polysulfides are more reactive toward polyisoprene than are MBTS polysulfides, and their addition to the polymer chain occurs before significant attack by the carboxylic acids can reduce the polysulfide concentration. Consequently, the acids have little effect on the crosslink density of TMTD vulcanizates. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1007–1012, 1999