Molecular weight, lead oxides

Other methods of molecular weight reduction include pentosanase treatment or formation of low-molecular-weight acetals. Oxidative cleavage of hemicellulose also could lead to reduced molecular weight. 

Oxidation, which can occur by autoxidation or photo-oxidation (initiation by light), is a complex chain reaction. The initial step of oxidation is the formation of hydroperoxides. This initial step is followed by secondary reactions in which species, such as aldehydes, acids, alcohols and hydrocarbons, are formed. Since it is a mechanism based on the formation of radicals, dimerization of some intermediates can occur, leading to formation of higher molecular weight products. Oxidative polymerization can also occur. In addition to these mechanisms, fuel deterioration can also occur hydrolytically through the presence of water. A detailed book on oxidation has been published by Frankel (2005). 

The enzymatic reaction kinetics on the HRP-catalyzed oxidation of p-cresol in aqueous 1,4-dioxane or methanol showed that the cataljdic turnover niunber and Michaelis constant were larger than those in water (235). Numerical and Monte Carlo simulations of the peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of phenols were demonstrated (236). The simulations predicted the monomer reactivity and polymer molecular weight, leading to synthesis of polymers with specific molecular weight and index. In an aqueous 1,4-dioxane, the formation of monomer aggregate was observed (237), which might elucidate the specific polymerization behaviors in such a medium. 

Furfural reacts with ketones to form strong, crosslinked resins of technical interest in the former Soviet Union the U.S. Air Force has also shown some interest (42,43). The so-called furfurylidene acetone monomer, a mixture of 2-furfurylidene methyl ketone [623-15-4] (1 )> bis-(2-furfurylidene) ketone [886-77-1] (14), mesityl oxide, and other oligomers, is obtained by condensation of furfural and acetone under basic conditions (44,45). Treatment of the "monomer" with an acidic catalyst leads initially to polymer of low molecular weight and ultimately to cross-linked, black, insoluble, heat-resistant resin (46). 

Stability. Diesel fuel can undergo unwanted oxidation reactions leading to insoluble gums and also to highly colored by-products. Discoloration is beheved to be caused by oxidation of pyrroles, phenols, and thiophenols to form quiaoid stmctures (75). Eventually, these colored bodies may increase in molecular weight to form insoluble sludge. 

Commercially, pure ozonides generally are not isolated or handled because of the explosive nature of lower molecular weight species. Ozonides can be hydrolyzed or reduced (eg, by Zn/CH COOH) to aldehydes and/or ketones. Hydrolysis of the cycHc bisperoxide (8) gives similar products. Catalytic (Pt/excess H2) or hydride (eg, LiAlH reduction of (7) provides alcohols. Oxidation (O2, H2O2, peracids) leads to ketones and/or carboxyUc acids. Ozonides also can be catalyticaHy converted to amines by NH and H2. Reaction with an alcohol and anhydrous HCl gives carboxyUc esters. 

Oxidation. AH polyamides are susceptible to oxidation. This involves the initial formation of a free radical on the carbon alpha to the NH group, which reacts to form a peroxy radical with subsequent chain reactions leading to chain scission and yellowing. As soon as molten nylon is exposed to air it starts to discolor and continues to oxidize until it is cooled to below 60°C. It is important, therefore, to minimize the exposure of hot nylon to air to avoid discoloration or loss of molecular weight. Similarly, nylon parts exposed to high temperature in air lose their properties with time as a result of oxidation. This process can be minimized by using material containing stabilizer additives. 

For a long time, lead(IV) oxide, Pb02, was the most widely used oxidizing agent for the high molecular weight Hquid polysulftdes (mol wt > 2500). 

Polymers with much higher average molecular weights, from 90,000 to 4 x 10 , are formed by a process of coordinate anionic polymerization (43—45). The patent Hterature describes numerous organometaUic compounds, aLkaline-earth compounds, and mixtures as polymerization catalysts. Iron oxides that accumulate in ethylene oxide storage vessels also catalyze polymerization. This leads to the formation of nonvolatile residue (NVR) no inhibitor has been found (46). 

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