Perester initiators, decomposition rates

The third patent is more orientated towards all the methods of syntheses of functional peresters [82] and we can notice the great decomposition-rates of these initiators since at 30 °C, the half life period is close to one hour [83], Futhermore, the authors observed that this decomposition-rate increases when the monomer mixture is added. 

First, we moition the prqmration and use of the functional diazoic initiators, functional peresters, hydrogen peroxide, hybrid initiators (whidi contain two kinds of labile groups) and macromolecular polyinitiators. Then, new initi ors disubstituted (t aphenyl ethanes or thiurams functional or not) which are real precursms of living tdigomos are described. In each case, the Idnetical data (decomposition rate constants and efficiency) ate provided... 

Acrylic esters and unsaturated polyesters are commercially cured with peroxides or peresters. The choice of per compound is determined on the basis of price, the achievable polymerization rate, and the side products formed. The polymerization rate is determined by the decomposition rate of the initiator, when mixed with the material to be cured, as well as on the free radical yield. In addition, attention should be paid to the fact that many per compounds decompose slowly during storage, thus reducing the polymerization activity per unit initiator mass. For this reason, crystalline per compounds are more stable because of the lower diffusion than amorphous or dissolved per compounds. Side products of initiator compounds can have an unfavorable effect on the long-term thermoset properties dibenzoyl peroxide, for example, forms acids dicumyl peroxide forms ketones. Acids can hydrolyze the ester bonds of polyester chains, causing scission, and ketones can... 

The rates of radical-forming thermal decomposition of four families of free radical initiators can be predicted from a sum of transition state and reactant state effects. The four families of initiators are trarw-symmetric bisalkyl diazenes,trans-phenyl, alkyl diazenes, peresters and hydrocarbons (carbon-carbon bond homolysis). Transition state effects are calculated by the HMD pi- delocalization energies of the alkyl radicals formed in the reactions. Reactant state effects are estimated from standard steric parameters. For each family of initiators, linear energy relationships have been created for calculating the rates at which members of the family decompose at given temperatures. These numerical relationships should be useful for predicting rates of decomposition for potential new initiators for the free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers under extraordinary conditions. 

Predictive equations for the rates of decomposition of four families of free radical initiators are established in this research. The four initiator families, each treated separately, are irons-symmetric bisalkyl diazenes (reaction 1), trans-phenyl, alkyl diazenes (reaction 2), tert-butyl peresters (reaction 3) and hydrocarbons (reaction 4). The probable rate determining steps of these reactions are given below. For the decomposition of peresters, R is chosen so that the concerted mechanism of decomposition operates for all the members of the family (see below)... 

Three different mechanisms of perester homolytic decay are known [3,4] splitting of the weakest O—O bond with the formation of alkoxyl and acyloxyl radicals, concerted fragmentation with simultaneous splitting of O—O and C—C(O) bonds [3,4], and some ortho-substituted benzoyl peresters are decomposed by the mechanism of decomposition with anchimeric assistance [3,4]. The rate constants of perester decomposition and values of e = k l2kd are collected in the Handbook of Radical Initiators [4]. The yield of cage reaction products increases with increasing viscosity of the solvent. 

The higher the viscosity of the solvent, the higher the amount of the parent molecules formed due to the geminate recombination of radicals. The observed rate constant of decomposition of the initiator decreases with an increase in viscosity [3,90], This was observed in the decomposition of peresters and diacetyl peroxide in various solutions. Subsequently, the fraction fT of the radical pairs recombining to the parent molecule increases with an increase in the viscosity ... 

Several investigations have been concerned with the effect of solvent upon the rate of perester decomposition. These data also shed some light on the importance of the ionic structure (II) in the transition state. Some data on the effect of solvent may be obtained from previous tables. For the decomposition of peresters where R is a primary alkyl group in RCO3C4H9-/ and one-bond homolysis is the mechanism of choice, changes in solvent polarity have little effect on the rate of decomposition. The rate coefficients for the decomposition of r-butyl percaprate at 110 °C in chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene and diphenyl ether are 8.30 x 10 , 6.58 x 10" and 6.39 X 10" sec"S respectively" . The rates are also independent of initial concentration of the peroxide this may indicate that induced decomposition is unimportant cf. sub-section 13.4.1). 

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