Kinetics of the Polymerization of Styrene by Friedel–Crafts Catalysts
ALTHOUGH the mechanisms and kinetics of the free-radical catalysed polymerization of styrene have been fairly extensively investigated1,2, the polymerization employing Friedel Crafts catalysts has received much less attention. Williams3 has investigated the stannic chloride catalysed polymerization of styrene in carbon tetrachloride solution and shown that the overall rate of monomer consumption can be represented by the expression: where m is initial styrene concentration, x is styrene consumed in time t, b is initial catalyst concentration. He has also shown that induction periods are present. We are studying the aluminium chloride catalysed polymerization of styrene in carbon tetrachloride solution from a kinetic point of view, and it is proposed to summarize here the principal conclusions reached to date.
Lewis acid controlled regioselectivity in styrene hydrocyanation.
According to present knowledge, the Ni-catalyzed hydrocyanation of styrene leads predominantly to the branched product 2-phenylpropionitrile (98 %). We observed a dramatic inversion of the regioselectivity upon addition of a Lewis acid. Up to 83 % of the linear product 3-phenylpropionitrile was obtained by applying phosphite ligands in the presence of AlCl(3). The mechanism of the Ni-catalyzed reaction and the influence of additional Lewis acids have been investigated by means of deuterium labeling experiments, NMR studies, and DFT calculations. Furthermore, the behavior of different Lewis acids, such as CuCN, could be rationalized and predicted by DFT calculations.
APPLICATION OF SATELLITE PHOTOGRAPHS IN A MORPHOTECTONIC STUDY OF THE CENTRAL ALBORZ, IRAN
This paper introduces a study of morphotectoni c structure in the Central Alborz Basin, Mazandaran province of Iran (about 1200 square kilometer), using Russian KFA-1000 satellite photography and sequential air photographs. The KFA-1000 metric camera has better ground resolution than SPOT and LANDSAT for the whole of the study area. Results are provided from one pair of 30×30 cm. photos, which provided easy interpretation and better results than other data. Areas identified from these images as being of significance were examined in greater detail through the use of aerial photographs (at scales of 1:5000, 1:10000 and 1:60000 were available).