Transesterification of cyclic carbonates with methanol at ambient conditions over tungstate-based solid catalysts

Dimethyl carbonate synthesis with 80 mol% yield is achieved through transesterification of ethylene carbonate with methanol at ambient conditions (RT and atmospheric pressure) using alkali and alkaline-earth tungstates as solid catalysts. The catalysts are efficient even at the sub-ambient temperatures. Reactions under CO2 pressure indicate that CO2 atmosphere retards the transesterification reaction completely below 100 °C. Experimental conditions of 150 °C and 3.4 MPa CO2 pressure are required to obtain maximum DMC yield of 71 mol%. Synthesis of DMC by one-pot synthesis using epoxide, CO2 and methanol is not as effective as that by two-step method with the present catalyst system. Raman and IR spectra of methanol-interacting tungstates indicate the formation of a methoxide ion species adsorbed at the catalyst surface as one possible reaction intermediates

Compósitos de matriz poliéster reforçados por fibras curtas de sisal Tensile properties of unsaturated Polyester composites reinforced by short sisal fibers

As propriedades tênseis de compósitos de matriz poliéster, reforçados por fibras curtas de sisal foram determinadas em função do comprimento, teor e orientação das fibras. Os resultados mostram que, para os compósitos investigados, a resistência à tração aumentou com o comprimento das fibras (5 &#150; 45 mm), atingiu um plateau (45 &#150; 55 mm) e então decresceu (55 &#150; 75 mm) enquanto os valores de módulo e de alongamento na ruptura não dependiam do comprimento das fibras. A resistência à tração dos compósitos aumentou com o teor de fibras até 50% em peso e, a partir daí, tendeu a decrescer. A resistência à tração de compósitos reforçados por fibras orientadas e testados longitudinalmente ao reforço foi 10 vezes maior do que a sua resistência transversal e 3 vezes maior do que a resistência de compósitos reforçados por fibras dispostas ao acaso.<br>The tensile properties of short sisal fibre reinforced polyester composites as a function of fibre length, content and orientation were evaluated. The tensile strength of the composites increased with fibre lengths (5-45 mm), leveled off (45-55mm) and then decreased (55-75mm). Modulus and elongation at break of the composites were insensitive to fibre length. The tensile strength of the composites increased with fibre contents up to 50% and then showed a decreasing trend. The longitudinal tensile strength of oriented composites was 10 times higher than its transverse strength and 3 times higher than those of randomly oriented composites