Chain Propagation Research Articles

Ethylene Polymerization over Supported Vanadium-Magnesium Catalysts with Different Vanadium Content: The Effect of Hydrogen on Molecular Weight Characteristics of the Produced Bimodal Polyethylene

Data are presented on the activity of supported vanadium-magnesium catalysts (VMCs) with different vanadium content in ethylene polymerization and the molecular weight characteristics of the produced polyethylene. The VC1 catalyst, with a very low vanadium content (0.12 wt.%), showed a sixfold higher activity per unit weight of vanadium than the VC2 catalyst with a high-vanadium content (4.0 wt.%). Additionally, the total activity of VC2 (kg PE/g cat·h) was fivefold higher when compared to VC1. The introduction of hydrogen in polymerization leads to a considerable decrease in the activity of both catalysts. The polyethylene obtained in the presence of hydrogen over both catalysts has a broad bimodal molecular weight distribution (MWD) with a distinct shoulder in the high-molecular region (Mw ≥ 106 g/mol). Decomposition of the MWD curves of bimodal polyethylene into two fractions (high- and low-molecular fractions) made it possible to determine for the first time the ratio of the reaction rate constants of chain transfer with hydrogen (KtrH) and polymer chain propagation (Kp) for two groups of the VMC active sites producing low- and high-molecular fractions of bimodal polyethylene.

BODIPY Photocatalyzed Beckmann Rearrangement and Hydrolysis of Oximes under Visible Light.

A novel, efficient, and mild protocol for rearrangement of oximes to amides or hydrolyzing to ketone/aldehyde using a simple BODIPY dye as a photocatalyst and air as an oxidant via propagation reaction under visible-light irradiation is reported. The triplet excited state of BODIPY played a significant role in the catalytic process. It was found that the various substituted ketoximes, both with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents, afforded the corresponding products with moderate to excellent yields, and the catalytic efficiency was up to 0.01 mol %.

The water assisted vinylene mechanism for cobalt Fischer-Tropsch synthesis assessed by multi-catalyst modelling of kinetics and deactivation

The paper describes development of a mechanism and a consistent rate expression for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis over cobalt-based catalysts. The developed mechanism relies on a two-step hydrogen assisted activation of CO. The carbon atom of CO is first hydrogenated by surface hydrogen to formyl; followed by the rate-limiting step whereby the oxygen atom is hydrogenated by adsorbed water. The produced CH* monomer is incorporated into the growing chain giving vinylene intermediate. The vinylene intermediate is either terminated to an olefin by adding hydrogen to the α-carbon atom or propagates by adding hydrogen to the β-carbon position. The resulting expression for CO consumption, the Fischer-Tropsch rate, can respond positively or negatively to the partial pressure of water, in agreement with experimental observations. A special feature is that the chain propagation probability does not depend on the partial pressure of hydrogen. The resulting kinetic model is tested on several cobalt catalysts supported on alumina; spanning from γ-alumina with average pore sizes ranging from 6.1 to 18.3 nm to α-alumina with a wide pore structure; and with cobalt particle sizes from 8 to 19 nm. Water was added sequentially to the syngas feed, causing enhanced deactivation, for testing the water response on activity and selectivity. A deactivation model comprising sintering and cobalt oxidation, and the FT-kinetics, describe the observed CO conversions with great precision for all catalysts. Selectivities are also well described, but with slight deviations at least partly due the effect of deactivation. Trends in some of the kinetic parameters are rationalized in terms of cobalt crystallite and pore sizes.

Nascent Decomposition Pathways of CH4 Pyrolysis in Gas-Phase Metal Halides.

We have performed a combined quantum mechanical and microkinetic modeling study to understand the nascent decomposition pathways of methane pyrolysis, catalyzed by gas-phase ZnCl2, in a constant pressure batch reactor at 1273 K. We find that ZnCl2 catalyzes methane pyrolysis with an apparent activation energy of 227 kJ/mol. We have also performed sensitivity analysis on a reaction network comprising initiation, termination, and primary propagation reactions. The results suggest that the whole reaction network can be simplified to four reactions, which contributes to the initial rate of methane decomposition. Based on these insights, we have also explored the catalyzing effects of gas-phase AlCl3, CoCl2, CuCl2, FeCl2, and NiCl2 for methane decomposition. Our calculations suggest that gas-phase CuCl2 and NiCl2 are the most active catalysts among the metal halides studied in this work.

Mathematical modeling and parameter estimation for 1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate photopolymerization with bifunctional initiator

A dynamic model is proposed for photopolymerization of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) using bifunctional initiator bis-acylphosphine oxide (BAPO). The proposed model accounts for branching, backbiting and cyclization reactions, and for diffusion-dependent reaction rates during photopolymerization. The proposed model contains 40 adjustable kinetic and free-volume parameters. Experimental data available for parameter estimation are vinyl group conversions obtained using a variety of light intensities and exposure times, and monomer conversions for three experiments. Systematic parameter ranking and estimation is used to evaluate the influence of phenomena included in the model on the quality of the fit. Estimation and ranking results indicate that branching, backbiting, and cyclization reactions have important influences on conversion. Reactions involving two large molecules and propagation reactions become diffusion-dependent. Incorporating diffusion-dependent initiator efficiency results in improved model predictions.

DEM analysis of micromechanics and buffering capacity of superquadric mixture granular materials under impact load

As one of the most common geological disasters, rockfalls seriously threaten the safety of linear projects such as roads, railways, and oil and natural gas pipelines. The rigid protective structures that are used for disaster reduction are easily damaged by the impact of rockfalls, which affects the service life of structures. Consequently, the buffer layer has been introduced to resolve this problem. In this work, numerical simulations were carried out by the discrete element method to study the interaction between falling rocks and the granular medium of a soil cushion layer that is installed on a rigid structure. The falling rock is modeled as a single sphere and the soil cushion layer is modeled as a component composed of a collection under the action of gravity, where the filled particles of the soil cushion layer are based on superquadric spheres generated by the superquadric surface equation. This paper uses three shapes (i.e., spheres, cubes, and cylinders) to mix and match as the soil cushion layer. The buffer performance of different mixed material buffer layers is investigated by analyzing the pressure of the bottom plate. The force chain propagation process is investigated by analyzing the comparison of the force chains of the soil cushion layers with different thickness and different filling particles after being impacted. The energy propagation process was studied by analyzing the evolution of the kinetic energy of the particles after the impact of the soil cushion layer.

Teaching redundant residue number system for electronics and computer students

This paper describes a study for teaching number system in a computer arithmetic course and addresses the existing gap in the current course by focusing on the characteristics of applications. A redundant residue number system (RRNS) is an efficient and innovative number system that inherits the interesting properties of both residue number system (RNS) and redundant number systems. It breaks the operands into residues by considering a moduli-set and then signifies the residues by a redundant representation. So, by limiting the carry propagation chain inside and outside the moduli, RRNS proposes more efficient arithmetic units which could be employed in digital signal processing (DSP) applications. Despite the applicability of RRNS, there is not well-organized teaching on RRNS covering the recent achievements. Besides, there is an important question for students and researchers what is the most appropriate number representation for each application category? In this paper, we present a step-by-step education process for RRNS that includes basic concepts of RNS and the redundant number system. Then we address characteristics of different applications that RRNS is suitable to be employed for them. So, the method gives a well-organized proceeding to computer arithmetic designers and students.

The in situ synthesis of weakly entangled ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/polyethylene wax blends and its synergetic disentanglement effect on LLDPE reinforcement

AbstractHigh‐performance ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (PE) mixture additives were proven to be effective for enhancing commercial high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) resins, which were synthesized by the complicated dual‐site immobilized catalyst system. In this paper, PE wax components were preadded in the polymerization reactor for in situ synthesizing the UHMWPE/PE wax binary blends with just a single SiO2/MgCl2 supported Z–N catalyst modified by the active site isolators. The influence of PE wax addition on the catalytic activity, molecular weight, thermodynamic property, particle size, and entanglement density was systematically researched. It was evidenced that the catalytic activity and molecular weight exhibit a linear relationship with the ethylene solubility caused by the PE wax addition. Besides, the competition between chain propagation/crystallization balance and PE wax long chains entanglement effect arising from the PE wax addition leads to the minimum entanglement density (GNt = 0.59) of UHPE‐20%. The disbalance of chain propagation rate and chain crystallization rate can be broken by PE particle fragmentation, inducing rapidly increased entanglements. Furthermore, with the synergistic disentanglement influence of reduced entanglements for UHMWPE and the chain diffusion ability for PE wax, the LU‐30 sample with a mixture of UHPE‐30% and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) exhibits the optimum strength/stiffness/toughness properties. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and impact strength of LU‐30 reach 18.2 MPa (+4%), 172.1 MPa (+53.8%), 60.5 kJ/m2 (+13.1%), respectively, compared with those of pure LLDPE. The overall enhanced mechanical properties are attributed to the intensive signal intensity and tightly stacked form of shish‐kebab structures, which were verified by the two‐dimensional small angle X‐ray scattering and two‐dimensional wide angle X‐ray diffraction patterns. In addition, the in situ polymerization method of UHMWPE/PE wax with SiO2/MgCl2 supported Z–N catalysts exhibits a great probability of efficient utilization of low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene by‐products (PE wax).

Progress toward Polymerization Reaction Monitoring with Different Dienes: How Small Amounts of Dienes Affect ansa-Zirconocenes/Borate/Triisobutylaluminium Catalyst Systems.

The objectives of this work were to address the fundamental characteristics of ansa-zirconocene catalyzed E/diene copolymerization and E/diene/1-hexene and E/diene/propylene terpolymerizations, and the quantitative relationship between diene structure and polymer chain propagation rate constant in term of quantifiable catalytic active sites. One of the most important but unknown factors in olefins ansa-zirconocene complexes is the distribution of the catalyst between sites actively participating in polymer chain formation and dormant sites. A set of ethylene/dienes copolymerizations, and ethylene/dienes/1-hexene and ethylene/dienes/1-hexene terpolymerizations catalyzed with ansa-zirconocenes/borate/triisobutylaluminium (rac-Et(Ind)2ZrCl2/[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]/triisobutylaluminium (TIBA) were performed in toluene at 50 °C To determine the active center [C*]/[Zr] ratio variation in the copolymerization of E with different dienes and their terpolymerization with 1-hexene and propylene, each polymer propagation chain ends were quenched with 2-thiophenecarbonyl, which selectively quenches the metal–polymer bonds through acyl chloride. The ethylene, propylene, 1-hexene, and diene composition-based propagation rate constants (kpE, kpP, kp1-H, and kpdiene), thermal (melting and crystalline) properties, composition (mol% of ethylene, propylene, 1-hexene, and diene), molecular weight, and polydispersity were also studied in this work. Systematic comparisons of the proportion of catalytically [Zr]/[C*] active sites and polymerization rate constant (kp) for ansa-zirconocenes catalyzed E/diene, E/diene/1-hexene, and E/diene/propylene polymerization have not been reported before. We evaluated the addition of 1-hexene and propylene as termonomers in the copolymerization with E/diene. To make a comparison for each diene under identical conditions, we started the polymerization by introducing an 80/20 mole ratio of E/P and 0.12 mol/L of 1-hexene in the system. The catalyst behavior against different dienes, 1-hexene, and propylene is very interesting, including changes in thermal properties, cyclization of 1-hexene, and decreased incorporation of isoprene and butadiene, changes in the diffusion barriers in the system, and its effect on kp.

Unified modelling framework of flowslide triggering and runout

Hydro-mechanical forcing, including sediment deposition, seismic loading, rainfall events and phreatic level rise, can alter the pore water pressure regime and trigger ground failure. In loose sands, such phenomena can manifest with rapid downslope movements displaying signatures of liquefaction and commonly referred to as ‘flowslides’. These can have catastrophic outcomes, yet the use of constitutive models for soils able to quantify the likelihood of liquefaction is usually restricted to triggering analyses, while the quantification of runout distance and velocity tends to be conducted through computationally expensive models based on rheological laws for fluids. To enable a seamless transition from the triggering to the runout stage, in this paper, a spatially condensed modelling framework of low computational cost is proposed, which allows for straightforward use of soil constitutive models in the analysis of the entire life cycle of a flowslide. The proposed framework couples the dynamic motion of a landslide mass with the pore fluid transients taking place within a pre-defined liquefiable zone. The constitutive law modulates the feedback between pore fluid diffusion and landslide movement, encompassing elastoplastic and viscoplastic soil models within the same formulation. Simulations show that partial drainage in the liquefiable zone has considerable effects on the triggering stresses initiating a flowslide. Specifically, the results imply that liquefaction risks are sharply suppressed when the ratio between the characteristic times of loading and pore pressure diffusion falls above a critical threshold influenced by the inelastic deformation response of the soil. Furthermore, it is shown that all the dynamics of flowslide propagation are dominated by the ratio between the characteristic timescales related to fluid consolidation, wave propagation and soil reaction time (i.e. soil viscosity). Although viscosity is not necessary to carry out propagation analyses, ignoring it leads to unrealistic estimates of peak velocity and runout distance. As a result, the model predicts that sand viscosity reflecting the emergence of a microscopic inertial regime is required to explain the flowslide propagation characteristics reported in the literature.

Neutral Phosphine-Sulfonate Pd Complex-Catalyzed Copolymerization of 2-Methoxystyrene and Ethylene Polar Monomers: A DFT Mechanistic Study

The density functional theory (DFT) method was employed to investigate the nature of the copolymerization reaction of ethylene monomers and 2-methoxystyrene catalyzed by a palladium phosphine-sulfonate complex. The calculated results indicate that (1) the ethylene molecules prefer to coordinate with neutral phosphine-sulfonate Pd catalyst along the Pd–P side to generate an intermediate owning a cis-configuration, which indicate that the chain transfer proceeds from cis-3 but not trans-5. (2) Subsequently, the insertion of polar monomers in the chain propagation is easier than that of the ethylene monomer and adopts the 2,1 insertion pathway; meanwhile, the R-configuration pathway is more favorable than the S-configuration pathway in stage II. (3) After the polar monomer insertion, the β-H elimination pathway is easier than the ethylene insertion, which makes polar monomer insertion into the in-chain easier. This work revealed the mechanism of the copolymerization reaction of ethylene and 2-methoxystyrene catalyzed by a palladium phosphine-sulfonate complex, which could provide theoretical insights into the development of new transition-metal complexes for the copolymerization reaction.

Model for polymerization and self-deactivation in two-photon nanolithography.

A mathematical model is developed to describe the photochemical processes in two-photon nanolithography, including two-step absorption leading to initiation and self-deactivation of the photoinitiator by laser irradiance, polymer chain propagation, termination, inhibition, and inhibitor and photoinitiator diffusion. This model is solved numerically to obtain the concentrations of the reaction species as a function of time and space as a laser beam is scanned through a volume of photoresist, from which a voxel size or linewidth is determined. The most impactful process parameters are determined by fitting the model to experimentally measured linewidths for a range of laser powers and scanning speeds, while also obtaining effective nonlinearities that are similar to previously measured values. The effects and sensitivities of the different process parameters are examined. It is shown that the photopolymerization process is dominated by diffusion of photoinitiators and oxygen inhibitors, and that self-deactivation can lead to higher effective nonlinearities in two-photon nanolithography.

De novo multiscale method for nonequilibrium molecular dynamics

In this work, we report a de novo multiscale method that can significantly reduce the number of atoms required to simulate an atomistic system for nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) problems. In our approach, first, we form a dynamical matrix that breaks an atomistic system into real and virtual domains, so as real and virtual atoms, Then, the dynamical matrix corresponding to the virtual domain is transformed into the time-history kernel function (THKF), where all the dynamic behavior is just the output of the kernel function taking the behavior of the bonded real atoms as the input so that the virtual atoms no longer need to participate in the simulation. In the practical approach, the real atoms are kept for typical NEMD ensembles, such as thermal states, to retrieve physical properties, while the virtual atoms not bonded with real atoms can be neglected, or even removed. Furthermore, with our semi-analytical approach, the THKF can be derived from eigenvalue and eigenvectors on the dynamical matrix of the virtual domain in arbitrary geometries. To examine whether the dynamic behavior is properly reserved, we first introduce 1-D wave propagation of atom chains with our multiscale method. In addition, we adopt this method to simulate different 3-D silicon-based nanowires with or without twin boundaries and point defects. All the results via our multiscale method agree with the counterpart from fully atomistic systems, which indicates the ability to obtain physical properties with fewer atoms in simulation models than in NEMD. Overall, this method has great potential to perform simulations to collect physical properties with only a small number of atoms at higher length scales, which is important for future studies on the physical meanings over higher length scales.

Verification for Temperature Dependence of Tacticity in Polystyrene Radical Polymerization with the Combination of Reaction Pathway Analysis and Red Moon Methodology.

Radical polymerization is an economic and practical polymerization method over ionic and coordination polymerizations and is widely used for polymer production. Although many efforts have been made to improve the convenience and controllability of radical polymerization, it is still a challenge to directly observe the microbehaviors of propagation, which may provide inspiration for the development of polymerization processes. In this study, we focused on the tacticity of polystyrene produced by bulk radical polymerization since there is a debate over the temperature dependence. The propagation process is simulated via Red Moon methodology, which is a cost-effective method for handling complex chemical reaction systems. By the multiple pathway analysis for the propagation reaction model composed of the dimer radical and the monomer using density functional theory, we obtained the relative energies in multiple transition states, whose energy differences are partly explained by the π-π stacking interactions. Via performing Red Moon simulations from 30 to 190 °C, we confirmed that meso contents moderately increase as the temperature increases, which is explained by the influence of temperature on the probability density of the reaction conformations of each pathway. The successful prediction and explanation for tacticity demonstrate the potential of Red Moon methodology in unveiling the microbehaviors of propagation.

Highly selective formation of linear α-olefins over layered and hydrophilic Fe3O4/MAG catalysts in CO hydrogenation

Controlling the product distribution of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reaction has always been a challenge. Fe-based catalysts can produce linear α-olefins with high selectivity in FTS, but it is significantly affected by the secondary reactions of primary olefins. To enhance the olefin selectivity in CO hydrogenation, layered magadiite (MAG) supported Fe3O4 (Fe3O4/MAG) catalysts with hydrophilic property was prepared by solvent (ethanol and water) dispersion methods. The selectivity of C2–C4 olefins can reach 46% (O/P = 6.15) over Fe3O4/MAG (ethanol) catalyst, which is much higher than that of 14% over unsupported Fe3O4 under the same reaction conditions. The particle size of Fe3O4 in Fe3O4/MAG has a great influence on the product distribution. The Fe3O4 with particle size of about 20 nm affords high olefin selectivity to C2–C4 (52%) with super high O/P value of 15 (olefin selectivity of 93.8% in C2–C3 fraction) and low CH4 selectivity of 7%, while the one with particle size about 400 nm affords extremely high linear α-olefin selectivity of 77.9% in C2+ hydrocarbons. In situ DRIFTS and C2H4/H2-TPSR/MS showed that the layered structure and hydrophilic groups can reduce the possibility of secondary hydrogenation reactions. Also, the complex formed by ethanol and surface hydroxyls induces the chain propagation, and promotes more linear α-olefin formation.

Computational Exploration of Dinuclear MgCo Complex-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide and CO2

The mechanism of the heterodinuclear MgCo complex-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and CO2, which was developed by the Williams group, has been deeply investigated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both of the two processes in the whole copolymerization reaction, chain initiation and chain propagation, involve two key steps, which are the ring-opening of Mg-binding CHO and the insertion of Co-binding CO2 to the Mg-alkoxide. The computational results suggest that the rate-determining step (RDS) is the second CO2 insertion step in the propagation process under 1 bar of CO2 pressure, and the RDS switches to the second CHO ring-opening step under 20 bar of CO2 pressure. The back-biting side reactions from the metal-alkoxide to generate trans-cyclic carbonate (trans-CC) or those from the metal carbonate to generate cis-cyclic carbonate (cis-CC) were computed to have relatively high barriers. The other homodinuclear/heterodinuclear catalytic systems including CoCo, MgZn, MgMg, and ZnZn systems were investigated for comparison with the MgCo system.

Living polymerization in nano-scale volumes. Impact of process conditions on polymerization kinetics and product characteristics

Living polymerization processes, irreversible and reversible, proceeding in a large number of isolated (no mass exchange) nano-scale reactors (droplets) were modeled using stochastic (Monte Carlo) and deterministic simulations and analytical solutions of derived mathematical equations. Monomer and living unimer used as initiator were redistributed in droplets uniformly or accordingly to the Poisson distribution, resulting in nanoreactors containing a small number of growing chains. Stochasticity of reactions involving low number of molecules affects the concentration of monomer and chain length distributions in individual droplets, both differing from ones accounted in macroscopic system. The developed mathematical description, based on values of rate constants of propagation (kp) and depropagation (kd) reactions and on initial monomer and living unimer concentrations, as well as numerical simulations, allow predicting kinetics of the process and of several characteristics of the products resulting therefrom, e.g. chain length distribution. Moreover, they allow also following evolution of droplet subpopulations that differ in composition. Moreover, for the reversible process the equilibrium monomer concentration in a droplets system [M]eq can be calculated. As living ionic and coordination polymerization and the controlled radical polymerization in nano-scale dispersions are rather little explored the theoretical predictions shown in this work could facilitate their further development.

Modular Difunctionalization of Unactivated Alkenes through Bio-Inspired Radical Ligand Transfer Catalysis.

Development of visible light-mediated atom transfer radical addition of haloalkanes onto unsaturated hydrocarbons has seen rapid growth in recent years. However, due to its radical chain propagation mechanism, diverse functionality other than the pre-existing (pseudo-)halide on the alkyl halide source cannot be incorporated into target molecules in a one-step, economic fashion. Inspired by the prominent reactivities shown by cytochrome P450 hydroxylase and non-heme iron-dependent oxygenases, we herein report the first modular, dual catalytic difunctionalization of unactivated alkenes via manganese-catalyzed radical ligand transfer (RLT). This RLT elementary step involves a coordinated nucleophile rebounding to a carbon-centered radical to form a new C-X bond in analogy to the radical rebound step in metalloenzymes. The protocol leverages the synergetic cooperation of both a photocatalyst and earth-abundant manganese complex to deliver two radical species in succession to minimally functionalized alkenes, enabling modular diversification of the radical intermediate by a high-valent manganese species capable of delivering various external nucleophiles. A broad scope (97 examples, including drugs/natural product motifs), mild conditions, and excellent chemoselectivity were shown for a variety of substrates and fluoroalkyl fragments. Mechanistic and kinetics studies provide insights into the radical nature of the dual catalytic transformation and support radical ligand transfer (RLT) as a new strategy to deliver diverse functionality selectively to carbon-centered radicals.

Stock market reaction to global supply chain disruptions from the 2018 US government ban on ZTE

AbstractGovernment trade actions are an increasing source of supply chain risk. This research provides empirical evidence of the stock market reaction to trade actions against a targeted firm on other firms in the targeted firm's supply chain eco‐system. We test our hypothesized stock price effects using the case of the 2018 US government ban on US firms from supplying to ZTE, a Chinese telecommunications manufacturer. We estimate the ban's effects on ZTE's tier‐one US and non‐US suppliers, as well as the upstream and downstream supply chain propagation effects by considering ZTE's tier‐two suppliers and business customers. We also estimate impacts to ZTE's competitors. We find that tier‐one US suppliers experienced a stock price effect of −3.33% following the ban, and the reaction was more negative for those suppliers more dependent on ZTE for revenues. We find a stock price effect on tier‐two suppliers of −0.40%, but an insignificant effect on non‐US tier‐one suppliers. Business customers experienced a stock price effect of 0.66%, and the competitors' stock price effect was 1.34%. The reversal of the ban 4 weeks later resulted in a stock price effect of 1.56% for tier‐one US suppliers, 1.72% for tier‐one non‐US suppliers, and 1.35% for competitors.

How did supply chain networks handle the COVID-19 pandemic? Empirical evidence from an automotive case study

PurposeThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unveiled resilience deficits in supply chains. Scholars and practitioners aim to identify supply chain resilience (SCRES) measures suitable for this unique disruption; however, empirical evidence on a pandemic's specific characteristics, resulting challenges, and suitable countermeasures is scarce.Design/methodology/approachA single-case study on an automotive supply chain network (ASCN), including eight nodes, was conducted. Based on current research and interviews with 35 experts, characteristic pandemic challenges for the ASCN were identified. Moreover, promising SCRES measures were determined along the most prominent SCRES levers. The findings lead to five central propositions and advance organizational information processing theory in the context of SCRES.FindingsThis study’s results confirm unique pandemic characteristics along the supply chain disruption's duration, severity, propagation, and volatility. The resulting unprecedented challenges made the ASCN apply novel SCRES measures, particularly regarding collaboration and risk management culture. However, well-known visibility and flexibility strategies were also suitable. Overall, agility and collaboration measures showed the highest capacity to address characteristic pandemic challenges. A lack of preparedness impeded some measures' application, calling for enhanced proactive risk management following the pandemic.Originality/valueThis paper addresses several research calls by providing in-depth empirical evidence on hitherto conceptually researched pandemic characteristics, challenges, and suitable SCRES measures from a network perspective. The study uncovers the different perceptions of individual tiers, emphasizing the need to analyze supply chain disruptions from multiple angles.