ESR study of the radical polymerization of styrene

Summary The absolute rate constant of propagation (k_p) in styrene polymerization was determined on the basis of ESR detection of the polymer radical in the temperature range of 0 to 130°C. The Arrhenius plot of k_p gave a good linear relationship and the activation energy of the propagation was evaluated to be 39.7 KJ/mol. The termination rate constants over the same temperature range were also obtained by using the k_p values according to the standard kinetics of radical polymerization. Apparent activation energy of the termination was estimated to be 15.6 KJ/mol.     

Free-radical propagation rate coefficients

The pulsed laser polymerization-size-exclusion chromatography (PLP-SEC) technique has become the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)-recommended method for the accurate determination of propagation rate coefficients, k_p, for radical polymerization. The fundamental insight provided by Heuts, Gilbert, and Radom into the relevance of transition state dynamics allows for an adequate understanding of the dependence of k_p on radical chain length, solvent environment, and monomer conversion. The associated entropic effects are particularly pronounced in aqueous solution, but are also found in less polar media and with non-polar monomers. Moreover, these arguments are applicable towards the interpretation of copolymerization reactivity ratios. The addition of sodium hydroxide to aqueous solutions of (meth)acrylic acid yields partially and even fully ionized systems with clearly reduced k_p, which indicates the action of repulsive forces between the equally charged monomer and radical species. Increasing the concentration of monomer as well as the addition of salts may reverse this effect and increase k_p due to counterion activity.     

Using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy for the kinetic study of the in situ solution free‐radical copolymerization of styrene and ethyl acrylate

The free‐radical copolymerization of styrene and ethyl acrylate in benzene‐d₆ as the solvent in the presence of benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 70°C was studied by online ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The chemical composition of the copolymer at different reaction times was calculated from the conversion of the monomers to the copolymer, and then the reactivity ratios of styrene and ethyl acrylate were determined at both low and high conversions. Data for the overall monomer conversion versus the time were used to estimate the ratio k_pk_t^?0.5 for different compositions of the initial feed (k_p is the propagation rate constant, and k_t is the termination rate constant). k_pk increased with an increasing molar fraction of ethyl acrylate in the initial feed. The monomer mixture and copolymer compositions versus the overall monomer conversion were calculated with the data of ¹H‐NMR spectra. The incorporation of the styrene monomer into the copolymer structure was more favored than that of the ethyl acrylate monomer. Reducing the molar fraction of styrene in the initial feed intensified this. Drawing the molar fraction of styrene (or ethyl acrylate) in the copolymer chains versus that in the initial feed showed a tendency of the system toward random copolymerization. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Ultrafast preparation of branched poly(methyl Acrylate) through single electron transfer living radical polymerization at room temperature

Ultrafast preparation of branched poly(methyl acrylate) (BPMA) with high‐molecular weight through single electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) of inimer at 25°C has been attempted, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at 60°C was also carried out for comparison. Gas chromatography, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and triple detection size exclusion chromatography were used to analyze these polymerizations. As expected, SET‐LRP system showed much faster polymerization rate than ATRP system, the calculated apparent propagation rate constants (k_p^app) are 3.69 × 10^?2 min^?1 and 6.23 × 10^?3 min^?1 for SET‐LRP and ATRP system, respectively. BPMA with high‐molecular weight (M_w._MALLS = 86,400 g mol^?1) compared with that in ATRP (M_w.MALLS = 61,400 g mol^?1) has been prepared. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1579–1584, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

New method for controlled synthesis of polylactide block copolymers: organoborane/p-quinone system and reversible-deactivation radical polymerization

We developed a new approach to obtain polylactide hybrid block copolymers with vinyl monomers (styrene, methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate) through the realization of a reaction sequence using triethylborane and various p-quinones. The method offered includes two stages. In the first stage, a chain-transfer agent was obtained by borylation of the terminal hydroxyl groups of polylactide. The second stage was vinyl monomer radical polymerization in the presence of p-quinone accompanied by S_H2-substitution at the boron atom.1,4-Naphthoquinone, 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, duroquinone and 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone were used as synthetic polymer chain growth mediators. It is shown that 1,4-naphthoquinone and 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, similar in their characteristics, are effective agents providing the realization of reversible-deactivation radical polymerization. Realization of reversible-deactivation radical polymerization was proved with the analysis of the kinetics of block copolymerization, molecular weight characteristics and compositional homogeneity of block copolymers as well as its further capability to elongate the polymer chain. Synthesized block copolymers have a high thermal stability compared to the initial borylated polylactide. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.     

The polymerization of acenaphthylene by sulphuric acid in methylenedichloride

Summary Acenaphthylene was polymerized in methylenedichloride at 273, 291 and 308 K by sulphuric acid. The initiation step takes place by addition of the proton of sulphuric acid to the monomer. The propagation step is through ion-pairs, and the propagation constants are first-order with respect to the monomer and initiator(k_p = 0.22 M^–1. s^–1(273K), k_p=0.88 M^–1. s^–1(291K), k_p = 2.81 M^–1. s^–1 (308K)). There is not appreciable loss of active centres, being this confirmed by experiments carried out with succesive additions of monomer. The molecular weights obtained confirm the importance of processes to monomer in this polymerization.     

Synthesis and radical polymerization of methacrylic monomers with crown ethers in the ester residue: 1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododecan-2-ylmethyl methacrylate

The synthesis and radical polymerization of 1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododecan-2-ylmethylmethacrylate (CR4MA) is described. The polymerization reactions of CR4MA were carried out at different temperatures and the kinetic curves of monomer depletion against time were obtained by direct measurements of the instantaneous monomer concentrations by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. At the same time electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to determine the actual polymer radical concentration during all the reaction time. The conjunction of both techniques (NMR and EPR) allowed the determination of the polymerization rate parameter (2fk_p/〈k_t〉^1/2) and separately of k_p and 〈k_t〉/f, where f, k_p and 〈k_t〉 are, respectively, the initiator efficiency factor and the overall averages of propagation (k_p is considered to be practically independent of the chain length) and termination rate constants. The values found for this ratio and for k_p were comparatively higher than those recently reported in the literature for its lateral open chain counterpart, the methacrylic monomer with equal number of oxyethylene units in the residue ester (TTEMA). However, the 〈k_t〉 values were similar for the polymerization of both monomers CR4MA and TTEMA. The polymer, PCR4MA, is soluble in water as its open chain homologous, and exhibits a glass transition temperature in the vicinity of the ambient temperature (about 35 °C), much higher than the value found for the homologous polymethacrylate derived from the TTEMA.     

Determination of Free-Radical Propagation Rate Coefficient of N-Vinylindole by the Pulsed-Laser Polymerization Method

Summary The pulsed-laser polymerization method was applied to determine the propagation rate constant k_p of N-vinylindole (VI), and the Arrhenius parameters were evaluated in the range of 30-70 °C. One of the characteristics of the VI monomer was its low activation energy (17.5 kJ mol^-1) compared with other vinyl monomers, indicating that the propagating radical has a high reactivity. Although the reaction rate constant k_p = 86 L mol^-1 s^-1 at 30 °C was relatively small and similar to that of styrene, the Q-value and the products of photochemical reactions suggested again that it has a higher reactivity than styrene monomer. This property of VI radical probably gives rise to high termination probability and the cyclic structure at the chain end of the linear polymer.     

Kinetics and mechanism of free radical grafting of methyl acrylate onto sago starch

The graft copolymerization was carried out by methyl acrylate with sago starch in which ceric ammonium nitrate was used as an initiator. It has been found that the rates of graft polymerization and grafting efficiency were dependent upon the concentration of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN), methyl acrylate (MA), sago starch (AGU, anhydro glucose unit), mineral acid (H₂SO₄), and as well as reaction temperature and period. A rate equation of polymerization was established from the proposed reaction mechanism, and the rate of polymerization (R_p) was the first‐order dependence of the MA monomer concentration and square root of the CAN concentration. A new kinetic model of the grafting reaction has been proposed, and a normal kinetics of methyl acrylate polymerization was observed. An equation of a predicted model relating the graft fraction of poly(methyl acrylate) with the sago starch has been derived, and validity of the predicted model was verified by the experimental results. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 784–791, 2000     

Unexpected effect of the monomer concentration on the rate of a radical polymerization

The radical polymerization of vinyl monomers is usually initiated by physical and chemical means. After an increasing polymerization rate, R_p, at low monomer concentrations, some reactive systems show an unexpected minimum for R_p at high enough monomer concentrations. The radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by the redox system D -glucose–ceric ion at varying MMA concentration is discussed. The peculiar behaviour of R_p is explained by the presence of two circumstances: the initiation rate from D -glucose radicals does not depend on MMA concentration when most of the D -glucose radicals formed react by adding to monomer, and the radical chains initiated by D -glucose radicals undergo mutual termination with a portion of the radical chains initiated by monomer radicals. Some information about the nature of the polymer end-groups is reached from the mechanistic approach.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with Nickel(II)α‐benzoinoxime complex

Polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer initiated by a novel Ni(II)α‐benzoinoxime complex have been achieved under homogeneous conditions in the 25–60°C temperature range. The activity for polymerization increases with reaction temperature and by carrying out the polymerization in solution of low‐polarity solvents without any induction time. The obtained polymers have weight‐average molecular weights about 10⁵ and slight broad polydispersity indexes (2.2 ≤ M_w/M_n ≤ 3.3). Dependence of rate constants polymerization and decomposition of initiator (k_app and k_d, respectively) on temperature was investigated and activation parameters were computed from Arrhenius plot. ¹H‐NMR analysis of PMMA revealed a syndio‐rich atactic microstructure in agreement with conventional radical process. Radical scavenger TEMPO effect together with microstructure and molecular weight distributions data supported that the polymerization proceed via free radical mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Reactivity and mechanism in the cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether

The cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether initiated by triphenyl methyl and tropylium hexachloroantimonates, and by triphenyl methyl tetrafluoroborate, has been studied in detail. Initiation was rapid and complete, termination was shown to be insignificant, polymerization half lives were of the order of 5–10 s and reaction rates were measured by an adiabatic calorimetric technique. Catalyst concentrations employed were sufficiently low that essentially complete dissociation into free ions is indicated by ion-pair dissociation constants, and this permits estimation of the rate coefficient for propagation by free cations (k_p). At 0°C in methylene dichloride k_p ∼ 5 × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, in substantial agreement with values obtained by radiation induced polymeirzation of bulk monomer. Molecular weights of the poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) samples fell in the range 2000–5000 on account of monomer transfer processes. Detailed mechanisms for initiation, propagation, transfer and termination reactions are considered.     

Contribution of primary radical termination to radical polymerization of diethyl fumarate estimated from absolute rate constants

Summary Diethyl fumarate was radically polymerized under UV irradiation and concentration of the propagating radical was determined to be of the order of 10^-5 mol/L by scavenge with a stable free radical. The absolute rate constant for propagation (k_p) was evaluated from the overall rate of polymerization at 30°C: K_p =(2.9 ± 0.3) × 10^-2 L/mol · s. The rate constant for mutual termination of the polymer radical (k_t) was calculated from the decreasing rate of the radical concentration in the dark: k_t=8.0 L/mol·s. The k_t value determined is one twentieth of that evaluated previously by a rotating sector method. This discrepancy is accounted for by contribution of much faster primary radical termination.     

Radical polymerization behavior of dimethyl vinylphosphonate: Homopolymerization and copolymerization with trimethoxyvinylsilane

Dialkyl vinylphosphonates such as dimethyl vinylphosphonate (DMVP) and diethyl vinylphosphonate were quantitatively polymerized with dicumyl peroxide (DCPO) at 130°C in bulk. The polymerization of DMVP with DCPO was kinetically studied in bulk by fourier transform near‐infrared spectroscopy (FTNIR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) was given by R_p = k[DCPO]^0.5[DMVP]^1.0 at 110°C, being the same as that of the conventional radical polymerization involving bimolecular termination. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was estimated to be 26.2 kcal/mol. The polymerization system involved ESR‐observable propagating polymer radicals under the practical polymerization conditions. ESR‐determined rate constants of propagation (k_p) and termination (k_t) were k_p = 19 L/mol s and k_t = 5.8 × 10³ L/mol s at 110°C, respectively. The molecular weight of the resultant poly(DMVP)s was low (M_n = 3.4 ? 3.5 × 10³), because of the high chain transfer constant (C_m = 3.9 × 10^?2 at 110°C) to the monomer. DMVP (M₁) showed a considerably high reactivity in the radical copolymerization with trimethoxyvinylsilane (TMVS) (M₂) at 110°C in bulk, giving an inorganic component‐containing functional copolymer with potential flame‐retardant properties; r₁ = 1.6 and r₂ = 0. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Determination of the mode of termination in free-radical copolymerization

In this study the apparent rate constant model was used to determine the mechanism of termination and other rate constants for free radical copolymerizations that are chemically controlled with no penultimate effect. The data required were the number average molecular weight and the conversion obtained at various initial initiator concentrations and monomer compositions, and two rate constants of propagation of the homopolymerizations of its two monomers. The bulk free radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene(St) at 60°C was studied. Three published literature values of the propagation rate constants k₁₁ and k₂₂. 750, 150; 515, 145; 705, 145, were used for the determination. The unit of the rate constants used was liter/mole/s. The modes of the termination reaction obtained, depending on k₁₁, k₂₂ used, are given as follows:

Ultrasound‐assisted emulsion polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate): Effect of initiator content and temperature

In this study, we propose an efficient method for preparation of large scale, monodisperse poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) latexes by application of the low power ultrasound irradiation. The effect of polymerization temperature and initiator concentration on the polymerization nature, particle size, and particle size distribution were investigated. Results indicated that the ultrasound pulses in the first minutes of polymerization increase instant free radical to monomer ratio as well mixing efficiency which led to higher monomer conversion, improved polymerization rate (especially at first 15 min of the reaction), and remarkable decrease in molecular weight distribution. Transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that the particle size and particle size distribution were significantly affected, particle size decreased, and more uniform particles were obtained. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis also showed that the initiator concentration affected glass transition temperature (T_g) of the final copolymers and in the case of ultrasound‐assisted emulsion polymerization T_g was in a very good agreement with theoretical predictions for copolymerization. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:214–221, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

How penultimate monomer unit effects and initiator influence ICAR ATRP of n‐butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate

The relevance of penultimate monomer unit (PMU) effects and the selection of the correct initiator species under typical reversible deactivation radical copolymerization conditions is illustrated, using matrix‐based kinetic Monte Carlo simulations allowing the visualization of all monomer sequences along individual chains. Initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization (ICAR ATRP) is selected as illustrative polymerization technique with n‐butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate as comonomers, aiming at the synthesis of well‐defined gradient copolymers. Using literature based model parameters, in particular temperature dependent monomer and radical reactivity ratios, it is demonstrated that PMU effects on propagation and ATRP (de)activation cannot be ignored to identify the most suited ICAR ATRP reactants (e.g., tertiary ATRP initiator) and reaction conditions (e.g., feeding rates under fed‐batch conditions). The formulated insights highlight the need for further research on PMU effects on all reaction steps in radical polymerization. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2017     

Estimation of the chain propagation rate constants of propylene polymerization and ethylene-1-hexene copolymerization catalyzed with MgCl2-supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts

In olefin polymerization with MgCl₂-supported Ziegler–Natta (Z–N) catalysts, the apparent propagation rate constant (k_p)_a calculated by R_p = (k_p)_a [C*] C_Me (C_Me is equilibrium monomer concentration in the reaction system) declines with reaction time for gradually developed monomer diffusion limitation in the polymer/catalyst particles. In this work, a simplified multi-grain particle model was proposed to build correlation between (k_p)_a and other kinetic parameters that can be determined experimentally. Rate profiles of propylene polymerization and ethylene-1-hexene copolymerization by three MgCl₂-supported Z–N catalysts were determined, and the (k_p)_a data was calculated using [C*] determined by quench-labelling the propagation chains with acyl chloride. Decline of (k_p)_a in each polymerization process was precisely fitted by the linear correlation between lg(k_p)_a and [(ρ_catm_p)/(ρ_pm_cat) + 1]^1/3 developed on the particle model. Real propagation rate constant (k_p) was estimated by extrapolating the fitting line to the starting point of polymerization, where no concentration gradient exists. According to the particle model, the slope of the lg(k_p)_a versus [(ρ_catm_p)/(ρ_pm_cat) + 1]^1/3 line (lgd) represents the degree of monomer diffusion limitation. Variations of parameter d found in the studied reaction systems can be reasonably explained based on the knowledge of olefin diffusion in the polymer phase.     

p‐Acetylbenzylidene triphenylarsonium ylide initiated radical polymerization of methyl acrylate

Polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA), initiated by p‐acetyl benzylidene triphenylarsonium ylide (p‐ABTAY) in dioxan at (60 ± 1)°C for 1 h, follows nonideal kinetics (R_p ∝ [I]^0.21[M]^1.40) due to primary radical termination as well as degradative chain transfer reaction. The polymerization proceeded upto 20.49% conversion without gelation and results in the polymer of high molecular weight 98,000. The overall activation energy and the value of k_p²/k_t are 14 kJ mol^–1 and 18.75 × 10^–6 L mol^–1 s^–1, respectively. The ylide dissociates to form phenyl radical, which initiates the polymerization of MA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Polymerization of methyl acrylate initiated by V(V)-cyclohexanone redox system in micellar phase

The kinetics of methyl acrylate (MA) polymerization initiated by a V(V)-Cyclohexanone redox system, in the presence of surfactant, over a temperature range of 30–50°C in acidic medium are analyzed. The anionic surfactant (SDS) enhances the rate of polymerization (R_p) as well as the rate of V(V) consumption (−R_v). The cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), decreases both the rates. The effect of variation of the concentration of surfactant, monomer, substrate, and acid have been examined. A suitable free radical mechanistic scheme has been proposed for the above process. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 2081–2088, 1997