Post‐polymerization modification of bio‐based polymers: maximizing the high functionality of polymers derived from biomass

The renaissance of the bio‐based chemical industry over the last 20 years has seen an ever growing interest in the synthesis of new bio‐based polymers. The building blocks of these new polymers, so called platform molecules, contain significantly more chemical functionality than their petrochemical counterparts (such as ethene, propene and para‐xylene). As a result bio‐based polymers often contain greater residual chemical functionality in their chains, with groups such as alkenes and hydroxyls commonly observed. These functional groups can act as sites for post‐polymerization modification (PPM), thus further extending the range of applications for bio‐based polymers by tailoring the polymers' final properties. This mini‐review highlights some of the most recent and compelling examples of how to make use of bio‐based polymers with residual functional groups for PPM. It also looks at how the emerging interdisciplinary field of enzymatic polymer synthesis allows for increased functionality in polymers by avoiding side‐reactions as a result of milder reaction conditions, and additionally offers an alternative means of polymer surface modification. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Remarkable improvement of thermal stability of main‐chain benzoxazine oligomer by incorporating o‐norbornene as terminal functionality

A new main‐chain benzoxazine oligomer with o‐norbornene functionality as end groups has been designed and synthesized. As compared to traditional main‐chain type benzoxazine polymers, this benzoxazine oligomer with o‐norbornene terminal functionality can undergo further crosslinking polymerization after general ring‐opening polymerization of oxazine rings. Another main‐chain benzoxazine oligomer has also been designed based on the reaction of bisphenol‐A, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane, paraformaldehyde, and phenol for comparison. The structure of the synthesized oligomers is confirmed by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The molecular weight has been determined by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The benzoxazine oligomer containing o‐norbornene functionality can polymerize with multiple polymerization mechanisms rather than the single mechanism common to traditional 1,3‐benzoxazine resins. The polymerization mechanisms are monitored by in situ FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Moreover, the thermoset derived from the benzoxazine oligomer containing o‐norbornene functionality exhibits high thermal stability with the transition temperature of 360 °C and a high T_d5 of 404 °C. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45408.     

Effect of ferrocene substituents and ferricinium additive on the properties of polyaniline derivatives and catalytic activities of palladium‐doped poly(m‐ferrocenylaniline)‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions

Poly(aniline‐co‐m‐ferrocenylaniline) and ferricinium‐doped poly(aniline‐co‐m‐ferrocenylaniline) were synthesized by a conventional chemical oxidative polymerization, then characterized by spectroscopic techniques and quantitative analyzes. Increasing of the percentages of m‐ferrocenylaniline in the copolymers resulted to a blue shift of UV–Vis absorption spectra. Broader EPR spectra indicated the loss of conjugation and crystallinity of copolymers. ¹H NMR spectra confirmed the presence of ferrocene moieties and ferricinium in the polymers. The CV measurements showed that the electron withdrawing power of ferrocene moieties could lead to the decreasing of electron delocalization on the polymer main chain. The VSM results showed that as‐prepared copolymers were soft magnetic materials with very low magnetization. Pd‐doped poly(m‐ferrocenylaniline) as catalysts were utilized in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions to improve the catalytic activities. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1489–1497, 2013     

Well‐Defined End‐Functionalized Conjugated Polymers/Oligomers Exhibiting Unique Emission Properties through the End Groups: The Exclusive Synthesis by Combined Olefin Metathesis with Wittig‐type Coupling

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization using ruthenium–carbene catalysts affords defect‐free, high molecular weight poly(arylene vinylene)s containing all trans olefinic double bonds. The exclusive end‐functionalization in the resultant poly(fluorene vinylene)s or poly(phenylene vinylene)s can be attained by treating the vinyl end groups using a molybdenum–alkylidene catalyst/reagent (through olefin metathesis) followed by addition of various aldehydes (Wittig‐type coupling). Some of these end‐modified conjugated materials display unique emission properties, which are different from the original ones, through an interaction (energy transfer or structural change in the excited state) between the conjugated main chain and the end groups [oligo(thiophene)s, F‐BODIPY, etc.]. Exclusive synthesis of well‐defined, all‐trans end‐functionalized oligo(2,5‐dialkoxy‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene)s [(oligo(phenylene vinylene), alkoxy = O(CH₂)₂OSiⁱ Pr₃, up to 31 repeat units] is demonstrated by adopting a stepwise synthetic approach (olefin metathesis and the subsequent Wittig‐type cleavage). It is clearly demonstrated that their optical properties (especially the fluorescence spectra including photoluminescence quantum yields) are strongly affected by the end groups as well as the conjugation repeat units.     

Investigation of liquid crystalline and photocrosslinkable poly[4‐x‐phenyl‐4′‐(m‐methacryloyloxyalkyloxy)cinnamate]s

Three series of liquid‐crystalline‐cum‐photocrosslinkable polymers were synthesized from 4‐x‐phenyl‐4′‐(m‐methacryloyloxyalkyloxy)cinnamates (x = ? H, ? OCH₃ and ? CN; m = 6, 8 and 10) by free radical solution polymerization using azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator in tetrahydrofuran at 60 °C. All the monomers and polymers were characterized using intrinsic viscosity, and FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The liquid crystalline behavior of these polymers was examined using a hot stage optical polarizing microscope. All the polymers exhibited liquid crystalline behavior. The hexamethylene spacer‐containing polymers exhibited grainy textures; in contrast, the octamethylene and decamethylene spacer‐containing polymers showed nematic textures. Differential scanning calorimetry data confirmed the liquid crystalline property of the polymers. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that all the polymers were stable between 236 and 344 °C in nitrogen atmosphere and underwent degradation thereafter. As the methylene chain length increases in the polymer side‐chain, the thermal stability and char yield of the polymers decrease. The photocrosslinking property of the polymers was investigated using the technique of exposing the polymer solution to UV light and using UV spectroscopy. The crosslinking reaction proceeds via 2π–2π cycloaddition reactions of the ? CH?CH? of the pendant cinnamate ester. The polymers containing electron‐releasing substituents (? OCH₃) showed faster crosslinking than the unsubstituted polymers and those containing electron‐withdrawing substituents (? CN). Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Well‐defined polymers containing 1,3‐dichloro‐tetra‐n‐butyl‐distannoxane moiety: Synthesis,mechanism, and applications in catalysis

A series of well‐defined different chain lengths polymers, which contain the organometallic 1,3‐dichloro‐tetra‐n‐butyl‐distannoxane core in the main chain, was obtained in one‐pot via a novel 1,3‐dichloro‐tetra‐n‐butyl‐distannoxane (complex A )/azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiating system used in reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in different concentrations. The introduction of organotin complex A was supported by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C–NMR, and the Inductive Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer analysis of the organotin‐containing polymer. Moreover, the mechanism of polymerization was investigated by changing the ratio of complex A to AIBN. It was concluded that the complex A not only acted as an important part of the initiator system but also introduced the functional organometallic group into the polymer chain. Additionally, the organotin‐containing polymer could be used as catalyst for esterification, and the reaction products' conversion could reach high up to 99% and does not decrease after four successive cycles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Synthesis of α,ω‐isocyanate telechelic polymethacrylate soft segments with activated ester side functionalities and their use for polyurethane synthesis

The synthetic route for the preparation of α,ω‐isocyanate‐telechelic poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐acryloxysuccinimide) and α,ω‐ isocyanate‐telechelic poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylamidohexanoic succinimide) soft segments is presented. The strategy includes reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization and two post polymerization modification steps. The RAFT polymerizations result in copolymers with an activated ester proportion within the polymer chains of 8% N‐acryloxysuccinimide and 5% 6‐acrylamidohexanoic succinimide. The reactivity ratios of the monomer pairs were determined. In a first post polymerization reaction carboxylic acid homo telechelic polymers were prepared by reacting the ω‐dithiobenzoate end‐group with an excess of azobis(cyanovaleric acid). In a second modification step the α‐ and ω‐carboxylic acid end‐groups were reacted with hexamethylene diisocyanate and 100% isocyanate telechelic copolymers were obtained. Finally segmented polyurethanes were prepared by coupling hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) end capped soft segments with hard segments composed of 1,4‐butanediol and HDI. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

α‐Bis and α,ω‐tetrakis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization using 1,1‐bis[(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene as tertiary diamine initiator precursor and functionalizing agent

The quantitative syntheses of α‐bis and α,ω‐tetrakis tertiary diamine functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) methods are described. A tertiary diamine functionalized 1,1‐diphenylethylene derivative, 1,1‐bis[(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1), was evaluated as a unimolecular tertiary diamine functionalized initiator precursor as well as a functionalizing agent in ATRP reactions. The ATRP of styrene, initiated by a new tertiary diamine functionalized initiator adduct (2), affords the corresponding α‐bis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene (3). The tertiary diamine functionalized initiator adduct (2) was prepared in situ by the reaction of (1‐bromoethyl)benzene with 1,1‐bis[(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1) in the presence of a copper (I) bromide/2,2′‐bipyridyl catalyst system. The ATRP of styrene proceeded via a controlled free radical polymerization process to afford quantitative yields of the corresponding α‐bis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene derivative (3) with predictable number‐average molecular weight (M_n) and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n) in a high initiator efficiency reaction. The polymerization process was monitored by gas chromatography analysis. Quantitative yields of α,ω‐tetrakis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene (4) were obtained by a new post ATRP chain end modification reaction of α‐bis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene (3) with excess 1,1‐bis[(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1). The tertiary diamine functionalized initiator precursor 1,1‐bis[(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1) and the different tertiary amine functionalized polymers were characterized by chromatography, spectroscopy and non‐aqueous titration measurements. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Application of a new unimolecular initiator in the synthesis of (α,ω) ketone functionalized polystyrene in nitroxide mediated polymerization

The ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamine, a derivative of 4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (4‐oxo‐TEMPO) was synthesized and applied as an initiator in the nitroxide mediated polymerization of styrene in bulk at 120°C. In the presence of the prepared initiator: 1‐phenyl‐1‐(4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinoxy)propanone polymers with well‐defined molecular weight were obtained. By contrast, when an accelerator such as acetic anhydride (10%) was added to the system, lower control of polymerization was observed. Additionally, the functionality of polymers was evaluated on the basis of a quantitative investigation of UV–visible spectra of 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazone formed from the polymers and the synthesized initiator. The UV–vis spectra of the hydrazone derivatives obtained from polymers by means of 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazone made it possible to confirm that the polymers prepared in the presence of the ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamine retain the ketone functionality on the polymer chain. The functionality for the obtained polymers exceeded 1 significantly. The obtained (α, ω) telechelic polymers are of great importance in the synthesis of new biohybrid materials such as bioconjugates with proteins or peptides as well as new polymer nanostructures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis and properties of new aromatic poly(ester‐imide)s derived from 4‐p‐biphenyl‐2,6‐bis(4‐trimellitimidophenyl) pyridine and various dihydroxy compounds

A novel class of wholly aromatic poly(ester‐imide)s, having a biphenylene pendant group, with inherent viscosities of 0.32–0.49 dL g^?1 was prepared by the diphenylchlorophosphate‐activated direct polyesterification of the preformed imide‐ring‐containing diacid, 4‐p‐biphenyl‐2,6‐bis(4‐trimellitimidophenyl)pyridine (1) with various aromatic dihydroxy compounds in the presence of pyridine and lithium chloride. A reference diacid, 2,6‐bis(trimellitimido)pyridine (2) without a biphenylene pendant group and two phenylene rings in the backbone, was also synthesized for comparison purposes. At first, with due attention to structural similarity and to compare the characterization data, a model compound (3) was synthesized by the reaction of compound 1 with two mole equivalents of phenol. Moreover, the optimum condition of polymerization reactions was obtained via a study of the model compound synthesis. All of the resulting polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The ultraviolet λ_max values of the poly(ester‐imide)s were also determined. All of the resulting polymers exhibited excellent solubility in common organic solvents, such as pyridine, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and m‐cresol, as well as in polar organic solvents, such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The crystalline nature of the polymers obtained was evaluated by means of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The resulting poly(ester‐imide)s showed nearly an amorphous nature, except poly(ester‐imide) derived from 4,4′‐dihydroxy biphenyl. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the polymers determined by differential scanning calorimetry thermograms were in the range 298–342 °C. The 10% weight loss temperatures (T_10%) from thermogravimetric analysis curves were found to be in the range 433–471 °C in nitrogen. Films of the polymers were also prepared by casting the solutions. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of temperature,solvent, Lewis acid and additives on the polymerization of tert‐butyl vinyl ether using Lewis acid‐induced N‐methyleneamines as cationic initiators

N‐Methyleneamines, formed by treating 1,3,5‐trimethylhexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazines with Lewis acids, have been shown to be capable initiators in the cationic polymerization of tert‐butyl vinyl ether, yielding polymers with amine functionality at the chain ends. Previous work was limited to titanium(IV) chloride (TiCl₄) as the Lewis acid in dichloromethane solvent at 0 °C (with resulting polymers possessing relatively broad polydispersity index (PDI) values near 2), while this contribution details the effect of reaction parameters on the polymeric products; specifically, the role of temperature, solvent, Lewis acid and additives. Ultimately, performing the polymerization at ?78 °C in dichloromethane with TiCl₄ as the Lewis acid and tetra‐n‐butylammonium chloride (nBu₄NCl) as the additive afforded the best control over the system, with polymers formed possessing low PDI values (<1.2). Dramatic changes in number‐average molecular weight and PDI were observed in polymers formed by initiating systems of Lewis acid‐induced N‐methyleneamines, with temperature, solvent, Lewis acid and additives all playing a role. By varying single parameters, optimization of the system was achieved. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ozone Degradation Study of Novel Chain Extended Energetic Polymers Containing Carbon‐Carbon Double Bonds

A range of chemically modified energetic polymers has been synthesized. The structural modification involves the incorporation of a double bond into the polymeric binder which allows subsequent degradation of the material by ozonolysis thus providing an environmentally safe method for the disposal of munitions. This was achieved by reacting the energetic prepolymer, poly‐NIMMO, with a range of unsaturated diisocyanates where the double bond was incorporated into the cross‐linking i.e. “curing” agent. Firstly, poly‐NIMMO and cis‐1,4‐but‐2‐ene diol were reacted with hexamethylene diisocyanate. Secondly, three unsaturated diisocyanates (two novel) were prepared in situ from their corresponding diacyl azides and reacted with poly‐NIMMO. The three diisocyanates prepared were 1,4‐diphenoxy‐trans‐2‐butene‐diisocyanate, phenylene diacrylic di‐isocyanate, and trans‐2‐butene‐1,4‐diisocyanate. The latter has been reported previously^(1,2) although never isolated and characterized; however, this has been achieved successfully in this study. GPC of the chain extended polymers prepared by both methods showed the expected increase in molecular weight distribution. A corresponding decrease following ozonolysis occurred particularly with the polymers prepared from 1,4‐diphenoxy‐trans‐2‐butene‐diisocyanate and phenylene diacrylic diisocyanate.     

Chain‐linked lactic acid polymers by benzene diisocyanate

Chain‐linked lactic acid polymers with high molecular weight were synthesized by two‐step polymerization method, including polycondensation and chain extending reactions. The effects of chain extender toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the chain‐linked lactic acid polymers were studied. The polymers obtained were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, and differential scanning calorimeter. Reactions between 1,4‐butanediol and lactic acid oligomers led to hydroxyl‐terminated prepolymer, which provided significant increase of molecular weight in the chain extending reaction. In addition, the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the melting temperature (T_m) were increased. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1045–1049, 2006     

Thermotropic main‐chain liquid‐crystalline photodimerizable poly(vanillylidenealkyloxy alkylphosphate ester)s containing a cyclopentanone moiety

A new class of main‐chain liquid‐crystalline photodimerizable vanillylidene‐containing alkylpolyphosphate esters were synthesized from 2,5‐bis[m‐hydroxyalkyloxy(vanillylidene)] cyclopentanones with various alkylphosphoro‐ dichloridates by solution polycondensation in chloroform at ambient temperature. Their chemical structures were confirmed by FT‐IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic analysis. Dilute‐solution viscosity values were measured in order to obtain the intrinsic viscosities of the synthesized polymers. Mesogenic properties and phase behavior were investigated by the use of hot‐stage optical polarized microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that all of the polymers were stable up to 170–230 °C and decomposed with high char yields. The shorter methylene‐chain‐containing polymers did not show a liquid‐crystalline phase, while the longer methylene‐chain‐ containing polymers showed grainy and nematic textures. The T_g, T_m and T_i values of the polymers decreased with increasing flexible methylene chain length in the polymer backbones. The photocrosslinking properties of the polymers were studied by UV light/UV spectroscopy; the crosslinking proceeds via 2π–2π cycloaddition reactions of the vanillylidene exocyclic double bonds of the polymers. The rate of crosslinking was faster for the pendant ethoxy‐containing polymers than that of the pendant methoxy‐containing polymers. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of new blue‐light‐emitting polyconjugated poly{1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diyl‐[1‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)]vinylene} polymers and copolymers

Three new soluble polyconjugated polymers, all of which emitted blue light in photoluminescence and electroluminescence, were synthesized, and their luminescence properties were studied. The polymers were poly{1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diyl‐[1‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)]vinylene}, poly((9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐{1,4‐phenylene‐[1‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)vinylene‐1,4‐phenylene]}) [P(DOF‐PVP)], and poly([N‐(2‐ethyl) hexylcarbazole‐3,6‐diyl]‐alt‐{1,4‐phenylene‐[1‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)]vinylene‐1,4‐phenylene}). The last two polymers had alternating sequences of the two structural units. Among the three polymers, P(DOF‐PVP) performed best in the light‐emitting diode devices of indium–tin oxide/poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (30 nm)/polymer (150 nm)/Li:Al (100 nm). This might have been correlated with the balance in and magnitude of the mobility of the charge carriers, that is, positive holes and electrons, and also the electronic structure, that is, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels, of the polymers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 307–317, 2006     

Modification of narrow‐spectrum peptidomimetic polyurethanes with fatty acid chains confers broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity

Each year, thousands of patients die from antimicrobial‐resistant bacterial infections that fail to respond to conventional antibiotic treatment. Antimicrobial polymers are a promising new method of combating antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections. We have previously reported the synthesis of a series of narrow‐spectrum peptidomimetic antimicrobial polyurethanes that are effective against Gram‐negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli; however, these polymers are not effective against Gram‐positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. With the aim of understanding the correlation between chemical structure and antibacterial activity, we have subsequently developed three structural variants of these antimicrobial polyurethanes using post‐polymerization modification with decanoic acid and oleic acid. Our results show that such modifications converted the narrow‐spectrum antibacterial activity of these polymers into broad‐spectrum activity against Gram‐positive species such as S. aureus, however, also increasing their toxicity to mammalian cells. Mechanistic studies of bacterial membrane disruption illustrate the differences in antibacterial action between the various polymers. The results demonstrate the challenge of balancing antimicrobial activity and mammalian cell compatibility in the design of antimicrobial polymer compositions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Scatheless active functionalized poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) fibres and their outstanding potential in enhancing interface adhesion with polymer matrix

Exploration of new functionalization approaches to inert rigid fiber, activation inert surface, and enhancing interface adhesion is urgently required for fiber‐based multiphase materials. In this paper, we developed a simple yet efficient method towards active functionalized poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) fiber through mussel‐adhesive, self‐polymerization, and successive dipping–drying procedure based on as‐designed detachable equipment. In comparison with current acid etching and high energy radiation methods, the active functional strategy achieves scatheless functional modification to inert rigid fiber. Attribute to π–π conjugation effect, the new active nanolayers integrate rigid fiber and polymer matrix into homogeneous‐like structure. Consequently, the functionalized fiber‐based composites exhibit great mechanical property and desirable field‐responsive ability. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43018.     

Polymeric coatings for photostability enhancement of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) derivative films

Poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives are an important class of conjugated polymers, known for their applications as electroluminescent materials for light‐emitting devices and sensors. These derivatives are highly susceptible to photodegradation by the combined action of oxygen and light. Here, the use of various commercial polymers as protective coatings against the photodegradation of PPV derivatives was explored. Cast films of two similar PPV derivatives, poly[(2‐methoxy‐5‐n‐hexyloxy)‐p‐phenylene vinylene] and poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐p‐phenylene vinylene], were submitted to photodegradation by exposure to white light under atmospheric conditions in order to verify if the type of side chain (linear or branched) had an effect on the photodegradation. No significant differences in the photodegradation behaviour between the two polymers were noticed. The following commercial polymers were tested as protective coatings for the PPV derivative cast films: 99 and 80% hydrolysed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and starch. The best results were achieved using coatings of 99% hydrolysed PVA, which increased about 700 times the time necessary for complete degradation of the PPV derivative films. The results show the effectiveness of this coating in minimizing and, possibly, controlling the effects of the photodegradation of PPV derivative films, which can be useful in many applications, e.g. oxygen sensors. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

The preparation of α‐bis and α,ω‐tetrakis aromatic oxazolyl‐ and carboxyl‐functionalized polymers using 1,1‐bis[4‐(2‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐oxazolyl))phenyl]ethylene in atom transfer radical polymerization reactions

The preparation of new compounds, 1,1‐bis[4‐(2‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐oxazolyl))phenyl]ethanol and a new symmetrically disubstituted 1,1‐diphenylethylene derivative, 1,1‐bis[4‐(2‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐oxazolyl))phenyl]ethylene, is described. 1,1‐Bis[4‐(2‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐oxazolyl))phenyl]ethylene was utilized as a dioxazolyl initiator precursor for the polymerization of styrene by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) methods to produce α‐bis(oxazolyl) polystyrene. The kinetic study of the polymerization process indicated that the free radical polymerization reaction for the preparation of α‐bis(oxazolyl) polystyrene follows first‐order rate kinetics with respect to monomer consumption. α,ω‐Tetrakis(oxazolyl) polystyrene was prepared by a new, in situ, controlled/living, post‐ATRP chain‐end‐functionalization reaction which involves the direct addition of 1,1‐bis[4‐(2‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐oxazolyl))phenyl]ethylene to the ω‐terminus of the α‐bis(oxazolyl) polystyrene derivative, without the isolation and purification of the polymeric precursor. α‐Bis(carboxyl) and α,ω‐tetrakis(carboxyl) polystyrene derivatives were obtained by the quantitative chemical transformation of the oxazoline groups of the respective aromatic oxazolyl chain‐end‐functionalized polystyrene derivatives to the aromatic carboxyl groups. The organic precursor compounds, the dioxazolyl‐functionalized 1,1‐diphenylethylene derivative and the functionalized polymers were characterized using ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, size‐exclusion and thin‐layer chromatography and non‐aqueous titration measurements. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐divinylbenzene‐co‐vinylbenzyl chloride)‐derived hypercrosslinked polymer microspheres and a preliminary evaluation of their potential for the solid‐phase capture of pharmaceuticals

Poly[acrylonitrile (AN)‐co‐divinylbenzene (DVB)‐co‐vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC)] terpolymers were synthesized by precipitation polymerization in the form of porous polymer microspheres. The poly(AN‐co‐DVB‐co‐VBC) polymers were then hypercrosslinked, via a Friedel‐Crafts reaction with FeCl₃ in nitrobenzene, to provide a significant uplift in the specific surface areas of the polymers. FTIR spectra of the hypercrosslinked poly(AN‐co‐DVB‐co‐VBC)s showed that the chloromethyl groups derived from VBC were consumed by the Friedel‐Crafts reactions, which was consistent with successful hypercrosslinking. Hypercrosslinking installed a number of new, small pores into the polymers, as evidenced by a dramatic increase in the specific surface areas upon hypercrosslinking (from ～530 to 1080 m² g^?1). The hypercrosslinked polymers are very interesting for a range of applications, not least of all for solid‐phase extraction (SPE) work, where the convenient physical form of the polymers (beaded format), their low mean particle diameters, and narrow particle size distributions, as well as their high specific surface areas and polar character (arising from the AN residues), make them attractive candidates as SPE sorbents. In this regard, in a preliminary study one of the hypercrosslinked polymers was utilized as an SPE sorbent for the capture of the polar pharmaceutical diclofenac from a polar environment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45677.