Synthesis of diblock copolymer poly(10-hydroxydecanoic acid)/polystyrene by combining enzymatic condensation polymerization and ATRP

Summary The diblock copolymers poly(10-hydroxydecanoic acid)-block-polystyrene (PHDA-b-PSt) were synthesized by combining enzymatic condensation polymerization of 10-hydroxydecanoic acid (HDA) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St). PHDA was firstly obtained via enzymatic condensation polymerization catalyzed by Novozyme-435. Subsequently one end of poly(10-hydroxydecanoic acid) (PHDA) chains was modified by reaction with α-bromopropionyl bromide and the other was protected by chlorotrimethylsilane (TMSCL), respectively, the resulting monofunctional macroinitiator was used in the ATRP of St using CuCl/2,2^′-bipyridine (bpy) as the catalyst system to afford the diblock copolymers including biodegradable PHDA blocks and well-defined PSt blocks.     

The chemoenzymatic synthesis of AB-type diblock copolymers from a novel bifunctional initiator

A novel bifunctional initiator 2,2,2-trichloroethanol (TCE) is used for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of AB-type diblock copolymer polycaprolactone-block-polystyrene (PCL-b-PSt) by combination of two fundamentally different synthetic techniques: enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St). The kinetic study on the TCE-initiated enzymatic ROP of ε-CL in the presence of the biocatalyst Novozyme-435 was investigated. By optimization of the reaction conditions, TCE quantitatively initiated enzymatic ROP of ε-CL. Trichloromethyl-terminated PCL macromolecules prepared in this way were subsequently employed as macroinitiators in the ATRP of St using CuCl/2,2′-bipyridine as the catalyst system to afford well-defined AB-type diblock copolymers PCL-b-PSt. The kinetic analysis of ATRP indicated a ‘living’/controlled radical polymerization. The polymeric nanospheres were prepared by the precipitation method from two resulting PCL-PSt diblock copolymers with different content ratio of PSt to PCL. It was determined by DLS and AFM that two different diameter nanospheres had been obtained.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers by ATRP initiated with a bifunctional initiator containing trichloromethyl groups

Bifunctional polystyrene macroinitiators, having various molecular weights, were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), initiated with bifunctional initiator 1,3-bis{1-methyl-1[(2,2,2-trichloroethoxy) carbonylamino]ethyl}benzene in conjunction with CuCl catalyst and polyamine ligands. These macroinitiators were subsequently used for ATRP of tert-butyl acrylate (t-BuA), giving BAB triblocks poly[(t-BuA)-b-(Sty)-b-(t-BuA)] as precursors of amphiphilic copolymers. Both the polymerization steps proceeded as controlled processes with linear semi-logarithmic conversion plots and lengths of the blocks following theoretical predictions. Hydrolysis of outer poly(t-BuA) blocks led to triblock copolymers with the central polystyrene block and outer blocks of poly(acrylic acid), the molecular weights of which ranged from ca. 5 × 10³ to almost 1 × 10⁵ Da.     

Synthesis of star-shaped PCL-b-PMMA/PSt from cyclotriphosphazene initiator by ring-opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

Summary Star-shaped block copolymers PCL-b-PMMA and PCL-b-PSt were successfully synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) on the basis of hydroxyl-terminated cyclotriphosphazene. The star-shaped PCL was synthesized by bulk polymerization of ε-caprolactone with hydroxyl-terminated cyclotriphosphazene initiator. Star-shaped PCL was converted into a macroinitiator via esterification with 2-bromopropionyl bromide. Star-shaped block copolymers could be obtained by ATRP of methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St). The molecular weight of these star-shaped block copolymers could be adjusted by the variation of monomer conversion.     

两亲性双嵌段共聚物的合成与降解

为改善聚乳酸的亲水性,以辛酸亚锡为催化剂,自制的D,L-丙交酯和低相对分子质量端羟基聚乙烯基吡咯烷酮(PVP)为单体,采用本体开环嵌段共聚合法,制备了两亲性聚乳酸-PVP双嵌段共聚物。考察了原料配比对共聚物的黏均相对分子质量及在磷酸盐缓冲液中的降解规律的影响,并测定了其接触角和吸水率。结果表     

Synthesis, characterization, and controllable drug release of dendritic star-block copolymer by ring-opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

A series of well-defined dendritic star-block copolymers were successfully synthesized by combination of living ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with the hydroxyl-terminated dendrimer polyester. Dendritic star-shaped poly(l-lactide)s (PLLAs) were prepared by bulk polymerization of l-lactide (l-LA) with dendrimer polyester initiator and tin 2-ethylhexanoate catalyst. The number-average molecular weight of these polymers linearly increased with the molar ratio of l-LA to dendrimer initiator. Dendritic star-shaped PLLA was converted into a PLLABr macroinitiator with 2-bromopropionyl bromide. Dendritic star-block copolymers could be obtained via ATRP of 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The molecular weight distributions of these copolymers were narrow. The molecular weights of dendritic star-shaped polymers and star-block copolymers could be controlled by the molar ratios of monomer to initiator and monomer conversion. The thermal properties of these dendritic star-shaped polymers and star-block copolymers were investigated. The behavior of model drug chlorambucil release from the copolymer indicated that the rate of drug release could be effectively controlled by altering the pH values of the environment.     

Synthesis of non-amphiphilic block copolymer with S-trityl-cysteine and pyrene units by ATRP polymerization: characterization and fluorescence study

A new diblock copolymer, 1-methylpyrene isobutyrate–poly(methyl methacrylate–block-N-acryloyl-S-trityl-cysteine)-Br (Py–PMMA–b-ATCys-Br), was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of N-acryloyl-S-trityl-L-cysteine monomer (ATCys) with 1-methylpyrene isobutyrate–poly(methyl methacrylate)–Br as a macroinitiator. The diblock copolymer and its precursor were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and glass transition temperatures (Tg) measurements. Fluorescence properties of the diblock copolymer were investigated using various quenching (Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺) in dimethylformamide solutions, the more efficient quenchers being the Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions. In addition, the effect of in situ photogenerated silver nanoparticles on the copolymer fluorescence was also investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of well-defined hydrophilic block copolymer brushes by aqueous ATRP

Homopolymer brushes of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA), poly(methoxyethylacrylamide) (PMEA) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)(PNIPAM) grown on atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator functionalized latex particles were used as macroinitiators for the synthesis of PDMA-b-PNIPAM/PMEA, PMEA-b-PDMA/PNIPAM and PNIPAM-b-PDMA block copolymer brushes by surface initiated aqueous ATRP. The grafted homopolymer and block copolymer brushes were analyzed for molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, chain grafting density, composition and hydrodynamic thickness (HT) using gel permeation chromatography-multi-angle laser light scattering, ¹H NMR, particle size analysis and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The measured graft molecular weight increased following the second ATRP reaction in all cases, indicating the second block had been added. Chain growth depended on the nature of the monomer used for block copolymerization and its concentration. Unimodal distribution of polymer chains in GPC with non-overlap of molar mass-elution volume curves implied an efficient block copolymerization. This was supported by the increase in HT measured by particle size analysis, equilibrium thickness observed by AFM and the composition of the block copolymer layer by ¹H NMR analysis, both in situ and on cleaved chains in solution. ¹H NMR analysis of the grafted latex and cleaved polymers from the surface demonstrated that accurate determination of the copolymer composition by this method is possible without detaching polymer chains from surface. Block copolymer brushes obey the same power law dependence of HT on molecular weight as homopolymer brushes in good solvent conditions. The NIPAM-containing block copolymer brushes were sensitive to changes in the environment as shown by a decrease in HT with increase in the temperature of the medium.     

双官能团引发剂引发甲基丙烯酸甲酯的聚合速率

研究了双官能团引发剂2,5-双(2-乙基己酰过氧化)-2,5-二甲基己烷（TX-141）引发甲基丙烯酸甲酯（MMA）的自由基聚合动力学,考察了引发剂浓度、聚合温度对聚合动力学的影响.结果表明：该体系的聚合活化能为91 kJ•mol^-1左右,计算得到TX-141引发剂的分解活化能为140 kJ•mol^-1左右,与实验值接近;TX-141引发剂的反应级数约为0.72,说明MMA聚合终止基元反应中单基和双基终止并存.同时与相似半衰期的过氧化二苯甲酰（BPO）比较,发现当TX-141引发剂浓度为BPO的1/2时,两者在各个聚合温度下的聚合动力学曲线几乎相同;但相对分子质量有明显增加,随聚合转化率增加,TX-141与BPO引发的聚合物数均分子量之比从1.2变化到1.33;由TX-141引发的聚合物低转化率时DSC曲线出现放热峰,而高转化率以及BPO引发的聚合物则没有.说明双官能团引发剂TX-141引发聚合时,在低转化率下TX-141引发剂的2个过氧键没有全部断裂,随聚合进行,断裂程度加深.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the novel amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly[caprolactone‐block‐(glycidyl methacrylate)] from a bifunctional initiator and its micellization behavior

The chemoenzymatic synthesis of a novel diblock copolymer consisting of a hydrocarbon block of polycaprolactone (PCL) and an epoxy‐based block of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) was achieved by the combination of enzymatic ring‐opening polymerization (eROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). A trichloromethyl‐terminated PCL macrointiator was obtained via Novozyme 435‐catalyzed eROP of ε‐caprolactone from a bifunctional initiator, 2,2,2‐trichloroethanol, under anhydrous conditions. PCL‐b‐PGMA diblock copolymers were synthesized in a subsequent ATRP of glycidyl methacrylate. The kinetics analysis of ATRP indicated a ‘living’/controlled radical polymerization. The macromolecular structure and thermal properties of the PCL macroinitiator and of the diblock copolymer were characterized using NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. The well‐defined PCL‐b‐PGMA amphiphilic diblock copolymer self‐assembled in aqueous solution into nanoscale micelles. The size and shape of the resulting micelles were investigated using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether-based amphiphilic diblock copolymer

Perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether-based amphiphilic diblock copolymer containing hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) segment was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Perfluorocyclobutyl-containing methacrylate-based monomer, 4-(4′-p-tolyloxyperfluorocyclobutoxy)benzyl methacrylate, was prepared firstly, which can be polymerized by ATRP in a controlled way to obtain well-defined homopolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.30). The molecular weights increased linearly with the conversions of monomer and the apparent polymerization rate exhibited first-order relation with respect to the concentration of monomer. ATRP of 4-(4′-p-tolyloxyperfluorocyclobutoxy)benzyl methacrylate was initiated by PEG-based macroinitiators with different molecular weights to obtain amphiphilic diblock copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.35) and the number of perfluorocyclobutyl linkage can be tuned by the feed ratio and the conversion of the fluorine-containing methacrylate monomer. The critical micelle concentrations of these amphiphilic diblock copolymers in water and brine were determined by fluorescence probe technique. The morphologies of the micelles were found to be spheres by TEM.     

Synthesis of symmetric H-shaped block copolymer by the combination of ATRP and living anionic polymerization

A novel fluorescent dye labeled H-shaped block copolymer, (PMMA-Fluor-PS)₂-PEO-(PS-Fluor-PMMA)₂, is synthesized by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and anionic polymerization (AP). To obtain the designated structure of the copolymer, a macroinitiator, 2,2-dichloro acetyl-PEO-2,2-dichloro acetyl (DCA-PEO-DCA), was prepared from DCAC and poly(ethylene oxide). The copolymer was characterized by ¹H NMR, GPC and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, characterization and ring-opening polymerization of a novel six-membered cyclic carbonate bearing pendent allyl ether group

A novel six-membered cyclic carbonate with pendent allyl ether group, 5-allyloxy-1,3-dioxan-2-one (ATMC), was synthesized from glycerol, and the corresponding polycarbonate, poly(5-allyloxy-1,3-dioxan-2-one) (PATMC) was further synthesized by ring-opening polymerization in bulk at 120 °C. Two kinds of catalyst, tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) and immobilized porcine pancreas lipase on silica particles (IPPL), were employed to perform the polymerization. The structures of the novel monomer and the resulting functional polymers were confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, GPC and DSC. The molecular weight (M_n) of PATMC decreased rapidly with the increase of IPPL or Sn(Oct)₂ concentration. The highest molecular weight (M_n = 48,700 g/mol) of PATMC with the polydispersity of 1.31 was obtained at 0.1 wt% concentration of IPPL for 48 h. Postpolymerization oxidation reactions to epoxidize the unsaturated bonds of the PATMC were also achieved. The epoxide-containing polymers could afford facilities for further modification.     

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic functional polyesters by ring-opening polymerization and click reaction

During this work we have prepared novel amphiphilic graft-block (PαN₃CL-g-alkyne)-b-PCL functional polyesters, comprising poly(α-azido-ε-caprolactone-graft-alkyne) (PαN₃CL-g-alkyne) as the hydrophilic segment and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as the hydrophobic segment, by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) with hydroxyl-terminated macroinitiator PαClCL, substituting pendent chloride with sodium azide. The copolymers were subsequently used for grafting of 2-propynyl-terminal alkyne moieties by the Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen’s 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, thus producing a “click” reaction. ¹H NMR, FT-IR, GPC, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) examined the characteristics of the copolymers. Grafting of PMEs or PMPEGs onto the PαN₃CL-b-PCL caused these amphiphilic copolymers to self-assemble into micelles in the aqueous phase. Fluorescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) then examined these micelles. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) ranged from 8.2 mg L⁻¹ to 39.8 mg L⁻¹ at 25 °C and the average micelle size ranged from 140 to 230 nm. The hydrophilicity and length of the hydrophilic segment influenced micelle stability. The current study describes the drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading content of the micelles, dependent on the composition of graft-block polymers. The results from in vitro cell viability assays indicated that (PαN₃CL-g-alkyne)-b-PCL shows low cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis and characterization of star polylactide by ring-opening polymerization of l-lactic acid O-carboxyanhydride

Ring-opening polymerization of l-lactic acid O-carboxyanhydride was catalyzed by 4-dimethylaminopyridine in the presence of polyols pentaerythritol (PER) or dipentaerythritol (DPE). A high yield and relatively high molecular weight of 4- or 6-arm star PLA were obtained. The reaction was observed to be conducted easily and controllably. NMR analysis revealed that the end of the star PLA chain is a hydroxyl group and the central core is a PER or DPE group. The crystallinity of star PLA is lower than that of linear PLA. The crystallinity of 4-arm star PLA is lower than that of 6-arm PLA. Compared with that of 4-arm star PLA, the molecular arrangement of 6-arm star PLA may be relatively more regular.     

一种新型聚降冰片烯类无规共聚物的合成与表征

降冰片烯衍生物的开环易位聚合具有反应条件温和、反应速率快及尺寸可控等优点,且因其独特的结构使得聚合物主链具有良好的热稳定性及耐酸碱性能。本文通过开环易位聚合法制备了降冰片烯基苯磺酰氯(NBSC)与5-降冰片烯-2,3-二羧酸二甲酯(DCNM)的新型二元无规共聚物。通过FT-IR、NMR表征了单体和共聚物的化学结构,并通过设计对比实验探究了最佳反应条件。GPC数据显示,当两单体配比1:1,催化剂用量为单体总物质的量1/450,反应时间30 min,反应温度40℃时,共聚物的相对分子质量最大,分子量分布较窄,产率最高,此条件为最佳反应条件。DSC表明,DCNM单体均聚物的T_g为60℃,与NBSC共聚后,T_g升高至80℃左右。TGA数据显示共聚物质量分解5%时对应的温度为145℃,最大分解速率时的温度为245℃,证明该聚合物具有良好的热稳定性。综合考虑其各项性能,这种新型的聚合物有望用于燃料电池质子交换膜领域的研究。     

Synthesis of biopolymer-grafted nanodiamond by ring-opening polymerization

We have developed an efficient and biological method for the covalent functionalization of nanodiamond (ND) biopolymers. ND-grafted-poly(l-lactic acid) (ND-g-PLLA) and ND-grafted-poly(ε-caprolactone) (ND-g-PCL) were prepared by surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization. After homogenization of the surface by mixed acids and thionyl chlorides, the surface of ND was modified with 1,6-hexanediol to possess hydroxyl groups, which could be used as coinitiators to polymerize l-lactide or ε-caprolactone to yield ND grafted with bio-polyesters. The FT-IR, Raman and NMR spectra revealed that the polyester chains were covalently attached to the ND and the weight gains as a result of the functionalized ND particles were determined by TGA analysis. The ND-g-PLLA and ND-g-PCL were both well dispersed in the organic solvents and the average diameters were measured. The TEM images demonstrate that the dispersion of pristine ND has been significantly improved after modification of ND with PLLA or PCL.     

Synthesis of narrow-distribution polycyclopentene using a ruthenium ring-opening metathesis initiator

Polycyclopentene was synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) at room temperature, using a ruthenium-based initiator in the presence of tricyclohexylphosphine, which acts as a polymerization regulator by shifting the metal-ligand binding equilibrium. A kinetic model was developed for the monomer conversion and polymer molecular weight as a function of time, monomer concentration, and monomer-to-initiator and phosphine-to-initiator ratios, and was fit to experimental data to extract a single rate parameter. By eliminating impurities which act as chain-transfer agents, and optimizing reaction conditions to minimize secondary metathesis, polycyclopentenes of controllable molecular weight (M_n = 6-40 kg/mol) and narrow distributions (PDI ≈ 1.15) can be routinely obtained, which could be hydrogenated to perfectly linear polyethylenes. This work extends existing ROMP methods for the synthesis of precursors to narrow-distribution polyethylene, which have employed tungsten or molybdenum catalysts, to a commercially available, robust ruthenium initiator.     

四官能度过氧化物JWEB50引发的PS-b-PMMA合成与表征

引言嵌段共聚物是具有两种或两种以上不同链段的聚合物,不同链段间存在的化学键限制了聚合物的相分离程度,易形成微相分离结构[1],而嵌段共聚物能作为聚合物共混体系的相容剂,只需加入少量