Preparation the Key Intermediate of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors: High Enantioselective Production of Ethyl (R)‐2‐Hydroxy‐4‐Phenylbutyrate with Candida boidinii CIOC21

Forty microorganisms belonging to different taxonomical groups were used to catalyze the enantioselective reduction of ethyl 2‐oxophenylbutyrate to afford the corresponding ethyl 2‐hydroxy‐4‐phenylbutyrate. Several microorganisms led to over 99% ee of ethyl (S)‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐phenylbutyrate. Especially, we firstly found that the Candida boidinii CIOC21 could be effectively used for the enantioselective preparation the ethyl (R)‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐phenylbutyrate in pure aqueous medium with 99% ee, a key intermediate in the production of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.     

The Catalytic Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to N‐(Diphenylphosphinoyl) Imines Catalyzed by Cu(OTf)2‐Chiral N‐(Binaphthyl‐2‐yl)thiophosphoramide Ligands

Chiral N‐(binaphthyl‐2‐yl)thiophosphoramide L7 [O,O‐diethyl 2′‐(ethylamino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2‐ylamidothiophosphate] prepared from the reaction of diethyl chlorothiophosphate with (R)‐(+)‐N‐ethyl‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine was used as a catalytic chiral ligand in the first Cu(OTf)₂‐promoted catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to N‐(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines in which ~85% ee can be realized.     

Optical resolution of (R,S)‐2‐phenyl‐1‐propanol through enantioselective ethycellulose membranes

Enantioselective membrane was prepared using ethyl cellulose (EC) as membrane material. The flux and permselective properties of membrane using aqueous solution of (R,S)‐2‐phenyl‐1‐propanol as feed solution was studied. The employed membrane process was a pressure driven process. All kinds of important conditions including preparation and operation of membranes were investigated in this experimentation. When the membrane was prepared with 18 wt % EC, 20 wt % N,N‐dimethylformamide in casting solution, 13 min evaporation time and 0°C temperature of water bath for the gelation of the membrane, and the operating pressure and feed solution of (R,S)‐2‐phenyl‐1‐propanol were 0.2 MPa and 1.5 mg/mL, respectively, over 90% of enantiomeric excess (e.e.) and 44.2 (mg/m² h) of flux were obtained. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of new poly(amide‐imide)s based on 1,4‐bis(trimellitimido)‐2,5‐dichlorobenzene

A series of new aromatic poly(amide‐imide)s were synthesized by the triphenyl phosphite‐activated polycondensation of the diimide‐diacid, 1,4‐bis(trimellitimido)‐2,5‐dichlorobenzene (I), with various aromatic diamines in a medium consisting of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), pyridine, and calcium chloride. The poly(amide‐imide)s had inherent viscosities of 0.88–1.27 dL g⁻¹. The diimide‐diacid monomer (I) was prepared from 2,5‐dichloro‐p‐phenylenediamine with trimellitic anhydride. All the resulting polymers were amorphous and were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including NMP and N,N‐dimethylacetamide. Transparent, flexible, and tough films of these polymers could be cast from N,N‐dimethylacetamide or NMP solutions. Cast films had tensile strengths ranging from 92 to 127 MPa, elongations at break from 4 to 24%, and initial moduli from 2.59 to 3.65 GPa. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers were in the range of 256°–317°C, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 430°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 271–278, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of multi‐block copolymers containing poly [(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyvalerate)] and poly(ethylene glycol)

Various problems, including high crystallinity, high melting temperature, poor thermal stability, hydrophobicity and brittleness, have impeded many practical applications of poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyvalerate)] (PHBV) as an environmentally friendly material and biomedical material. In the work reported here, multi‐block copolymers containing PHBV and poly(ethylene glycol) (PHBV‐b‐PEG) were synthesized with telechelic hydroxylated PHBV as a hard and hydrophobic segment, PEG as a soft and hydrophilic segment and 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate as a coupling reagent to solve the problems mentioned above. PHBV and PEG blocks in PHBV‐b‐PEG formed separate crystalline phases with lower crystallinity levels and lower melting temperatures than those of phases formed in the precursors. The crystallite dimensions of the two blocks in PHBV‐b‐PEG were smaller than those of the corresponding precursors. Compared to values for the original PHBV, the maximum decomposition temperature of the PHBV block in PHBV‐b‐PEG was 16.0 °C higher and the water contact angle was 9° lower. In addition, the elongation at break was 2.8% for a pure PHBV fiber but 20.9% for a PHBV/PHBV‐b‐PEG fiber with a PHBV‐b‐PEG content of 30%. PHBV‐b‐PEGs can overcome some of the disadvantages of pure PHBV; it is possible that PHBV might be a good candidate for the formulation of environmentally friendly materials and biomedical materials. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficient separation of (R)‐(‐)‐mandelic acid biosynthesized from (R,S)‐mandelonitrile by nitrilase using ion‐exchange process

BACKGROUND: (R)‐(‐)‐Mandelic acid (R‐MA) is an important intermediate and chiral regent with broad uses. An efficient method for the separation of R‐MA from the bioreaction mixture with high yield is of great importance, thus, the main objective of this work is to investigate the recovery of R‐MA using an ion‐exchange process. RESULTS: The equilibrium isotherms for the separation of R‐MA by resin HZ202 were obtained in the pH range 5.0–9.0 and temperature range 25–35 °C. The equilibrium data are well fitted by the Langmuir isotherm. Batch kinetic experiments showed that the mobility of R‐MA^? in solution was rapid and the R‐MA^?/OH^? ion‐exchange process reached equilibrium after about 60 min. Adsorption kinetics were analyzed by a linear driving force mass‐transfer model, yielding good prediction of the kinetic behavior. In fixed bed column experiments, the breakthrough curves of R‐MA from the solution on resin HZ202 were determined at different flow rates and R‐MA was eluted with different concentrations of HCl. A favorable breakthrough curve and optimal eluant concentration were obtained. The results were used for the separation of R‐MA biosynthesized from (R,S)‐mandelonitrile with nitrilase, and separation was successfully achieved with above 90% recovery yield. CONCLUSION: Resin HZ202 presents favorable behavior for the recovery of R‐MA, in terms of capacity, kinetics, affinity, and susceptibility to regeneration. The results of this study provide an efficient method for R‐MA recovery from bioreaction mixture and could potentially be used in industry. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of poly(butylene succinate)‐poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] copolymers and their applications as carriers for drug delivery

Copolymers of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]–poly(butylene succinate)–poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA–PBS–PDMAEMA, PDBD) were synthesized through a chain‐extension reaction. The thermal properties characterized using differential scanning calorimetry showed that the introduction of PDMAEMA chains slightly decreased the melting temperature of PBS. The water contact angle of PDBD copolymer films with media of various pH decreased with a decrease of pH. This should be ascribed to the conformational transition of PDMAEMA blocks from a compact coil to an expanding shape in accordance with the variation of the pH of the surroundings. The results of dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy revealed that PDBD copolymers could form spherical micelles with small particle size and narrow particle size distribution. Furthermore, drug loading (loading content, ca 10%; encapsulation efficiency, ca 60%) and release experiments were conducted using doxorubicin as a hydrophobic model drug. The results of release experiments of copolymer nanomicelles showed that these micelles had pH‐responsive properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of novel optically active poly(imide–urethane)s derived from N,N′‐(pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐(L‐leucine) diisocyanate and aromatic diols

N,N′‐(Pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐(L ‐leucine) diacid was reacted with ethyl chloroformate in the presence of triethylamine followed by reaction with activated sodium azide and gave N,N′‐(pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐(L ‐leucine) diacylazide in high yield. This diacylazide was heated in dry benzene and gave the unstable N,N′‐(pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐(L ‐leucine) diisocyanate ( 5 ) in quantitative yield. Thus, diisocyanate 5 was generated in situ and polycondensation reaction of this monomer with several aromatic diols, such as 4,4′‐dihydroxybiphenyl, 1,4‐hydroquinone, bisphenol A, phenolphthalein and 1,4‐dihydroxyanthraquinone, was performed in dry toluene under refluxing in the presence of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (triethylenediamine) as a catalyst. The polymerization reactions proceeded within 48 h, producing a series of optically active poly(imide–urethane)s with good yield and moderate inherent viscosity in the range 0.18–0.28 dl g^?1. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analyses and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these optically active poly(imide–urethane)s are reported Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Highly trans‐1,4‐specific polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene catalyzed by [2,6‐bis{(4S)‐ (−)‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazolin‐2‐yl}pyridine] chromium complex activated with modified methylaluminoxane

Chromium complexes with N,N,N‐tridentate ligands, LCrCl₃ (L = 2,6‐bis{(4S)‐(?)‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazolin‐2‐yl}pyridine ( 1 ), 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine ( 2 ), and 4,4′,4″‐tri‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine ( 3 )), were prepared. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X‐ray crystallography. Upon activation with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), 1 catalyzed the polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene, while 2 and 3 was inactive. The obtained poly(1,3‐butadiene) obtained with 1 ‐MMAO was found to have completely trans‐1,4 structure. The 1 ‐MMAO system also showed catalytic activity for the polymerization of isoprene to give polyisoprene with trans‐1,4 (68%) and cis‐1,4 (32%) structure. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Thermal Behaviors of 3‐Nitro‐1,5‐bis(4,4′‐dimethylazide)‐1,2,3‐triazolyl‐3‐azapentane (NDTAP)

The energetic material, 3‐nitro‐1,5‐bis(4,4′‐dimethyl azide)‐1,2,3‐triazolyl‐3‐azapentane (NDTAP), was firstly synthesized by means of Click Chemistry using 1,5‐diazido‐3‐nitrazapentane as main material. The structure of NDTAP was confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy; mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The crystal structure of NDTAP was determined by X‐ray diffraction. It belongs to monoclinic system, space group C2/c with crystal parameters a=1.7285(8) nm, b=0.6061(3) nm, c=1.6712(8) nm, β=104.846(8)°, V=1.6924(13) nm³, Z=8, μ=0.109 mm⁻¹, F(000)=752, and D_c=1.422 g cm⁻³. The thermal behavior and non‐isothermal decomposition kinetics of NDTAP were studied with DSC and TG‐DTG methods. The self‐accelerating decomposition temperature and critical temperature of thermal explosion are 195.5 and 208.2 °C, respectively. NDTAP presents good thermal stability and is insensitive.     

Synthesis and characterization of new rigid‐rod and organosoluble poly(amide–imide)s based on 1,4‐bis(trimellitimido)‐2,3,5,6‐tetramethylbenzene

A series of new aromatic poly(amide–imide)s (PAIs) was synthesized by triphenyl phosphite‐activated polycondensation of the diimide–diacid, 1,4‐bis(trimellitimido)‐2,3,5,6‐tetramethylbenzene (I), with various aromatic diamines in a medium consisting of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), pyridine, and calcium chloride. The PAIs had inherent viscosities of 0.82–2.43 dL/g. The diimide–diacid monomer (I) was prepared from 2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine with trimellitic anhydride (TMA). Most of the resulting polymers showed an amorphous nature and were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents including NMP, N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). Transparent, flexible, and tough films of these polymers could be cast from DMAc solutions. Their cast films had tensile strengths ranging from 80 to 95 MPa, elongation at break from 10 to 45%, and initial modulus from 2.01 to 2.50 GPa. The 10% weight loss temperatures of these polymers were above 510°C in nitrogen. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1162–1170, 2000     

Applying alpha‐phenacyl chloride to the enantioselective reduction of ethyl 2‐oxo‐4‐phenylbutyrate with baker's yeast

BACKGROUND: The enantioselectivity of reduction of ethyl 2‐oxo‐4‐phenylbutyrate (EOPB) to synthesize ethyl (R)‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐phenylbutyrate ((R)‐EHPB) catalyzed with baker's yeast in diethyl ether can be improved by the introduction of alpha‐phenacyl chloride (PC). However, the toxicity of PC to the yeast results in a decrease in the catalytic activity of yeast. In order to overcome this limitation, four strategies for PC addition were designed. The effect of PC on the catalytic behavior of baker's yeast was studied using spectrum analysis of alcohol dehydrogenase from yeast (YADH). RESULTS: After being pretreated with PC according to Strategy 4, the pretreated baker's yeast possessed good catalytic activity and enantioselectivity for the reduction of EOPB to produce (R)‐EHPB. Under the optimum pretreatment conditions, the conversion of EOPB, the yield of EHPB and the enantiomeric excess of (R)‐EHPB reached 96%, 90% and 92%, respectively. Significant changes were observed in the UV absorption and fluorescence spectra of the YADH from the yeast pretreated by PC. CONCLUSION: The change of catalytic behavior of yeast after the pretreatment was probably caused by an interaction between yeast and PC. The reactive halomethyl group in PC molecule plays a key role for the interaction. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Novel organosoluble poly(amide‐imide‐imide)s synthesized from new tetraimide‐dicarboxylic acid by condensation with 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene,trimellitic anhydride,and various aromatic diamines

A new monomer of tetraimide‐dicarboxylic acid (IV) was synthesized by starting from ring‐opening addition of 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride, and 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene at a 1:2:2 molar ratio in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). From this new monomer, a series of novel organosoluble poly(amide‐imide‐imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.7–0.96 dL/g were prepared by triphenyl phosphite activated polycondensation from the tetraimide‐diacid with various aromatic diamines. All synthesized polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as NMP and N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and most of them were soluble even in less polar m‐cresol and pyridine. These polymers afforded tough, transparent, and flexible films with tensile strengths ranging from 99 to 125 MPa, elongations at break from 12 to 19%, and initial moduli from 1.6 to 2.4 GPa. The thermal properties and stability were also good with glass‐transition temperatures of 236–276°C and thermogravimetric analysis 10 wt % loss temperatures of 504–559°C in nitrogen and 499–544°C in air. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2854–2864, 2006     

Synthesis of amphiphilic poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid) diblock copolymers by atom transfer radical polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 1‐(butoxy)ethyl methacrylate (BEMA) was carried out using CuBr/2,2′‐bipyridyl complex as catalyst and 2‐bromo‐2‐methyl‐propionic acid ester as initiator. The number average molecular weight of the obtained polymers increased with monomer conversion, and molecular weight distributions were unimodal throughout the reaction and shifted toward higher molecular weights. Using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with a bromine atom at the chain end, which was prepared by ATRP, as the macro‐initiator, a diblock copolymer PMMA‐block‐poly [1‐(butoxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PMMA‐b‐PBEMA) has been synthesized by means of ATRP of BEMA. The amphiphilic diblock copolymer PMMA‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid) can be further obtained very easily by hydrolysis of PMMA‐b‐PBEMA under mild acidic conditions. The molecular weight and the structure of the above‐mentioned polymers were characterized with gel permeation chromatography, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of new cardo poly(bisbenzothiazole)s from 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3‐mercaptophenyl)‐4‐tert‐butylcyclohexane dihydrochloride

A new monomer 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3‐mercaptophenyl)‐4‐tert‐butylcyclohexane dihydrochloride, bearing the bulky pendant 4‐tert‐butylcyclohexylidene group, was synthesized from 4‐tert‐butylcyclohexanone in three steps. Its chemical structure was characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, FTIR, and EA. Aromatic poly(bisbenzothiazole)s (PBTs V) were prepared from the new monomer and five aromatic dicarboxylic acids by direct polycondensation. The inherent viscosities were in the range of 0.63–2.17 dL/g. These polymers exhibited good solubility and thermal stability. Most of the prepared PBTs V were soluble in various polar solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the decomposition temperatures at 10% weight loss that were in the range of 495–534°C in nitrogen. All the PBTs V, characterized by X‐ray diffraction, were amorphous. The UV absorption spectra of PBTs V showed a range of λ_max from 334 to 394 nm. All the PBTs V prepared had evident fluorescence emission peaks, ranging from 423 to 475 nm with different intensity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2000–2008, 2006     

Preparation and characterization of hyaluronan/chitosan scaffold cross‐ linked by 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide

A novel biocompatible scaffold was prepared by cross‐linking hyaluronan (HA) and chitosan (CS). The carboxyl groups of HA were activated by 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) and then cross‐linked with amino groups of CS by forming amide bonds. The HA/CS scaffold thus prepared was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry. FTIR spectra showed that the absorbance of the amide (1550 cm^?1) and carbonyl (1633 cm^?1) bond in the cross‐linked scaffold was stronger than that in HA or CS. SEM micrographs showed that the cross‐linked scaffold produced at low EDC concentration had an intertwisted ribbon‐like microstructure, while the product prepared at higher EDC concentration had a porous structure. The concentration of EDC in the reaction system greatly affected the structure and properties of the HA/CS scaffold. The prepared scaffold could strongly resist degradation by hyaluronidase, free radicals in vitro and stress. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of graft modification with poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) on thermal and mechanical properties of poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)

Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) groups were grafted onto poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) backbone to modify the properties of PHBV and synthesize a new novel biocompatible graft copolymer. The effect of graft modification with PVP on the thermal and mechanical properties of PHBV was investigated. The thermal stability of grafted PHBV was remarkably improved while the melting temperature (T_m) was almost not affected by graft modification. The isothermal crystallization behavior of samples was observed by polarized optical microscopy and the results showed that the spherulitic radial growth rates (G) of grafted PHBV at the same crystallization temperature (T_c) decreased with increasing graft yield (graft%) of samples. Analysis of isothermal crystallization kinetics showed that both the surface free energy (σ_e) and the work of chain‐folding per molecular fold (q) of grafted PHBV increased with increasing graft%, implying that the chains of grafted PHBV are less flexible than ungrafted PHBV. This conclusion was in agreement with the mechanical testing results. The Young's modulus of grafted PHBV increased while the elongation decreased with increasing graft%. The hydrophilicity of polymer films was also investigated by the water contact angle measurement and the results revealed that the hydrophilicity of grafted PHBV was enhanced. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synergistic extraction of rare earths(III) from chloride medium with mixtures of 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐4‐benzoyl‐pyrazalone‐5 and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐2‐ethylhexylphosphonate

The synergistic effect of 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐4‐benzoyl‐pyrazalone‐5 (HPMBP, HA) and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐2‐ethylhexylphosphonate (DEHEHP, B) in the extraction of rare earths (RE) from chloride solutions has been investigated. Under the experimental conditions used, there was no detectable extraction when DEHEHP was used as a single extractant while the amount of RE(III) extracted by HPMBP alone was also low. But mixtures of the two extractants at a certain ratio had very high extractability for all the RE(III). For example, the synergistic enhancement coefficient was calculated to be 9.35 for Y³⁺, and taking Yb³⁺ and Y³⁺ as examples, RE³⁺ is extracted as RE(OH)A₂.B. The stoichiometry, extraction constants and thermodynamic functions such as Gibbs free energy change ΔG (?17.06 kJ mol^?1), enthalpy change ΔH (?35.08 kJ mol^?1) and entropy change ΔS (?60.47 J K^?1 mol^?1) for Y³⁺ at 298 K were determined. The separation factors (SF) for adjacent pairs of rare earths were calculated. Studies show that the binary extraction system not only enhances the extraction efficiency of RE(III) but also improves the selectivity, especially between La(III) and the other rare earth elements. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Self‐organization of amphiphilic poly[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine] carrying tocopheryl moieties as terminal groups

Poly[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine](PMPC) with one pendant tocopheryl moiety at the polymer terminus (PMPC‐Toco) was prepared by the radical polymerization of 2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) initiated with 4,4′‐azobis[(3‐tocopheryl)‐4‐cyanopentanoate] in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol as a chain transfer reagent. The self‐organization of PMPC‐Toco was analyzed with fluorescence and ¹H‐NMR measurements. The critical micelle concentrations of PMPC‐Toco with [η] = 0.25, 0.13, 0.10, and 0.05 dL g^?1 were found to be 200, 100, 100, and 90 mg L^?1, respectively. The blood compatibility of PMPC‐Toco was evaluated from the Michaelis constant (K_m) for the enzymatic reaction of thrombin and a synthetic substrate, S‐2238, in the presence of PMPC‐Toco. The K_m values were 0.21, 0.23, 0.36, and 0.21 for PMPC‐Toco‐1, 2, 3, and PMPC ([η] = 0.56 dL g^?1), respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

High cis‐1,4 polyisoprene or cis‐1,4/3,4 binary polyisoprene synthesized using 2‐(benzimidazolyl)‐6‐(1‐(arylimino)ethyl)pyridine cobalt(II) dichlorides

Polyisoprene (PI) with a high content of cis‐1,4 (up to 95%) or cis‐1,4/3,4 binary structures was synthesized using a cobalt system in toluene. The cobalt system, which exhibited high activities (up to 3.50 × 10⁶ g PI (mol Co)^?1 h^?1), contained a series of 2‐(benzimidazolyl)‐6‐(1‐(arylimino)ethyl)pyridine cobalt(II) dichlorides activated with ethylaluminium sesquichloride. The nature of the ligands and the reaction conditions significantly affected both the catalytic performance of the cobalt complexes as well as the structures of the resultant PI. The stereospecific polymerization of isoprene could be tuned via changing either the co‐catalyst or solvent: for example, increased content of 3,4 PI (up to 36.6%) was achievable in heptane in the presence of diethylaluminium chloride. Sequence distribution analysis by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy indicated that most 3,4 units occurred randomly in the PI chains. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry