Water Solvent Method for Esterification and Amide Formation between Acid Chlorides and Alcohols Promoted by Combined Catalytic Amines: Synergy between N‐Methylimidazole and N,N,N′,N′‐Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA)

An efficient method for esterification between acid chlorides and alcohols in water as solvent has been developed by combining the catalytic amines, N‐methylimidazole and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA). The present Schotten–Baumann‐type reaction was performed by maintaining the pH at around 11.5 using a pH controller to prevent the decomposition of acid chlorides and/or esters and to facilitate the condensation. The choice of catalysts (0.1 equiv.) was crucial: the combined use of N‐methylimidazole and TMEDA exhibited a dramatic synergistic effect. The catalytic amines have two different roles: (i) N‐methylimidazole forms highly reactive ammonium intermediates with acid chlorides and (ii) TMEDA acts as an effective HCl binder. The production of these intermediates was rationally supported by a careful ¹H NMR monitoring study. Related amide formation was also achieved between acid chlorides and primary or secondary amines, including less nucleophilic or water‐soluble amines such as 2‐(or 4‐)chloroaniline, the Weinreb N‐methoxyamine, and 2,2‐dimethoxyethanamine.     

Water‐sorption and metal‐uptake behavior of pH‐responsive poly (N‐acryloyl‐N′‐methylpiperazine) gels

Hydrogels based on N‐acryloyl‐N′‐methylpiperazine (AcrNMP) swelled extensively in solutions of low pH due to the protonation of the tertiary amine. The water transport in the gels under an acidic condition was non‐Fickian and nearly Fickian in neutral pH with the collective diffusion coefficients determined as 2.08 × 10⁻⁷ and 5.00 × 10⁻⁷ cm⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. These gels demonstrated good metal‐uptake behavior with various divalent metal ions, in particular, copper and nickel, with the uptake capacity increased with increasing pH. The swelling ratio of the gel in the presence of metal ions decreased with increasing metal ion uptake. The results suggest that high metal ion uptake can lead to physical crosslinking arising from the interchain metal complex formation. The metal‐loaded gels could be stripped easily with 1M H₂SO₄ without any loss in their uptake capacity. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 268–273, 2001     

Synthesis and thermal studies of poly(N‐acryloyl,N′‐cyanoacetohydrazide) complexes with Co(II), Fe(III), and UO2(II) ions

Polymer complexes with uranium, cobalt, and iron chlorides were synthesized and investigated by elemental analysis, electronic (uv–visible), IR vibration, and magnetic moment measurements. The thermal stabilities of N‐acryloyl,N′‐cyanoacetohydrazide (ACAH) homopolymers and polymer complexes of poly(ACAH) (PACAH) with metal chlorides were studied thermogravimetrically. The rates of polymerization of PACAH in the absence and presence of metal chlorides were studied. The activation energies of the degradation of the homopolymer and polymer complexes were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3354–3358, 2003     

Synthesis of silver (nano)particle under hyperbranched poly(amido amine)s

Ag colloidal particles stabilized by poly (N,N′‐methylene bis‐acrylamide N‐aminoethyl piperazine) (MBA‐AEPZ) were prepared. The Ag⁺ ion concentration and reaction temperature were studied on the size and size distribution of Ag colloidal particles, which were determined from the ultraviolet (UV) plasmon absorption band and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analyses. The data show that poly(MBA‐AEPZ) behaves like lower molecular mass stabilizers; some polymers surround the surface of the Ag colloidal particles and the particle size can be controlled by a change in the Ag⁺ ion concentration and reaction temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3701–3705, 2007     

Cast polyurethane elastomers obtained with N,N′‐ethyleneurea and 1,4‐butanediol as chain extenders

Tensile properties and dynamic mechanical thermal properties for polyurethane elastomers extended with N,N′‐ethyleneurea (EU) and 1,4‐butanediol (1,4‐BD) were investigated. Also gel permeation chromatography and extraction experiments for selected elastomers were performed. EU residues were introduced into polyurethane during prepolymer synthesis at 140°C. Such prepolymers with built‐in EU residues were extended with 1,4‐BD for different [NCO]/[OH] molar ratios. The use of EU chain extender produces in general polymers with inferior mechanical properties compared to the typical 1,4‐BD based polyurethanes, although some of the EU‐based polymers show improved strain‐stress parameters. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 728–733, 2000     

Stereoselective partitioning of organic substrates by thermoresponsive polymers in aqueous phases

Partitioning of organic substrates by thermoresponsive polymer having N‐acryloylaminoalcohol moieties in aqueous phase has been studied. Thermoresponsive polymers, such as poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly(NIPAAm‐co‐N‐acryloyl‐(±)‐alaninol) (poly(NIPAAm‐co‐HIPAAm)), were found to concentrate several organic substrates into the hydrophobic field generated during their phase transition. The amount of the substrates recoverd from the polymer phase mainly depended on the hydrophobicity of the substrates. Aqueous solutions of PNIPAAm (lower critical solution temperature, LCST = 33°C) and poly(NIPAAm‐co‐HIPAAm) (LSCT = 41°C) containing 1‐phenylethanol showed LCSTs at 22°C and 33°C, respectively. The changes of LCSTs indicate that specific interactions such as hydrogen bonding between the side chain functionalities of the polymers and the substrates influence the phase transition behavior. Moreover, new optically active polymers having chiral aminoalcohol moieties have been synthesized by copolymerizations of NIPAAm with N‐acryloylaminoalcohols such as N‐acryloyl‐(S)‐alaninol and N‐acryloyl‐(S)‐prolinol. The (R)/(S) ratio of 1‐phenylethanol recovered from poly(NIPAAm‐co‐N‐acryloyl‐(S)‐alaninol) and poly(NIPAAm‐co‐N‐acryloyl‐(S)‐prolinol) were determined to be 75/25 and 68/32, respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3458–3464, 2013     

Direct (hetero)arylation polymerization for the synthesis of donor–acceptor conjugated polymers based on N‐benzoyldithieno [3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole and diketopyrrolopyrrole toward organic photovoltaic cell application

In this research, new donor–acceptor (D‐A) photovoltaic polymers were synthesized from dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole electron donor derivatives, including N‐benzoyldithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole and N‐(4‐hexylbenzoyl)dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole, in combination with the electron deficient unit 2,5‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3,6‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐dihydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione via direct (hetero)arylation polymerization. The D‐A conjugated polymers obtained were characterized via ¹H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, DSC, XRD, photoluminescence and UV–visible methods. In addition, these D‐A polymers were used as activated layers in bilayer and bulk heterojunction structures for the fabrication of organic photovoltaic cells. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polyurethane foams with the contribution of products of hydroxyalkylation of N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxyalkyl)oxamides with alkylene carbonates—obtaining and properties

In the reactions of N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)oxamide (BHEOD) with an excess of ethylene carbonate (EC) and N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxypropyl)oxamide (BHPOD) with an excess of propylene carbonate (PC), the hydroxyethoxy and hydroxypropoxy derivatives of oxamide (OD) were obtained, respectively, distinguished by an increased thermal stability. First time, these derivatives were used as polyol components to obtain foamed polyurethane plastics with the contribution of 4,4′‐diisocyanate diphenylmethane (MDI). The rigid polyurethane foams of a slight water uptake, good stability of dimensions, enhanced thermal stability, and compression strength were obtained. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

N,N′‐Pentamethylenethiuram disulfide‐ and N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide‐accelerated sulfur vulcanization. I. Interaction of curatives in the absence of rubber

N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram disulfide (CPTD), CPTD/sulfur, and N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide (CPTP6) were heated in a DSC at a programmed heating rate and isothermally at 140°C. Residual reactants and reaction products were analyzed by HPLC at various temperatures or reaction times. CPTD rapidly formed N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram monosulfide (CPTM) and N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram polysulfides (CPTP) of different sulfur rank, CPTP of higher sulfur rank forming sequentially, as reported earlier for tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD). As with TMTD, the high concentration of the accelerator monosulfide that develops is attributed to an exchange between CPTD and sulfenyl radicals, produced on homolysis of CPTD. However, a different mechanism for CPTP formation to that suggested for TMTD is proposed. It is suggested that disulfenyl radicals, resulting from CPTM formation, exchange with CPTD and/or CPTP already formed, to give CPTP of higher sulfur rank. CPTD/sulfur and CPTP6 very rapidly form a similar product spectrum with CPTP of sulfur rank 1–14 being detectable. Unlike with TMTD/sulfur, polysulfides of high sulfur rank did not form sequentially when sulfur was present, CPTP of all sulfur rank being detected after 30 s. It is proposed that sulfur adds directly to thiuram sulfenyl radicals. Recombination with sulfenyl radicals, which would be the most plentiful in the system, would result in highly sulfurated unstable CPTP. CPTP of higher sulfur rank are less stable than are disulfides as persulfenyl radicals are stabilized by cyclization, and the rapid random dissociation of the highly sulfurated CPTP, followed by the rapid random recombination of the radicals, would result in the observed product spectrum. CPTP is thermally less stable than is TMTD and at 140°C decomposed rapidly to N,N′‐pentamethylenethiourea (CPTU), sulfur, and CS₂. At 120°C, little degradation was observed. The zinc complex, zinc bis(pentamethylenedithiocarbamate), did not form at vulcanization temperatures, although limited formation was observed above 170°C. ZnO inhibits degradation of CPTD to CPTU. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2718–2731, 2000     

Electrolyte‐ and pH‐responsive polyampholytes with potential as viscosity‐control agents in enhanced petroleum recovery

Low‐charge‐density amphoteric copolymers and terpolymers composed of AM, the cationic comonomer (3‐acrylamidopropyl)trimethyl ammonium chloride, and amino acid derived monomers (e.g., N‐acryloyl valine, N‐acryloyl alanine, and N‐acryloyl aspartate) have been prepared via free‐radical polymerization in aqueous media. These terpolymers with random charge distributions have been compared to terpolymers of like compositions containing the anionic comonomer sodium 3‐acrylamido‐3‐methylbutanoate. Terpolymer compositions determined by ¹³C‐ and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, terpolymer molecular weights and polydispersity indices obtained via size exclusion chromatography/multi‐angle laser light scattering, and hydrodynamic dimensions determined via dynamic light scattering have allowed a direct comparison of the fundamental parameters affecting the behavioral characteristics. The solution properties of low‐charge‐density amphoteric copolymers and terpolymers have been studied as functions of the solution pH, ionic strength, and polymer concentration. The low‐charge‐density terpolymers display excellent solubility in deionized water with no phase separation. The charge‐balanced terpolymers exhibit antipolyelectrolyte behavior at pH values greater than or equal to 6.5 ± 0.2. As the solution pH decreases, these charge‐balanced terpolymers become increasingly cationic because of the protonation of the anionic repeat units. The aqueous solution behavior (i.e., globule‐ to‐coil transition at the isoelectric point in the presence of salt and globule elongation with increasing charge asymmetry) of the terpolymers in the dilute regime correlates well with that predicted by the polyampholyte solution theories. An examination of the comonomer charge density, hydrogen‐bonding ability, and spacer group (e.g., the moiety separating the ionic group from the polymer chain) indicates that conformational restrictions of the sodium 3‐acrylamido‐3‐methylbutanoate and N‐acryloyl valine segments result in increased chain stiffness and higher solution viscosities in deionized water and brine solutions. On the other hand, the terpolymers with N‐acryloyl alanine and N‐acryloyl aspartate segments are more responsive to changes in the salt concentration. An assessment of the effects of the terpolymer structure on the viscosity under specified conditions of the ionic strength and pH from these studies should allow for rational design of optimized systems for enhanced petroleum recovery. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007.     

Vinyl monomers bearing chromophore moieties and their polymers. VII. Synthesis,photochemical, and initiation behavior of acrylic monomers bearing phenothiazine oxide moieties and their polymers

Four acrylic monomers bearing phenothiazine oxide moieties, that is, N-acryloyl-phenothiazine-5-oxide (APTO), N-acryloyl-2-chlorophenothiazine-5-oxide (ACPTO), N-acryloyl-phenothiazine-5,5-dioxide (APTDO), and N-acryloyl-2-chlorophenothiazine-5,5-dioxide (ACPTDO) were synthesized by oxidation of corresponding N-acryloyl-phenothiazine (APT) and N-acryloyl-2-chlorophenothiazine (ACPT) using sodium perborate as an oxidant. These monomers could easily be polymerized by initiation of AIBN. The emission fluorescence spectra of the monomers and their polymers were recorded, and the results indicated that these 4 new monomers possess a fluorescence structural self-quenching effect (SSQE), as we have reported previously. Moreover, with the change of the electronic structure of sulfur atom in the phenothiazine chromophore, that is, from sulfide to sulfoxide and sulfone groups, the tendency of SSQE of these monomers is in the order of APT > APTO > APTDO. This would be ascribed mainly to the decrease of electron-donating abilities of monomers in a sequence of sulfide, sulfoxide, and sulfone groups; that is, at the sulfur atom of these monomers, APT has 2 lone-pair electrons, APTO has 1 lone-pair electrons, and APTDO completely loses its lone-pair electrons. Based on the exciplex formation, the monomers APTO, APTDO, ACPO, and ACPTDO could act as sensitizers for the photopolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN). The combination of APTO or ACPTO with organic peroxides such as BPO could also initiate the polymerization of vinyl monomers, such as AN, by redox nature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 1191–1199, 1998     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyaspartimides derived from 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐maleimidophenoxy)biphenyl and various diamines

A novel bismaleimide, 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐maleimidophenoxy)biphenyl, containing noncoplanar 2,2′‐dimethylbiphenylene and flexible ether units in the polymer backbone was synthesized from 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)biphenyl with maleic anhydride. The bismaleimide was reacted with 11 diamines using m‐cresol as a solvent and glacial acetic acid as a catalyst to produce novel polyaspartimides. Polymers were identified by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, and characterized by solubility test, X‐ray diffraction, and thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis). The inherent viscosities of the polymers varied from 0.22 to 0.48 dL g⁻¹ in concentration of 1.0 g dL⁻¹ of N,N‐dimethylformamide. All polymers are soluble in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, pyridine, m‐cresol, and tetrahydrofuran. The polymers, except PASI‐4, had moderate glass transition temperature in the range of 188°–226°C and good thermo‐oxidative stability, losing 10% mass in the range of 375°–426°C in air and 357°–415°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 279–286, 1999     

Thermal degradation behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) in presence of poly(N‐acryloyl‐N′‐cyanoacetohydrazide)

The thermal degradation behavior of poly (vinyl chloride), PVC, in presence of poly(N‐acryloyl‐N′‐cyanoacetohydrazide), PACAH, has been studied using continuous potentiometric determination of the evolved HCl gas from the degradation process from one hand and by measuring the extent of discoloration of the degraded samples from the other. The efficiency of blending PACAH with dibasic lead carbonate, DBLC, conventional thermal stabilizer has also been investigated. A probable radical mechanism for the effect of PACAH on the thermal stabilization of PVC has been proposed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Investigation of temperature sensitivity behaviors of water soluble polyacrylamides

Temperature sensitive polymers with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) are used in a variety of industries such as the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and paint. These polymers are generally of the poly(N‐alkylacrylamide) type, of which poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) is the most commonly used. More novel poly(N‐alkylacrylamide)s have also been the subject of much attention recently. In this study, N‐alkylacrylamides containing different alkyl groups were synthesized by nucleophylic substitution reactions of various amines with acryloyl chloride. They were polymerized using the solution polymerization method, and the temperature sensitivities of the polymers were investigated. For this purpose, three monomers, N,N‐diethylacrylamide, N‐cyclopropylacrylamide, and 4‐piperidineethanolacrylamide, were synthesized using diethylamine, cyclopropylamine, and 4‐piperidineethanol, as the amines, respectively. The obtained polymers, poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) (PDEA), poly(N‐cyclopropylacrylamide) (PCPA), and poly(4‐piperidineethanolacrylamide) (PPEA), were found to be thermoresponsive, particularly PPEA is a potential novel material that can be utilized as an alternative to the common temperature sensitive polymers. The effects of several conditions on the LCST and the critical flocculation temperature (CFT) of the polymers were also investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Modification of bismaleimide with allyl compound and N‐phenylmaleimide

Three different formulas with low‐cost resins, made up of N,N′‐bismaleimidephenylmethane (BMI), O,O′‐diallybisphenol A(BA), and N‐phenylmaleimide (NPMI) were developed. The properties of prepolymers, such as activation energies, enthalpy, and constants of reaction rate, were obtained by a kinetic programmer on DSC. Thermal and mechanical properties of neat resins were also studied. The results showed that the systems had low melting point and low viscosity. All cured resins presented excellent thermal and good mechanical properties. The mechanical properties could be affected by the quantity of NPMI and postcuring process. The water absorption is ≤1.98%; heat deflection temperature (HDT) is ≥250°C after aging for 100 h in distilled water of 90°C. The data indicate that the BMI can be effectively improved by adding BA and NPMI, while its heat resistance and hot/wet mechanical properties can be fairly retained. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2518–2522, 2001     

Selective Oxidation of Acetophenones Bearing Various Functional Groups to Benzoic Acid Derivatives with Molecular Oxygen

Acetophenones substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, acetoxy, and halogen groups were selectively oxidized with molecular oxygen to the corresponding benzoic acids by using the N,N′,N′′‐trihydroxyisocyanuric acid (THICA)/cobalt(II) acetate [Co(OAc)₂] and THICA/Co(OAc)₂/manganese(II) acetate [Mn(OAc)₂]. For example, 4‐methylacetophenone was selectively oxidized with molecular oxygen to 4‐acetylbenzoic acid (85%) by THICA/Co(OAc)₂ and to 4‐methylbenzoic acid (93%) by Mn(OAc)₂, while terephthalic acid was obtained in 93% with the THICA/Co(OAc)₂/Mn(OAc)₂ catalytic system. It is interesting that the acetyl group on the aromatic ring is efficiently converted by a very small amount of Mn(OAc)₂ to the corresponding carboxylic acid, and that the present method provides a versatile route to acetylbenzoic acids which are difficult to prepare by conventional methods.     

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     

Synthesis and properties of novel flame‐retardant poly(amide‐imide)s containing phosphine oxide moieties in main chain by microwave irradiation

Eight new flame‐retardant poly(amide‐imide)s with high inherent viscosities containing phosphine oxide moieties in main chain were synthesized from the polycondensation reaction of N,N′‐(3,3′‐diphenylphenylphosphine oxide) bistrimellitimide diacid chloride 7, with eight ;aromatic diamine 8a–h by two different methods such as solution and microwave‐assisted polycondensation. Results showed that the microwave‐assisted polycondensation by using a domestic microwave oven proceeded rapidly, compared with solution polycondensation and were completed within about 10–12 min. The resulting poly(amide‐imide)s 9a–h showed high thermal stability and flame‐retardant properties. All of the obtained polymers were fully characterized by means of elemental analysis, viscosity measurements, solubility test, and FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the PAIs 9a–h were investigated by using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Char yield measurements at 600°C demonstrated that incorporating phosphine oxide moieties in polymer backbone markedly improves their flame retardancy. All of the earlier polymers were soluble at room temperature in various organic solvents such as NMP, DMF, DMSO, DMAc, and concentrated sulfuric acid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4263–4269, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of novel benzhydrol-containing poly(amide-imide)s

A series of novel benzhydrol-containing poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) have been prepared from a new diimide-dicarboxylic acid, N,N′-bis(4-hydroxycarbonyl)-benzhydrol-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxydiimide (BHTDA-DIA), with various diamines by direct polycondensation using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The polymers obtained had inherent viscosities of 0.35–0.96 dl g⁻¹. All these PAIs, except polymer PAI-2, were soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and N,N-dimethylacetamide containing LiCl (1 wt%). Tough and flexible PAI films could be obtained by casting PAIs from their DMAc or NMP solutions, except for polymer PAI-2. The polymer films had a tensile strength of 93–111 MPa, an elongation at break range of 4–6%, and an initial modulus range of 2.7–3.8 GPa. The glass transition temperatures of most polymers were found to be above 255 °C. These polymers were fairly stable up to a temperature around or above 400 °C, and lost 10% weight in the range 426–507 °C in nitrogen and 423–515 °C in air. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Grafting of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide onto cellulose using Co(III)‐acetylacetonate complex in aqueous medium

The grafting of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (N,N′‐MBA) onto cellulose is carried out using the cobaltacetylacetonate complex (Co(acac)₃) under nitrogen atmosphere at 40°C. The rate of graft copolymerization has been studied as a function of [N,N′‐MBA], [Co(acac)₃], and temperature. The activation energy of grafting is found to be 156.0 k J mol⁻¹ within the temperature range of 30–60°C. The effect of perchloric acid, methanol, and surfactants on graft yield has also been studied and results are suitably explained. The higher efficiency of the metal chelate in initiation of graft copolymerization has been assumed due to the coordination of the π electrons of the N,N′‐MBA with the metal chelate, which facilitated the formation of the radicals through homolytic cleavage of metal–oxygen bond of the cobalt acetylacetonate complex. On the basis of the results, a suitable kinetic scheme for graft copolymerization is presented and rate expression is derived. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 906–912, 2000