Carbocationic polymerizations in supercritical carbon dioxide

The first carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC·CO₂) has been accomplished. It was demonstrated that in CO₂ at 32.5°C and 120 bar the 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethyl-pentane (TMPCl)/SnCl₄ and TMPCl/TiCl₄ initiating systems lead to 30% IB conversion, and gave polyisobutylenes (PIB) with M_n2000 and M_w/M_n2.0. This is the highest temperature IB was ever polymerized to reasonably high molecular weight products. Polymerizations at 32.5 °C under similar but conventional (non-living) conditions in the absence of SC·CO₂ would yield only very low molecular weight oligomers (tetramers). The structure of the PIBs obtained in SC·CO₂ is virtually identical to those obtained at much lower temperatures in conventional liquid-phase systems indicating the presence of chain transfer to monomer in both systems. In contrast to TMPCl initiated polymerizations, the 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene (HPBB) initiator in conjunction with BCl₃ and SnCl₄ yields only oligomers (M_n500) in SC·CO₂.     

Novel Neodymium-Based Ternary Catalyst, Nd(Oi-Pr)3/[HNMe2Ph]+[B(C6F5)4]-/i-Bu3Al, for Isoprene Polymerization

Summary Polymerization of isoprene was investigated by using a novel ternary catalyst system composed of neodymium(III) isopropoxide (Nd(OiPr)₃), dimethylphenylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate ([HNMe₂Ph]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^-; borate), and triisobutylaluminum (i-Bu₃Al). The mole ratios of borate and aluminum compounds to Nd catalyst significantly affected the polymerization behavior. Both yield and cis-1,4 content of polyisoprene decreased in the case of [borate]/[Nd] < 1.0, while at [borate]/[Nd] > 1.0 the formation of multiple active species resulted in the polymer showing bimodal peaks in GPC. When the [Al]/[Nd] ratio was lower than 30, the polymer yield sharply decreased, whereas the cis-1,4 content became relatively low with use of a large excess of Al ([Al]/[Nd] > 50). Thus, the optimal catalyst composition was [Nd]/[borate]/[Al] = 1/1/30, which gave in > 97% yield polyisoprene with high molecular weight (M_n2×10⁵) and relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n2.0) and mainly cis-1,4 structure (90%).     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(11-(4′-cyano-trans-4-stilbenyloxy)undecanyl vinyl ether)

Summary Polymers based on 11-(4-cyano-trans-4-stilbenyloxy)undecanyl vinyl ether have been synthesized by living cationic polymerization, photo-initiated cationic polymerization using onium salts and thermal initiated cationic polymerization using onium salts. The polymers have been characterized by size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and polarized light microscopy. Living cationic polymerization resulted in a polymer of low molecular mass M_n3 600, with a uniformity index (D) of 1.2 displaying a focal conic texture indicative of smectic A (s_A) phase with preserved cyanogroup and trans-configuration. Photo-initiation using 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylethoxyphenylphosphine oxide and diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate resulted in an insoluble polymer exhibiting only vague liquid crystalline textures. Initiation with phenothiazine and phenacyltetramethylenesulfonium hexafluoroantimonate also yielded a partly insoluble polymer with a disturbed s_A phase. It is suggested that the monomer and polymer are sensitive towards radicals leading to cross-linking and branching. The thermal initiation on systems with -methylbenzyltetramethylenesulfonium hexafluorophosphate and p-methoxybenzyltetramethylenesulfonium hexafluorophosphate resulted in completely soluble mesomorphic polymers of M_n13 000, D=1.7 and M_n26 000, D=2.8 respectively, in both cases with a preserved cyanogroup and a transconfiguration. Polarized light microscopy revealed a distinct focal conic structure indicative of s_A in both cases.     

Zeolite MCM-22 Supported Heterogeneous Chromium Catalyst for Ethylene Polymerization

The chromium alkyl complex Cp*Cr(py)Me₂ (Cp* = ⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, py = pyridine, Me = methyl) has been affixed to the surface of zeolite MCM-22 via methane elimination. The resulting composite material has been characterized by a variety of physical methods. The results are consistent with the presence of isolated organometallic fragments linked to the solid support by a covalent chromium–oxygen bond. Activation of this material with methylaluminoxane (MAO) yielded a highly active catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene. The polyethylene thus formed featured high molecular weights (M_w 4 × 10⁶) and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n 3.5).     

Polyisobutylene-containing block polymers by sequential monomer addition

Novel poly(acenaphtylene-b-isobutylene-b-acenaphtylene) (PAc-PIB-PAc) triblock copolymers exhibiting thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) properties have been prepared. The synthesis involved the addition of acenaphtylene (Ac) to living polyisobutylene dications (PIB) obtained by living isobutylene (IB) polymerization induced by the dicumyl methyl ether (DiCumOMe)/TiCl₄ initiating system at-80°C. The triblocks contain very short polyacenaphtylene (PAc) blocks (M_n9,000) and consequently yield very soft, low modulus TPEs. Efforts to develop conditions for the living carbocationic polymerization (LCPzn) of Ac have failed.For Part VIII of this subseries see J. P. Kennedy, S. Midha, B. Keszler: Macromolecules (in press)     

The mechanism of copper powder formation in potentiostatic deposition

A mechanism for copper powder formation in potentiostatic deposition is proposed, and the critical overpotential of copper powder formation is determined. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental results has been obtained.List of symbols C ₀ bulk concentration (mol cm^–3) - D diffusion coefficient (cm² s^–1) - F Faraday's constant (C mol^–1) - h height of protrusion (cm) - h _c height at which dendrites crack (cm) - h _i height (cm) - h ₀ initial height of protrusion (cm) - h _j,t elevation at pointj and timet (cm) - h _j,0 initial elevation at pointj (cm) - I limiting diffusion current (A) - I ₀ initial limiting diffusion current (A) - i limiting current density (A cm^–2) - i _d current density on the tip of dendrite of height h (A cm^–2) - i _t total current (A cm^–2) - j number - k proportionality factor [cm (mol cm^–3)^m] - k constant - M number of dendrites - m number - N number of elevated points - n number of electrons - p concentration exponent - Q _c quantity of electricity (C) - R gas constant (J mol^–1 K^–1) - S electrode surface area (cm²) - T temperature (K) - t time (s) - t _a longest time in which approximation h is valid (s) - t _i induction time (s) - V molar volume (cm³ mol^–1) - surface tension (J cm^–2) - thickness of diffusion layer (cm) - overpotential (V) - _c,p critical overpotential of powder formation (V) - fraction of flat surface - apparent induction time (s)     

Elucidating the mechanism of carbocationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene

Summary The polymerization of -methylstyrene (MeSt) using the H₂O/SnCl₄ initiating system and ethyl chloride solvent has been investigated over the temperature range from –40° to –122°C in the presence and absence of the proton trap 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DtBP). Arrhenius (In ¯M_n versus 1/T) plots obtained with poly (methylstyrene) (PMeSt) samples prepared in the absence of DtBP reveal the existence of two sharply defined temperature regimes (see Figure 1): at higher temperatures from –40 to –86°C, the slope of the Arrhenius plot yields H_{M n} = –4.90±0.25 kcal/mole whereas at lower temperatures, from –86° to –122°C,H_{M n} = –0.3 kcal/mole. With PMeSt samples prepared in the presence of DtBP the H_{M n} obtained for the higher temperature regime increases to –1.67 ± 0.20 kcal/mole whereas the H_{M n} reflecting the lower temperatures remains the same as that obtained in the absence of DtBP. These observations are readily explained by postulating a change in mechanism at –86°C: Evidently the ¯M_n of PMeSt is determined over the higher temperature regime by chain transfer to monomer which is frozen out at lower temperatures where termination becomes ¯M_n determinant. In the absence of DtBP chain transfer to monomer is operative which leads to the higher Arrhenius slope over the higher temperature regime; however, over the lower temperature regime where chain transfer is absent and termination is ¯M_n controlling, the Arrhenius slope remains unchanged. Evidence obtained from a Mayo plot (negligible intercept in the 1/¯M_n versus 1/[MeSt]_o plot, Figure 2) with samples prepared at –92°C, corroborate this postulate. Molecular weight dispersities (¯M_W/¯M_n) as a function of temperature have been determined in the presence and absence of DtBP (Figure 3). The proton trap affects ¯M_W/¯M_n only over the higher temperature regime which also suggests that chain transfer to monomer is frozen out at –86°C and that the polymerization becomes termination dominated at low temperatures.     

Comparative study of diluent effects on the glass transition of polyvinylchloride and phenolphthalein

Summary Some binary polymer-diluent systems, previously studied by the Authors (SCANDOLA et al., 1982), showed an unusual T_g-concentration dependence. In order to investigate the relevance of the polymeric nature of the high-T_g component in determining this anomaly, two series of mixtures having the same diluent (di-n-Butylphthalate or Tricresylphosphate) and, as the high-T_g component, either a polymer (PVC) or a low-molecular weight substance (Phenolphthalein), have been examined. A discontinuity is found, as expected, in the polymeric systems PVC-di-n-Butylphthalate andPVC-Tricresylphosphate, as well as in Phenolphthalein-di-n-Butylphthalate mixtures where, however, the deviations from the calculated T_g-composition curve are much less marked. It is concluded that the presence of a polymer is not a necessary requirement for the occurrence of the above mentioned anomaly.     

Synthesis of new metal-containing side-chain monomers and polymers

New metal-containing vinyl monomers, hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-ferrocenoyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate, and the corresponding homopolymers and random copolymers with hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by¹H NMR; their thermal behavior was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry. Monomers and polymers containing the ferrocene unit melt at lower temperatures than those derived from the cyclopentadienyl managanese tricarbonyl moiety. The melting temperatures of the monomers and polymers ranged from 399 to about 515 K, Both monomers and polymers failed to exhibit mesogenic behavior. Values ofM _n,M _w,M _w/M _n, and degree of polymerization were obtained by gel permeation chromatography. TheM _n ranged from 16,500 for the copolymer containing hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-ferrocenoyl phenyl)phenyl] benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate at a 1:3 ratio to 26,000 for the copolymer containing hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate at a 1:3 ratio.M _w/M _n ranged from 1.6 in the case of the copolymer containing hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate at a 1:3 ratio to 2.2 in the case of poly(hexyl-6-oxy{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate).     

Characteristics,Linetics and Mechanism of ε-Caprolactone Polymerization by Lanthanide Tris(2.6-dimethylphenolate)s

Summary PolycaproIactone(PCL) was synthesized via the ring-opening polymerization of -caprolactone(-CL) with lanthanide tris(2.6 -dimethylphenolate)s[Ln(ODMP)₃] as initiator under mild conditions for the first time. The effects of reaction conditions on the -CL polymerization are discussed. Kinetic studies indicate that the polymerization rate is first order with respect to both monomer concentration and catalyst concentration, respectively, and the overall reaction activation energy amounts to 62.3kJ/mol. ¹H NMR end group analysis on the polymer demonstrates the ring-opening polymerization of -CL proceeds according to coordination-insertion mechanism with acyl-oxygen bond cleavage of the monomer.     

Polymerization via zwitterion 27. No-catalyst copolymerization of 2-phenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane with β-hydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates

Summary This paper describes No-Catalyst Copolymerizations between ethylene phenylphosphonite (EPO) as M_N and four -hydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as M_E. In all combinations polyphosphinate type copolymers were obtained above 130 °C without added catalyst. The first step of reaction was a proton-transfer step to yield a transient phosphonium-alkoxide zwitterion 5 and generated a phosphorane intermediate like 6. The subsequent reactions of 6 were rather complicated. It was possible to conceive several zwitterions to lead to polymer units. The liberation of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide was observed as a side reaction during polymerization.Dedicated to the 60th birthday of Professor C. I. Simionescu     

Neutral Pd(II) and Ni(II) Acetylide Catalysts for the Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Homogenous polymerization of methyl methacrylate using Pd(II)- and Ni(II)-based acetylide complexes as initiators has been investigated. M(PR'₃)₂(CCR)₂ (M=Pd, Ni; R'=PPh₃, Pn-Bu₃; R=Ph, CH₂OH, CH₂OOCCH₃, CH₂OOCPh, CH₂OOCPhOH-o) were found to be a novel type of effective initiators for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Among them, Pd(C CPh)₂(PPh₃)₂ (PPP) shows the highest activity in the MMA polymerization and the PMMA obtained is a syndiotactic polymer with high number-average molecular weight (M _n) of 14.1 × 10⁴. Some features and kinetic behavior of MMA polymerization initiated by PPP were studied in detail. The polymerization reaction is first-order with respect to both [PPP] and [MMA]. Radical polymerization mechanism is proposed.     

A new iodine-free initiating system for the living polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether

Summary A new iodine-free initiating system, MeCH(Oi-Bu)Cl/n-Bu₄NTiCl₅, was found to induce the living carbocationic polymerization (LCPzn) of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBuVE) at-20 °C in CH₂Cl₂. Using this system, poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (PIBuVE) with the theoretical molecular weights (up toca. 45,000) calculated from the initiator/monomer input and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.1) can be readily obtained. The polymerization is first order in the monomer. The coinitiating function ofn-Bu₄NTiCl₅ may be due to a salt effect or to its Lewis acid character. An attempt for the synthesis of the polyisobutylene (PIB)-PIBuVE block copolymer has failed most likely becausen-Bu₄NTiCl₅ is unable to activate the C(CH₃)₂-Cl bond of the PIB termini.     

Living carbocationic polymerization

Summary Living carbocationic polymerization (LCPzn) of isobutylene (IB) has been achieved by the 2-chloro-2, 4, 4-trimethylpentate (TMPCl)/TiCl₄ initiating systems in the presence of KCl in conjunction with the 18-crown-6 ether in CH₂Cl₂/hexanes solvent mixture at –80°C. The rate of initiation is relatively slow and the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the polyisobutylene (PIB) becomes narrower (M_w/M_n decreases from 1.8 to 1.2) in the course of incremental monomer addition (IMA). In the presence of the crown ether, and depending on its concentration, the charges become highly viscous rendering stirring difficult and preventing the synthesis of M_n's in excess of 15, 000 g/mole.     

Platinum-group metal cyclodextrin complexes and their use as command-cure catalysts in silicones

The Command-Cure concept is defined for a curable formulation as one with long work-like at ambient temperature and rapid cure time at elevated temperature. This concept is explored for a curable silicone system, cured via hydrosilylation. CODMCl₂ complexes (COD=1.5-cyclo-octadiene:M=Pt. Pd) are reacted with beta-cyclodextrin (-CD) to make 11 inclusion compounds,M=Pd.2;M=Pt.4. Compounds2 and4 were analyzed by¹H NMR and X-ray powder diffraction. Their catalytic ability was evaluated in a model system as well as a polymeric system that gels upon cure. Surprisingly, the Pd analog2 was a good command-cure catalyst whereas the guest compound CODPdCl₂,1, was not active in the hydrosilylation reaction. The Pt analog,4, was an effective command-cure catalyst while the corresponding guest. CODPtCl₂,3, was too active at low temperature in the hydrosilylation reaction. Additional Pt compounds and one Rh inclusion compound were evaluated as command cure catalysts. These inclusion compounds were: 11 -CD:[CODRhCl]₂,5: 11 -CD:CpPtMe₃,6 (Cp=cyclopentadienyl): 12 -CD:MeCpPtMe₃,7; 12 -CO:CODPtMe₂,8. The effectiveness of4 8 was evaluated in a number of silicone systems.     

Ethynylene-disilanylene copolymers

Polymers of structure (SiR₂SiR₂-C C-SiR₂SiR₂-C C) _n , in which ethynylene units alternate with disilylene units, have been prepared by two routes: (a) condensation of dichlorodisilanes with dilithium derivatives of 1,2-diethynyldisilanes and (b) ring-opening polymerization of strained cyclic disilanylene-acetylnes, (SiR₂SiR₂C C)₂. The polymers display UV absorption near 240 nm indicative of – conjugation between the Si₂ and the C C moieties. Polymers with R=R=n-Bu or R=n-Bu, R=Ph, undergo solid-state transitions to form liquid crystalline mesophases resembling those observed for many poly(silylenes). Single crystals were obtained for the polymer with R=R=CH₃, by precipitation from dilute cyclohexane solution. The solid-state properties and structures of this family of polymers are discussed.This paper was presented at the Second International Topical Workshop, Advances in Silicon-Based Polymer Science.     

Hydrogenolysis of alkanes and olefin polymerization on the silica-supported zirconium hydrides: A comparative DFT study

The model reactions of ethylene polymerization and hydrogenolysis of linear alkanes (propane, n-butane, and n-pentane) on the silica-supported zirconium hydrides (Si–O)₃Zr^IVH, (Si–O)₂Zr^IVH₂, and (Si–O)₂Zr^IIIH were studied using the DFT approach. Catalytic processes under study were shown to occur involving different surface hydrides. The ethylene polymerization was found to proceed at comparable rates on the zirconium monohydrides, (Si–O)₃ZrH, and dihydrides, (Si–O)₂ZrH₂. Cleavage of linear alkanes on the monohydrides (Si–O)₃ZrH is thermodynamically unfavorable; however, the dihydrides (Si–O)₂ZrH₂ can act as catalysts of the process under mild conditions. Hydrides of the trivalent zirconium, (Si–O)₂Zr^IIIH, can also contribute to the hydrogenolysis reaction. A feature of all the systems studied is low regioselectivity of the corresponding processes.     

Formylation with “Supercritical” CO2: Efficient Ruthenium-Catalyzed Synthesis of N-Formylmorpholine

Formylation of morpholine with supercritical CO₂ using the bidentate ruthenium catalyst RuCl₂(dppe)₂ affords high N-formylmorpholine production rate at almost 100% selectivity. The solventless reaction could be an interesting alternative to the present N-formylmorpholine synthesis routes, which are based on environmentally harmful formylation agents. Video monitoring of the reaction mixture during reaction revealed a complex phase behavior, including the formation of solid carbamate, which was most prominent at low conversion and gradually disappeared with higher conversion, i.e., with the formation of N-formylmorpholine and water as a by-product. Addition of water as an additive suppressed solid carbamate formation and enhanced the reaction rate. Infrared spectroscopy was applied to follow the changes in the liquid and dense gas phase. The ruthenium catalyst was confined to the liquid phase, containing morpholine, N-formylmorpholine, water, dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Although the solubility of the ruthenium catalyst in the liquid phase decreased with increasing conversion, good performance in the synthesis of N-formylmorpholine could be achieved.     

Preparation and degradation of polysilylenes

Mechanistic aspects of preparation and degradation of polysilylenes (polysilanes) are discussed. Reductive coupling of disubstituted dichlorosilanes at ambient temperatures in the presence of ultrasound leads to monomodal polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M _w/M _n from 1.2 to 1.5) and relatively high molecular weights (M _n from 50,000 to 100,000). Ring-opening polymerization of 1,2,3,4,-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetraphenylcyclotetrasilane initiated with carbanions and silyl anions provides polymers with molecular weights from 10,000 to 100,000 and gives potential possibility of the microstructure control. The dearylation of phenyl containing polysilylenes with triflic acid provides polymers with strong electrophilic silyl triflate moieties. They can react with any nucleophiles such as alcohols, amines, carbanions, organometallics, etc., and produce various functional polysilylenes. Synthesis and solid-state transitions in random copolysilylenes are discussed. Thermal, mechanical, and chemical degradation of polysilylenes is described.This review was presented at the Second International Topical Workshop, Advances in Silicon-Based Science.     

New polyisobutylene based model ionomers

Three-arm star polyisobutylene ionomers (¯M_n=8800) with terminal SO₃ M (M=K or Ca²) groups were synthesized and their mechanical properties investigated. Compression molded films displayed high elongations, i.e., -1000% for Ca² ionomers with lower values for the K counterions. Strain induced crystallinity was observed at higher elongations. Mechanical properties in general compared favorably with conventional covalently linked rubbery networks and were comparable and in some cases superior to EPDM-based ionomers carrying randomly distributed SO₃ M groups.For the first two parts see Proceedings, 28th IUPAC Macromolecular Symposium, Amherst, MA, July 11–16, 1982, p. 905 and 906