Synthesis and characterization of well-defined comb-like branched polymers

Well-defined comb-like branched polymers having one branch in each repeating unit have been successfully synthesized by the coupling reaction of living polystyrene (PS) and polyisoprene (PI) anions with 1, 1-diphenylethenyl (DPE) groups along PS backbone prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 4-vinylbenzyloxy benzophenone (Sc) followed by Wittig reaction. The resulting comb-like branched polymers were characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and static light scattering (SLS) in detail. The effect of living chains and DPE group molar ratio on grafting efficiency was discussed. The results show the coupling reaction of living chains and DPE groups was highly effective, and the coupling efficiency can be controlled via the feed molar ratios of living chains and DPE groups. Moreover, the effect of molecular weights of backbone (PSe) and PSLi or PILi on grafting efficiency was also discussed. The results show that when excess living polymers were used, the almost quantitative grafting efficiency could be achieved. __________ Translated from Acta Polymerica Sinica (China), 2007, (3): 203–208 [译自: 高分子学报]     

Novel synthesis of highly branched comb-like polymers by coupling reaction of polystyryllithium with 1,1-diphenylethenyl-functionalized polystyrene

Well-defined highly branched comb-like polystyrenes (PS) having one branch in each repeating unit have been successfully synthesized by the coupling reaction of living PS anions with 1,1-diphenylethenyl (DPE) groups along PS backbone prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization. When excess polystyryllithium (PSLi) was used, the quantitative grafting efficiency was achieved. The resulting polymers were characterized by NMR, IR, GPC, and SLS in detail.     

Side-chain crystallization and phase transition of poly[styrene-co-(maleic anhydride)]-g-alkylamine comb-like polymers

Taking ? NHCO? as the chemical spacer, poly[styrene-co-(maleic anhydride)]-g-alkylamine (SMACnN) comb-like polymers are prepared through grafting reaction between poly[styrene-co-(maleic anhydride)] and n-alkylamine with n changing from 12 to 18. SMACnN comb-like polymers present an obvious crystallization behavior owing to the introduced alkyl side chains, and the melting temperature and enthalpy of the side-chain crystallites increase from 9.2 to 41.6 °C and from 6.0 to 17.6 kJ mol^?1, respectively, showing a variation with the side-chain length. At least 12 side-chain carbon atoms are required to pack into a hexagonal crystal structure for SMACnN comb-like polymers. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray analysis results demonstrate the phase transition from hexagonal to an amorphous state, and the conformationally disordered alkyl chains affect the packing manner of side-chain crystallites. Including the side-chain length and polymer backbone, the chemical spacer between the side chain and the main chain influences the formation of side-chain crystallites and the phase transition process. So, the study of SMACnN further strengthens the understanding of the phase transition behavior and side-chain crystallization of comb-like polymers triggered by the side-chain length and the microstructure differences. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.     

Strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition “click” as a conjugation tool for building topological polymers

Strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition “click” reaction (SPAAC) was successfully used as a tool in synthesis of star polymers by grafting onto approach. The application of SPAAC method in star polymer synthesis was investigated for coupling reaction of the dibenzocyclooctyne (DIBO) end group of polystyrene (PS) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with coupling agents bearing 2, 3, or 4 azido groups. Firstly, well-defined linear DIBO-terminated PS was obtained by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene using a DIBO containing ATRP initiator and linear DIBO-terminated PEG was obtained by terminal functionalization of PEG monomethyl ether (PEG-OH). Then a series of star PS and PEG bearing two, three and four arms were prepared respectively by subjecting SPAAC coupling reaction between the linear polymer-DIBO and the azido tethered core molecules at 30 °C without catalyst. The obtained star PS showed a well-defined structure after fractional precipitation to remove slightly excess linear polymers, and all the star polymers were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).     

Synthesis and characterization of graft copolymers with poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide) as backbone by combination of ring-opening polymerization with living anionic polymerization

Series of graft copolymers with [Poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide)] [Poly(ECH-co-EO)] as backbone and polystyrene (PS), poly(isoprene) (PI) or their block copolymers as side chains were successfully synthesized by combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) with living anionic polymerization. The Poly(ECH-co-EO) with high molecular weight (M_n = 3.3 × 10⁴ g/mol) and low polydispersity index (PDI = 1.34) was firstly synthesized by ring-ROP using ethylene glycol potassium as initiator and triisobutylaluminium (i-Bu₃Al) as activator. Subsequently, by “grafting onto” strategy, the graft copolymers Poly(ECH-co-EO)-g-PI, Poly(ECH-co-EO)-g-PS and Poly(ECH-co-EO)-g-(PI-b-PS) were obtained using the coupling reaction between living PI⁻Li⁺, PS⁻Li⁺ or PS-b-PI⁻Li⁺ species capped with or without 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) agent and chloromethyl groups on poly(ECH-co-EO). By model experiment, the addition of DPE agent was confirmed to have an important effect on the grafting efficiency at room temperature. Finally, the target graft copolymers and intermediates were characterized by SEC, ¹H NMR, MALLS and FTIR in detail, and thermal behaviours of the graft copolymers were also investigated by DSC measurement.     

Synthesis of hyperbranched polymers via a facile self-condensing vinyl polymerization system - Glycidyl methacrylate/Cp2TiCl2/Zn

A facile self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) system, the combination of glycidyl methacrylate, Cp₂TiCl₂ and Zn, has been firstly used to prepare novel hyperbranched polymers, consisting of vinyl polymers as the backbone, and cyclic ester polymers (poly(?-caprolactone) or poly(l-lactide)) as the side chains. The polymerizations are initiated by the epoxide radical ring-opening catalyzed by Cp₂Ti(III)Cl which is generated in situ via the reaction of Cp₂TiCl₂ with Zn. The key to success is that the polymerizations can proceed concurrently via two dissimilar chemistries possessing the opposite active initiating species, including ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and controlled/living radical polymerization (CRP). We have demonstrated that this facile one-step polymerization technique can be applied successfully to prepare highly branched polymers with a multiplicity of end reactive functionalities including Ti alkoxide, hydroxyl and vinyl functional groups.     

Grafting polystyrene with various graft densities through epoxy groups of graphene nanolayers via atom transfer radical polymerization

A double bond and amine group containing chemical (OD) was synthesized by coupling reaction of ethylenediamine and 3‐(chlorodimethylsilyl)propyl methacrylate. Subsequently, graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized with OD in different densities via ring opening of its epoxy groups. The graphene containing double bond (GOD) was incorporated into polystyrene (PS) chains by a grafting through atom transfer radical polymerization. Grafting of OD at the surface of GO was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The interlayer spacing of the graphenes was evaluated by X‐ray diffraction. Molecular weight and PDI values of the free and attached PS chains were studied by size exclusion chromatography. TGA was also used to study the degradation points, char values, and grafting ratios. Relaxation of PS chains in the presence of graphene layers was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies show that flat graphene layers are wrinkled during oxidation and functionalization processes. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2450–2458, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of poly(4-methylstyrene)- graft-poly(ethylene oxide)s and application as polymeric dispersant in coal-water mixture

Poly(4-methylstyrene)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide)s were prepared via polymerisation of ethylene oxide on to poly(4-methylstyrene)s functionalised with hydroxyl groups. In this way, many ‘comb-like’ polymers having different hydrophobic backbone length, hydrophilic branch length and frequency of branches were synthesised. These polymers were tested as dispersants in coal-water mixtures in order to correlate the dispersing properties of this class of polymers with the investigated parameters.     

One-pot synthesis of comb-like copolymer bearing side chains composed of branched and linear polylactides

Ethyl cellulose (EC), lactide (LA) and branching comonomer 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) butyric acid (BHB) were copolymerized in xylene using Sn(Oct)₂ as catalyst. Catalyst amount and polymerization temperature were optimized for the effective introduction of certain amount of branched polylactide (PLA) into the side chains of comb-like copolymers having EC backbone. The characterization of the obtained copolymers by GPC and ¹H NMR demonstrated that the influence of polymerization temperature in the range of 110–150 °C on the efficient incorporation of branching units was not pronounced, whereas high amount of catalyst was the key point. The content of branching units in the copolymers could be enhanced by increasing the feed amount of BHB monomer. A plausible mechanism for the polymerization was proposed according to the model experiments. Compared with the comb-like copolymers with merely linear PLA side chains, the ones bearing both branched and linear PLA side chains had the following characters: (1) better solubility in the polar solvent of ethanol; (2) much faster hydrolysis degradation. These characters became more pronounced when the content of branching units in the side chains increased.     

Highly efficient synthesis of cylindrical polymer brushes with various side chains via click grafting-onto approach

Though much attention has been paid to synthesis of cylindrical polymer brushes, it is still not easy to prepare well-defined brushes by a general approach. Herein, well-defined cylindrical polymer brushes with various side chains were synthesized via grafting-onto approach by CuAAC click chemistry. Narrowly dispersed polymer backbones functionalized with azide groups were obtained by post-modification of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) which was prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) mediated radical polymerization. The alkyne-terminated side chains, polystyrene, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates and poly(N-alkyl acrylamide)s, were synthesized by RAFT mediated radical polymerization with alkyne-containing chain transfer agents (CTAs). The CuAAC reactions between the backbone and side chain polymers were conducted with an equivalent feed of alkyne-terminated side chains and azide groups under mild conditions. Influences of reaction conditions and chemical composition of polymer side chains on grafting efficiency and molecular weight distribution of the polymer brushes were investigated. It is demonstrated that the side chains of polystyrene, polyacrylates and poly(N-alkyl acylamide)s were grafted at a density above 85% while that of polymethacrylates decreased to ca. 50%. The polymer brushes synthesized under the optimized reaction conditions had well-defined chemical composition and narrow distribution of molecular weight, and their wormlike morphology was visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

聚烯烃弹性体与马来酸酐的熔融接枝

以双螺杆挤出机作为反应器，比较了聚烯烃弹性体（POE），线性低密度聚乙烯（LLDPE）与马来酸酐（MAH）的熔融接枝反应。尽这两种树脂具有相近的支化度，但由于POE树脂的大支链对大分子自由基之间的偶合反应具有抑制作用，所以，POE/MAH接枝体系的接枝率明显高于LLDPE／MAH接枝体系，而且接枝产物保持了较好的流动性；酸酐在POE树脂上的接枝率随过氧化物和接枝单体用量的增加而增大。接枝树脂可以明显提高PE与铝之间的粘接强度。     

Anionic Graft Polymerisation of Styrene from Polyisoprene. Dependence of Grafting Efficiency on Polyisoprene Structure

Styrene was grafted from polyisoprene forming poly(isoprene-g-styrene) graft polymers. N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylene diamine and s-butyllithium were used to create active centres on the polyisoprene backbone in cyclohexane under anionic living polymerisation conditions. The stereoregularity of polyisoprene is shown to influence the grafting efficiency. Addition of small amounts of tetrahydrofuran increased grafting efficiency and decreased polydispersity of the graft polymers obtained. Polystyrene branches are shown to be syndiotactic rich.     

正反向同时引发ATRP制备凹凸棒土/聚苯乙烯杂化粒子

通过脱醇法在凹凸棒土（ATP）表面接枝γ-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷（APTES）实现氨基化（ATP-APTES）,再经酰胺化反应接枝α-溴代异丁酰溴,从而在ATP表面固载ATRP引发基团（ATP-Br）;最后以2,2-偶氮二异丁腈（AIBN）和ATP-Br为双组分引发体系进行正反向同时引发原子转移自由基聚合（SR&NI ATRP）制备ATP接枝聚苯乙烯杂化粒子（ATP@PS）。结果表明AIBN结合ATP-Br引发体系进行SR&NI ATRP具有活性/可控聚合的特征,随催化剂用量增大,体系过早偏离一级动力学行为。聚合温度在80℃,投料比为单体/催化剂/AIBN/ATP-Br=200/0.3/0.05/0.5的条件下,接枝聚合物和游离聚合物分子量差异随转化率（c）增大逐渐增加,转化率为31.1%时,两者分子量分布（PDI）均保持在1.54以下,ATP-Br表面ATRP引发基团的引发效率为6.3%。杂化粒子在PS基体中分散得到明显改善。     

Graft copolymers: 2. Specific instability of some poly (styrene-g-2-vinyl pyridines) obtained from chloromethylated polystyrene

Some poly (styrene-g-2-vinyl pyridine) graft copolymers synthesized by carbanionic deactivation of living poly (2-vinyl pyridine) onto partly chloromethylated polystyrene are not stable in their dry state. This instability appears by a progressive increase in the molecular weight. The exact mechanism of crosslinking has been investigated. The instability occurs for polymers whose residual chloromethylation of the backbone after grafting is the greatest. The different methods of avoiding this side reaction are discussed and compared.     

Grafting of branched polymers onto nano-sized silica surface: Postgrafting of polymers with pendant isocyanate groups of polymer chain grafted onto nano-sized silica surface

To control the surface wettability of nano-sized silica surface, the postgrafting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers to grafted polymer chains on the surface was investigated. Polymers having blocked isocyanate groups were successfully grafted onto nano-sized silica surface by the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 2-(O-[1′-methylpropylideneamino]caboxyamino)ethyl methacrylate (MOIB) initiated by azo groups previously introduced onto the surface. The blocked isocyanate groups of poly(MMA-co-MOIB)-grafted silica were stable in a desiccator, but isocyanate groups were readily regenerated by heating at 150 °C. The hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), were postgrafted onto the poly(MMA-co-MOIB)-grafted silica by the reaction of functional groups of PEG and PEI with pendant isocyanate groups of poly(MMA-co-MOI)-grafted silica to give branched polymer-grafted silica. The percentage of grafting increased with increasing molecular weight of PEG, but the number of postgrafted chain decreased, because of steric hindrance. The hydrophobic polymers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) were also postgrafted onto poly(MMA-co-MOI)-grafted silica. It was found that the grafting of hydrophobic polymer and the postgrafting of hydrophilic polymer branches readily controls the wettability of silica surface to water.     

Photo-induced living/controlled surface radical grafting polymerization and its application in fabricating 3-D micro-architectures on the surface of flat/particulate organic substrates

This feature article covers the fundamental chemistry and applications of photo-induced living surface grafting polymerization. The mechanism of activation of inert alkyl C-H bonds of polymer substrates, the structures of the active free radical and reversible dormant species, the modes of the grafting chain growth (including linear, branched and cross-linked variants), and the role of spatial effect are discussed. Two technologies, i.e., 1-step and 2-step processes, their features and applications in fabricating polymer brushes with precisely controlled patterns, desired functions, branched and block grafting chains on planar substrates, and polymer lamination are presented. The fabrication of 3-dimensional covalently bonded polymer particles, such as nano-sized polymer particle monolayers (with uniform and bimodal distributions), discrete solid and hollow polymer particles of micrometer size, and multilayer polymer particles on polymeric substrates are also introduced. In the last part, the application of photo-induced living surface grafting polymerization in non-planar surface modifications, such as the preparation of core-shell polymer particles, Janus particles and cross-linked hydrogels with hairy polymer chains is summarized.     

Grafting of oligopeptide on poly(aminostyrene)s and characterization of the polymers

Graft copolymers that have oligopeptides (OP) as graft molecules were prepared through the coupling reaction of the carboxylic acids of OP with the amino groups of poly(aminostyrene)s (PAS). The three OPs are Boc‐Gly, Z‐Gly‐Pro, and Z‐Gly‐Pro‐Leu‐Gly‐Pro, where Boc and Z are, respectively, the t‐butyloxycarbonyl group and benzyloxycarbonyl group as protective groups on nitrogen. The two PASs are poly(4‐vinylphenylamine) and poly(N‐isopropyl‐4‐vinylbenzylamine). These polymers that have narrow molecular weight distributions were prepared via anionic living polymerization. The coupling reaction to form the peptide bonds was mediated by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in a mixed solvent of N,N′‐dimethylformamide and methyl chloride. The degree of grafting (DOG) on PAS was determined from the ¹H‐NMR spectrum. The dependence of the reaction time (0–8 h) on the DOG, the dependence of the reaction temperature (0–45°C) on the DOG, and the dependence of the molar ratio of OP to the amino group of PAS (1–4 times) on the DOG were studied. By alternating the reaction time and the molar ratio, the DOG values of PAS could be controlled in the range from 0 to 100%. DOG seems to be independent of the molecular weight of OP and the degree of basicity of PAS. The contact angle of the resultant graft copolymers was measured and the preliminary nonthrombogenic test was also performed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1558–1567, 2000     

Star graft copolymer via grafting‐onto strategy using a comb!ination of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer arm‐first technique and aldehyde–aminooxy click reaction

A facile synthetic pathway to a multi‐arm star graft polymer has been developed via a grafting‐onto strategy using a combination of a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) arm‐first technique and aldehyde–aminooxy click reaction. A star backbone bearing aldehyde groups was prepared by the RAFT copolymerization of acrolein (Ac), an existing commercial aldehyde‐bearing monomer, with styrene (St), followed by crosslinking of the resultant poly(St‐co‐Ac) macro‐RAFT agent using divinylbenzene. The aldehyde groups on the star backbone were then used as clickable sites to attach poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains via the click reaction between the aldehyde groups and aminooxy‐terminated PEG, leading to a structurally well‐defined star graft copolymer with arms consisting of poly(St‐co‐Ac) as backbone and PEG as side chains. Crystalline morphology and self‐assembly in water of the obtained star graft copolymer were also investigated. Opportunities are open for the star graft copolymer to form either multimolecular micelles or unimolecular micelles via control of the number of grafted PEG side chains. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of new versatile functionalized polyesters for biomedical applications

A new family of branched polymers was synthesized for different biomedical applications such as the preparation of targeted nanoparticulate drug carriers. They are new copolymers of hydroxy-acids and allyl glycidyl ether. The functional groups (allyl-, hydroxyl- and carboxyl-) to which various groups will be grafted are linked to the polymer backbone. The resulting polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), elemental analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro cytotoxicity assays were also conducted to ensure biocompatibility of the polymers. In order to obtain some structural evidences, different molecules have been grafted on the pendant groups. The method allows a rapid and easy synthesis of allyl-, hydroxyl- and carboxyl-branched degradable polymers for grafting various bioactive molecules.     

Enhancement of graft yield and control of degradation during polypropylene maleation in the presence of polyfunctional monomer

Free‐radical initiated grafting of maleic anhydride (MAH)/polyfunctional acrylate (PFA) multimonomer system onto polypropylene (PP) via reactive extrusion was studied. The effects of PFA and initiator concentration on the grafting reaction were investigated. It was shown that PFA as a comonomer could greatly enhance MAH grafting degree, which increased monotonically as the molar ratio of PFA to MAH increased. The rheology test demonstrated that the viscosity of grafted PP was also promoted as more PFA was used. The formation of branched structure during the grafting process was proved by oscillatory shear rheological analysis. The mechanism of grafting in the presence of PFA was discussed, suggesting PFA had higher reactivity with PP macroradicals than MAH and therefore forming stabilized macroradicals, thus resulting in depression of β‐scission and favoring the formation of branched structure. Higher initiator concentration gave higher MAH grafting degree but more severe degradation. The mechanical properties of the grafted PP were comparable with those of unmodified PP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011