Living polymerization of several substituted acetylenes by CpMoCl4-based catalysts

[(o-Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]acetylene polymerized in a living fashion in the presence of CpMoCl₄-cocatalyst-EtOH catalysts (Cp: cyclopentadienyl; cocatalyst: EtMgBr, Et₃Al, n-BuLi). The CpMoCl₄-EtMgBr-EtOH (1:2:2) catalyst was particularly effective, with which the M_w/M_n of the formed polymer and the initiation efficiency, [P^∗]/[Cat], were 1.06 and 7.6%, respectively. Further, [P^∗]/[Cat] increased up to 10-13% at low temperatures (e.g. 0 °C) of catalyst aging and monomer addition. [(o-Trimethylsilyl)phenyl]acetylene also provided polymer having narrow molecular weight distributions with CpMoCl₄-EtMgBr-EtOH (1:2:2). CpMoCl₄ was more stable to air and moisture than MoOCl₄ owing to the steric and electronic effects of the Cp ligand, while the activity of the CpMoCl₄-based catalysts were lower than that of the MoOCl₄-based counterparts.     

Synthesis of well-defined star polymers and star block copolymers from dendrimer initiators by atom transfer radical polymerization

Novel polyarylether dendrimers with 1,3,5-tri(4-hydroxyphenoxy)benzene core, polybenzylether interior, and benzyl 2-bromoisobutyrate surface group (CMGn-Br, n=1-3, with functionality of 6, 12, and 24, respectively) were prepared by convergent procedure. ATRP of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) and styrene (St) with CMGn-Br dendrimer initiators in the presence of CuBr/pentamethyldiethylenetriamine catalytic system was investigated in detail, and a series of well-defined dendrimer-like star PtBA and PSt with precise arm numbers were synthesized under suitable conditions. The quantitative initiation of the dendrimer initiators was demonstrated by high initiation efficiency, ¹H NMR spectra, hydrolysis, and MALLS/SEC approach. Star block copolymers comprising PSt and PtBA segments with low polydispersity (1.08<M_w/M_n<1.18) were also successfully synthesized using functional macroinitiators by block copolymerization. In addition, the thermal properties of the resultant polymers were characterized by DSC and TGA.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic triblock copolymer of polystyrene and poly(4-vinylbenzyl glucoside) via TEMPO-mediated living radical polymerization

4-Vinylbenzyl glucoside peracetate 1 was polymerized with α,α′-bis(2′,2′,6′,6′-tetramethyl-1′-piperidinyloxy)-1,4-diethylbenzene 2 in chlorobenzene using (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid anhydrous (CSA) as an accelerator ([1]=0.4 M,[1]/[2]/[CSA]=75/1/1.3) at 125 °C for 5 h. The polymerization afforded poly(4-vinylbenzyl glucoside peracetate) having TEMPO moieties on both sides of the chain ends, 3, with a molecular weight (M_w,SLS) of 8500, a polydispersity index (M_w/M_n) of 1.09, and an average degree of polymerization of the 1 unit (x) of 17. Styrene (St) was polymerized with 3 in chlorobenzene at 125 °C (St/chlorobenzene=1/2, w/w). The polymerization successfully afforded polystyrene-poly(4-vinyl glucoside peracetate)-polystyrene, 4, when the polymerization time was below about 2 h. Polymer 4 with the M_w,SLS of 12,500, 17,900, and 29,400, the compositions (y-x-y) of 20-17-20, 45-17-45, and 100-17-100, and the M_w/M_n of 1.12, 1.14 and 1.17 were modified by deacetylation using sodium methoxide in dry-THF into polystyrene-poly(4-vinyl glucoside peracetate)-polystyrene, 5. The solubility of polymer 5 was examined using a good solvent for polystyrene such as toluene and for the saccharide such as H₂O.     

Synthesis of a cis-rich,living poly[(o-methylphenyl)acetylene] by use of the MoOCl4-n-Bu4Sn-EtOH catalyst

Summary Polymerization of (o-methylphenyl)acetylene (o-MePA) by MoOCl₄-n-Bu₄Sn-EtOH catalyst in toluene at 0°C provided a cis-rich living polymer; cis 77%, M _w/M _n=1.21. The polymerization at -30°C gave results similar to those for 0°C, whereas the polymer obtained at 30°C exhibited a broader molecular weight distribution (MWD) and a lower cis content. Among several organotin compounds, only n-Bu₄Sn was effective for the living polymerization of o-MePA. The bulkier the alkyl group of alcohols as the third catalyst component, the broader the MWD of the polymer, while the geometrical structure was not affected by the alcohols.     

Additive effects of trialkylaluminum on propene polymerization with (t-BuNSiMe2Flu)TiMe2-based catalysts

Propene polymerization was conducted by [η³:η¹-tert-butyl(dimethylfluorenylsilyl)amido]dimethyltitanium combined with B(C₆F₅)₃ or methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a cocatalyst in the presence or absence of various trialkylaluminums: Me₃Al, Et₃Al, ⁱBu₃Al (triisobutylaluminum) and Oct₃Al (trioctylaluminum). In the case of living polymerization with B(C₆F₅)₃ at −50°C, addition of Oct₃Al and Et₃Al increased the propagation rate. Et₃Al also acted as a chain transfer reagent and selectively gave Al-terminated polymers, while Oct₃Al induced chain transfer reaction only in high concentration. Little polymer was obtained in the presence of Me₃Al or ⁱBu₃Al. When MAO was used as a cocatalyst, polymerization did not proceed at −50°C. The MAO system, however, showed high activity at 40°C and selectively gave low molecular weight polymers terminated with Al–C bonds. Contrary to the low temperature polymerization with B(C₆F₅)₃ at −50°C, the polymer yield was enhanced by the addition of Me₃Al and ⁱBu₃Al, while the molecular weight was reduced by Me₃Al and enlarged by ⁱBu₃Al. On the other hand, Et₃Al and Oct₃Al significantly decreased both the polymer yield and the molecular weight under these conditions. It was found that additive effects of trialkylaluminums were strongly dependent on polymerization temperature as well as on the structure of the alkyl group.     

One-pot synthesis of star polymer by ATRP of bismaleimide and an excess of styrene with a conventional initiator

A pragmatic one-pot approach to the synthesis of star polymers is reported using atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRcP) of a bismaleimide and an excess of styrene (St) initiated with a conventional ATRP initiator.     

Syntheses of AB2 3- and AB4 5-miktoarm star copolymers by combination of the anionic ring-opening polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane and nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene

AB₂ 3- and AB₄ 5-miktoarm star copolymers were prepared by combination of the anionic ring-opening polymerization (AROP) of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D₃) and the TEMPO-mediated radical polymerization of styrene (St). Initially, two kinds of dendritic multifunctional initiators were prepared. One has a 4-bromobutoxy group and two TEMPO-based alkoxyamines and the other has a 4-bromobutoxy group and four TEMPO-based alkoxyamines. Treatment of the multifunctional initiators with tert-butyllithium gave the corresponding lithiobutoxy derivatives, and AROP of D₃ by the lithiobutoxy derivatives gave poly(D₃) with M_w/M_n of 1.07-1.12. Nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of St by the poly(D₃)s at 120 °C gave AB₂ 3- and AB₄ 5-miktoarm star copolymers with M_w/M_n of 1.15-1.28. Their structures were analyzed by means of ¹H NMR and SEC measurements.     

Synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol stereoblock copolymer via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT/MADIX polymerization using xanthate with vinyl ether moiety

Different types of novel xanthates containing a vinyl ether moiety, S-benzyl O-2-(vinyloxy)ethyl carbonodithioate (Xanthate 1) and S-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl O-2-(vinyloxy)ethyl carbonodithioate (Xanthate 2) were synthesized. In particular, the Xanthate 2 enabled to design polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) stereoblock copolymer via the combination of living cationic vinyl polymerization and RAFT/MADIX polymerization. For cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) and tert-butyl vinyl ether (TBVE), the polymerizations were conducted under Xanthate 1-HCl adduct/SnCl₄ and Xanthate 1 or 2-CF₃COOH adduct/EtAlCl₂ initiating system in the presence of ethyl acetate. Both systems proceeded in living polymerization fashion because the calculated M_n of both poly(IBVE) and poly(TBVE) matches with the M_n polymerized assuming that one polymer chain is formed per one molecule of the Xanthate 1 or 2. The resulting poly(TBVE) had a high number average α-end functionality as determined by MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry. Xanthate 2 is more efficient for the following RAFT/MADIX polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc). The RAFT/MADIX polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) using azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) at 60 °C was conducted using either poly(IBVE) or poly(TBVE) macro-CTA. The poly(TBVE) macro-CTAs synthesized from the Xanthate 2 were able to polymerize VAc smoothly via RAFT/MADIX polymerization, to prepare well-defined diblock copolymer, poly(TBVE)-b-poly(VAc). The resulting block copolymer was then hydrolyzed using KOH in methanol and followed by acid hydrolysis using HBr gas bubbling. The resulting polymer is inherently stereoblock like copolymer, isotactic rich PVA-b-atactic PVA (iPVA-b-aPVA). From the DSC measurement, the iPVA-b-aPVA has one glass transition at 69.5 °C and two melting points according to iPVA and aPVA at 237.9 and 198.1 °C, respectively. Thus, it can be suggested that the obtained PVA has two different geometries by the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT/MADIX polymerization.     

Synthesis of asymmetric H-shaped block copolymer by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and living anionic polymerization

A new asymmetric H-shaped block copolymer (PS)₂-PEO-(PMMA)₂ has been designed and successfully synthesized by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and living anionic polymerization. The synthesized 2,2-dichloro acetate-ethylene glycol (DCAG) was used to initiate the polymerization of styrene by ATRP to yield a symmetric homopolymer (Cl-PS)₂-CHCOOCH₂CH₂OH with an active hydroxyl group. The chlorine was removed to yield the (PS)₂-CHCOOCH₂CH₂OH ((PS)₂-OH). The hydroxyl group of the (PS)₂-OH, which is an active species of the living anionic polymerization, was used to initiate ethylene oxide by living anionic polymerization via DPMK to yield (PS)₂-PEO-OH. The (PS)₂-PEO-OH was reacted with the 2,2-dichloro acetyl chloride to yield (PS)₂-PEO-OCCHCl₂ ((PS)₂-PEO-DCA). The asymmetric H-shaped block polymer (PS)₂-PEO-(PMMA)₂ was prepared via ATRP of MMA at 130 °C using (PS)₂-PEO-DCA as initiator and CuCl/bPy as the catalyst system. The architectures of the asymmetric H-shaped block copolymers, (PS)₂-PEO-(PMMA)₂, were confirmed by ¹H NMR, GPC and FT-IR.     

Synthesis and photoluminescent property of star polymers with carbzole pendent and a zinc porphyrin core by ATRP

Styrene-type monomer 9-(4-vinylbenzyl)-9H-carbazole (VBCz) and methacrylate-type monomer 2-(9H-carbazole-9-yl)-ethyl methacrylate (CzEMA) were polymerized to star polymers respectively via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using zinc 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-(2-methyl-2-bromopropoxy) phenyl) porphyrin as an initiator. The emission spectra of two star polymers (star poly(VBCz) and star poly(CzEMA)) in the solid state displayed red light emission, while those of two monomers showed blue light emission. The result demonstrates that effective energy transfer occurs from the carbazole to the Zn porphyrin core. However, two star polymers in DMF solution emit week red light and strong UV light at 350-400 nm, it points that energy transfer cannot occur from the carbazole to the Zn porphyrin core effectively. They exhibit good thermal stability with T_{d poly(VBCz)} = 374 °C and T_{d poly(CzEMA)} = 297 °C at 5% weight loss. The DSC curves show that the glass transition temperature of styrene-type (T_{g poly(VBCz)} = 177 °C) was better than that of methacrylate-type (T_{g poly(CzEMA)} = 148 °C).     

Methacryl-terminated macromers by living polymerization as precursors of IPN polymer electrolytes

A new class of polymer electrolytes, based on the interpenetrating polymer network approach, was obtained starting from functionalised macromers, of poly-ether nature, in the presence of a lithium salt (LiBF₄, LiClO₄, LiCF₃SO₃) and propylene carbonate (PC) or tetraethyleneglycol dimethylether (TGME), as plasticizers.

The macromers were synthesised by living polymerisation employing a HI/I₂ system as the initiator. The macromer has a polymerisable end group, which can undergo radical polymerisation, attached to a monodisperse poly-vinylether, containing suitable ethylene oxide groups for ion coordination. Monomers and macromers were characterised by FTi.r., u.v.–vis, ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r.

Self-consistent and easily handled membranes were obtained as thin films by a dry procedure using u.v. radiation to polymerise and crosslink the network precursors, directly on suitable substrates, in the presence of the plasticizer and the lithium salt. The electrolytic membranes were studied by complex impedance and their thermal properties determined by differential scanning calorimetry analysis.

Ionic conductivities (σ) were measured for PC and TGME-based membranes at various plasticizer and salt contents as a function of T (60 to −20°C). LiClO₄/PC/PE electrolytes, with 3.8% (w/w) salt and 63% PC, have the highest σ (1.15×10⁻³ and 3.54×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 20°C and −20°C, respectively). One order of magnitude lower conductivities are achieved with TGME; samples with 6% (w/w) LiClO₄ and 45% (w/w) TGME exhibit σ values of 2.7×10⁻⁴ and 2.45×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 20°C and −20°C.     

Synthesis of a graft polymer PVAc-g-[P(AN-r-BVE)-b-PCHO] in “one-step” by radical/cationic transformation polymerization and coupling reaction

This article reports a new “one-step” synthesis of graft polymers based on the radical/cationic transformation polymerization. Using the synthetic method proposed, a graft polymer (PVAc-g-[P(AN-r-BVE)-b-PCHO]) consisting of a partly hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc-OH) backbone and block polymer grafts of acrylonitrile/n-butyl vinyl ether random copolymer (P(AN-r-BVE)) and poly(cyclohexene oxide) (PCHO) was synthesized in situ by radical/cationic transformation polymerization of a mixture of AN/BVE/CHO in the presence of PVAc-OH. The graft polymer, PVAc-g-[P(AN-r-BVE)-b-PCHO], was fully characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. The graft polymer, PVAc-g-[P(AN-r-BVE)-b-PCHO], was hydrolyzed with NaOH to form a poly(vinyl alcohol)-based amphiphilic graft polymer, PVA-g-[P(AN-r-BVE)-b-PCHO]. The aggregation behavior of the amphiphilic graft polymer was investigated briefly by atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements.     

Precise synthesis of polymers containing functional end groups by living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP): Efficient tools for synthesis of block/graft copolymers

This article summarizes recent examples for precise synthesis of (co)polymers containing functional end groups prepared by living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using molybdenum, ruthenium complex catalysts. In particular, this article reviews recent examples for synthesis of amphiphilic block/graft copolymers by adopting transition metal-catalyzed living ROMP technique. Unique characteristics of the living ROMP initiated by the molybdenum alkylidene complexes (so-called Schrock type catalyst), which accomplish precise control of the block segment (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) as well as exclusive introduction of functionalities at the polymer chain end, enable us to provide the synthesis of block copolymers varying different backbones by adopting the “grafting to” or the “grafting from” approach as well as “soluble” star shape polymers with controlled manner. The “grafting through” approach (polymerization of macromonomers) by the repetitive ROMP technique offers precise control of the amphiphilic block segments.     

Synthesis of end-functionalized polymer by means of living anionic polymerization. 4. Synthesis of polyisoprene and polystyrene with epoxy termini by reaction of their anionic living polymers with 2-bromoethyloxirane

In order to synthesize ω-epoxy-functionalized 1,4-polyisoprene ω-epoxy- and α,ω-diepoxy-functionalized polystyrenes, anionic living polyisoprene and polystyrene were allowed to react with excess amounts of 2-bromoethyloxirane in THF at ?78°C. The resulting polymers were analysed by SEC, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC–FID). Both mono- and di-epoxy terminated polymers of controlled molecular weights (2.5 × 10³?2.6 × 10⁴ g/mol) and of narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained quantitatively with high functionalities.     

球形TiCl4/MgCl2催化剂引发丙烯气相聚合动力学

采用微机在线控制的半连续烯烃聚合反应器,在加压条件下进行了球形TiCl₄/MgC_l2催化剂催化的丙烯气相聚合,测定了单体瞬时聚合速率等重要的动力学数据,考察了不同聚合条件对聚合动力学的影响,并用Flory-Huggins方程估算了聚合物非晶区中的单体浓度C_m.研究表明聚合速率与C_m成正比;丙烯聚合速率在反应一开始就迅速衰减,之后是缓慢的衰减.提出了一个n级衰减的丙烯气相聚合动力学模型,根据实验数据拟合得到了模型的各个参数,其中活性中心的衰减级数为2.5,气相聚合的表观增长活化能为77.1 kJ&#8226;mol^-1.用该模型可以较好地模拟加压条件下的丙烯气相聚合动力学行为.     

Nitroxide mediated polymerization using diphenyl azabutane N-oxides. A study of electronic effects and of the [nitroxide]/[initiator] ratio on the polymerization control

3,3-dimethyl-1,1-diphenyl azabutane-N-oxides with electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing substituents in one of the aromatic rings were synthesized and their effect on styrene polymerization was assessed. Styrene polymerization kinetic experiments were carried out in bulk at 100 and 120 °C with BPO or AIBN as initiators and diphenyl-azabutane type nitroxides as mediators. Results were compared with the kinetics using the preformed alkoxyamine. Different [nitroxide]/[initiator] ratios were evaluated at 100 °C and the optimum ratio=1.75 was found. Polydispersities between 1.2 and 1.4 were obtained for polystyrene of M_n up to 25,000. Experiments to obtain molecular weights around 120,000 were also carried out using oligomeric alkoxyamines as mediators. The calculated equilibrium constant (K) of the styrene polymerization at 120 °C with diphenyl azabutane as mediator is larger than the previously reported for TEMPO 1, and similar to the reported for TIPNO 2 and DEPN 3, The polymerization with these nitroxides is faster than the polymerization using other nitroxides and substituents on the aromatic ring have no important effect on the control of polymerization; these experimental results agree with some electronic parameters obtained from molecular modeling of the nitroxides through semiempirical methods.     

Synthesis of thermoresponsive block and graft copolymers via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization using a vinyl ether-type RAFT agent

A novel vinyl ether-type RAFT agent, benzyl 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl carbonotrithioate (BVCT) was synthesized for various block copolymers via the combination of living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers and reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The novel BVCT–trifluoroacetic acid adduct play an important role to produce well-defined block copolymers, which is both as a cationogen under EtAlCl₂ initiation system in the presence of ethyl acetate for living cationic polymerization and a RAFT agent for blocks by RAFT polymerization. The resulting polymer, poly(vinyl ether)s, by living cationic polymerization had a high number average α-end functionality (≥0.9) as determined by both ¹H NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry. In addition, this poly(vinyl ether)s worked well as a macromolecular chain transfer agent for RAFT polymerization. The RAFT polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers was conducted in toluene using 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) at 70 °C. For example, a double thermoresponsive block copolymer (MOVE₆₁-b-NIPAM₁₅₀) consisting of 2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether (MOVE) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) was prepared via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization. The block copolymer reversibly formed and deformed micellar assemblies above the phase separation temperature (T_ps) of poly(NIPAM) block in water. This BVCT is not only functioned as an initiator, but also acted as a monomer. When BVCT was copolymerized with MOVE by living cationic polymerization, followed by graft copolymerization with NIPAM via RAFT polymerization, well-defined graft copolymers (MOVE_n-co-BVCT_m)-g-NIPAM_x (n = 62–73, m = 1–9, x = 19–214) were successfully obtained. However, no micelle formed in water above T_ps of poly(NIPAM) graft chain unlike the case of block copolymers.     

A kinetic analysis on the gas phase polymerization of ethylene over polymer supported (CH3)2Si[Ind]2ZrCl2 catalyst

Kinetics of the gas phase polymerization of ethylene over polymer supported (CH₃)₂Si[Ind]₂ZrCl₂ catalyst is examined. It requires a two-site model to adequately describe the experimental results. The active sites seem to follow a first-order deactivation. The number of sites activated is dependent upon the cocatalyst (MAO) concentration level as well as temperature. It was observed that the decrease of activity at higher temperatures resulted from a strong dependency of the first-order decay rate constant on temperature. On the other hand, the propagation rate constants of two active sites show similar dependency on temperature.     

Synthesis of densely grafted copolymers by nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene using poly(phenylacetylene)s as a macroinitiator

Poly(phenylacetylene)s carrying alkoxyamine moieties in the side chain were prepared by Rh-catalyzed homopolymerization of 1-(4-ethynylphenyl)-1-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxyl)ethane (1) and random copolymerization of 1 and 4-methoxy-1-ethynylbenzene (2a) or 4-decyloxy-1-ethynylbenzene (2b). ¹H NMR spectra showed that the poly(phenylacetylene)s adopted a cis-transoid structure. Using the poly(phenylacetylene)s as the macroinitiator the nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene (St) was carried out at 120 °C to yield densely grafted copolymers as a light yellow powder. The side chain lengths of the graft copolymers were determined by both ¹H NMR and conversion of St, which agreed with each other. The SEC profiles of the graft copolymers were unimodal at low conversions but were not unimodal at high conversion: a shoulder was observed in the high molecular=weight region and a small peak was observed in the low molecular=weight region. ¹H NMR measurements of the graft copolymers indicated that the copolymers adopted a trans-transoid structure, revealing that isomerization from cis-transoid to trans-transoid forms took place during the polymerization of St at 120 °C.     

Novel Supramolecular Square Grid-Like Structure: Synthesis and Characterization of [(Me3Sn)2CrO4]

Reactions of K₂Cr₂O₇ and K₂CrO₄ with Me₃SnCl yielded [(Me₃Sn)₂CrO₄] (1) and [(Me₃Sn)₂CrO₄(Me₃SnOH)] (2), respectively, which were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and an X-ray diffraction study. Compound 1 shows a novel square grid-like structure consisting of CrO₄ ^2– and Me₃Sn⁺ ions, whereas 2 exhibits a three-dimensional structure composed of CrO₄ ^2–, Me₃Sn⁺, and [(Me₃Sn)₂SnOH]⁺ ions.