Scale-up precision synthesis of octa-arm polyisobutylene stars

Summary This paper concerns the scale-up precision synthesis of octa-arm polyisobutylene (PIB) stars. Specifically, we have optimized to the 100–200 g scale the preparation of star polymers consisting of eight PIB arms radiating from a calix[8]arene core. The synthesis strategy involved the use of a calix[8]arene fitted with eight p-C(CH₃)₂OCH₃ groups as the initiator in conjunction with mixed BCl₃/TiCl₄ coinitiators in hexanes/methyl chloride solvent systems at − 80 °C. Various possible side-reactions have been identified and means for their suppression/elimination were developed. Received: 29 December 1999/Revised version: 22 May 2000/Accepted: 22 May 2000     

New polyisobutylene stars XI. Synthesis and characterization of allyl-telechelic octa-arm polyisobutylene stars

The synthesis and characterization of a novel star comprising eight allyl-terminated polyisobutylene (PIB) arms radiating from a calix[8]arene core is described. The synthesis was accomplished by a core-first method, by inducing the living polymerization of isobutylene (IB) by a suitably functionalized calix[8]arene initiator (1) in conjunction with BCl₃-TiCl₄ coinitiators, and terminating the growth of the living PIB^⊕ arms by allyltrimethylsilane. The relative concentrations of BCl₃ and TiCl₄ are critical for the synthesis of well-defined 8-arm stars. Characterization of the products (which included triple detector GPC studies and ¹H NMR spectroscopy) indicated quantitative allylation. A mechanism which summarizes the experimental observations is proposed. Received: 17 July 1997/Revised version: 11 September 1997/Accepted: 19 September 1997     

Synthesis of Poly(cyclohexyl vinyl ether-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-isobutylene-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-cyclohexyl vinyl ether) Triblock Copolymer by Living Cationic Sequential Copolymerization

Summary The living cationic polymerization of cyclohexyl vinyl ether (CHVE) and sequential block copolymerization of isobutylene with CHVE were carried out by the so-called capping-tuning technique in hexanes/CH₃Cl solvent mixtures at –80 °C. It involves capping the initiator, 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl), or the living polyisobutylene (PIB) chain end with 1,1-ditolylethylene in the presence of titanium(IV) (TiCl₄), followed by fine-tuning of the Lewis acidity with the addition of titanium(IV) isopropoxide (Ti(OIp)₄) to match the reactivity of CHVE. Well-defined PCHVE, PIB-b-PCHVE and PCHVE-b-PIB-b-PCHVE with predesigned molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n<1.1) were thus prepared with [Ti(OIp)₄]/[TiCl₄] ratios of 1.6–1.8. Differential scanning calorimetry of the triblock copolymers showed two T_gs (–62 °C for PIB and 61 °C for PCHVE) suggesting a microphas-separated morphology of the triblock copolymers and the potential use of them as thermoplastic elastomers.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel octa-arm polyisobutylene star

Summary The synthesis and characterization of a novel telechelic star consisting of a well defined C-pentyl-calix[4]1,3-dicumyl alcoholarene (3) core out of which radiate eight well-defined polyisobutylene arms, each fitted with an allyl terminus is described. The synthesis was accomplished by a core-first method, by inducing the living polymerization of isobutylene by 3 in conjunction with BCl₃-TiCl₄ coinitiators. The product was characterized by GPC coupled with laser light scattering (LLS) and referactive index (RI) detectors, and by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Quantitative functionality analysis indicated the presence of exactly eight PIB arms per molecule. Received: 3 April 2001 / Revised version: 22 June 2001 / Accepted: 22 June 2001     

The cationic oligomerization of p-aminostyrene 2. Dimerization in the intial stage

Summary It was found that p-aminostyrene (PAS) could be oligomerized by using several aminium perchlorates as catalysts in acetonitrile to give a dimer D in the initial stage of the reaction and finally the isomerization oligomer 1 at the end, in quite similar manner to the preceding paper (1), where dimerization (hydroamination) is the main reaction in the initial stage. The pK_a values for the amines were evaluated by the indicator method, and the [H⁺]₀ and [MH⁺]₀ values were calculated from equilibrium equations. As a result, the rate increased with decreasing pK_a of the catalytic amine used and reached an overall constant value. From the relationships between the rate of the reaction and the [H⁺]₀ or [MH⁺]₀ values calculated numerically, however, it was determined that the rate was more affected by the [H⁺]₀ or [M⁺]₀ values rather than the pK_a of the catalyst. It was assumed that the reaction would be initiated by the electrophilic attack of MH⁺ on the double bond of the monomer. Three successive reactions were proposed for the dimerization step: slow protonation followed by subsequent fast reactions; amine addition to the resultant styryl cation and proton elimination. It was assumed that oligomerization might proceed via the same three successive reactions as proposed for the dimerization step. Received: 24 July 2000/Revised version: 8 September 2000/Accepted: 18 September 2000     

Synthesis of star-shaped poly(vinyl ether)s by living cationic polymerization: Pathway for formation of star-shaped polymers via polymer linking reactions

Summary: Star-shaped polymers of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) with a microgel core of an aliphatic divinyl ether (2) were synthesized in high yield on the basis of the living cationic polymerization with the HCl/ZnCl₂ initiating system. GPC analysis demonstrated that linear coupling products ("two-armed" polymers) and three-armed star polymers formed during the early stages of the linking reaction, and that subsequent coupling reactions between such low molecular weight star polymers gave star-shaped polymers with more arms. The number of arms ranged from 5 to 22, which increased with increasing [2]₀/[P^*] ratio and/or shortening the arm chain. Received: 11 April 2000/Accepted: 24 April 2000     

Synthesis of Halogen-Free Polyisobutylene by in situ Hydride Transfer to Living Polyisobutylene from Tributylsilane

Summary Hydride transfer reaction between living polyisobutylene cation (PIB⁺) and tributylsilane in hexanes/methyl chloride 60/40 (v/v) solvent mixtures at -80, -70 and -60 °C was studied to synthesize halogen-free polyisobutylene (PIB). The hydride transfer reaction between tributylsilane and living PIB capped with 1,1-ditolylethylene (PIB-DTE⁺) have also been carried out under similar conditions at -80 °C. The rate of hydride transfer reaction increases with the increase of tributylsilane concentration for the reaction of both PIB⁺ and PIB-DTE⁺ with tributylsilane. Gel Permeation Chromatography and NMR Spectroscopy suggested practically complete capping of the polymeric cation and the absence of side reactions.     

Oxyethylation and carbonation of telechelic polyisobutylene anions

Summary The synthesis of (CH₃)₃C≈PIB≈CH₂ C(=CH₂) CH₂CH₂CH₂OH and (CH₃)₃C≈PIB≈CH₂ (=CH₂) CH₂COOH have been achieved by oxyethylation and carbonation of telechelic polyisobutylene anions: (CH₃)₃C≈PIB≈CH₂C(=CH₂)CH₂⊝. The latter macroanions were prepared from (CH₃)₃C≈PIB≈CH₂C(CH₃)₂Cl by one-pot dehydrochlorination-metalation with n-BuLi/t-BuOK in hexanes. The structure of the products was established by detailed ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses which also involved the characterization of 4-neopentyl-4-penten-1-ol and 3-neopentyl-3-butenoic acid model compounds.     

Synthesis of poly(styrene-co-isopropenyl acetate) -g-polyisobutylene graft copolymers via combination of radical polymerization with cationic polymerization

Random copolymers of poly(styrene-co-isopropenyl acetate) (SIPA) with an average number of 9 initiating sites per chain were synthesized by free radical copolymerization of styrene with a small amount of isopropenyl acetate using 2,2′-azo-bis-(isobutyronitrile) as an initiator at 70 °C. SIPA copolymer could be further used as macroinitiator for the grafting cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) from SIPA chain in CH₂Cl₂ at ?40 °C to produce graft copolymers of SIPA-g-PIB. The effect of SIPA concentration ([SIPA]), TiCl₄ concentration ([TiCl₄]) and IB concentration ([IB]) on initiation efficiency of macroinitiator, grafting efficiency of initiating sites, average length of PIB branches of the resulting graft copolymers were investigated. It can be found that almost all of the initiating sites of IPAc units on SIPA chains were active for the cationic polymerization of IB and both initiation efficiency and grafting efficiency were close to 100% at sufficient molar ratio of TiCl₄/IPAc. This synthetic route presents quantitative grafting efficiency and possibility to control length of PIB branches. The graft copolymers of SIPA-g-PIB with average 9-branched PIB chains having terminal functional tert-chlorine groups could be successfully obtained. The average molecular weight of PIB branches in SIPA-g-PIB graft copolymers could be mediated from 3900 to 47,300 g mol^?1 by changing the ratios of macroinitiator to monomer and concentration of TiCl₄.     

Novel block ionomers. III. Mechanical and rheological properties

Select rheological (dynamic viscoelastic) and mechanical properties of novel block cationomers and anionomers and their blends have been investigated. The block ionomers were linear di‐ and triblocks, and symmetric three‐arm stars comprising hydrophobic polyisobutylene (PIB) blocks attached to ionized poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA^?X⁺, where X⁺ = Na⁺, Zn²⁺) and poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA⁺I^?) blocks. The specific structures investigated were the well‐defined diblocks PIB‐b‐PMAA^? and PIB‐b‐PDMAEMA⁺ and their blends, the triblocks PMAA^?‐b‐PIB‐b‐PMAA^? and PDMAEMA⁺‐b‐PIB‐b‐PDMAEMA⁺ and their blends, and the three‐arm star anionomer Φ(PIB‐b‐PMAA^?)₃. For comparison, the properties of the precursor PIBs and unionized blocks have also been studied. Hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups of the PMAA blocks in PIB‐b‐PMAA diblocks leads to inverse micelles. Neutralization of the PMAA by Zn(AcO)₂ and quaternization of the PDMAEMA segments by CH₃I in the triblock copolymers and star copolymers yielded ionic domains, which self‐assemble and produce physical networks held together by coulumbic interaction. The physical/chemical characteristics of the domains control the viscoelastic behavior and mechanical properties of these block ionomers. The mechanical properties of the various block ionomers were significantly enhanced relative to the precursors, and they were thermally stable below the transition temperature. Further, the thermomechanical properties of these novel materials were satisfactory even above 200°C. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1516–1525, 2003     

Coupling and linking reactions of living polyisobutylene by allylsilanes

The reactions of living polyisobutylene (PIB⁺) with different allylsilanes, as potential linking and coupling agents, have been studied. Quantitative monoaddition of 2-Phenylallyltrimethylsilane to living PIB⁺ yielded macromonomer (I), however coupling was absent. Rapid and quantitative coupling has been observed with 1,3-bis[2-(3-trimethylsilyl)-propenyl]benzene (bTPB). Using 1-(2-propenyl)-3-[2-(3-trimethylsilyl)-propenyl]benzene (PTPB) star polymers with an average of four arms have been prepared with high efficiency. The study of this linking reaction revealed that star formation takes place in two well separated steps. In the first step a macromonomer is formed in situ by the rapid reaction of PIB⁺ with the allyltrimethylsilyl functionality. Subsequent reaction of this macromonomer with the remaining electrophilic PIB⁺ ends followed by interchain reactions results in the formation of star polymers. Received: 16 May 1999/Revised version: 1 September 1999/Accepted: 1 September 1999     

Living carbocationic polymerization

Summary Three-arm star telechelic liquid polyisobutylenes PIB carrying exactly three -CH₂C(CH₃)₂Cl end groups have been synthesized by living carbocationic polymerization using C₆H₃(C(CH₃)₂OCH₃)₃/BCl₃ complexes in CH₃Cl and CH₂Cl₂ diluents in the 0° to –30°C range. The living nature of the polymerizations was demonstrated by linear M_n versus W_PIB (g PIB) formed plots starting at the origin and horizontal N (moles of PIB) versus W_PIB plots. Initiating efficiency (I_eff) was close to 100% and M_n was determined by the [monomer]/[initiator] ratio. Polymerizations guenched by methanol yield tert.-chlorine end groups which have been quantitatively converted to isopropylidene (-CH₂C(CH₃)=CH₂) termini.     

Ring opening metathesis polymerization of dicyclopentadiene catalyzed by titanium tetrachloride adduct complexes with nitrogen‐containing ligands

Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) catalyzed by titanium tetrachloride adduct complexes such as TiCl₄ · 2L [L = pyridine (1), 2‐methylpyridine (2), 2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine (3), 3‐aminopyridine (4), 2‐hyroxypyridine (5)] and CH₃Li as cocatalyst was reported. The polymer was characterized by IR and ¹H‐NMR methods. Five influencing factors were also discussed. The catalyst systems TiCl₄ · 2L/CH₃Li (L = 2‐methylpyridine, 2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine) appeared to be very active for the ROMP of DCPD. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 3247–3251, 2000     

Electrochemical properties of two-component polymers of palladium and pyrrolidine and piperazine derivatives of C60

Redox-active films have been generated via electrochemical reduction in a solution containing palladium(II) acetate and [C₆₀]fullerene, or derivatives of C₆₀. The C₆₀ derivatives include piperazine (piperazine-C₆₀), pyrrolidine (CH₃-pyr-C₆₀), and a pyrrolidine salt, [(CH₃)₂-pyr-C₆₀]⁺ attached to the fullerene unit. In these films, fullerene moieties are covalently bonded to palladium atoms to form a polymeric network. The polymer yields involving the piperazine and pyrrolidine derivatives of C₆₀ are significantly lower than the yield of the C₆₀/Pd film. The CH₃-pyr-C₆₀/Pd and [(CH₃)₂-pyr-C₆₀]⁺/Pd films are electrochemically active in the negative potential region due to the reduction of the fullerene moiety. Reduction of the CH₃-pyr-C₆₀/Pd film is accompanied by the transport of supporting electrolyte cations from the solution into the film. In the first reduction step of the [(CH₃)₂-pyr-C₆₀]⁺/Pd film, both cations and anions of the supporting electrolyte are involved. The piperazine-C₆₀/Pd film exhibits electrochemical activity at both negative and positive potentials. In the negative potential region, reduction of the fullerene cage takes place. Oxidation of the piperazine moiety is responsible for the observed current in the positive potential range. Here, the oxidation process of this polymer is significantly influenced by the presence of metallic palladium particles in the film.     

Developing a fulvene route to C1-bridged “constrained geometry” Ziegler catalyst systems

6-dimethylamino-6-methylfulvene (7) was converted to the [(C₅H₄)–CMe₂–NMe₂]⁻ ligand system (8) by treatment with methyllithium. Its reaction with MCl₄ (M = Zr, Ti) followed by treatment with CH₃Li gave the respective [(C₅H₄)–CMe₂–NMe₂]₂M(CH₃)₂ complexes (12). Their reaction with B(C₆F₅)₃ led to reactive metallocene cation complexes that instantaneously underwent CH activation at a N–CH₃ group to yield the metallacyclic cation complexes 15. (tert-butylaminomethyl)fluorene was prepared by the addition of tert-butylisocyanate to fluorenyllithium followed by hydride reduction. Deprotonation by a variety of bases gave rise to a series of competing and consecutive reactions to yield several unusually structured products, among them a fluorenyl-anellated η⁵-1-azapentadienyl anion equivalent (25) and [(flu)-CH₂–NCMe₃]Li₂ (23). An improved way of generating synthetically useful C₁-linked [Cp–C₁(R) _n –NR¹]^2- dianion equivalents was developed starting from 6-amino-6-methylfulvene (26). N-silylation followed by double deprotonation with, e.g., lithium diisopropylamide cleanly furnished the respective [(C₅H₄)–C(=CH₂)–NSiMe₃]^2- dianion 33 (isolated as the dilithio derivative). Its reaction with Cl₂Zr(NEt₂)₂ in THF gave [η⁵:κ-N-(C₅H₄)–C(=CH₂)–NSiMe₃]Zr(NEt₂)₂ 36. Activation of 36 with methylalumoxane in toluene led to the formation of a C₁-linked “constrained geometry” Ziegler catalyst that polymerized ethylene similarly as the [(C₅Me₄)SiMe₂NCMe₃]ZrCl₂ derived literature system. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extraction of iridium(III) by ion-pair formation with 2-octylaminopyridine in weak organic acid media

To extract iridium(III), various physicochemical parameters were studied. 2-Octylaminopyridine was used for the extraction of iridium(III) from acetate medium at 8.5 pH. Quantitative extraction of iridium(III) was achieved via ion-pair formation of cation [2-OAPH⁺] and anion [Ir(CH₃COO)₄]^?. The stripping of iridium(III)-laden organic phase was carried out 2 M HCl (3 × 10 mL) . The stoichiometry of the extracted ion–pair complex was found to be 1:4:1 (metal: acetate: extractant). The extracted species [2-OAPH⁺. Ir(CH₃COO)₄^?] is assumed to be an ion association product of [Ir(CH₃COO)₄] ^? and [2-OAPH]⁺. The proposed method was successfully used in the separation of iridium(III) from binary and ternary mixtures. Analysis of various alloy samples was also carried out.     

Polyethylene carboxylate-bound triruthenium clusters as alcohol oxidation catalysts

We have found that addition of polyethylene oligomers containing a terminal carboxylic acid group to solutions of [(CH₃CH₂CO₂)₆Ru₃O(H₂O)₃] ⁺CH₃CH₂CO₂⁻ allows us to recover quantitatively and reuse this ruthenium cluster as a catalyst for oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols with oxygen.     

Studies of relaxation phenomena in polymers. III. Superimposed transition mechanisms in polyisobutylene and poly(vinyl acetate)

Based on the general properties of the function log J₂ = g_α{log J₁}, discussed in earlier papers,^1,2 the existence of two superimposed dispersion mechanisms in the glass–rubber transition of polyisobutylene (PIB), and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) is discussed. A simple weighting model is used for separation of the two mechanisms. For the interpretation of the β-mechanism, in PIB, the following facts are taken into account: (a) The loss maximum of the β-mechanism appears in a zone where only very reduced segment movements occur. (b) The methyl side groups in PIB require special conformations of the main chains before they can rotate. (c) The apparent activation energy for the β-mechanism is approx. 20 kcal/mole. Thus, for PIB the following interpretations for the α- and β-mechanisms are proposed: (1) The α-mechanism is due to simple segment movements. (2) The β-mechanism appearing in the “T_g region” is due to coupled movements between the main chain and methyl side groups. The ester groups of poly(vinyl acetate) need a lot more space for their rotations than the carboxy groups of poly(methyl acrylate) and can be expected to give considerable steric hindrance. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that a transition mechanism similar to the β-mechanism of polymethacrylates will appear in the “freezing” region of poly(vinyl acetate). The analysis of the β-mechanism is made using the same separation method as for polyisobutylene.     

13C NMR chemical shifts of polyisobutylene end groups and related model compounds

Summary The detailed end-structures of CH₃-,-Cl, exo-olefin, endoolefin, and-OH ended polyisobutylenes (PIB) have been characterized by high resolution¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Specifically, the¹³C chemical shifts characteristic of the various carbons in the following structures have been determined: CH₂C(CH₃)₂-CH₂C(CH₃)₃, CH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂Cl, CH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)=CH₂, CH₂C(CH₃)₂CH=C(CH₃)₂, and CH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂OH. The structure analysis of model compounds was of utmost help in these investigations. The above information is of great value for the identification of terminally functional PIBs and analysis of reaction mixtures.     

Mass spectrometry of triglycerides: I. Structural effects

Mass spectra of several triglycerides of specific structure or with specific deuterium labeling have been measured with a low resolution mass spectrometer. With saturated triglycerides the abundances of ions characteristic of the component acids, [M-RCO₂]⁺, increase with increasing chain length, and [M-RCO₂CH₂]⁺ decrease with increasing chain length. Unsaturation in the acyl moiety causes the abundant formation of [RCO-1]⁺. Structures have been suggested for a number of the main peaks obtained from saturated triglycerides, and high resolution spectra of one triglyceride agree with the postulated structures. The peaks, [RCO+74]⁺, [RCO+115]⁺ and [RCO+128+14n]⁺, represent structures which contain the glyceryl portion of the triglyceride, since in case of the replacement of its hydrogens with deuteriums, these peaks are shifted accordingly. Evidence which indicates the possibility of determining the location of unsaturation by the interruption of homology of the [RCO+128+14n]⁺ series, brought about by the addition of deuterium to the unsaturated linkages, is introduced. Further evidence is also presented, which indicates that the [M-RCO₂CH₂]⁺ ions arise from the positions 1 and 3 and, in agreement with earlier studies from other laboratories, it is thus possible to identify the acyl groups attached to the 1 and 2 positions of the glyceryl moiety. Presented in part at the AOCS Meeting, New Orleans, April 1970. Part V of a series on Mass Spectrometry of Lipids. For IV see Lipids 4:421–427 (1969).