Influence of addition of olefins on the alternating copolymerization of carbon monoxide and ethylenimine by azobisisobutyronitrile or by γ-ray irradiation

The alternating copolymerization of carbon monoxide and ethylenimine to give poly-β-alanine could be initiated by γ-irradiation but hardly by α,α'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). It was found that in the case of the addition of olefin, this system could be copolymerized even by AIBN and that, in the γ-ray copolymerization of carbon monoxide and ethylenimine, the addition of olefin brought about an increase in the copolymer yield. No difference was observed between the nature of copolymers obtained by AIBN and those obtained by γ-irradiation, except in the system carbon monoxide–ethylenimine–ethylene. An increase in the amount of reacted olefin gave rise to an increase in copolymer yield. The melting points of the copolymers were in the range 295–335°C. The infrared spectra, x-ray diffraction diagrams, and NMR spectra of the copolymers were almost identical with that of poly-β-alanine obtained by the hydrogen-migration polymerization of acrylamide. Paper chromatographic analysis of the hydrolysis product of the copolymer showed the existence of β-alanine, ethylamine, and δ-aminovaleric acid homolog in the products. From these results, it was concluded that terpolymerization of carbon monoxide, ethylenimine, and olefin took place in the presence of AIBN or γ-irradiation which gave a crystalline solid copolymer containing the units of nylon 3 and nylon 5. A mechanism of this copolymerization was proposed on the basis of these results.     

γ-Ray-induced terpolymerization of carbon monoxide,aziridines, and cyclic ethers

The terpolymerization of carbon monoxide, aziridines, and cyclic ethers was carried out by γ-irradiation. A partially crystalline solid copolymer was obtained. The infrared spectrum of the copolymer obtained indicated characteristic peaks due to the secondary amide and ester groups. The results of elementry analysis, infrared spectra, and x-ray diffraction of the copolymer showed that terpolymerization of carbon monoxide, aziridine, and cyclic ether took place by γ-irradiation. 2-Vinyl-1,3-dioxolane was polymerized in the system of carbon monoxide and ethylenimine to give a solid polymer. The infrared spectrum showed characteristics of the secondary amide and dioxolane ring, while no absorption due to carbonyl group of ester was observed. The infrared spectra and results of elementary analysis confirmed that the terpolymerization of carbon monoxide–ethylenimine–2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane occurred.     

Influence of addition of ethylene on the γ-ray-induced alternating copolymerization of ethylenimine and carbon monoxide

The influence of the addition of ethylene on the γ-ray-induced alternating copolymerization of ethylenimine and carbon monoxide was investigated. A mixture of ethylenimine, carbon monoxide, and ethylene was irradiated to produce a polymer containing these monomeric units. The infrared spectrum of the copolymer showed the characteristic absorption peaks of the secondary amide and ketone bond and was different from that of the reaction product of polyketone with ethylenimine and that of the γ-ray irradiation product of ethylene and poly-ß-alanine. The x-ray diffraction diagram of the copolymer was different from those of poly-ß-alanine and polyketone and exhibited an amorphous structure. Paper chromatographic analysis showed that the hydrolysis product of the copolymer contained ß-alanine and δ-aminovaleric acid. These results indicate that terpolymerization of ethylenimine, carbon monoxide, and ethylene took place under γ-ray irradiation and gave an amorphous polymer containing the units \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \rlap{} ({\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm NHCO}\rlap{}),\rlap{} ({\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CO}\rlap{}),{\rm and}\rlap{} ({\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm NHCO}\rlap{}) $\end{document}     

Radical-initiated copolymerization of carbon monoxide and ethylenimine in the presence of ethylene

The radical-initiated copolymerization of carbon monoxide and ethylenimine in the presence of ethylene was studied quantitatively. Carbon monoxide copolymerized with difficulty with ethylenimine with α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile as radical initiator. In the presence of a small amount of ethylene, however, a remarkable amount of crystalline powdery poly-β-alanine (nylon 3) was obtained. The crystalline copolymer, which mainly consists of nylon 3 and contains a small amount of nylon 5 and other substances of higher homologous nylon structure, was obtained in the presence of a large amount of ethylene. This copolymer scarcely contained any ketone structure. Increasing the total feed of the equimolar mixture of the monomers increased the conversion of total monomer and nylon 3 content in the copolymer formed. The effect of increasing carbon monoxide content in this system was to increase both the conversion and the nylon 3 content in the copolymer. In both cases the copolymers were almost identical with nylon 3. Increased ethylene content in the monomer feed, however, increased the conversion and the content of higher homologous nylon structures, such as nylon 5 and 7. From the results it was concluded that ethylene was involved not only in the propagation reaction but also particularly in the initiation reaction.     

γ-Ray-induced copolymerization of carbon monoxide with cyclic ethers

The γ-ray copolymerization of carbon monoxide with cyclic ethers, such as ethylene oxide, phenyl glycidyl ether, 1,3-dioxolane, 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane, terahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, and acetaldehyde was studied. A yellowish or brownish powdery copolymer was obtained in most of the cases examined. The infrared spectra showed that copolymers containing the ester structural unit were produced in the copolymerization with cyclic ethers which have no vinyl groups, and that a copolymer containing a ketone structure was produced from cyclic ether having vinyl group. It was found that the copolymer with ethylene oxide also had a β-propiolactone ring structure at the chain end or the side chain. The copolymers were confirmed to be partially crystalline from the x-ray diffraction diagrams. Further, a ring-opening polymerizability of the cyclic ether by γ-radiation was discussed. And it was found that as the bond dissociation energy between the carbon–oxygen linkage of the cyclic ether is small, the polymer yield both in the homopolymerization and copolymerization with carbon monoxide is high. A mechanism for the copolymerization is proposed on the basis of the results.     

γ-ray-induced copolymerization of carbon monoxide with cyclic hydrocarbons

The γ-ray-induced copolymerization of carbon monoxide with saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene, and cyclopentadiene was studied at 30°C. Resinous or powdery polymers were obtained in the copolymerization. The results of elementary analysis, infrared spectra, and NMR spectra showed that copolymers containing ketone and ring structures were produced. The copolymers were confirmed to be partially crystalline by the x-ray diffraction diagram. Further, the influence of the addition of ethylenimine on the copolymerization of carbon monoxide with cyclohexane or cyclohexene was examined. A powdery polymer formed in the copolymerization was concluded to be a terpolymer of carbon monoxide with cyclic hydrocarbon and ethylenimine. On the basis of the experimental results, a mechanism of the copolymerization is proposed.     

Preparation of crystalline polyamides by the alternating copolymerization of aziridines and cyclic imides

The copolymerization of aziridines and cyclic imides was studied. Aziridines copolymerized alternately with cyclic imides to give crystalline polyamides. Ethylenimine and succinimide copolymerized to nylon 2,4, melting near 300°C., without any catalyst. Similarly, the corresponding crystalline polyamides were obtained from the systems of 1,2-propylenimine–succinimide, ethylenimine–glutarimide, and ethylenimine–phthalimide. The copolymerization of aziridines and cyclic imides in the presence of BF₃OEt₂ gave a copolymer which was rich in aziridine units, whereas, the addition of triethylamine had no influence on the copolymer composition. A mechanism of copolymerization was proposed based on the facts that N-tetramethylenesuccinamide was obtained by the reaction of pyrrolidine and succinimide, N-acetylethylenimine reacted with acetamide to yield N,N′-diacetylethylenediamine and that the rate of this copolymerization was dependent on the electrophilicity of imide.     

γ- and ultraviolet-radiation-induced solid-state polymerization of maleimide in a few binary systems

The solid-state polymerization of maleimide by γ- and ultraviolet irradiation was carried out in binary systems with succinimide, maleic anhydride, and acenaphthylene. Polymaleimide obtained from the solid-state polymerization of maleimide by γ-rays was amorphous, while that obtained from the solid-state polymerization by ultraviolet rays was highly crystalline. In the maleimide–succinimide system the rate of polymerization reached a maximum nearly at the eutectic composition when the polymerization was carried out by γ-irradiation. With ultraviolet irradiation the rate of polymerization became higher with increasing content of succinimide in the feed. In the maleimide–maleic anhydride system a copolymer of both constituents was formed by γ-irradiation, but almost no homopolymer was produced. On the other hand, two kinds of polymers, a crystalline copolymer and an amorphous one, were produced by ultraviolet irradiation. The results were compared with those obtained from the copolymerization in solution. In the maleimide-acenaphthylene system the main products with ultraviolet irradiation was the dimer of acenaphthylene.     

Alternating copolymerization of carbonyl sulfide with aziridines

The copolymerization of carbonyl sulfide with aziridines such as ethylenimine, propylenimine, and N-ethylethylenimine was studied in various organic solvents. The copolymerizations occurred easily without the addition of any catalyst and gave white powdery crystalline copolymers. The copolymers produced were insoluble in many organic solvents, but soluble in p-chlorophenol and dimethyl sulfoxide. The elementary analyses and the infrared spectra showed that alternating copolymers which have a thiourethane structure were produced. In the copolymerization of carbonyl sulfide with ethylenimine, both the polymer yield and the molecular weight of the resulting polymer increased with the use of a solvent having a higher dielectric constant, and also with an increase in the ratio of carbonyl sulfide to imine in the feed. The rate of copolymerization of carbonyl sulfide with aziridines was in the order of ethylenimine > propylenimine > and N-ethylethylenimine. Irradiation of the copolymers improved their thermal properties and increased their melting point.     

Reaction mechanism of the alternating copolymerization of aziridines with cyclic imides

The copolymerizations of N-substituted aziridines and cyclic imide were studied. N-Ethylsuccinimide copolymerized with ethylenimine, but N-ethylethylenimine did not copolymerize with succinimide and N-ethylsuccinimide without catalyst. The effect of additives on the copolymerization of ethylenimine with succinimide and that of N-ethylethylenimine with succinimide and N-ethylsuccinimide was also examined. The rate of copolymerization of ethylenimine with succinimide was accelerated by the addition of N-acetylethylenimine or water. The copolymerization of N-ethylethylenimine with succinimide was initiated only by water, but N-ethylethylenimine did not copolymerize with N-ethylsuccinimide in the presence of water. Gas evolved on heating the copolymer of ethylenimine and succinimide was analyzed and confirmed to be ammonia. On the basis of these results the reaction mechanisms of the copolymerization of ethylenimine with succinimide or N-ethylsuccinimide and of N-ethylethylenimine with succinimide initiated by water are discussed.     

Immobilization of heme complex by radiation polymerization

Transparent films containing an iron-porphyrin complex were synthesized by ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation of aqueous solutions of ironporphyrin complex and a water soluble monomer such as 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate or 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. The iron(II)porphyrin complex was immobilized in the film by covalent bonding without any denaturation, under anaerobic condition or by protection of the ironporphyrin complex with carbon monoxide. After the irradiation of iron(III)porphyrin, the central iron ion was reduced spontaneously to the ferrous state. The films containing the iron(II)porphyrin adsorbed quantitatively carbon monoxide gas.     

Copolymerization of carbon disulfide and N-(β-cyanoethyl)ethylenimine

It was found that carbon disulfide copolymerizes with N-(β-cyanoethyl) ethylenimine by using water as a catalyst. The copolymerization was conducted in detail by using water as a catalyst in the temperature range between 0 and 50°C with various initial concentrations of carbon disulfide and N-(β-cyanoethyl)ethylenimine in the absence of solvent. The copolymer obtained was always composed of the two monomers: 1:1 ratio, independent of the initial concentration of the monomers. The copolymer was white solid material soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide, insoluble in other usual organic solvents and decomposed at 155°C. Spectroscopic analysis of the copolymer combined with the results of elemental analysis indicates that the copolymer had the following structure:      

Thermal Phase Transitions of Carbon Monoxide–Ethylene Alternating Copolymer: An FT/IR Study

In this study an analysis of the changes that occur in the infared spectrum of the ethylene–carbon monoxide alternating copolymer as a function of the temperature is presented. This copolymer can assume two polymorphic crystalline states, named POK-α and POK-β. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy seems to be a good technique to observe the transition between these two forms, which occurs between 120 and 140°C in an undrawn sample. The IR results have been supported by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The data obtained have, also, clarified that in the solid state the structure of the ethylene–carbon monoxide copolymer is extended by strong intermolecular interactions that weaken its intrinsic resistance and aid its thermal degradation. These interactions are absent or at least less strong in the melt or in the amorphous state. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiation-Induced Copolymerization of Chlorotrifluoroethylene with Olefins

The copolymerizations of chlorotrifluoroethylene with propylene and isobutylene were carried out at 0 ～ ?78°C by γ-ray irradiation. It was found that alternating copolymers are obtained over a wide range of monomer composition for both systems. The alternating copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene with isobutylene was found to be highly crystalline, but the copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene with propylene was found to be amorphous. The copolymerizations were considered to proceed via a radical mechanism, but in the case of the isobutylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene system a cationic polymerization also takes place simultaneously at ?78°C.     

Effect of γ-ray radiation on the polyacrylonitrile based carbon fibers

To investigate the effect of γ-ray radiation on the microstructural and mechanical properties of carbon fibers, carbon fibers were irradiated by ⁶⁰Co source. The interlayer spacing d₀₀₂ of carbon fibers decreased after irradiation. The Young’s modulus and density of the fibers increased with increasing dose. The tensile strength of fibers was found to increase at low dose and decrease at high dose. Additionally, Compton scattering effect caused by γ-ray is proposed to be responsible for the structural and mechanical changes of fibers. The results indicated that γ-ray irradiation was an effective method for improving the mechanical properties and graphitization degree of polyacrylonitrile based carbon fibers.     

Radiation-induced copolymerization of hexafluoroacetone with 2-methyl-1-pentene

Copolymerization of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) with 2-methyl-1-pentene (2MP) in trichlorotrifluoroethane (R-113) was carried out by γ-ray irradiation in a low-temperature region of ?100 to 0°C. Though HFA does not homopolymerize and 2MP scarcely does, the copolymerization took place at various monomer compositions. The copolymerization rate and the molecular weight in the low-temperature region were much higher than those at 0°C. Above room temperature the copolymerization did not take place and only the adduct of monomers was formed. The copolymerization was inhibited to some extent by cation scavengers, but not by radical or electron scavengers. Elemental analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra show that the copolymer consists of almost equimolar monomer units and has two types of structure, head to tail and head to head or tail to tail. It has been concluded that copolymerization probably proceeds via a cationic mechanism to form an alternating copolymer.     

Further studies on the ultraviolet graft copolymerization of maleimide by vapor-phase method

Graft copolymerization of maleimide onto polyethylene and ethyl cellulose films by using its sublimation vapor was carried out under ultraviolet irradiation in the presence or absence of air; the effect of air or additives on the grafting reaction and on the nature of the grafted films was investigated. The extent of grafting gradually approached a fixed value, in spite of the continuous ultraviolet irradiation. Air retarded the grafting reaction but did not suppress the reaction nor alter the final extent of grafting. Benzoquinone showed no inhibiting effect on the grafting. The grafted polymaleimide was found to be amorphous, even though ultraviolet irradiation produces a highly crystalline homopolymer in the solid phase as well as in the liquid phase. The results were discussed in comparison with those of the vapor-phase grafting under γ-ray irradiation; the reaction is attributed to the vapor–crystal equilibrium of monomer and to the formation of short-chain crosslinks.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance of poly-β-alanine

Nuclear magnetic resonance of poly-β-alanine samples differing in solubility in water was studied over a wide temperature range as part of an investigation of their physical properties. Water-soluble poly-β-alanine has more branches and a lower degree of crystallinity than water-insoluble poly-β-alanine. NMR spectra of poly-β-alanine show one component at 77°K. which splits into two components, broad and narrow, at room temperature. Two transition regions were observed in curves for line width and second moment versus temperature. The higher transition temperature, corresponding to the glass transition of the polymer, appears to decrease with increasing water content. The second moment for the water-soluble polymer differs from that of the water-insoluble polymer at 77°K. This is interpreted in terms of the difference in the degree of crystallinity of the polymers.     

Isomerization polymerization of 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane by α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile or by γ-ray irradiation

2-Vinyl-1,3-dioxolane was polymerized by use of α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) or by γ-ray irradiation. The polymer obtained was white amorphous powder which melted at ca. 70°C. and was soluble in chloroform, acetone, and p-dioxane. The infrared spectrum of the polymer indicated peaks at 1735 cm.^?1 characteristic of the carbonyl group, and at 1200–1000 cm.^?1 characteristic of the acetal group, while no absorption at 990 and 3100 cm.^?1 due to the vinyl group was observed. The spectra of the polymers obtained by AIBN and by γ-ray irradiation were essentially identical. The saponified product of the polymer was white powder and its reduced viscosity was a little larger than that of the original polymer. These results indicate that the polymer has no ester unit in the main chain. The results of gas chromatographic analysis of the saponified product of the polymer, indicate the presence of a small amount of ethyl alcohol. The results of the saponification showed that the ester content in the polymer varied from 7 to 25% depending upon the polymerization temperature. These results indicate that 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane polymerized by AIBN or by γ-irradiation with two modes of vinyl and hydrogen migration, yielding a copolymer having the unit structures      

High photosensitivity in cis-polyphenylacetylene films irradiated with 60Co γ-ray

This paper reports that ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation can convert cis-polyphenylacetylene (cis-PPA) films prepared with rare-earth coordination catalysts to highly photosensitive materials. The dependence of the photosensitivity on irradiation dose, preparation methods, and microstructure of the PPA films has been investigated by means of a potential discharge technique. The photosensitivity was enhanced with increasing irradiation dose. The critical dose to produce a light response was 5 × 10³ Gy. The maximum surface potential discharge rate was 618 V/s, and the dark decay was approximately 2 V/s for cis-PPA films irradiated with ⁶⁰Co γ-ray (dose: 2 × 10⁵ Gy). The cis-transoidal-PPA and an electrophotographic photoreceptor device incorporating cis-PPA showed a higher irradiation effect. The structure and properties of ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiated rare-earth PPA films are similar to the unirradiated films.