Dark‐cure studies of cationic photopolymerizations of epoxides: Characterization of the active center lifetime and kinetic rate constants

We have characterized the effective rate constants for termination/trapping (k_t/t) and propagation (k_p) for solvent‐free cationic photopolymerizations of phenyl glycidyl ether for conversions up to 50%. We have performed dark‐cure experiments in which active centers are produced photochemically for a specified period of time until the initiating light is shuttered off, and then the polymerization rate is monitored in the dark. This method is especially well suited for characterizing cationic polymerizations because of the long active center lifetimes. Our analysis provides profiles of the instantaneous kinetic rate constants as functions of conversion (or time). For photopolymerizations of phenyl glycidyl ether initiated with iodonium photoinitiators, k_t/t and k_p remain essentially invariant for conversions up to 50%. For the photoinitiator (tolycumyl) iodonium tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate (IPB), the values of k_t/t at 50 and 60 °C are 0.027 and 0.033 min^?1, respectively. The corresponding values of k_t/t for diaryliodonium hexafluoroantimonate (IHA) are 0.041 and 0.068 min^?1. The values of k_p at 50 °C for IPB and IHA are 0.6 and 0.4 L mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2064–2072, 2003     

Kinetic and ESR studies on the radical polymerization of α‐n‐(α′‐methylbenzyl) β‐ethyl itaconamates derived from racemic and (s)‐α‐methylbenzylamines

The polymerization of α‐N‐(α′‐methylbenzyl) β‐ethyl itaconamate derived from racemic α‐methylbenzylamine (RS‐MBEI) by initiation with dimethyl 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) was studied in methanol kinetically and with ESR spectroscopy. The overall activation energy of polymerization was calculated to be 47 kJ/mol, a very low value. The polymerization rate (R_p ) at 60 °C was expressed by R_p = k[MAIB]^0.5±0.05[RS‐MBEI]^2.9±0.1. The rate constants of propagation (k_p ) and termination (k_t ) were determined by ESR. k_p was very low, ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 L/mol s, and increased with the monomer concentration, whereas k_t (4–17 × l0⁴ L/mol s) decreased with the monomer concentration. Such behaviors of k_p and k_t were responsible for the high dependence of R_p on the monomer concentration. R_p depended considerably on the solvent used. S‐MBEI, derived from (S)‐α‐methylbenzylamine, showed somewhat lower homopolymerizability than RS‐MBEI. The k_p value of RS‐MBEI at 60 °C in benzene was 1.5 times that of S‐MBEI. This was explicable in terms of the different molecular associations of RS‐MBEI and S‐MBEI, as analyzed by ¹H NMR. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4137–4146, 2000     

Variations of Rate Coefficients and Termination Mechanism During the After‐Effects of a Light‐ Induced Polymerization of a Dimethacrylate Monomer

This work was aimed at studying variations in the termination mechanism occurring during the after‐effects of a light‐induced polymerization of a dimethacrylate monomer after the irradiation had been discontinued. The experimental method was based on differential scanning calorimetry. The initiation was stopped at various moments of the reaction corresponding to different degrees of double‐bond conversion (starting conversions). Three termination models: monomolecular, bimolecular, and mixed were used to calculate the ratio of the bimolecular termination and propagation rate coefficients k_t^b/k_p and/or the monomolecular termination rate coefficient k_t^m. The models were determined over short time intervals (conversion increments) of the dark reaction giving different values of rate coefficients for each time interval (interval approximation method). Two‐stage statistical analysis was used to find the model that best reproduced the experimental data obtained for each conversion increment. This enabled variations in the termination mechanism during the after‐effects to be followed. It was found that the termination mechanism changed with the time of the dark reaction from the bimolecular reaction to the mixed reaction when the light was cut off at low and medium double‐bond conversions. At higher starting conversions a monomolecular termination mechanism dominated from the beginning of the dark reaction. The mixed termination model was the only model to describe correctly the variations of rate coefficients in the dark, i. e., the increase in k_t^m and the decreasein the k_t^b/k_p ratio.     

Formation of triblock copolymers via a tandem enhanced spin capturing—nitroxide‐mediated polymerization reaction sequence

The preparation of ABA‐type block copolymers via tandem enhanced spin capturing polymerization (ESCP) and nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) processes is explored in‐depth. Midchain alkoxyamine functional polystyrenes (M_n = 6200, 12,500 and 19,900 g mol^?1) were chain extended with styrene as well as tert‐butyl acrylate at elevated temperature NMP conditions (T = 110 °C) generating a tandem ESCP‐NMP sequence. Although the chain extensions and thus the block copolymer formation processes function well (yielding in the case of the chain extension with styrene number average molecular weights of up to 20,800 g mol^?1 (PDI = 1.22) when the 6200 g mol^?1 precursor is used and up to 67,500 g mol^?1 (PDI = 1.36) when the 19,900 g mol^?1 precursor is used and 21,600 g mol^?1 (PDI = 1.17) as well as 37,100 g mol^?1 (PDI = 1.21) for the tert‐butyl acrylate chain extensions for the 6200 and 12,500 g mol^?1 precursors, respectively), it is also evident that the efficiency of the block copolymer formation process decreases with an increasing chain length of the ESCP precursor macromolecules (i.e., for the 19,900 g mol^?1 ESCP precursor no efficient chain extension with tert‐butyl acrylate can be observed). For the polystyrene‐block‐tert‐butyl acrylate‐block‐polystyrene polymers, the molecular weights were determined via triple detection SEC using light scattering and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011.     

Elementary reaction analysis of the radical polymerization of α‐ethyl β‐N‐(α′‐methylbenzyl)itaconamates carrying (RS)‐ and (S)‐α‐methylbenzylaminocarbonyl groups

The polymerizations of α‐ethyl β‐N‐(α′‐methylbenzyl)itaconamates carrying (RS)‐ and (S)‐α‐methylbenzylaminocarbonyl groups (RS‐EMBI and S‐EMBI) with dimethyl 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) were studied in methanol (MeOH) and in benzene kinetically and with electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) at 60 °C was given by R_p = k[MAIB]^{0.58 ± 0.05}[RS‐EMBI]^{2.4 ± 0.l} and R_p = k[MAIB]^{0.61 ± 0.05}[S‐EMBI]^{2.3 ± 0.l} in MeOH and R_p = k[MAIB]^{0.54 ± 0.05}[RS‐EMBI]^{1.7 ± 0.l} in benzene. The rate constants of initiation (k_df), propagation (k_p), and termination (k_t) as elementary reactions were estimated by ESR, where k_d is the rate constant of MAIB decomposition and f is the initiator efficiency. The k_p values of RS‐EMBI (0.50–1.27 L/mol s) and S‐EMBI (0.42–1.32 L/mol s) in MeOH increased with increasing monomer concentrations, whereas the k_t values (0.20?7.78 × 10⁵ L/mol s for RS‐EMBI and 0.18?6.27 × 10⁵ L/mol s for S‐EMBI) decreased with increasing monomer concentrations. Such relations of R_p with k_p and k_t were responsible for the unusually high dependence of R_p on the monomer concentration. The activation energies of the elementary reactions were also determined from the values of k_df, k_p, and k_t at different temperatures. R_p and k_p of RS‐EMBI and S‐EMBI in benzene were considerably higher than those in MeOH. R_p of RS‐EMBI was somewhat higher than that of S‐EMBI in both MeOH and benzene. Such effects of the kinds of solvents and monomers on R_p were explicable in terms of the different monomer associations, as analyzed by ¹H NMR. The copolymerization of RS‐EMBI with styrene was examined at 60 °C in benzene. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1819–1830, 2003     

Donor property of cobalt(II) Schiff base complexes toward triphenyltin(IV)‐chloride: A kinetic study

In this study, some cobalt(II)tetraaza Schiff base complexes were used as donors in coordinating to triphenyltin(IV)chloride as acceptors; the kinetics and mechanism of the adduct formation were studied spectrophotometrically. Co(II)tetraaza Schiff base complexes used were [Co(amaen)][N,N′‐ethylene‐bis‐(o‐amino‐α‐methylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 1 ), [Co(appn)] [N,N′‐1,2‐propylene‐bis‐(o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 2 ), [Co(ampen)] [N,N′‐ethylene‐bis‐(o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt‐(II)] ( 3 ), [Co(cappn)][N,N′‐1,2‐proylene‐bis‐(5‐chloro‐o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 4 ), and [Co(campen)] [N,N′‐ethylene‐bis‐(5‐chloro‐o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylid‐eneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 5 ). The reactivity trend of the complexes in interaction with triphenyltin(IV)chloride was Co(amaen) > Co(appn) > Co(ampen) > Co(cappn) > Co(campen). The linear plots of k_obs versus the molar concentration of the triphenyltin(IV)chloride, a high span of the second‐order rate constant k₂ values, and large negative values of ΔS^≠ and low ΔH^≠ values suggest an associative (A) mechanism for the acceptor–donor adduct formation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 635–640, 2012     

The achiral tetrapeptide Z‐Aib‐Aib‐Aib‐Gly‐OtBu

The title achiral peptide N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐α‐aminoisobutyryl‐α‐aminoisobutyryl‐α‐aminoisobutyrylglycine tert‐butyl ester or Z‐Aib‐Aib‐Aib‐Gly‐OtBu (Aib is α‐aminoisobutyric acid, Z is benzyloxycarbonyl, Gly is glycine and OtBu indicates the tert‐butyl ester), C₂₆H₄₀N₄O₇, is partly hydrated (0.075H₂O) and has two different conformations which together constitute the asymmetric unit. Both molecules form incipient 3₁₀‐helices. They differ in the relative orientation of the N‐terminal protection group and at the C‐terminus. There are two 4→1 intramolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorine‐containing PAA‐b‐PTPFCBPMA amphiphilic block copolymer

A series of perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether‐based amphiphilic diblock copolymers containing hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and fluorophilic poly(p‐(2‐(p‐tolyloxy)perfluorocyclobutoxy)phenyl methacrylate) segments were synthesized via successive atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). 2‐MBP‐initiated and CuBr/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine‐catalyzed ATRP homopolymerization of the PFCB‐containing methacrylate monomer, p‐(2‐(p‐tolyloxy)perfluorocyclobutoxy)phenyl methacrylate, can be performed in a controlled mode as confirmed by the fact that the number‐average molecular weights (M_n) increased linearly with the conversions of the monomer while the polydispersity indices kept below 1.38. The block copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.36) were synthesized by ATRP using Br‐end‐functionalized poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA) as macroinitiator followed by the acidolysis of hydrophobic PtBA block into hydrophilic PAA segment. The critical micelle concentrations of the amphiphilic diblock copolymers in different surroundings were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy using N‐phenyl‐1‐naphthylamine as probe. The morphology and size of the micelles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic laser light scattering, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Synthesis and 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions of N‐Aryl‐C,C‐dimethoxycarbonylnitrones

Arylnitroso compounds 1–3 easily reacted with dimethyl bromomalonate to give the corresponding N‐aryl‐C,C‐dimethoxycarbonylnitrones ( 4–6 ). Treatment of C,C‐dimethoxycarbonyl‐N‐( 1‐naphthyl)nitrone ( 4 ) with acetylene compounds (dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, methyl 2‐butynoate or ethyl phenylpropiolate) caused 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition to furnish the corresponding 1H‐benz[g]indolines ( 7a‐c ). In a similar manner, the reactions of nitrones 5 and 6 with acetylene compounds afforded the corresponding indolines 9a‐c and 11a‐c together with 4‐oxazolines 13a‐c and 14a‐c .     

Synthesis,kinetics, and mechanism for adduct formation of tetraaza Schiff base cobalt(II) complexes with diorganotin(IV)dichlorides in dimethylformamide solvent

The kinetics and mechanism of the adduct formation of diorganotin(IV)dichlorides with Co(II) tetraaza Schiff base complexes, such as [Co(ampen)] {[N,N′‐ethylenebis‐(o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)]}, [Co(campen)] {[N,N′‐ethylenebis‐(5‐chloro‐o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)]}, and [Co(amaen)] {[N,N′‐ethylenebis‐(o‐amino‐α‐methylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)]}, were studied spectrophotometrically. The kinetic parameters and the rate constant values show the following acceptor tendency trend for the diorganotin(IV)dichlorides: Ph₂SnCl₂> Me₂SnCl₂> Bu₂SnCl₂. Adducts have been separately synthesized and fully characterized by ¹¹⁹SnNMR, IR, UV–vis spectra, and elemental microanalysis (C,H,N) methods. The trend of the rate constants for the adduct formation of the cobalt complexes with a given tin acceptor decreases as follow: Co(amaen) > Co(ampen) > Co(campen). The linear plots of k_obs vs. the molar concentration of the diorganotin(IV)dichlorides, the high span of the second‐order rate constant k₂ values, and the large negative values of AS^≠ suggest an associative (A) mechanism for the acceptor–donor adduct formation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 499–507, 2010     

Experimentally facile controlled polymerization of N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), including O‐benzyl‐L‐threonine NCA

It is demonstrated here that three different α‐amino N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), including for the first time O‐benzyl‐L ‐threonine NCA, can be polymerized in a controlled/“living” fashion without the need for transition metal catalysts or complex custom‐made glassware. Homopolymerizations in tetrahydrofuran gave monomodal distributions, high conversions, predictable M_n values and displayed first‐order kinetics. Chain extension experiments from poly(benzyl‐L ‐threonine), using N,N‐dimethylacetamide to avoid the formation of insoluble β‐sheets, was used to create a range of block copolypeptides of controlled structure. Monomodal molecular weight distributions are observed throughout and molecular weights agree well with predicted values, although polydispersities are generally higher than those observed using more experimentally challenging techniques. This method therefore represents a practical approach to the synthesis of well‐defined polypeptides without the requirement for specialized glassware or glove‐box techniques. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2882–2891, 2009     

Diastereoselective synthesis of homo-N,O-nucleosides

A new class of homo-N,O-nucleosides has been designed, based on the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of C-substituted nitrones with allyl nucleobases. The N-methyl-C-ethoxycarbonyl nitrone 1, and the C-α-silyloxymethyl-N-methyl nitrone 7 have been exploited: the stereochemical features of the obtained nucleosides are dependent on the nature of the dipole. The results obtained with DFT calculations fully agree with the experimental results and successfully reproduce the experimentally observed reversal of endo/exo selectivity for nitrones 1 and 7.     

Synthesis of zwitterionic polymer by SET‐LRP at room temperature in aqueous

The Cu⁰‐mediated single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization of acrylamide and N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐methacryloyloxyethyl‐N‐sulfobutyl ammonium in aqueous at 25 °C using 2‐chloropropionamide as initiator with Cu⁰ powder/tris‐(2‐dimethylamino ethyl)amine (Me₆‐TREN) as catalyst system is studied. The results showed the characteristic of the “living” polymerization that were the M_n of polymers increased linearly with monomer conversion and the ln([M]₀/[M]) increased linearly with time too, meanwhile the narrow molecular of weight distributions were found at most cases. Because of the high rate constant of propagation and bimolecular termination of the acrylamide, the external addition of CuCl₂ is required to mediate deactivation the early stage of polymerization. In addition, the disproportionation constant of Cu^IX/L in H₂O is higher than in other solvents and the coordination of amino group and Cu^II takes place easily, so the isopropanol or N,N‐dimethylformamide is added to control the polymerization. High conversions were achieved within short time and the polymers prepared showed good antipolyelectrolyte properties in inorganic salts solutions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

A comparative study of intermolecular interactions in the crystal structures of phenyl/phenyl end‐capped oligoanilines

Three crystal structures have been analysed from the point of view of intermolecular interactions: N,N′‐di­phenyl‐1,4‐benzo­quinone di­imine, C₁₈H₁₄N₂, (I), its reduced form N,N′‐di­phenyl‐1,4‐phenyl­enedi­amine, C₁₈H₁₆N₂, (II), and N,N′‐di­phenyl‐1,4‐phenyl­enedi­ammonium bis(p‐toluene­sulfonate), C₁₈H₁₈N₂²⁺·2C₇H₇O₃S^?, (III), which contains fully protonated (II) with p‐toluene­sulfonic acid. The local molecular C_i symmetry is preserved in all three structures and the packing seems to be dominated by the mutual arrangement of the simple polyaniline oligomers in the different protonation states. In (I), the most significant molecular interactions are stacking forces, forming columns of mol­ecules along [001]. Close packing of the columns results in C‐centring of the structure. In (II), only van der Waals interactions can be observed. In the structure of (III), the p‐toluene­sulfonate ions serve as acceptors in relatively strong N—H?O hydrogen bonds. The N,N′‐di­phenyl‐1,4‐phenyl­enedi­ammonium cation intercalates between two anions related by a centre of symmetry.     

Chain transfer to solvent in the radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide

Chain transfer to solvent has been investigated in the conventional radical polymerization and nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMP) of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) at 120 °C. The extent of chain transfer to DMF can significantly impact the maximum attainable molecular weight in both systems. Based on a theoretical treatment, it has been shown that the same value of chain transfer to solvent constant, C_tr,S, in DMF at 120 °C (within experimental error) can account for experimental molecular weight data for both conventional radical polymerization and NMP under conditions where chain transfer to solvent is a significant end‐forming event. In NMP (and other controlled/living radical polymerization systems), chain transfer to solvent is manifested as the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) going through a maximum value with increasing monomer conversion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Cationic polymerizations of 2‐alkyloxazolines catalyzed by bismuth salts

Acidic bismuth salts, such as BiCl₃, BiBr₃, BiJ₃, and Bi‐triflate catalyzed the ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐methoxazoline (MOZ) in bulk at 100 °C, whereas less acidic salts such as Bi₂O₃ or Bi(III)acetate did not. Bi‐triflate‐catalyzed polymerizations of 2‐ethyloxazoline (EtOZ) were performed with variation of the monomer–catalyst ratio (M/C). It was found that the molecular weights were independent of the M/C ratio. The formation of cationic chain ends and the absence of cycles was proven by reactions of virgin polymerization products with N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐aminopyridine or triphenylphosphine. The resulting polymers having modified cationic chain ends were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. The polymerization mechanism including chain‐transfer reactions is discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4777–4784, 2008     

In situ nitroxide‐mediated polymerization of styrene promoted by the N‐tert‐butyl‐α‐isopropylnitrone/bpo pair: ESR investigations

The styrene polymerization initiated by benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the presence of N‐tert‐butyl‐α‐isopropylnitrone as nitroxide precursor is well‐controlled provided that a prereaction between the nitrone and BPO is carried out in suitable conditions prior to polymerization at a higher temperature. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was implemented to probe the nitroxides formed during both steps, that is, the prereaction and polymerization, and to get crucial information regarding the structure of the nitroxides responsible for the polymerization control. ESR studies combined with first principles calculations have evidenced that nitroxides observed during the prereaction in the presence of styrene and during the polymerization steps consist of a mixture of two macronitroxides. One is formed by the addition of a growing polystyrene chain to the nitrone as would be expected. However, the second one results from the addition of a polystyrene chain to tert‐butyl nitroso that is in situ formed presumably by decomposition of the first macronitroxide type. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Approach to Fully Substituted Cyclic Nitrones from N‐Hydroxylactam Derivatives: Development and Application to the Total Synthesis of Cylindricine C

An approach to cyclic nitrones from N‐hydroxylactam derivatives is documented. The nucleophilic addition of an organolithium reagent to an N‐OSEM [SEM=2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl] lactam forms a five‐membered chelated intermediate, which undergoes both elimination and deprotection to give a fully substituted nitrone in a one‐pot process. When combined with the N‐oxidation of easily available chiral lactams, this method becomes especially useful for the quick synthesis of chiral nitrones in enantio‐pure form, enabling the concise total synthesis of cylindricine C.     

Radical‐initiated polymerization of β‐methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone

β‐Methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MMBL) was synthesized and then was polymerized in an N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution with 2,2‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiation. The homopolymer of MMBL was soluble in DMF and acetonitrile. MMBL was homopolymerized without competing depolymerization from 50 to 70 °C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) for MMBL followed the kinetic expression R_p = [AIBN]^0.54[MMBL]^1.04. The overall activation energy was calculated to be 86.9 kJ/mol, k_p/k_t^1/2 was equal to 0.050 (where k_p is the rate constant for propagation and k_t is the rate constant for termination), and the rate of initiation was 2.17 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 s^?1. The free energy of activation, the activation enthalpy, and the activation entropy were 106.0, 84.1, and 0.0658 kJ mol^?1, respectively, for homopolymerization. The initiation efficiency was approximately 1. Styrene and MMBL were copolymerized in DMF solutions at 60 °C with AIBN as the initiator. The reactivity ratios (r₁ = 0.22 and r₂ = 0.73) for this copolymerization were calculated with the Kelen–Tudos method. The general reactivity parameter Q and the polarity parameter e for MMBL were calculated to be 1.54 and 0.55, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1759–1777, 2003     

Kinetic elucidation of comonomer‐induced chemical and physical activation in heterogeneous ziegler‐natta propylene polymerization

We have kinetically elucidated the origins of activity enhancement because of the addition of comonomer in Ziegler‐Natta propylene polymerization, using stopped‐flow and continuously purged polymerization. Stopped‐flow polymerization (with the polymerization time of 0.1–0.2 s) enabled us to neglect contributions of physical phenomena to the activity, such as catalyst fragmentation and reagent diffusion through produced polymer. The propagation rate constant k_p and active‐site concentration [C*] were compared between homopolymerization and copolymerization in the absence of physical effects. k_p for propylene was increased by 30% because of the addition of a small amount of ethylene, whereas [C*] was constant. On the contrary, both k_p (for propylene) and [C*] remained unchanged by the addition of 1‐hexene. Thus, only ethylene could chemically activate propylene polymerization. However, continuously purged polymerization for 30 s resulted in much more significant activation by the addition of comonomer, clearly indicating that the activation phenomenon mainly arises from the physical effects. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011