Cationic polymerization by aromatic initiating systems. IV. Synthesis and characterization of α-ω-diphenylpolyisobutylene

The polymerization of isobutylene using ø₃Al coinitiator and the tertiary chlorides tert.-butyl chloride (t-BuCl) and 2,6-dichloro-2,6-dimethylheptane (Cl^t-R-Cl^t) initiators has been studied. Polymerization rates with the t-BuCl/ø₃Al and Cl^t-R-Cl^t/ø₃Al initiating systems were high in the ?20 to ?70°C range. Yields and molecular weights increased with decreasing temperature. As predicted by model experiments the extent of phenylation increases with decreasing temperatures. According to spectroscopic evidence the polyisobutylenes carry phenyl end groups.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur eines μ-Methylen-μ-hydrido-dialanats [R2Al(μ-CH2)(μ-H)AlR2]− (R = CH(SiMe3)2)

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a μ-Methylene-μ-hydrido-dialanate [R₂Al(μ-CH₂)(μ-H)AlR₂]^? (R = CH(SiMe₃)₂) tert-Butyl lithium reacts with the recently synthesized methylene bridged dialuminium compound [(Me₃Si)₂CH]₂Al? CH₂? Al[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂ 2 in the presence of TMEDA under β-elimination; the thereby formed hydride anion is bound in a chelating manner by both unsaturated aluminium atoms forming a 3c–2e–Al? H? Al bond. The crystal structure of the product shows two independent molecules differing only slightly in bond lengths and angles, but significantly in conformation. While one of the Al₂CH heterocycles deviates little from planarity with a rough C₂ symmetry for the whole anion, the other one is folded with an angle of 21.1° and the arrangement of the substituents is best described by C_s symmetry.     

Polymerization of 1‐hexene with bis[N‐(3‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)phenylaminato]titanium(IV) dichloride using iBu3Al/Ph3CB(C6F5)4 as a cocatalyst

1‐Hexene polymerization was investigated with bis[N‐(3‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)phenylaminato]titanium(IV) dichloride ( 1 ) using ⁱBu₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ as a cocatalyst. This catalyst system produced poly(1‐hexene) having a high molecular weight (M_w = 445 000–884 000, 0–60°C). ¹³C NMR spectroscopy revealed that the high molecular weight poly(1‐hexene) possesses an atactic structure with about 50 mol‐% of regioirregular units.     

Acyl- und Alkylidenphosphane. XXIV. (N,N-Dimethylthiocarbamoyl)trimethylsilylphosphane und 1,2-Di(tert-butyl)-3-dimethylamino-1-thio-4-trimethylsilylsulfano-1λ5,2λ3-diphosphet-3-en

Acyl- and Alkylidenephosphines. XXIV. (N,N-Dimethylthiocarbamoyl)trimethylsilyl-phosphines and 1.2-Di(tert-butyl)-3-dimethylamino-1-thio-4-trimethylsilylsulfano-1λ⁵, 2λ³-diphosphet-3-ene In contrast to bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphines R? P[? Si(CH₃)₃]₂ 1 {R ? H₃C a ; (H₃C)₃C b ; H₅H₆ c ; H₁₁C₉ d ; (H₃C)₃Si e }, the more nucleophilic lithium trimethylsilylphosphides 4 react with N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl chloride already at ?78°C to give (N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl)trimethylsilylphosphines 2 . Working up the reaction, a dismutation of the mesityl derivative 2d is observed, whereas the tert-butyl compound 2b dissolved in toluene, eliminates dimethyl(trimethylsilyl)amine to form 1,2-di(tert-butyl)-3-dimethylamino-1-thio-4-trimethylsilyl-sulfano- 1λ⁵, 2λ³-diphosphet-3-ene 6b , nearly quantitatively within several days at +20°C.     

Vinylation and polymerization with trivinylaluminum. II. Synthesis of α,ω-diene-polyisobutylene

The polymerization of isobutylene by 3-chloro-1-butene/trivinylaluminum (V₃Al) and t-butyl chloride/V₃Al initiator systems with methyl chloride and methylene chloride as solvents has been investigated in the range from ?30 to ?72?C. The rate of polymerization increases with decreasing temperatures from ?30 to ?50°C and then decreases when the temperature is further lowered, for example, to ?72°C. Mayo plots and a determination of the number of polymer molecules n? formed per molecule of initiator employed suggests a transfer-less, i.e., termination-dominated system. A critical analysis shows that for systems containing both free ions and ion pairs, the Mayo equation is meaningful only when the degree of dissociation α remains constant over the whole [M] range investigated. This condition is achieved in RCl/V₃Al-initiated systems by using an initiator (t-BuCl) for which the rate of catalyst destruction is insignificant compared to rate of initiation, R_i, i.e., initiation efficiency, f ≈ 1 and R_i independent of [M]. Polyisobutylene, containing, 1.8 ± 0.1 terminal unsaturation, has been synthesized by the use of 3-chloro-1-butene initiator in conjunction with V₃Al coinitiator, and avenues for further efficient synthesis of α,ω-diene-polyisobutylenes have been outlined.     

Lactone polymers. VIII. Dynamic mechanical properties of ϵ-caprolactone and γ-(tert-butyl)-ϵ-caprolactone copolymers

The temperature dependencies of dynamic mechanical properties have been determined with a torsional pendulum for copolymers of ?-caprolactone and γ-(tert-butyl)-?-caprolactone over the entire composition range. Copolymers containing at least 25 mol % (33 wt %) of γ-(tert-butyl)-?-caprolactone units are amorphous in nature. The experimentally obtained glass transition temperatures of the copolymers and poly(γ-(tert-butyl)-?-caprolactone) were used to calculate the glass transition temperature of amorphous of poly(?-caprolactone) according to the Fox relation. This value of ?70°C is in excellent agreement with values obtained from similar calculations based on compatible blends of poly(?-caprolactone) with other homopolymers.     

Studies on Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Part II. Reactions between α- or β-TiCl3 and AlMe3, AlMe2Cl,or AlEt3 at various temperatures

The following reactions, carried out in the absence of solvents, has been studied: α-TiCl₃ + Al(CH₃)₃ at 20°C., β-TiCl₃ + Al(CH₃)₃ at 65°C., α-TiCl₃ + Al(CH₃)₂Cl at 20 and 65°C., and α-TiCl₃ + Al(C₂H₅)₃ between 30 and 65°C. It appears that a general reaction mechanism, such as discussed in the preceding paper of this series, applies to all these reactions between TiCl₃ and aluminum alkyls. The differences in overall stoichiometry between some of these systems may be linked to differences in stability of the intermediate Ti? C bonds. In the case of α-TiCl₃ + Al(CH₃)₂Cl, alkylation is probably accompanied by fixation of the AlCH₃Cl₂ on the nonvolatile product.     

Kinetic study of heterogeneous polymerizations of styrene and/or β,β-d2-styrene by Ziegler-Natta catalysis

Substantial concentrations of tetravalent titanium have been shown to exist in a TiCl₄—Al(C₂H₅)₃—benzene catalytic system for catalyst aging times ≥ 20 min. at 60°C. Substitution of β,β-d₂-styrene for styrene with the above catalysic system appears to have no effect on either rate of polymerization or product intrinsic viscosities. These phenomena support a mechanism of chain propagation and termination as suggested earlier.     

Asymmetric Conjugate Reduction of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones and Esters with Chiral Rhodium(2,6‐bisoxazolinylphenyl) Catalysts

New asymmetric conjugate reduction of β,β‐disubstituted α,β‐unsaturated ketones and esters was accomplished with alkoxylhydrosilanes in the presence of chiral rhodium(2,6‐bisoxazolinylphenyl) complexes in high yields and high enantioselectivity. (E)‐4‐Phenyl‐3‐penten‐2‐one and (E)‐4‐phenyl‐4‐isopropyl‐3‐penten‐2‐one were readily reduced at 60 °C in 95 % ee and 98 % ee, respectively, by 1 mol % of catalyst loading. (EtO)₂MeSiH proved to be the best hydrogen donor of choice. tert‐Butyl (E)‐β‐methylcinnamate and β‐isopropylcinnamate could also be reduced to the corresponding dihydrocinnamate derivatives up to 98 % ee.     

Vinylation and polymerization with trivinylaluminum. I. Vinylation of organic halides as a model for termination in cationic polymerization leading to vinyl end groups

An improved synthesis of trivinylaluminum (V₃Al) is described. The proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectrum of V₃Al was recorded and analyzed. A new vinylation method involving the use of V₃Al as the vinylating agent has been developed, and the vinylation of organic halides by V₃Al was studied at ?30, ?50 and ?70°C. Primary alkyl chlorides, such as methyl and methylene chloride, do not react with V₃Al and were used as solvents. Secondary chlorides such as 2-chloropropane also do not react. t-Butyl chloride gives rise to t-butylethylene (70–98%), depending on reaction conditions, and the allylic chlorides, 3-chloro-1-butene, and 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-butene, yield the expected vinylated products and their isomers (～90%). Allyl and benzyl chloride do not react under the conditions tried. The reaction between V₃Al and the ditertiary dichloride 2,6-dichloro-2,6-dimethylheptane yields several isomeric C₁₃H₂₄ and C₁₁H₂₀ hydrocarbons; however, surprisingly, C₉H₁₆ does not form. The C₁₃ hydrocarbons arise by divinylation at the termini of the dichloride, while the C₁₁ hydrocarbons are formed by vinylation at one and proton elimination at the other terminus of the dichloride. The presence of unsaturated C₁₃H₂₄ and C₁₁H₂₀ isomers is most likely due to proton induced isomerization. These results are explained by a proximity effect involving vinylation at one end of the dichloride by V₃Al followed by rapid reaction of the second chlorine (mostly) by V₂AlCl generated in situ during the first vinylation in the proximity of the chloride. At the other chlorine terminus V₂AlCl causes either a second vinylation (leading to C₁₃ hydrocarbons) or a proton elimination (leading to C₁₁ hydrocarbons). The absence of C₉H₁₆ among the reaction products indicates that V₃Al exclusively effects vinylation. The RCl + V₃Al ← RV + V₂AlCl reaction may be regarded as a model for initiation followed by immediate termination in cationic olefin polymerization, a process leading to vinyl-ended polymers.     

Aging and degradation of polyolefins. II. γ-initiated oxidations of atactic polypropylene

Oxidations of bulk atactic polypropylene (PP) have been carried out at 22 and 45°C, and the dependence of rate of formation of each product on rate of initiation has been determined. The principal product is PP hydroperoxide, formed in a half-order reaction. One termination product is polymeric dialkyl peroxide, formed in a first-order reaction. Other termination and propagation products, alcohols and carbonyl compounds, are formed in reactions that are mostly first-order in initiation. At 22°C, G is 9–63. G is about three times as great at 45°C as at 22°C. Experiments with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol shows that it can inhibit all non-cage propagation and all formation of PP hydroperoxide, but that it does not affect cage reactions of initiating radicals and their successors. Only about 16% of the initiating PPO₂· radicals escape the cage at 45°C. Oxidations of PP, n-hexane, and their mixture with both peroxide and γ-ray initiation show that nearly all the initiating radicals escape the cage in solution but that the concentration of PPO₂· radicals is much less than in bulk because of a much faster chain termination. Both the propagation and termination constants for PP oxidation are much faster in solution, but the changes compensate so that k_p/(2k_t)^½ is about the same in solution as in bulk.     

Modification mechanism in olefin polymerization catalysts TiCl4/MgCl2–aromatic ester–Al(C2H5)3

An IR/UV study of the interaction between ethyl benzoate and Al(C₂H₅)₃ in dilute heptane solution at 25–75°C demonstrated that the ester is readily reduced under these conditions with the formation of two aluminum dialkyl alkoxides, Al(C₂H₅)₂ and Al(C₂H₅)₂OC(C₂H₅)₂C₆H₅, as major products. Rate constants of the reduction of the initial AI(C₂H₅)₃ · ester complex by free AI(C₂H₅)₃ are 2.9 (26°C), 14.4 (50°C), and 59.6 (75°C) L/mol min; E_act = 52.0 kj/mol. Study of propylene polymerization with this catalytic system at 50°C showed that preliminary aging of the AI(C₂H₅)₄–ethyl benzoate mixtures at 25°C for 24 h and at 50°C for 2 h does not adversely affect catalyst performance. These data suggest that the possible actual modifier in this catalytic system is aluminum alkoxide with a highly branched tertiary alkoxy group.     

Anionic lanthanide phenoxide complexes as novel single‐component initiators for the polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and trimethylene carbonate

The anionic lanthanide‐sodium‐2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐phenoxide complexes [Ln(OAr)₄][Na(DME)₃]·DME (Ln = Nd 1 (neodymium), Sm 2 (samarium), or Gd 3 (gadolium); DME = dimethoxyethane) were synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous LnCl₃ with 4 equiv of sodium‐2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐phenoxide NaOAr in high yields and structurally characterized. These complexes showed high catalytic activity in the ring‐opening polymerizations of ?‐caprolactone (?‐CL) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). The catalytic activity profoundly depended on the lanthanide metals. The active order of Gd < Sm < Nd for the polymerization of ?‐CL and TMC was observed. The polymers obtained with these initiators all showed a unimodal molecular weight distribution, indicating that the [Ln(OAr)₄][Na(DME)₃]·DME anionic complexes could be used as single‐component initiators. The anionic complex was more efficient than the corresponding neutral complex, Ln(OAr)₃(THF)₂. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1210–1218, 2007     

Monomer-isomerization polymerization. VI. Isomerizations of butene-2 with TiCl3 or Al(C2H5)3–TiCl3 catalyst

A study of the isomerization of butene-2 with TiCl₃ or Al(C₂H₅)₃–TiCl₃ catalyst in n-heptane has been investigated at 60–80°C to elucidate further the mechanism of monomer-isomerization polymerization. It was found that positional and geometrical isomerizations in the presence of these catalysts occurred concurrently with activation energies of 14–16 kcal/mole. The presence of Al(C₂H₅)₃ with TiCl₃ catalyst could accelerate the initial rates of these isomerizations and initiate the monomer-isomerization polymerization of butene-2. From the results obtained, it was concluded that the isomerization of butene-2 proceeds via an intermediate σ-complex between the transition metal hydride and butene isomers.     

Stereospecific sequential block copolymerizations of styrene and 1,3‐butadiene with a C5Me5TiMe3/B(C6F5)3/Al(oct)3 catalyst

This article reports a new methodology for preparing highly stereoregular styrene (ST)/1,3‐butadiene (BD) block copolymers, composed of syndiotactic polystyrene (syn‐PS) segments chemically bonded with cis‐polybutadiene (cis‐PB) segments, through a stereospecific sequential block copolymerization of ST with BD in the presence of a C₅Me₅TiMe₃/B(C₆F₅)₃/Al(oct)₃ catalyst. The first polymerization step, conducted in toluene at ?25 °C, was attributed to the syndiospecific living polymerization of ST. The second step, conducted at ?40 °C, was attributed to the cis‐specific living polymerization of BD. The livingness of the whole polymerization system was confirmed through a linear increase in the weight‐average molecular weights of the copolymers versus the polymer yields in both steps, whereas the molar mass distributions remained constant. The profound cross reactivity of the styrenic‐end‐group active species with BD toward ST led to the production of syn‐PS‐b‐cis‐PB copolymers with extremely high block efficiencies. Because of the presence of crystallizable syn‐PS segments, this copolymer exhibited high melting temperatures (up to 270 °C), which were remarkably different from those of the corresponding anionic ST–BD copolymers, for which no melting temperatures were observed. Scanning electron microscopy pictures of a binary syn‐PS/cis‐PB blend with or without the addition of the syn‐PS‐b‐cis‐PB copolymers proved that it could be used as an effective compatibilizer for noncompatibilized syn‐PS/cis‐PB binary blends. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1188–1195, 2005     

Synthesis of 4‐tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxystyrene and its copolymerization with styrene using (η5‐indenyl)trichlorotitanium in the presence of methylaluminoxane

Poly(styrene‐co‐4‐tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxystyrene) as a precursor of hydroxyl‐functionalized syndiotactic polystyrene was successfully synthesized via (η⁵‐indenyl)trichlorotitanium (IndTiCl₃)‐catalyzed copolymerization of styrene with 4‐tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxystyrene in toluene at 25°C in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) ([Al]/[Ti] = 2 000). The amount of styrene derivative incorporated into the polymeric chain for a 20,7 : 1 mole feed ratio of styrene to 4‐tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxystyrene was found to be 1,8 mol‐% from a ¹H NMR analysis. The styrene derivative was successfully prepared from 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde via first protecting the hydroxyl group using tert‐butyldimethylchlorosilane followed by the ‘Wittig‐type’ reaction with the ‘Tebbe’ reagent. The yield was about 82 wt.‐% on the basis of the initial amount of 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde used.     

N,O‐chelate aluminum and zinc complexes: synthesis and catalysis in the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

Reaction between 2‐(1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)benzenamine and 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde or 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde afforded 2‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL¹NH, 1a) or 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL²NH, 1b). Both 1a and 1b can be converted to 2‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL³N, 2a) and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL⁴N, 2b), respectively, by heating 1a and 1b in toluene. Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of AlEt₃ afforded [Al(Et₂)(OL²NH)] (3). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) gave dinuclear aluminum complexes [(AlR₂)₂(OL²N)] (R = Me, 4a; R = Et, 4b). Refluxing the toluene solution of 4a and 4b, respectively, generated [Al(R₂)(OL⁴N)] (R = Me, 5a; R = Et, 5b). Complexes 5a and 5b were also obtained either by refluxing a mixture of 1b and two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) in toluene or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et). Reaction of 2a with an equivalent of AlMe₃ afforded [Al(Me₂)(OL³N)] (5c). Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(Et)(OL²NH)] (6), while reaction of 1b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at 40 °C afforded [Zn(OL²NH)₂] (7). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C yielded [Zn(Et)(OL⁴N)] (8). Compound 8 was also obtained either by reaction between 6 and an equivalent of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature. Reaction of 2b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(OL⁴N)₂] (9), which was also formed by heating the toluene solution of 6. All novel compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 3, 5c and 6 were additionally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The catalysis of complexes 3, 4a, 5a–c, 6 and 8 toward the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone was evaluated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monoaryloxo ytterbium(III) chlorides supported by β‐diketiminato ligands as novel initiators for the living ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

Ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) was carried out using β‐diketiminato‐supported monoaryloxo ytterbium chlorides L¹Yb(OAr)Cl(THF) (1) [L¹ = N,N′‐bis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)‐2,4‐pentanediiminato, OAr = 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenoxo‐], and L²Yb(OAr′)Cl(THF) (2) [L² = N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,4‐pentanediiminato, OAr′ = 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenoxo‐], respectively, as single‐component initiator. The influence of reaction conditions, such as polymerization temperature, polymerization time, initiator, and initiator concentration, on the monomer conversion, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the resulting polymers was investigated. Complex 1 was well characterized and its crystal structure was determined. Some features and kinetic behaviors of the CL polymerization initiated by these two complexes were studied. The polymerization rate is first order with respect to monomer. The M_n of the polymer increases linearly with the increase of the polymer yield, while polydispersity remained narrow and unchanged throughout the polymerization in a broad range of temperatures from 0 to 50 °C. The results indicated that the present system has a “living character”. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1147–1152, 2006     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. IV. Stereospecific polymerization of propenyl alkyl ethers catalyzed by BF3·O(C2H5)2 and Al2(SO4)3–H2SO4 complex

The cis- and trans-propenyl alkyl ethers were polymerized by a homogeneous catalyst [BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂] and a heterogeneous catalyst [Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex]. Methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and tert-butyl propenyl ethers were used as monomers. The steric structure of the polymers formed depended on the geometric structures of monomer and the polymerization conditions. In polymerizations with BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C., trans isomers produced crystalline polymers, but cis isomers formed amorphous ones except for tert-butyl propenyl ether. On the other hand, highly crystalline polymers were formed from cis isomers, but not from the trans isomers in the polymerization by Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex at 0°C. The x-ray diffraction patterns of the crystalline polymers obtained from the trans isomers were different from those produced from the cis isomers, except for poly(methyl propenyl ether). The reaction mechanism was discussed briefly on these basis of these results.     

Open metallocenes XI. A pentadienyl compound of heavier rare earth element [2,4-(CH3)2-η5-C5H5]3Tb·1/2THF

The reaction of TbCl₃ with K[2,4-(CH₃)₂ C₅H₅] at 0°C in THF followed by crystallization at ?90°C led to a pale yellow hexagonal prismatic crystalline product [2,4-[CH₃)₂-η⁵-C₅H₅]₃-Tb·1/ 2THF , which is highly sensitive to air and water and rapidly efflorescent at ambient temperature. The single crystal X-ray diffraction data of the compound have been collected at low temperature (-60°C) and the crystal structure has been solved by heavy atom method. It belongs to triclinic system, space group P1 with lattice parameters α=8.477 Å , b=12.583 Å , c=12.858 Å , α=118.08°, β=91.38°, γ=108.75°, V=1120.36 ų and Z=2. Least-squares refinement converged to a final value R=0.043. The compound possesses an idealized C_3h symmetry with three 2,4dimethylpentadienyl ligands bound to the central terbium atom in a pentahapto mode (η⁵). Each unit cell contains two molecules of [2,4-(CH₃)₂-η⁵-C₅H₅]₃Tb and one molecule of solvent THF, of which the role in the lattice has been discussed in detail.