Polyethers with Reactive Side Chains—Hydroxy Polyethers

The author' work on preparing polyethers with reactive side chains is reviewed with emphasis on hydroxy polyethers. High molecular weight hydroxy polyethers were prepared by polymerizing epoxides containing a hydroxyl group protected with an appropriate group such as SiMe₃ and then removing it by hydrolysis.

Atactic and isotactic polyglycidol were made in this way using coordination catalysts. The isotactic polymer was found to be unusual since it did not crystallize readily from the melt and was relatively low melting (60°C). Poly(cis-1,4-dihydroxy-2,3-epoxybutane), PDHEB, was prepared, preferably from the cyclic acetone ketal which polymerized with i-Bu₃Al-0.7H₂o cationic catalyst at ?78°C to a moderate molecular weight (η_inh up to 0.7) atactic polymer. This polymer is readily hydrolyzed with aqueous HCl treatment to atactic, amorphous, water-soluble PDHEB with a T_g of 80°C. PDHEB is melt stable to 200°C and can be molded to give brittle, clear films which readily pick up 5–10% H₂O from the atmosphere to give properties like plasticized poly(vinyl chloride). The bis(trimethylsilyl) ether of cis-1,4-dihydroxy-2,3-epoxybutane was polymerized cationically with the i-Bu₃ Al-0. 7H₂O catalyst at ?78°C to a fairly tactic, presumably racemic diisotactic, amorphous polymer, with η_inh of 0.16. A mechanism is proposed for this stereoregular polymerization based on a complexation of the Si side group of the last chain unit with the propagating oxonium ion. Hydroxy polyethers, in general, merit extensive future study since they are analogues of the biochemically important polysaccharides.     

Poly[3,3-bis(hydroxymethyl) oxetane]—an analog of cellulose: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

Poly[3,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane], PBHMO, was prepared in high molecular weight (η_inh up to 5.2) by polymerizing the trimethylsilylether of 3,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane with the i-Bu₃Al–0.7 H₂O cationic catalyst at low temperature, followed by hydrolysis. PBHMO is crystalline, very high melting (314°C) and highly insoluble, much like its analog, cellulose. It is soluble in 75% H₂SO₄ at 30°C, being 65% converted to the acid sulfate ester; these conditions are useful for viscosity measurement, since the degradation rate is low and at least an order of magnitude less than for cellulose in this solvent. PBHMO can be prepared as oriented films and fibers using the lower melting diacetate (184°C) which can be melt or solution (CHCl₃) fabricated and then the oriented forms saponified to oriented PBHMO. BHMO can be directly polymerized to low molecular weight, perhaps somewhat branched, PBHMO (η_inh 0.1) with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid catalyst at room temperature. Poly(3-methyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane), (PMHMO), prepared in high molecular weight (η_inh up to 3.8) by the same method used for PBHMO, is more soluble and lower melting (165°C) than PBHMO, appears to be atactic and can be compression molded at 195°C to a tough, clear film which is readily oriented. Copolymers of BHMO with MHMO are crystalline over the entire composition range with a linear variation of T_m with composition, a new example of isomorphism in the polymer area.     

Poly(3-hydroxyoxetane)—an analog of poly(vinyl alcohol): Synthesis,characterization, and properties

The spontaneous polymer formed from 3-hydroxyoxetane (HO), as first reported by Wojtowicz and Polak, is linear, low molecular weight, water-soluble, atactic, poly(3-hydroxyoxetane) (PHO) of high crystallinity with ? OCH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH end units. The highly crystalline nature of this atactic polymer may be related to the crystalline nature of atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) since PHO can be considered a copolymer of vinyl alcohol and formaldehyde. Spontaneous PHO apparently is formed in a cationic polymerization by the carboxylic acids produced by the air oxidation of HO on standing at room temperature for several months. The polymerization can be duplicated by the addition of 2% hydroxyacetic acid to HO. The rate of this unusual cationic polymerization increases greatly with acid strength, e.g., trifluoromethanesulfonic acid reacts explosively with pure HO. A mechanism is proposed for this cationic polymerization. High molecular weight, water-soluble, linear atactic, and highly crystalline PHO (mp = 155°C) was made by polymerizing the trimethylsilyl ether of HO with the i-Bu₃Al–0.7 H₂O cationic catalyst followed by hydrolysis. Two ¹H-NMR methods for measuring the tacticity of PHO were developed based on finding two different types of methylene units at 400 MHz with the methine protons decoupled. Also, an ¹H-NMR method was developed for measuring branching in HO polymers. High molecular weight, linear PHO with enhanced isotacticity (80%) has been obtained in low yield as a water-insoluble fraction with T_m = 223°C. The low molecular weight PHO prepared previously by the base-catalyzed, rearrangement polymerization of glycidol is highly branched.     

Polymerization of 2,5-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-carboxyaldehyde (methacrolein dimer). Part II

2,5-Dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-carboxyaldehyde (methacrolein dimer) gave a polymer consisting of only recurring bicyclic structure of 1,4-dimethyl-6,8-dioxa-bicyclo-[3,2,1] octane with the use of Lewis acid and protonic acid as catalyst at room temperature. On the other hand, the polymer obtained by using BF₃·(C₂H₅)₂O under ?78°C. was found to have the structures produced by the aldehyde group polymerization as well as the bicyclic ones. The polymer obtained at ?40°C. had a low decomposition temperature (164°C.) owing to the presence of polyacetal group, whereas the fully saturated bicyclic polymer had a considerably high one (346°C.). The main factors affecting the polymerization were polymerization temperature and catalyst. Lowering temperature increased the polymerization of the aldehyde group. Anionic catalysts and weak cationic catalyst such as Al(C₂H₅)₃? H₂O, which were active catalysts for acrolein dimer, did not initiate the polymerization of methacrolein dimer. The fact that the relative viscosity of the polymer increased with polymerization time shows the polymerization of this monomer is a successive reaction.     

Stereospecific polymerization of α-methylstyrene by friedel-crafts catalysts

The relationship between stereoregularity and polymerization conditions of α-methylstyrene has been studied by means of NMR spectra. The effects of solvents and various Freidel-Crafts catalysts have been investigated. The stereoregularity of poly-α-methylstyrene increased with increased polymer solubility in the solvent used and with decreasing polymerization temperature. This behavior is completely different from the stereospecific polymerization of vinyl ethers and methyl methacrylate in homogeneous systems. This may be due to the strong steric repulsion exerted by the two substituents in the α-position of α-methylstyrene. For example, with BF₃ · O(C₂H₅)₂ as catalyst at ?78°C., atactic polymer is obtained in n-hexane, a nonsolvent for α-methylstyrene, whereas highly stereoregular polymer is produced in toluene or methylene chloride, good solvents for the polymer. However, the polarity of the solvent and the nature of the catalyst hardly affect the stereoregularity of the polymer.     

Multicomponent Domino Process for the Synthesis of Some Novel Benzo[a]chromenophenazine Fused Ring Systems Using H2SO4, Phosphotungstic Acid,and [NMP]H2PO4

Efficient, mild, and quantitative procedures for the synthesis of functionalized benzo[c]chromeno[2,3-a]phenazine derivatives by one-pot, four-component condensation of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione, 1,2-phenylenediamines, aromatic aldehydes, and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds have been developed using catalytic amounts of H₂SO₄ and phosphotungstic acid in EtOH/H₂O (1:1) under reflux and also with [NMP]H₂PO₄, which acts as catalyst and medium at 80 °C. The reaction avoids tedious workup procedure due to the direct precipitation of products from the reaction medium. The present finding provides promising synthetic strategies for the synthesis of libraries with functional group diversity.     

一个结构新颖的含有反三棱柱结构单元的钴的多聚物的研究

采用1,4-二(1-H-苯并咪唑基)丁烷 (bbbi) 与CoSO₄•7H₂O反应得到一个结构新颖的金属—有机多聚物[Co(bbbi)_1.5(SO₄)]_n1. 在多聚物1中，中心离子Co(II)通过配体bbbi桥连在一起形成一个含有反三棱柱结构单元的二维层状结构. 每个反三棱柱结构单元由六个bbbi配体和六个Co(II)离子组成. 通过热分析我们发现，该化合物在147 ^oC以下是稳定的，若继续升温则被氧化并在787 ^oC时分解为 Co₂O₃，升温至914 ^oC时最终残余物为CoO。     

Synthesis of isotactic polystyrene with a rare-earth catalyst

Polymerization of styrene with the neodymium phosphonate Nd(P₅₀₇)/H₂O/Al(i-Bu)₃ catalytic system has been examined. The polymer obtained was separated into a soluble and an insoluble fraction by 2-butanone extraction. ¹³C-NMR spectra indicate that the insoluble fraction is isotactic polystyrene and the soluble one is syndiotactic-rich atactic polystyrene. The polymerization features are described and discussed. The optimum conditions for the polymerization are as follows: [Nd] = (3.5–5.0) × 10⁻² mol/L; [styrene] = 5 mol/L; [Al]/[Nd] = 6–8 mol/mol; [H₂O]/[Al] = 0.05–0.08 mol/mol; polymerization temperature around 70°C. The percent yield of isotactic polystyrene (IY) is markedly affected by catalyst aging temperature. With increase of the aging temperature from 40 to 70°C, IY increases from 9% to 48%. Using AlEt₃ and Al(i-Bu)₂H instead of Al(i-Bu)₃ decreases the yield of isotactic polystyrene. Different neodymium compounds give the following activity order: Nd(P₅₀₇)₃ > Nd(P₂₀₄)₃ > Nd(OPrⁱ)₃ > NdCl₃ + C₂H₅OH > Nd(naph)₃. With Nd(naph)₃ as catalyst, only atactic polystyrene is obtained. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1773–1778, 1998     

Synthesis and characterization of new AB-type poly(etherimide)s containing bisphenol moieties

A series of new AB-type poly(etherimide)s having bisphenol-type moiety was prepared by the one-pot polyimidization using triphenylphosphite(TPP) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP)/pyridine solution at 150°C. Complete cyclodehydration was observed in the polymerizations as well as in model reactions. Polymers were obtained with inherent viscosities in the 0.27–0.49 dL/g range. The M_n and M_w/M_n of poly[4-(1,4-phenyleneoxy-1,4-phenylenehexafluoro-isopropylidene-1,4-phenylene)oxyphthalimide] (4d) with η_inh = 0.49 dL/g were 73,400 g/mol and 1.5, respectively. Most polymers could readily be dissolved in common organic solvents such as DMAc, NMP, and m-cresol. The polymer 4d was soluble even in chloroform. These polymers had glass transition temperatures between 205 and 235°C, and 5% weight loss temperatures in the range of 511–532°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3530–3536, 1999     

Influence of monomer structure on chemo- and stereoselectivity of 1,3-diene polymerization

MAO/CpTiCl₃ is an active catalyst for the polymerization of various types of 1,3-dienes. Butadiene, (E) - and (Z) −1,3-pentadiene, (E) −2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene yield, at room temperature, polymers with a cis-1,4 or a mixed cis/1,2 structure. 4-Methyl-1,3-pentadiene and (E,E) −2,4-hexadiene give, respectively, a 1,2 syndiotactic and a trans-1,4/1,2 polymer. MAO/CpTiCl₂·2THF and MAO/(CpTiCl₂)_n are less active than the CpTiCl₃ catalyst, but give the same type of polymers. A change of stereospecificity with temperature was observed in the polymerization of (Z)-1,3-pentadiene: a cis-1,4 isotactic polymer was obtained at +20°C, and a crystalline 1,2 syndiotactic polymer at −20°C. This effect was attributed to a different mode of coordination of the monomer, which is cis-η⁴ at +20°C and may be trans-η² at −20°C. Results obtained with catalysts from CpTi(OBu)₃ and Ti(OBu)₄ are reported for comparison. An interpretation is given of the formation of cis-1,4 isotactic poly(2-methylpentadiene) and of 1,2 syndiotactic poly(4-methylpentadiene), as well as of syndiotactic polystyrene.     

Monomer-isomerization polymerization. XIII. Monomer-isomerization polymerization of 1,4-cyclohexadiene with Ziegler-Natta catalyst

1,4-Cyclohexadiene underwent monomer-isomerization polymerization to yield poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising TiCl₄–Al(C₂H₅)₃ catalyst with Al/Ti molar ratios of 0.5–3.0 at 60°C for 96 hr. Good yields of polymer were obtained (49.5% yield at Al/Ti = 3.0; [η] = 0.04 dl/g). The infrared and NMR spectra of the polymer were identical to those of poly-(1,3-cyclohexadiene), confirming that 1,4-cyclohexadiene first isomerizes to 1,3-cyclohexadiene and then homopolymerizes to give poly-1,3-cyclohexadiene. 1,3-Cyclohexadiene polymerized without isomerization easily in the presence of TiCl₃–Al(C₂H₅)₃ catalyst at Al/Ti molar ratios of 0.5–3.0 at 60°C for 3 hr (76.3% yield at Al/Ti = 3.0; [η] = 0.06 dl/g).     

Phenyl-substituted polyquinoxalines

Four phenyl-substituted polyquinoxalines have been prepared by the reaction of combinations of two tetraamines, 3,3′-diaminobenzidine and 3,3,′4,4′-tetraaminodiphenyl ether, with two bisbenzils, 4,4′-dibenzil and 4,4′-oxydibenzil. The polymers were prepared by melt and solution polymerizations. Melt condensations were performed at 180, 220, and 280°C. and samples were periodically removed and characterized. The solution polymerizations consisted of two stages, initially forming an intermediate molecular weight polymer (η_inh 0.6–1.0) which was advanced at 400°C. to final polymer (η_inh 1.5 to 2.2). Clear yellow films, cast from m-cresol solution, exhibited good toughness and flexibility. The phenyl-substituted polyquinoxalines exhibited excellent oxidative and thermal stability. Polymer decomposition temperatures in air were generally about 550°C. Isothermal aging at 371°C. (700°F.) in air showed weight retentions as high as 93 and 50% after 100 and 200 hr., respectively. Weight-average molecular weight determination by light-scattering technique on a polymer with an η_inh of 2.16 suggested a value of 247,000. Certain physical properties of the phenyl-substituted polyquinoxalines are compared with those of the corresponding ordinary polyquinoxalines to illustrate the advantageous effect of introducing a phenyl group on the quinoxaline ring.     

Studies on reactions of the N-phosphonium salts of pyridines. XIV. Wholly aromatic polyamides by the direct polycondensation reaction by using phosphites in the presence of metal salts

Poly-p-benzamide of high molecular weight (η_inh = ～ in H₂SO₄) was obtained by the direct polycondensation reaction of p-aminobenzoic acid (p-ABA) by means of diphenyl and triaryl phosphites in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-pyridine solution containing lithium and calcium chlorides. Molecular weight of polymer varied with the amount of these salts, showing maximum values at the concentration of about 4 wt-% of LiCl or about 8 wt-% of CaCl₂ in the reaction mixture. The reaction temperature at around 80°C gave a polymer of the highest viscosity. The polycondensation reaction was also affected by monomer concentration, solvents, and tertiary amines like pyridine. Similarly, aromatic polyamides with high molecular weight (η_inh values up to 1.34 in H₂SO₄) were prepared from isophthalic acid and aromatic diamines, whereas terephthalic acid gave only low-viscosity polymers.     

Synthesis of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐L‐proline‐based telechelic prepolymers and poly(ester‐urethane)

The synthesis of hydroxyproline‐based telechelic prepolymers by the condensation polymerization of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐proline methyl ester was investigated. All the polymerizations were carried out in the melt with stannous octoate as the catalyst and with different diols. The products were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectrophotometry, and inherent viscosity (η_inh). According to the analytic results, the η_inh value of the prepolymers depended on the kind and amount of diols that were added. With an increase in the 1,6‐hexanediol feed from 2 to 10 mol %, there was a decrease in η_inh from 0.78 to 0.41 along with a decrease in the glass‐transition temperature (T_g ) from 63 to 42 °C. When 2 mol % of different kinds of diols were used, η_inh ranged from 0.78 to 0.21, and T_g varied from 70 to 43 °C. These new prepolymers could be linked to poly(ester‐urethane) by the chain extender 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate. The poly(ester‐urethane) was amorphous, and the T_g was 76 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2449–2455, 2000     

Coordination copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran and oxepane with oxetanes and epoxides

The chelate catalyst, as typified by the Et₃Al-0.5 H₂O-0.5 acetylacetone product, usually prepared with Et₂O or tetrahydrofuran (THF) present, has all the known characteristics of a coordination catalyst for polymerizing epoxides and uniquely for oxetanes. We have found that the chelate catalyst gives fairly good copolymerization of THF (54% in monomer charge) with 3-(trimethylsilyloxy) oxetane which, after hydrolysis, is a water-soluble, moderate molecular weight copolymer of THF (36%) with 3-hydroxyoxetane (HO). This apparent coordination copolymerization of THF has been extended to trimethylene oxide (TMO), 3,3-bis(trimethylsilyoxymethyl) oxetane, 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane (BCMO), trans-2,3-epoxybutane (TBO), and propylene oxide, listed in order of decreasing copolymerizability with THF. Presumably, this is the first known coordination copolymerization of THF which hitherto has only been polymerized with cationic catalysts. Oxepane also copolymerizes coordinately with TMO and BCMO, but less readily than THF, with the chelate catalyst. TBO polymerizes slowly with the chelate catalyst to form stereoregular polymer which can be separated into an acetone-insoluble, highly stereoregular fraction and an acetone-soluble, somewhat less stereoregular fraction. The soluble fraction can be eliminated by using 1.0 acetyl acetone per Al in the catalyst or by adding a small amount of a very strong base (0.09 quinuclidine per Al). The copolymerization of TBO with THF (39%) gives insoluble stereoregular homopolymer and soluble copolymer containing about 23% THF, reflecting the varied steric hindrance of the sites. Some anomalous results appear to be related to the mechanism: (1) steric and electronic factors of the monomers and of the polymerization site. For example, the fourth coordination position of Al is needed to achieve homopolymerization of BCMO and TMO-THF copolymerization. (2) The aggregation state of the catalyst, since a nonpolar diluent as toluene is unfavorable for coordination copolymerization of THF. (3) The greater ring strain of epoxides causes a greater ease of polymerization, compared to oxetanes. Thus, Et₂O often present in the chelate catalyst lowers the molecular weight of the polymer considerably with oxetanes compared to epoxides where Et₂O has little or no effect.     

Novel Crosslinked Guest-Host System with Stable Second-Order Nonlinearity

Abstract

An epoxy-based nonlinear optical (NLO) polymeric material incorporating 4-(4′-nitrophenylazo) phenylamine has been synthesized and subsequently functionalized with acryloyl groups. A glass transition temperature (T ₈)of 108°C and a degradation temperature (air) of 251°C were recorded. After crosslinking at 160°C for 2 hours, the T ₈ of the polymer increased to 146°C. In order to increase the nonlinear optical chromophore concentration and the crosslinking density, the crosslink-able NLO dye, 2,4-acryloyloxy (4′-phenylazo nitrobenzene), was processed and poled in this epoxy-based NLO material matrix in a manner similar to a typical guest-host system, and thermally crosslinked under the above condition in the poled phase. The crosslinked guest-host material was found to be amorphous with a T ₈ of approximately 132°C. It also exhibits a second-order nonlinear optical coefficient d ₃₃ of 14.14 pm/V at a maximum doping level of 33% by weight of the NLO dye, and retains 93% of its original d ₃₃ value after being subjected to thermal treatment at 100°C for 168 hours. The behavior of the crosslinked polymer and the crosslinked guest-host polymer is discussed.     

Cationic ring-opening polymerizations of cyclic ketene acetals initiated by acids at high temperatures

Three unsubstituted cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs), 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 1a , 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 2a , and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane, 3a , undergo exclusive 1,2-addition polymerization at low temperatures, and only poly(CKAs) are obtained. At higher temperatures, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) can be dominant, and polymers with a mixture of ester units and cyclic ketal units are obtained. When the temperature is raised closer to the ceiling temperature (T_c) of the 1,2-addition propagation reaction, 1,2-addition polymerization becomes reversible and ring-opened units are introduced to the polymer. The ceiling temperature of 1,2-addition polymerization varies with the ring size of the CKAs (lowest for 3a , highest for 2a ). At temperatures below 138°C, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 2a , underwent 1,2-addition polymerization. Insoluble poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane) 100% 1,2-addition was obtained. At above 150°C, a soluble polymer was obtained containing a mixture of ring-opened ester units and 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. 2-Methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 1a , polymerized only by the 1,2-addition route at temperatures below 30°C. At 67–80°C, an insoluble polymer was obtained, which contained mostly 1,2-addition units but small amounts of ester units were detected. At 133°C, a soluble polymer was obtained containing a substantial fraction of ring-opened ester units together with 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. 2-Methylene-1,3-dioxepane, 3a , underwent partial ROP even at 20°C to give a soluble polymer containing ring-opened ester units and 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. At −20°C, 3a gave an insoluble polymer with 1,2-addition units exclusively. Several catalysts were able to initiate the ROP of 1a, 2a , and 3a , including RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, BF₃, TiCl₄, H₂SO₄, H₂SO₄ supported on carbon, (CH₃)₂CHCOOH, and CH₃COOH. The initiation by Lewis acids or protonic acids probably occurs through an initial protonation. The propagation step of the ROP proceeds via an S_N2 mechanism. The chain transfer and termination rates become faster at high temperatures, and this may be the primary reason for the low molecular weights (M_n ≤ 10³) observed for all ring-opening polymers. The effects of temperature, monomer and initiator concentration, water content, and polymerization time on the polymer structure have been investigated during the Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂-initiated polymerization of 2a . High monomer concentrations ([M]/[ln]) increase the molecular weight and decreased the amount of ring-opening. Higher initiator concentrations (Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂) and longer reaction times increase molecular weight in high temperature reactions. Successful copolymerization of 2a with hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane was initiated by BF₃OEt₂. The copolymer obtained displayed a broad molecular weight distribution; M̄_n = 6,490, M̄_w = 15,100, M̄_z = 44,900. This polymer had about 47 mol % of ( Me₂SiO ) units, 35 mol % of ring-opened units, and 18 mol % 1,2-addition units of 2a . © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3655–3671, 1997     

Polymerization of [o-(trimethylgermyl)phenyl] acetylene and polymer characterization

[o-(Trimethylgermyl)phenyl]acetylene was polymerized in the presence of WCl₆, W(CO)₆-hv, etc., to give polymers whose weight-average molecular weights reached ca. 7.0 X 10⁵ at the highest. When the MoOCl₄-n-Bu₄Sn-EtOH (1 : 1 : 1) catalyst was used, the polydispersity ratio of the polymer obtained was 1.08, and the number-average molecular weight increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion; these indicate that this polymerization is a living polymerization. The polymer had the structure ? [CH?C(C₆H₄-o-GeMe₃)]_n ? and was a dark purple solid (λ_max = 551 nm, ε_max = 6100 M^-1 cm^-1 in THF) soluble in organic solvents such as toluene and chloroform. The onset temperature of weight loss of the polymer in TGA in air was ca. 230°C, and the glass transition temperature was above 180°C. The Po₂ of the present polymer is 105 barrers—larger than the value of natural rubber and fairly close to that of poly(dimethylsiloxane). © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymerization of propylene with the [ArN(CH2)3NAr]TiCl2 (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) complex using R3Al/Ph3CB(C6F5)4 (R = Me,Et, iBu) as cocatalyst

Polymerization of propylene was conducted at 0 ∼ 150°C with the [ArN(CH₂)₃NAr]TiCl₂ (Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) complex using a mixture of trialkylaluminium (AIR₃, R = methyl, ethyl and isobutyl) and Ph₃CB(C₆F₅₎₄ as cocatalyst. When AlMe₃ or AlEt₃ was employed, atactic polypropylene (PP) was selectively produced, whereas the use of Al(ⁱBu)₃ gave a mixture of atactic and isotactic PP. The isotactic index (I.I.; weight fraction of isotactic polymer) depended strongly upon the polymerization temperature, and the highest I.I. was obtained at ca. 40°C. The ¹³C NMR analysis of the isotactic polymer suggests that the isotactic polymerization proceeds by an enantiomorphic-site mechanism. It was also demonstrated that the present catalyst shows a very high regiospecificity.     

Cationic 1,2-vinyl addition polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals initiated by conventional acids

Pure 1,2-addition polymers, poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane), 1b , poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane), 2b , and poly(2-methylene-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane), 3b , were prepared using the cationic initiators H₂SO₄, TiCl₄, BF₃, and also Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂. Small ester carbonyl bands in the IR spectra of 1b and 2b were observed when the polymerizations were performed at 80°C ( 1b ) and both 67 and 138°C ( 2b ) using Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂. The poly(cyclic ketene acetals) were stable if they were not exposed to acid and water. They were quite thermally stable and did not decompose until 290°C ( 1b ), 240°C ( 2b ), and 294°C ( 3b ). Different chemical shifts for axial and equatorial H and CH₃ on the ketal rings were found in the ¹H NMR spectrum of 3b at room temperature. High molecular weight 3b (M̄_n = 8.68 × 10⁴, M̄_w = 1.31 × 10⁵, M̄_z = 1.57 × 10⁵) was obtained upon cationic initiation by H₂SO₄. Poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane), 2b , underwent partial hydrolysis when Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂ and water were present in the polymer. The hydrolyzed products were 1,3-propanediol and a polymer containing both poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane) and polyketene units. The percentages of these two units in the hydrolyzed polymer were about 32% polyketene and 68% poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane). No crosslinked or aromatic structures were observed in the hydrolyzed products. The molecular weight of hydrolyzed polymer was M̄_n = 5740, M̄_w = 7260, and M̄_z = 9060. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3707–3716, 1997