Simultaneous control of the stereospecificity and molecular weight in the ruthenium‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylates and sequential synthesis of stereoblock polymers

The stereospecific living radical polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were achieved with a combination of ruthenium‐catalyzed living radical and solvent‐mediated stereospecific radical polymerizations. Among a series of ruthenium complexes [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, Ru(Ind)Cl(PPh₃)₂, and RuCp*Cl(PPh₃)₂], Cp*–ruthenium afforded poly(methyl methacrylate) with highly controlled molecular weights [weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight (M_w/M_n) = 1.08] and high syndiotacticity (r = 88%) in a fluoroalcohol such as (CF₃)₂C(Ph)OH at 0 °C. On the other hand, a hydroxy‐functionalized monomer, HEMA, was polymerized with RuCp*Cl(PPh₃)₂ in N,N‐dimethylformamide and N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMA) to give syndiotactic polymers (r = 87–88%) with controlled molecular weights (M_w/M_n = 1.12–1.16). This was the first example of the syndiospecific living radical polymerization of HEMA. A fluoroalcohol [(CF₃)₂C(Ph)OH], which induced the syndiospecific radical polymerization of MMA, reduced the syndiospecificity in the HEMA polymerization to result in more or less atactic polymers (mm/mr/rr = 7.2/40.9/51.9%) with controlled molecular weights in the presence of RuCp*Cl(PPh₃)₂ at 80 °C. A successive living radical polymerization of HEMA in two solvents, first DMA followed by (CF₃)₂C(Ph)OH, resulted in stereoblock poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with syndiotactic–atactic segments. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3609–3615, 2006     

Living/controlled radical polymerization of styrene with a new initiating system: DCDPS/FeCl3/PPh3

The living/controlled radical polymerization of styrene was investigated with a new initiating system, DCDPS/FeCl₃/PPh₃, in which diethyl 2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐diphenylsuccinate (DCDPS) was a hexa‐substituted ethane thermal iniferter. The polymerization mechanism belonged to a reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. The polymerization was controlled closely in bulk (at 100 °C) or in solution (at 110 °C) with a high molecular weight and quite narrow polydispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.18 ∼ 1.28). End‐group analysis results by ¹H NMR spectroscopy showed that the polymer was ω‐functionalized by a chlorine atom, which also was confirmed by the result of a chain‐extension reaction in the presence of a FeCl₂/PPh₃ or CuCl/bipy (2,2′‐bipyridine) catalyst via a conventional ATRP process. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 101–107, 2000     

Synthesis of 2‐aminomethylpiperidine ruthenium(II) phosphine complexes and their applications in transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones

The complex trans,cis‐[RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂(ampi)] (2) was prepared by reaction of RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ with 2‐aminomethylpiperidine(ampi) (1). [RuCl₂(PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂)(ampi) (n = 3, 4, 5)] (3–5) were synthesized by displacement of two PPh₃ with chelating phosphine ligands. All complexes (2–5) were characterized by ¹ H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, IR and UV‐visible spectroscopy and elemental analysis. They were found to be efficient catalysts for transfer hydrogen reactions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polymerization of arylallenes catalyzed by organo-rhodium(I) and -cobalt (I) complexes to give structurally regulated high-mass polymers

Organorhodium complexes, such as RhH(PPh₃)₄, RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃, Rh(η³-C₃H₄Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂, and RhH(dppe)₂ [dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinoethane)], catalyze polymerization of phenylallene and of 4-methylphenylallene at 60 °C. High-molecular-weight polymers (M_n>4×10⁵) are isolated from the reaction products by removing the low-molecular-weight (M_n<3×10³) acetone-soluble fraction. The NMR (¹H and ¹³C{¹H}) spectra of poly(phenylallene) (1) and poly(4-methylphenylallene) (2) show the structure formed through selective 2,3-polymerization of the monomers, while similarly obtained poly(2-naphthylallene) (3) is characterized only by ¹H NMR spectroscopy due to its low solubility in common organic solvents. 4-Fluorophenylallene and 4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenylallene do not polymerize under similar conditions in the presence of RhH(PPh₃)₄ catalyst but are turned into low-molecular-weight oligomers. CoH(N₂)(PPh₃)₃-catalyzed polymerization of phenylallene and 4-methylphenylallene at room temperature gives the corresponding polymers with molecular weights in the range M_n=(9–15)×10⁴, in high yields. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First example of an unsymmetrical difunctional monomer polymerizable by two living/controlled methods

In this paper the synthesis and (co)polymerizations of 4‐(acryloyloxy)‐ε‐caprolactone are reported. This new monomer can be polymerized in a living/controlled way by two different polymerization mechanisms; atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP). ATRP, which was carried out at 90°C using NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂, leads to new polyacrylates containing pendant caprolactone functionalities with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n ˜1.1). Alternatively, ROP of this functional ε‐caprolactone bearing a pendant acrylate functionality leads to new poly(4‐(acryloyloxy) caprolactone) as well as random copolymers when ε‐caprolactone and L,L‐lactide are added as comonomers. The (co)polymerizations were carried out using either Al(OⁱPr)₃ in toluene at 25°C or Sn(Oct)₂ as a catalyst at 110°C producing (co)polymers with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n ˜ 1.2). As a potential application, the introduction of acrylate pendant groups into the polyesters facilitated the preparation of cross‐linked biodegradable materials either thermally or by irradiation with ultraviolet light radical curing.     

The kinetics and thermodynamics of a novel efficient mixed water–1,4-dioxan solvent for the effective complexation of a neutral ruthenium complex with carbon monoxide at atmospheric pressure

Kinetic and thermodynamic investigations were performed for a mixed aqueous-organic, 1:1 (v/v) water–1,4-dioxane medium, which was found to be an efficient solvent for the interaction of a neutral dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium(II), RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ complex with carbon monoxide at atmospheric pressure. During the interaction, RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ dissociates to a neutral complex dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium(II), RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂, by losing a coordinated PPh₃ ligand and RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂ coordinates with CO to form an in situ carbonyl complex RuCl₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂. The in situ formed carbonyl complex RuCl₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ was thoroughly characterized by equilibrium, spectrophotometric, IR, and electrochemical techniques. Under equilibrium conditions, the rate and dissociation constants for the dissociation of PPh₃ from RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ were found to be favorable for the formation of the carbonyl complex RuCl₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂. The rates of complexation for the formation of RuCl₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ were found to follow an overall second-order kinetics being first order in terms of the concentrations of both carbon monoxide and RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂. The determined activation parameters corresponding to the rate constant (ΔH^# = 35.9 ± 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS^# = −122 ± 6 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) and thermodynamic parameters corresponding to the formation constant (ΔH° = −33.5 ± 4.5 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS° = −25 ± 8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, and ΔG° = −25.7 ± 2.0 kJ mol⁻¹) were found to be highly favorable for the formation of the complex RuCl2(CO)(PPh3)2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 359–369, 2008     

Ruthenium‐catalyzed fast living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate: The R?Cl/Ru(Ind)Cl(PPh3)2/n‐Bu2NH initiating system

A fast living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) proceeded with the (MMA)₂? Cl/Ru(Ind)Cl(PPh₃)₂ initiating system in the presence of n‐Bu₂NH as an additive [where (MMA)₂? Cl is dimethyl 2‐chloro‐2,4,4‐trimethyl glutarate]. The polymerization reached 94% conversion in 5 h to give polymers with controlled number‐average molecular weights (M_n's) in direct proportion to the monomer conversion and narrow molecular weight distributions [MWDs; weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight (M_w/M_n) ≤ 1.2]. A poly(methyl methacrylate) with a high molecular weight (M_n ～ 10⁵) and narrow MWD (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.2) was obtained with the system within 10 h. A similarly fast but slightly slower living radical polymerization was possible with n‐Bu₃N, whereas n‐BuNH₂ resulted in a very fast (93% conversion in 2.5 h) and uncontrolled polymerization. These added amines increased the catalytic activity through some interaction such as coordination to the ruthenium center. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 617–623, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10148     

Enantiomer-selective radical cyclopolymerization of rac-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate using a ruthenium-mediated chiral atom transfer radical polymerization initiating system

The enantiomer-selective radical polymerization of rac-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate, an equimolar mixture of (2S,4S)-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate (SS- 1 ) and (2R,4R)-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate (RR- 1 ), was carried out with a chiral atom transfer radical polymerization initiating system consisting of methyl 2-bromoisobutyrate ( 3 ), dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃], and a chiral additive in anisole at 60 °C. When (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol ( a-3 ) was used as the chiral additive, the recovered monomer was enriched in SS- 1 , and the enantiomeric excess was 16.9% at a 22.6% monomer conversion. The specific rotation ([α]₄₃₅, c 0.3, CHCl₃) of the resulting polymer was +40.3° at a 22.6% monomer conversion. For the copolymerization of SS- 1 and RR- 1 with 3 /RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃/ a-3 in anisole at 60 °C, the monomer reactivity ratio for RR- 1 (r_R) was determined to be 4.94, and that for SS- 1 (r_S) was 0.27. For the homopolymerizations of SS- 1 and RR- 1 with 3 /RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃/ a-3 in anisole at 60 °C, the polymerization rate of RR- 1 was considerably faster than that of SS- 1 , and the rate constants for the homopolymerizations were determined to be k_SS = 2.0 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹ and k_RR = 8.2 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹, respectively. With the values of k_SS, k_RR, r_R, and r_S, the relative ratio k_SS/k_RR/k_SR/k_RS was determined to be 1.2:4.9:4.5:1, which indicated that both the growing end of SS- 1 and that of RR- 1 preferentially reacted with RR- 1 . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4563–4569, 2004     

Synthesis of silylene-vinylene oligomers via catalytic polycondensation of divinyldimethylsilane

Acyclic diene polymerization (ADP) of divinyldimethylsilane in the presence of ruthenium RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and rhodium [RhCl(cod)]₂ catalysts led predominantly to linear silylene-vinylene oligomers (M_n = 1510 and M_w/M_n = 1.19) if the ruthenium catalyst was used or to mixture of cyclic and linear oligomers if rhodium complex was catalyst. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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     

Electroactive methacrylate‐based triblock copolymer elastomer for actuator application

A series of ABA triblock copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) [poly(MMA‐b‐DMA‐b‐MMA)] (PMDM) were synthesized by Ru‐based sequential living radical polymerization. For this, DMA was first polymerized from a difunctional initiator, ethane‐1,2‐diyl bis(2‐chloro‐2‐phenylacetate) with combination of RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ catalyst and nBu₃N additive in toluene at 80 °C. As the conversion of DMA reached over about 90%, MMA was directly added into the reaction solution to give PMDM with controlled molecular weight (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.2). These triblock copolymers showed well‐organized morphologies such as body centered cubic, hexagonal cylinder, and lamella structures both in bulk and in thin film by self‐assembly phenomenon with different poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) weight fractions. Obtained PMDMs with 20–40 wt % of the PMMA segments showed excellent electroactive actuation behaviors at relatively low voltages, which was much superior compared to conventional styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene triblock copolymer systems due to its higher polarity derived from the methacrylate backbone and lower modulus. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Neue Phosphido-verbrückte Mehrkernkomplexe des Ag,Cd und Zn Die Kristallstrukturen von [Ag4(PPh2)4(PMe3)4], [Ag6(PPh2)6(PtBu3)2] und [M4Cl4(PPh2)4(PnPr3)2] (M = Zn,Cd)

New Phosphido-bridged Multinuclear Complexes of Ag, Cd and Zn. The Crystal Structures of [Ag₄(PPh₂)₄(PMe₃)₄], [Ag₆(PPh₂)₆(P^tBu₃)₂] and [M₄Cl₄(PPh₂)₄(PⁿPr₃)₂] (M = Zn, Cd) AgCl reacts with Ph₂PSiMe₃ in the presence of a tertiary Phosphine PMe₃ or P^tBu₃ to form the multinuclear complexes [Ag₄(PPh₂)₄(PMe₃)₄] ( 1 ) and [Ag₆(PPh₂)₆(P^tBu₃)₂] ( 2 ). In analogy to that MCl₂ reacts with Ph₂PSiMe₃ in the presence of PⁿPr₃ to form the two multinuclear complexes [M₄Cl₄(PPh₂)₄(PⁿPr₃)₂] (M = Zn ( 3 ), Cd ( 4 )). The structures were characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis ( 1 : space group Pna2₁ (Nr. 33), Z = 4, a = 1 313.8(11) pm, b = 1 511.1(6) pm, c = 4 126.0(18) pm, 2 : space group P–1 (Nr. 2), Z = 2, a = 1 559.0(4) pm, b = 1 885.9(7) pm, c = 2 112.4(8) pm, α = 104.93(3)°, β = 94.48(3)°, γ = 104.41(3)°; 3 : space group C2/c (Nr. 15), Z = 4, a = 2 228.6(6) pm, b = 1 847.6(6) pm, c = 1 827.3(6) pm, β = 110.86(2); 4 : space group C2/c (Nr. 15), Z = 4, a = 1 894.2(9) pm, b = 1 867.9(7) pm, c = 2 264.8(6) pm, β = 111.77(3)°). 3 and 4 may be considered as intermediates on the route towards polymeric [M(PPh₂)₂]_n (M = Zn, Cd).     

Ru(II)‐mediated living radical polymerization: block and random copolymerizations of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide and methyl methacrylate

RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ led to living radical copolymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in conjunction with a halide‐initiator (R‐X; CHCl₂COPh, CCl₃Br) and Al(Oi‐Pr)₃ in toluene at 80°C. Both the monomers were polymerized at almost the same rate into random copolymers, where the number‐average molecular weights (M_n) increased in direct proportion to weight of the obtained polymers, and the molecular weight distributions (MWDs) were narrow throughout the reactions (M_w/M_n = 1.2‐1.6). MMA was consumed faster in the copolymerization than in the homopolymerization, which was due to the interaction of DMAA with the ruthenium complex. The Ru(II)‐based initiating system was also effective in block copolymerization of DMAA and MMA.     

稀土硫化物：e–己内酯开环聚合新催化剂

The ring-opening polymerization （ROP） of ε-caprolactone （ε-CL） using lanthanide thiolate complexes [（CH3CsH4）2Sm（μ-SPh）（THF）]2 （1） and Sm（SPh）3（HMPA）3 （2） as initiators has been investigated for the first time. Both of 1 and 2 were found to be highly efficient initiators for the ROP of ε-CL. The poly（ε-caprolactone） （PCL） with molecular weight Mn up to 1.97 ×10^5 and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions （1.20〈MW/Mn〈 2.00） have been obtained in high yield in the temperature range of 35-65℃. According to the polymer yield, 2 showed much higher activity than 1. However, the number-average molecular weight of PCL obtained with 2 was much lower than with 1. The possible polymerization mechanism of the ε-CL polymerization has been proposed based on the results of the end group analysis of the ε-CL oligomer.     

(Diisopropylamido) bis (methylcyclopentadienyl) lanthanides as single-component initiators for polymerization of methyl methacrylate

It was first found that (diisopropylamido)bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)lanthanides (MeC₅H₄)₂LnN(i-Pr)₂(THF) (Ln = Yb ( 1 ), Er ( 2 ), Y ( 3 )) exhibit extremely high catalytic activity in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The reactions can be carried out over a quite broad range of polymerization temperatures from -78 to 40°C. The catalytic activity of the complexes increases with an increase of ionic radii of the metal elements, i.e. Y > Er > Yb. The results of GPC (gel permeation chromatography) indicate that the number-average molecular weights (M_n) of polymers obtained exceed 100 × 10³ and the molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n) becomes broad with the increase of temperature. Furthermore highly syndiotactic PMMA (87.7%) can be obtained by lowering the reaction temperature to −78°C. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1593–1597, 1998     

Quenching of metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization with silyl enol ethers

Various silyl enol ethers were employed as quenchers for the living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate with the R Cl/RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃/Al(Oi–Pr)₃ initiating system. The most effective quencher was a silyl enol ether with an electron‐donating phenyl group conjugated with its double bond [CH₂C(OSiMe₃)(4‐MeOPh) ( 2a )] that afforded a halogen‐free polymer with a ketone terminal at a high end functionality [F̄_n ∼ 1]. Such silyl compounds reacted with the growing radical generated from the dormant chloride terminal and the ruthenium complex to give the ketone terminal via the release of the silyl group along with the chlorine that originated from the dormant terminal. In contrast, less conjugated silyl enol ethers such as CH₂C(OSiMe₃)Me were less effective in quenching the polymerization. The reactivity of the silyl compounds to the poly(methyl methacrylate) radical can be explained by the reactivity of their double bonds, namely, the monomer reactivity ratios of their model vinyl monomers without the silyloxyl groups. The lifetime of the living polymer terminal was also estimated by the quenching reaction mediated with 2a . © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4735–4748, 2000     

Oxidation of sec‐alcohols with Ru(II)‐bearing microgel star polymer catalysts via hydrogen transfer reaction: Unique microgel‐core catalysis

Oxidation of sec‐alcohols was investigated with ruthenium‐bearing microgel core star polymer catalysts [Ru(II)‐Star]. The star polymer catalysts were directly prepared via RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), followed by the arm‐linking reaction with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate ( 1 ) in the presence of diphenylphosphinostyrene ( 2 ). The Ru(II)‐Star efficiently and homogeneously catalyzed the oxidation of 1‐phenylethanol ( S1 ) to give a corresponding ketone (acetophenone) in higher yield (92%) than the analogs of polymer‐supported ruthenium complexes. Importantly, the star catalyst afforded high recycling efficiency in the oxidation. They held catalytic activity against three times catalysis even though they were recovered under air‐exposure, whereas the conventional RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ lost the activity for same recycling procedure due to the deactivation by oxygen. The stability of the star catalysts during the recycle experiment was confirmed by detailed spectroscopic characterization. The star polymers also catalyzed oxidation for a wide range of sec‐alcohols with aromatic and aliphatic groups. The substrate affinity was different from that with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, suggesting the unique selectivity caused by the specific structure. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011.     

Living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate with a zerovalent nickel complex,Ni(PPh3)

A zerovalent nickel complex, Ni(PPh₃)₄, induced living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in conjunction with an organic bromide as an initiator [R–Br: CCl₃Br, (CH₃)₂C(CO₂Et)Br, (CH₃)₂C(COPh)Br] in the presence of Al(Oi-Pr)₃ additive. The molecular weight distributions were narrow (M̄_w/M̄_n ∼ 1.2) throughout the reactions, and the number-average molecular weights (M̄_n) increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion. In contrast, the polymers obtained with CCl₄ in place of R–Br had broader MWDs (M̄_w/M̄_n > 2). The Al(Oi-Pr)₃ additive should be added for the smooth polymerizations of MMA to occur, similarly to those with a divalent nickel bromide, NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂. The Ni(PPh₃)₄-mediated living polymerization apparently proceeds via the activation of the C Br bond from the initiators R Br, assisted by the redox reaction of the complex between Ni(0) and Ni(I) species. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3003–3009, 1999     

Novel star‐block polymers: Three polyisobutylene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) arms radiating from an aromatic core

A series of novel three‐arm star blocks consisting of three polyisobutylene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PIB‐b‐PMMA) diblocks radiating from a tricumyl core were synthesized, characterized, and tested. The synthetic strategy involved three steps: the synthesis of Cl^t ‐tritelechelic PIB by living cationic isobutylene (IB) polymerization, the conversion of the Cl^t termini to isobutyryl bromide groups, and the initiation of living radical methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization by the latter groups. The PIB and PMMA segment lengths (M_n 's) could be controlled by controlling the conditions of the living cationic and radical polymerizations of IB and MMA, respectively. Core destruction analysis directly proved the postulated three‐arm microarchitecture. The structures of the products were analyzed by ¹H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, and their thermal properties were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The presence of a low‐ and a high‐temperature glass transition (T_g,PIB ∼ −63°C, T_g,PMMA ∼ 120°C) indicated a phase‐separated micromorphology. Stress/strain analysis showed a tensile strength of up to ∼ 22.9 MPa and an elongation of ∼ 200%. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 706–714, 2000     

Anionic Polymerization Behavior of α-Methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone

Anionic polymerization of α-methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone ( MMP ) was carried out in THF at −78∼0 °C with diphenylmethylpotassium (Ph₂CHK) and with diphenylmethyllithium (Ph₂CHLi) in the presence of Lewis acidic diethylzinc (Et₂Zn). Poly( MMP )s possessing predicted molecular weights based on the molar ratios between monomer and initiators and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.1) were obtained in quantitative yields. It was demonstrated that the propagating chain end of poly( MMP ) was stable at −30 °C to form the polymers with well-defined chain structures. From the polymerizations at the various temperatures ranging from −50 to −30 °C, the apparent rate constant and the activation energy of the polymerization were estimated as follows: ln k = −6.93 × 10³/T + 25.7 and 57 ± 5 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.