Investigation of catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization for the synthesis of n‐type π‐conjugated polymer,poly(2‐dioxaalkylpyridine‐3,6‐diyl)

Kumada‐Tamao coupling polymerization of 6‐bromo‐3‐chloromagnesio‐2‐(3‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)propyl)pyridine 1 with a Ni catalyst and Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling polymerization of boronic ester monomer 2 , which has the same substituted pyridine structure, with ^tBu₃PPd(o‐tolyl)Br were investigated for the synthesis of a well‐defined n‐type π‐conjugated polymer. We first carried out a model reaction of 2,5‐dibromopyridine with 0.5 equivalent of phenylmagnesium chloride in the presence of Ni(dppp)Cl₂ and then observed exclusive formation of 2,5‐diphenylpyridine, indicating that successive coupling reaction took place via intramolecular transfer of Ni(0) catalyst on the pyridine ring. Then, we examined the Kumada‐Tamao polymerization of 1 and found that it proceeded homogeneously to afford soluble, regioregular head‐to‐tail poly(pyridine‐2,5‐diyl), poly(3‐(2‐(2‐(methoxyethoxy)propyl)pyridine) (PMEPPy). However, the molecular weight distribution of the polymers obtained with several Ni and Pd catalysts was very broad, and the matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectra showed that the polymer had Br/Br and Br/H end groups, implying that the catalyst‐transfer polymerization is accompanied with disproportionation. Suzuki‐Miyaura polymerization of 2 with ^tBu₃PPd(o‐tolyl)Br also afforded PMEPPy with a broad molecular weight distribution, and the tolyl/tolyl‐ended polymer was a major product, again indicating the occurrence of disproportionation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Solvent‐free ring‐opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide catalyzed by palladium chloride

In this study, we have for the first time demonstrated that palladium chloride (PdCl₂) is an efficient catalyst for ring‐opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide in a solvent‐free condition. The polymerization product was in atactic structure, and reaction conditions, such as reaction temperature, time, and catalyst amount, showed effects on polymerization conversion yield, turnover number, and number‐average molecular weight of the resulting poly(cyclohexene oxide). PdCl₂ catalysis follows a cationic ring‐opening mechanism. The polymerization result is highly determined by the chemical structure of the monomers.     

Liquid crystalline,highly luminescent poly(2,5-dialkoxy-p-phenyleneethynylene)

A high-molecular-weight poly(2,5-dialkoxy-p-phenyleneethynylene) derivative has been prepared by the Heck reaction of 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyloxy)-2,5-diiodobenzene and 1,4-diethynyl-2,5-dioctyloxybenzene. The highly luminescent polymer exhibits excellent solubility and can readily be processed into high-optical-quality films. The weight-average molecular weight M̄_w was 240000 g · mol⁻¹, with a polydispersity index of 2.9. Thermal analysis revealed a glass transition around 90°C, and an onset of chemical crosslinking at 130°C. The high M̄_w and the remarkable solubility enabled the preparation of liquid crystalline solutions of the new PPE.     

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization of 2,5‐dialkyl‐1,4‐divinylbenzene with molybdenum or ruthenium catalysts: Factors affecting the precise synthesis of defect‐free,high‐molecular‐weight trans‐poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s

Factors affecting the syntheses of high‐molecular‐weight poly(2,5‐dialkyl‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene) by the acyclic diene metathesis polymerization of 2,5‐dialkyl‐1,4‐divinylbenzenes [alkyl = n‐octyl ( 2 ) and 2‐ethylhexyl ( 3 )] with a molybdenum or ruthenium catalyst were explored. The polymerizations of 2 by Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃) (CHMe₂ Ph)[OCMe(CF₃)₂]₂ at 25 °C was completed with both a high initial monomer concentration and reduced pressure, affording poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s with low polydispersity index values (number‐average molecular weight = 3.3–3.65 × 10³ by gel permeation chromatography vs polystyrene standards, weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight = 1.1–1.2), but the polymerization of 3 was not completed under the same conditions. The synthesis of structurally regular (all‐trans), defect‐free, high‐molecular‐weight 2‐ethylhexyl substituted poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s [poly 3 ; degree of monomer repeating unit (DP_n) = ca. 16–70 by ¹H NMR] with unimodal molecular weight distributions (number‐average molecular weight = 8.30–36.3 × 10³ by gel permeation chromatography, weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight = 1.6–2.1) and with defined polymer chain ends (as a vinyl group, ? CH?CH₂) was achieved when Ru(CHPh)(Cl)₂(IMesH₂)(PCy₃) or Ru(CH‐2‐OⁱPr‐C₆H₄)(Cl)₂(IMesH₂) [IMesH₂ = 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐2‐imidazolidinylidene] was employed as a catalyst at 50 °C. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6166–6177, 2005     

Synthesis of polyethers with unsymmetrical structures by the polyaddition of 3‐ethyl‐3‐(glycidyloxymethyl)oxetane with diacyl chlorides

Polyethers with unsymmetrical structures in the main chains and pendant chloromethyl groups were synthesized by the polyaddition of 3‐ethyl‐3‐(glycidyloxymethyl)oxetane (EGMO) with certain diacyl chlorides with quaternary onium salts or pyridine as catalysts. The unsymmetrical polyaddition of EGMO containing two different cyclic ether moieties such as oxirane and oxetane groups with terephthaloyl chloride proceeded smoothly in toluene at 90 °C for 6 h to give polymer 1 with a number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of 51,700 in a 93% yield when tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) was used as a catalyst. The polyaddition also proceeded smoothly under the same conditions when other quaternary onium salts, such as tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetrabutylammonium iodide, tetrabutylphosphonium chloride, and tetrabutylphosphonium bromide, and pyridine were used as catalysts. However, without a catalyst no reaction occurred under the same reaction conditions. Polyadditions of EGMO with isophthaloyl chloride and adipoyl chloride gave polymer 2 (M_n = 28,700) and polymer 3 (M_n = 25,400) in 99 and 65% yields, respectively, under the same conditions. The chemical modification of the resulting polymer, polymer 1 , which contained reactive pendant chloromethyl groups, was also attempted with potassium 3‐phenyl‐2,5‐norbornadiene‐2‐carboxylate with TBAB as a phase‐transfer catalyst, and a polymer with 65 mol % pendant norbornadiene moieties was obtained. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 368–375, 2001     

Nanopalladium immobilized on aminoethanol-functionalized poly(vinyl chloride): an easily prepared, air and moisture stable catalyst for Heck reactions

The Pd nanoparticles with narrow size distribution immobilized on the polymer surface of poly(vinyl chloride) supported 2-aminoethanol (PVC-AE) were achieved by a simple procedure applying the corresponding functionalized polymer and PdCl₂ in ethanol. The as-prepared catalyst (PVC-AE-Pd⁰) was found to be air and moisture stable and exhibits significant catalytic activity for Heck reactions under mild operating conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily recovered by simple filtration and reused for at least 6 cycles without losing its activity. Correspondence: Yi-Qun Li, Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.     

Environmental effects in free-radical polymerizations. Part III. Vinyl chloride and n-butyraldehyde

The properties of poly(vinyl chloride) samples prepared by a free-radical process in the presence of n-butyraldehyde have been studied from the point of view of polymer tacticity, branching, molecular weight, and relative crystallinity. The postulate of a polymer radical–aldehyde complex, invoked to explain the increased crystallinity, was tested. The polymers had a lower degree of polymerization and branching than normal, and these parameters rather than increased syndiotacticity were responsible for the high degree of crystallinity. Both molecular weight and branching affect the crystallinity, since polymer samples prepared in the presence of various transfer agents with similar molecular weights were less crystalline than those prepared in aldehyde, but yet more crystalline than high molecular weight bulk polymer. Polymers prepared in aldehyde had a lower degree of branching than those formed in other transfer agents. It was concluded that aldehyde was effective in increasing the crystallinity of poly(vinyl chloride) in these two ways, and so appeared to be unique among the transfer agents. There was no evidence for assuming any complexing between polymer radicals and aldehyde.     

Polycondensation of benzyl chloride and its derivatives: A study of the reaction at different temperatures

The polycondensation reactions of benzyl chloride, α-chloroethylbenzene, and benzhydryl chloride in the presence of SnCl₄ or AlCl₃ as catalysts have been investigated in the temperature range between +80° and ?135°C. Polycondensations of benzyl chloride and α-chloroethylbenzene are quite similar in the reaction kinetics and are thought to occur by the same displacement mechanism. Polycondensation of benzhydryl chloride, however, seems to involve the formation of benzhydryl carbonium ions. At low temperatures linear polymers tend to be formed, in contrast with branched polymers produced at room temperature. Steric effects are found to play a major role in protecting polymers from branching at lower temperatures. Polybenzyl polymers are found to be less linear than poly(-α-methylbenzyl), even when prepared at ?135°C.     

Structure and solution properties of radical-initiated poly(vinyl chloride). II. Correlation of solution properties

The results of detailed measurements of osmotic pressure, light scattering, and viscosity of poly(vinyl chloride) solutions are used to establish the molecular weight dependence of [η] and A₂, to estimate the unperturbed dimensions of the poly(vinyl chloride) molecule, and to analyze critically the [η]–M correlations published hitherto.     

Copolymerization of butadiene with vinyl chloride by radiation

The copolymerization of butadiene with vinyl chloride was demonstrated in homogeneous phase by radiation. The reactivity parameters were r₁ = 10 and r₂ = 0.02 (M₁ = butadiene) in bulk at ?10°C. The average molecular weight of the product was about 1000–2500, depending reaction conditions.     

Terminal anhydride functionalization of polystyrene

Polystyrene chains with terminal anhydride groups were synthesized by direct chain transfer reaction between poly(styryl) lithium and trimellitic anhydride chloride (TMAC) and by the alkoxy-de-halogenation reaction between TMAC and hydroxy terminated polystyrene. Pyridine was used as a catalyst for these nucleophilic substitution reactions. For the direct reaction a poly(styryl) lithium with M?_n ～ 1000 (a low MW was used for characterization purposes) was prepared in an argon purged reactor and then introduced into an excess of trimellitic anhydride chloride. Due to the nature of our reaction system, the molecular weight distributions obtained were broader than those possible using more stringent high vacuum techniques. Hydroxy terminated polystyrenes with M?_n = 3,000 and 13,000 obtained elsewhere were used for the indirect addition of terminal anhydride groups. ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and FTIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the reaction products. A maximum yield of 61% for the direct functionalization route and 85% for the indirect functionalization route using hydroxyl terminated polystyrene were achieved. The higher yield of the indirect method seems to be the result of the relatively mild reactivity of the hydroxyl group.     

Structure of chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride). V. Molecular parameters of chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)

The molecular parameters of samples of chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC) and chlorinated β,β-dideuterated poly(vinyl chloride) (β,β-d₂-CPVC) were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), light scattering, osmometry, and viscometry. Comparison of GPC, light scattering, osmometric, and viscometric data resulted in a discussion of the possibility of degradation and the causes of changes in the solution properties in chlorination of PVC and ββ-dideuterated poly(vinyl chloride) (ββ-d₂-PVC). The results obtained are discussed in relation to the mechanism of chlorination of PVC.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the highly efficient generation of singlet oxygen in dimethyldioxirane decomposition induced by the chloride ion

The decomposition of dimethyldioxirane induced by the chloride anion has been investigated by methods of infrared chemiluminescence and quantum chemistry. The reaction leads to efficient generation of singlet excited molecular oxygen ¹O₂ (the excitation yield in acetone is 61%). A mechanism of peroxide decomposition is proposed in which the key reactions are the addition of the chloride ion to an oxygen atom of dioxirane, resulting in dioxirane ring opening and the formation of the 2-chlorooxy-2-hydroxy propane alcoholate (k ₁), and the interaction of the latter with another dimethyldioxirane molecule. This interaction results either in the formation of an adduct, which further decomposes to evolve ¹O₂, and catalyst regeneration (k ₂) or in the formation of the 2-chloroxyisopropyl radical, which leads to the irreversible consumption of the chloride ion catalyst (k ₃). The decay kinetics of the infrared chemiluminescence of ¹O₂ has been studied in a wide range of reactant concentrations. The temperature dependence of the rate constant of the reaction of dimethyldioxirane with the chloride ion has been determined by a kinetic analysis of the mechanism proposed: log(² k ₁) = (11.1 ± 0.7) − (46 ± 4)/Θ, where Θ = 2.3RT kJ/mol. Estimation of the ratio of the rates of the reaction of the 2-chlorooxy-2-hydroxy propane alcoholate with dimethyldioxirane via two pathways (k ₃/k ₂) has demonstrated that the fraction of the process involving electron transfer does not exceed 1.5% under the experimental conditions examined. Nevertheless, the latter reaction, which withdraws the chloride ion from the catalytic cycle of dimethyldioxirane decomposition yielding singlet oxygen, has a marked effect on the overall kinetics of the process.     

About formation of cycles in Sn(II) octanoate‐catalyzed polymerizations of lactides

At first, formation of cycles in commercial poly(l ‐lactide)s is discussed and compared with benzyl alcohol‐initiated polymerizations performed in this work. This comparison was extended to polymerizations initiated with 4‐cyanophenol and pentafluorothiophenol which yielded cyclic polylactides via end‐biting. The initiator/catalyst ratio and the acidity of the initiator were found to be decisive for the extent of cyclization. Further polymerizations of l ‐lactide were performed with various diphenols as initiators/co‐catalysts. With most diphenols, cyclic polylactides were the main reaction products. Yet, only catechols yielded even‐numbered cycles as main reaction products, a result which proves that their combination with SnOct₂ catalyzed a ring‐expansion polymerization (REP). The influence of temperature, time, co‐catalyst, and catalyst concentrations was studied. Four different transesterification reactions yielding cycles were identified. For the cyclic poly(l ‐lactide)s weight average molecular weights (M_w's) up to 120,000 were obtained, but ¹H NMR end group analyses indicated that the extent of cyclization was slightly below 100%. The influence of various parameters like structure of initiator and catalyst and temperature on the formation of cyclic poly(l ‐lactide)s has been investigated. Depending on the chosen conditions, the course of the polymerization can be varied from a process yielding exclusively linear polylactides to mainly cyclic polylactides. Three different reaction pathways for cyclization reactions have been identified. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1915–1925     

Kinetic Study of the Substitution Reactions of Triphenylphosphine with Chlorobenzyl Chlorides,Dimethylbenzyl Chloride,and Methylbenzyl Bromides in Various Two-Phase Organic Solvent/Water Media

The kinetics of the substitution reactions of triphenylphosphine (TP) with chlorobenzyl chlorides (CBC), 2,5-dimethylbenzyl chloride (DMBC), and methylbenzyl bromides (MBB) in aprotic organic solvent was studied under the extraction by water. The effects of water, agitation, organic solvent, reactant, and temperature were investigated. These reactions take place via the S_N2 mechanism and exhibit large and negative entropy of activation. The order of relative activity of solvents is CHCl₃ > CH₂Cl₂ ? C₆H₆. In CHCl₃, the order of relative reactivity of benzyl chloride (BC), benzyl bromide (BB), CBC, DMBC, and MBB toward reaction with TP is 2-MBB > 4-MBB > 3-MBB > BB > DMBC > BC > 2-CBC > 4-CBC > 3-CBC. These reactions produce quantitatively benzyltriphenylphosphonium salts, which are useful for synthesizing Z-form isomers of stilbenes via the two-phase Wittig reaction.     

Photodehydrochlorination of carbon monoxide–vinyl chloride copolymer

In order to examine effect of the carbonyl group in carbon monoxide–vinyl chloride copolymer, poly(CO–VC), photoirradiation with a high-pressure mercury lamp on the copolymer was carried out. Poly(CO–VC) had a rate of dehydrochlorination three times that of PVC, and the reaction involved a decrease in chlorine content. Also there was a marked change in the ultraviolet spectra of the photoirradiated films. However, no pronounced change of molecular weight was observed, but a change in R_f in TLC was observed clearly. These facts confirmed that photoirradiation of poly(CO–VC) produced a structural change by dehydrochlorination without serious decrease of molecular weight. In addition, photodehydrochlorination of the copolymer or PVC film was followed kinetically, and after ozonolysis of the dehydrochlorinated polymers, the number-average molecular weights were measured. From the results of degree of dehydrochlorination and molecular weight, the number average of conjugated double bonds or carbonyl groups was estimated. A mechanism for dehydrochlorination process by photo-irradiation is suggested.     

Copolymerization of ethylene and propylene catalyzed by magnesium chloride supported vanadium/titanium bimetallic Ziegler-Natta catalysts

Magnesium chloride supported vanadium/titanium bimetallic Ziegler-Natta catalysts with di-i-butyl phthalate as internal donor for copolymerization of ethylene and propylene were prepared.The effects of reaction temperature, ethylene/propylene molar ratio,aluminium/vanadium（Al/V）molar ratio and titanium/vanadium molar ratio on the catalytic activity were investigated.The molecular weight,molecular weight distribution,sequence composition and crystallinity of the products were measured by gel permeation chromatography,¹³C-NMR and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, respectively.In comparison to the vanadium and titanium catalysts,the bimetallic catalyst showed higher catalytic activity and better copolymerization performance.The obtained ethylene/propylene copolymers have high molecular weight （10⁵）,broad molecular weight distribution,high propylene content with random or short blocked sequence structures （r_Er_P=1.919）,low melting temperatures and low crystallinities（X_c<20%）.     

Effect of oxygen on the polymerization of vinyl chloride. I. Kinetic features

The effect of oxygen on the liquid-phase polymerization of vinyl chloride at 55°C in the presence of an added initiator, bis(4-tert-butylcyclohexyl) peroxydicarbonate (Perkadox 16), has been studied by the technique of tumbled dilatometry. With this method, at constant initiator concentration, the induction period showed a half-order dependence on the initial oxygen concentration. At a constant initial oxygen concentration, the induction period varied inversely as the square root of the initiator concentration. Under the experimental conditions empolyed, the polyperoxy radicals with chloroalkyl (～CH₂?HCl) endgroups were not wholly scavenged by molecular oxygen but could undergo various decomposition reactions. The degree of conversion of the initial oxygen to peroxidic compounds did not exceed 30% by weight and was dependent on the shape of the reaction vessel empolyed. The existence of other oxidation products has been demonstrated. At 55°C, the average velocity constant for decomposition of the peroxide products from vinyl chloride, measured in dichloromethane solution, was found to be 8 × 10^?5 sec^?1. A kinetic scheme involving a predominant cross-termination reaction is proposed to explain the experimental results.     

The structure of chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride). VI. Comparison of the chlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) and β,β-d2-poly(vinyl chloride) with 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy

Samples of chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC) and chlorinated β,β-dideuterated poly(vinyl chloride) (β,β-d₂-CPVC) were prepared under identical reaction conditions. The microstructure of CPVC and β,β-d₂-(CPVC) was characterized by a combination of ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, and analytically determined chlorine content. A difference was observed in the reaction rates of chlorination of PVC and β,β-d₂-PVC, and, in their thermal chlorination in solution, also in the structure of the chlorinated products. It was proved that in the chlorination of β,β-d₂-PVC a new chlorine atom can also enter the original? CHCl? group. The results are discussed from the standpoint of the chlorination mechanism.     

Single-site catalyst immobilization using magnesium chloride supports

Immobilization and activation of a broad range of titanium-, chromium-and nickel-based single-site catalysts for ethylene polymerization has been carried out using supports of type MgCl₂/AlR_n(OEt)_{3 − n} , prepared by reaction of AlR₃ with adducts of magnesium chloride and ethanol. The spherical particle morphology of the support is retained and replicated during catalyst immobilization and polymerization, yielding polyethylenes with controlled particle size and morphology. The single-site nature of these catalysts is also retained, giving polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, very high catalyst activities can be obtained as a result of a stabilizing effect of the support, which prevents the rapid decay in activity often observed in homogeneous polymerization with these catalysts. The text was submitted by the authors in English.