Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of functionalized cyclooctene by a ruthenium‐based catalyst in ionic liquid

This paper describes the synthesis of a novel monomer of 5‐substituted cyclooctene with the pendant of imidazolium salt (7) and the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of the functionalized cyclooctenes ( 4 and 7 ) in CH₂Cl₂ and ionic liquid [bmim][PF₆] by a ruthenium‐based catalyst RuCl₂(PCy₃)(SIMes)(CHPh) (2). The polymerization, which was carried out in ionic liquid, afforded improved control over the molecular weight (M_n) and polydispersity of the resultant products (PDI <1.4). Furthermore, to facilitate the GPC measurement for molecular weight of polymers, the charged polymers (poly‐ 7 ) were hydrolyzed to give uncharged polymers (poly‐ 4 *) by removing the imidazolium pendant from the polymer chains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3986–3993, 2007     

Living/controlled radical copolymerization of N‐substituted maleimides with styrene in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and anisole

The atom transfer radical copolymerization of N‐substituted maleimides such as N‐phenylmaleimide (PhMI), N‐cyclohexylmaleimide (ChMI), and N‐butylmaleimide (NBMI) with styrene initiated with dendritic polyarylether 2‐bromoisobutyrates in an ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]), at room temperature and anisole at 110 °C was investigated. The dendritic‐linear block copolymers obtained in ionic liquid possessed well‐defined molecular weight and low polydispersity (1.05 < M_w/M_n < 1.32) and could be used as a macroinitiator for chain‐extension polymerization, suggesting the living nature of the reaction system. The ionic liquids containing catalyst could be recycled in the atom transfer radical polymerization systems without further treatment. Compared with polymerization conducted in anisole, the polymerization in ionic liquid had a stronger tendency for alternation. The tendency for alternation decreased in the order PhMI > NBMI > ChMI in [bmim][PF₆] and PhMI > ChMI > NBMI in anisole. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2156–2165, 2003     

Imidazolium ionic liquids with short polyoxyethylene chains

It has been observed by us earlier that imidazolium ionic liquids ([bmim][BF₄] react with paraformaldehyde giving in nearly quantitative yield imidazolium ionic liquids substituted at 2‐position with hydroxymethyl group ([bhmim][BF₄]). In this article, we describe the application of those ionic liquids (after converting hydroxyl group into alkoxide anion by reaction with sodium hydride) as initiators for anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide (EO). Up to DP_n ～ 30 polymerization proceeds without side reactions, and the product is exclusively low‐molecular‐weight polyoxyethylene containing imidazolium head group (POE‐IL) with DP_n equal to [EO]/[bhmim] ratio. By increasing [EO]/[bhmim] ratio further, side reaction start to interfere, and macromolecules that does not contain imidazolium head groups are also formed, as evidenced by analysis of MALDI TOF spectra. Blending of POE‐IL with high‐molecular‐weight POE leads to significant reduction of crystallinity of POE. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6961–6968, 2008     

Fabrication of biodegradable poly(trimethylene carbonate) networks for potential tissue engineering scaffold applications

Biodegradable poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) networks were prepared by photopolymerization of linear (L)‐ and star (S)‐shaped PTMC macromonomers for potential tissue engineering scaffold applications. The L‐ (M_n, 6400) and S‐shaped (M_n, 5880) PTMC macromonomers were synthesized using 1,4‐butane diol and 2‐ethyl‐ 2‐hydroxyl‐propane‐1,3‐diol co‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) in the presence of stannous octoate and subsequent acrylation with acryloyl chloride. Chemical structures of the PTMC macromonomers and their corresponding networks were characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The human endothelial cell line, EA.hy926 was used to test the biocompatibility, cell adhesion, and proliferation behavior of both PTMC networks. The PTMC networks made from the S‐shaped macromonomers exhibited superior cell adhesion and proliferation behavior than those made of the linear macromonomers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical and Bioelectrochemical Characterization of Water‐Miscible Ionic Liquids Based Composites of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Acidic treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (AMWNTs) were ground with water‐miscible room temperature ionic liquids, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄), and resulted in AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ composite. Its electrical‐ionic conductivity and optical properties were compared with the other two types of carbon materials‐[bmim]BF₄ composites: pyrolytic graphite powder (PGP), pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PMWNTs), through the ac impedance technology and Raman spectroscopy. The impedance data show that AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ composite exhibits the highest conductivity. Raman spectra study exhibits that the [bmim]BF₄ can form gel with PMWNTs and AMWNTs but only form a viscous liquid with PGP. AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ gel modified GC electrode was applied in direct electrochemistry of heme proteins (Hb and HRP) and it catalysis to the reduction of H₂O₂ was investigated.     

Hydrophilic–hydrophobic AB diblock copolymers containing poly(trimethylene carbonate) and poly(ethylene oxide) blocks

AB‐type block copolymers with poly(trimethylene carbonate) [poly(TMC); A] and poly(ethylene oxide) [PEO; B; number‐average molecular weight (M_n) = 5000] blocks [poly(TMC)‐b‐PEO] were synthesized via the ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) in the presence of monohydroxy PEO with stannous octoate as a catalyst. M_n of the resulting copolymers increased with increasing TMC content in the feed at a constant molar ratio of the monomer to the catalyst (monomer/catalyst = 125). The thermal properties of the AB diblock copolymers were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. The melting temperature of the PEO blocks was lower than that of the homopolymer, and the crystallinity of the PEO block decreased as the length of the poly(TMC) blocks increased. The glass‐transition temperature of the poly(TMC) blocks was dependent on the diblock copolymer composition upon first heating. The static contact angle decreased sharply with increasing PEO content in the diblock copolymers. Compared with poly(TMC), poly(TMC)‐b‐PEO had a higher Young's modulus and lower elongation at break. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4819–4827, 2005     

Copolymerization of carbon dioxide and oxetane catalyzed by aluminum porphyrin complex system

Tetraphenylporphinatoaluminum chloride ([TPP]AlCl) catalyst and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) cocatalyst system is effective for the copolymerization of CO₂ and oxetane even under low CO₂ pressure (~2 MPa). In the presence of toluene as a solvent, poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) containing >99% of carbonate linkages with M_n = 8600 and M_w/M_n = 1.70 was synthesized. This is the first report of PTMC formation with excellent ratio of carbonate linkages from oxetane and CO₂. According to the kinetic analysis, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) measurements of the products, PTMC was mainly synthesized via (i) the trimethylene carbonate (TMC) formation from CO₂ and oxetane and (ii) the successive ring-opening polymerization of TMC.     

Propagation kinetics of free‐radical polymerizations in ionic liquids

Propagation rate coefficients, k_p, of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) homopolymerizations were measured at ambient pressure in four ionic liquids (ILs): 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ([emim]) ethyl sulfate and [emim] hexyl sulfate as well as butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ([bmim]) hexafluorophosphate and [bmim] tetrafluoroborate via the pulsed‐laser polymerization size‐exclusion chromatography technique. In passing from bulk polymerization at 40 °C polymerization in IL solution containing 20 vol % monomer, k_p is enhanced by up to a factor of 4 with MMA and by a factor of 2 with GMA. This enhancement of k_p primarily results from a lowering of activation energy upon partial replacement of monomer by ionic liquid species. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1460–1469, 2008     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Hydroxy Pyrazolo[1,2‐a][1,2,4]triazoles and Their Dehydration Using Recyclable Ionic Liquids as Reaction Media

An eco‐friendly, simple, and efficient one‐pot new procedure has been developed for the synthesis of hydroxy phenylhexahydropyrazolo[1,2‐a][1,2,4]triazoles by condensation of 4‐phenylurazole, aldehydes, and ethyl/methyl acetoacetate using ionic liquid [bmim]BF₄ in presence of l ‐proline at 80°C. The hydroxy pyrazolo[1,2‐a][1,2,4]triazoles could be dehydrated in presence of [bmim]HSO₄ to give corresponding phenyltetrahydropyrazolo[1,2‐a][1,2,4]triazoles in high yields. High yields, less reaction time, operational simplicity, and recyclability of reaction media are the advantages of this protocol.     

离子液体中一步合成14-芳基-1,6,7,14-四氢二苯并[a, i]吖啶-1,6-二酮衍生物

室温条件下在离子液体[bmim]BF4中合成了14-芳基-1,6,7,14-四氢二苯并[a, i]吖啶-1,6-二酮类衍生物,该方法具有产率高,反应介质可回收使用,反应底物范围广,反应时间短,操作简单等优点。     

RAFT synthesis of a water‐soluble triblock copolymer of poly(styrenesulfonate)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(styrenesulfonate) using a macromolecular chain transfer agent in aqueous solution

Triblock copolymers of poly(styrenesulfonate)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(styrenesulfonate) with narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.28–1.40) and well‐defined structure have been synthesized in aqueous solution at 70 °C via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) capped with 4‐cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate end groups was used as the macro chain transfer agent (PEG macro‐CTA) for sole monomer sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate. The reaction was controllable and displayed living polymerization characteristics and the triblock copolymer had designed molecular weight. The reaction rate depended strongly on the CTA and initiator concentration ratio [CTA]₀/[ACPA]₀: an increase in [CTA]₀/[ACPA]₀ from 1.0 to 5.0 slowed down the polymerization rate and improved the molecular weight distribution with a prolonged induction time. The polymerization proceeded, following first‐order kinetics when [CTA]₀/[ACPA]₀ = 2.5 and 5.0. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3698–3706, 2007     

Polymerization of phenylacetylene catalysed by RhTp(cod) and RhBp(cod) in ionic liquids: effect of alcohols and of tetraammonium halides

RhTp(cod) ( 1 ) and RhBp(cod) ( 2 ), almost inactive in CH₂Cl₂, became good catalysts of phenylacetylene polymerization in ionic liquids ([bmim]Cl, [bmim]BF₄: bmim = 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium, [mokt]BF₄: mokt = 1‐methyl‐3‐oktylimidazolium, [bumepy]BF₄: 1‐butyl‐4‐methylpyridinium) and in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of tetraammonium halides ([R₄N]X, R = Bu, Et; X = Cl, Br). The highest yields of polyphenylacetylene with catalyst 1 were obtained in [bmim]Cl at 65°C (64% after 2 h) and in [mokt]BF₄ at 20°C (56% after 24 h). In alcohols (CH₃OH, (CH₃)₂CHOH, (CH₃)₃COH) as solvents, up to 100% of the polymer was produced. When a mixture of an ionic liquid and CH₃OH was used as the reaction medium, the polymer yield was similar to the yield achieved in an ionic liquid only, but the molecular weight increased remarkably. Tetraammonium salts, [R₄N]X, are co‐catalysts for 1 , and the yield of the polymer increased in the order [Et₄N]Br < [Bu₄N]Br < [Et₄N]Cl < [Bu₄N]Cl. Polymers with molecular weights from 6900 to 38 800 Da were obtained with catalyst 2 in [R₄N]Br or [R₄N]Cl, whereas in ionic liquids ([bmim]Cl, [bmim]BF₄) the corresponding molecular weights were higher, from 51 300 to 60 300 Da. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microwave‐Assisted Functionalization of Carbon Nanostructures in Ionic Liquids

The effect of microwave (MW) irradiation and ionic liquids (IL) on the cycloaddition of azomethine ylides to [60]fullerene has been investigated by screening the reaction protocol with regard to the IL medium composition, the applied MW power, and the simultaneous cooling of the system. [60]Fullerene conversion up to 98 % is achieved in 2–10 min, by using a 1:3 mixture of the IL 1‐methyl‐3‐n‐octyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([omim]BF₄) and o‐dichlorobenzene, and an applied power as low as 12 W. The mono‐ versus poly‐addition selectivity to [60]fullerene can be tuned as a function of fullerene concentration. The reaction scope includes aliphatic, aromatic, and fluorous‐tagged (FT) derivatives. MW irradiation of IL‐structured bucky gels is instrumental for the functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), yielding group coverages of up to one functional group per 60 carbon atoms of the SWNT network. An improved performance is obtained in low viscosity bucky gels, in the order [bmim]BF₄> [omim]BF₄> [hvim]TF₂N (bmim=1‐methyl‐3‐n‐butyl imidazolium; hvim=1‐vinyl‐3‐n‐hexadecyl imidazolium). With this protocol, the introduction of fluorous‐tagged pyrrolidine moieties onto the SWNT surface (1/108 functional coverage) yields novel FT‐CNS (carbon nanostructures) with high affinity for fluorinated phases.     

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis（chloromethyl）oxacyclobutane in ionic liquids

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane catalyzed by BF_3·OEt_2 was carried out in ionic liquids [bmim]BF_4 and [bmim]PF_6.The influences of BCMO concentration and molar ratio of BCMO/BF_3·OEt_2 on the molecular weights and yield of PBCMO were investigated.The polymerization in ionic liquids proceed to high conversions,although molecular weights are limited,similar to polymerization in organic solvent such as CH_2Cl_2.Follow a viewpoint of green chemistry, we feel ionic liquid [bmim]BF_4 is superior to [bmim]PF_6.Extracting [bmim]PF_6 from the product using organic solvent as extractant limits its advantage as a green reaction media.     

Anionic ring‐opening polymerization of a five‐membered cyclic carbonate having a glucopyranoside structure

Anionic ring‐opening polymerizations of methyl 4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2,3‐O‐carbonyl‐α‐D ‐glucopyranoside (MBCG) were investigated using various anionic polymerization initiators. Polymerizations of the cyclic carbonate readily proceeded by using highly active initiators such as n‐butyllithium, lithium tert‐butoxide, sodium tert‐butoxide, potassium tert‐butoxide, and 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene, whereas it did not proceed by using N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐aminopyridine and pyridine as initiators. In a polymerization of MBCG (1.0 M), 99% of MBCG was converted within 30 s to give the corresponding polymer with number‐averaged molecular weight (M_n) of 16,000. However, the M_n of the polymer decreased to 7500 when the polymerization time was prolonged to 24 h. It is because a backbiting reaction might occur under the polymerization conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Bifunctional imidodiphosphoric acid‐catalyzed controlled/living ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate resulting block, α,ω‐dihydroxy telechelic,and star‐shaped polycarbonates

The ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) using imidodiphosphoric acid (IDPA) as the organocatalyst and benzyl alcohol (BnOH) as the initiator has been investigated. The polymerization proceeded without decarboxylation to afford poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMiC) with controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity. ¹H NMR, SEC, and MALDI‐TOF MS measurements of the obtained PTMC clearly indicated the quantitative incorporation of the initiator at the chain end. The controlled/living nature for the IDPA‐catalyzed ROP of TMC was confirmed by the kinetic and chain extension experiments. A bifunctional activation mechanism was proposed for IDPA catalysis based on NMR and FTIR studies. Additionally, 1,3‐propanediol, 1,1,1‐trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol were used as di‐ol, tri‐, and tetra‐ol initiators, producing the telechelic or star‐shaped polycarbonates with narrow polydispersity indices. The well‐defined diblock copolymers, poly(trimethylene carbonate)‐block‐poly(δ‐valerolactone) and poly(trimethylene carbonate)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone), have been successfully synthesized by using the IDPA catalysis system. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1009–1019     

Thermoresponsive poly(ionic liquid): Controllable RAFT synthesis,thermoresponse, and application in dispersion RAFT polymerization

The thermoresponsive poly(ionic liquid) of poly[1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐3‐methylimidozolium tetrafluoroborate] trithiocarbonate (P[VBMI][BF₄]‐TTC) showing the soluble‐to‐insoluble phase transition in the methanol/water mixture at the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) was synthesized by solution RAFT polymerization and the synthesized P[VBMI][BF₄]‐TTC was employed as macro‐RAFT agent to mediate the RAFT polymerization under dispersion condition to afford the thermoresponsive diblock copolymer nanoparticles of poly[1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐3‐methylimidozolium tetrafluoroborate]‐b‐polystyrene (P[VBMI][BF₄]‐b‐PS). The controllable solution RAFT polymerization was achieved as indicated by the linearly increasing polymer molecular weight with the monomer conversion and the narrow molecular weight distribution. The P[VBMI][BF₄]‐TTC macro‐RAFT agent mediated dispersion polymerization afforded the P[VBMI][BF₄]‐b‐PS nanoparticles, the size of which was uncorrelated with the polymerization degree of the P[VBMI][BF₄] block. Several parameters including the polymerization degree, the polymer concentration and the water content in the solvent of the methanol/water mixture were found to be correlated with the UCST of the poly(ionic liquid). The synthesized poly(ionic liquid) is believed to be a new thermos‐responsive polymer and will be useful in material science. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 945–954     

Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs) and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) as Modifiers for Improvement of Carbon Paste Ion Selective Electrode Response; A Comparison Study with PVC Membrane

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim]BF₄, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used for improvement of a praseodymium carbon paste ion selective sensor response. [bmim]BF₄ can be a better binder than mineral oils. MWCNTs have a good conductivity which helps the transduction of the signal in carbon paste electrode. The characteristics of these electrodes as potentiometric sensors were evaluated and compared with PVC membrane sensor. The results indicate that potentiometric sensor constructed with ionic liquid shows an increase in performance in terms of Nernstian slope, selectivity, response time, and response stability compared to Pr(III) PVC membrane sensor.     

Cationic ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate to α,ω‐dihydroxy telechelic and star‐shaped polycarbonates catalyzed by reusable o‐benzenedisulfonimide

Cationic ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate using o‐benzenedisulfonimide as a reusable catalyst under mild conditions was described. The polymerization proceeded homogeneously without decarboxylation and poly(trimethylene carbonates) (PTMCs) were synthesized with well‐controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n = 1.12–1.18). The spectra of ¹H‐NMR, SEC, and MALDI–ToF MS clearly demonstrated the incorporation of the initiator residue into the polymer chains and the controlled/living nature of the polymerizations. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily recovered, and its efficiency was fully retained. In addition, 1,3‐propanediol, 1,1,1‐trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol were successfully used as initiators to produce telechelic and star‐shaped polycarbonates which were determined by intrinsic viscosity experiments. The number of arms estimated by the shrinking factors ( ) were 2.0, 2.6, and 3.5, respectively, indicating the successful syntheses of the two‐, three‐, and four‐armed PTMCs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 729–736     

An efficient and convenient approach for the synthesis of novel 2‐hydroxy‐12‐aryl‐8,9,10,12‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones using p‐toluenesulfonic acid in ethanol and ionic liquid

A novel series of 2‐hydroxy‐12‐aryl‐8,9,10,12‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones were synthesized by the one‐pot multicomponent condensation of 2,7‐dihydroxynaphthalene, aromatic aldehydes, and cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of a catalytic amount of p‐toluenesulfonic acid in ethanol and in ionic liquid butyl methyl imidazolium tetrafluroborate ([bmim]BF₄). The newly developed protocol is operationally convenient, widely applicable, and gives excellent yields of the diversely substituted title compounds in high purity by easy workup. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).