Self‐assembly of block copolymers with an alkoxysilane‐based core‐forming block: A comparison of synthetic approaches

Polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) has become the preferred method of preparing self‐assembled nano‐objects based on amphiphilic block copolymers. The PISA methodology has also been extended to the realization of colloidal nanocomposites, such as polymer–silica hybrid particles. In this work, we compare two methods to prepare nanoparticles based on self‐assembly of block copolymers bearing a core‐forming block with a reactive alkoxysilane moiety (3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, MPS), namely (i) RAFT emulsion polymerization using a hydrophilic macroRAFT agent and (ii) solution‐phase self‐assembly upon slow addition of a selective solvent. Emulsion polymerization under both ab initio and seeded conditions were studied, as well the use of different initiating systems. Effective and reproducible chain extension (and hence PISA) of MPS via thermally initiated RAFT emulsion polymerization was compromised due to the hydrolysis and polycondensation of MPS occurring under the reaction conditions employed. A more successful approach to block copolymer self‐assembly was achieved via polymerization in a good solvent for both blocks (1,4‐dioxane) followed by the slow addition of water, yielding spherical nanoparticles that increased in size as the length of the solvophobic block was increased. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 420–429     

Polycondensation of activated L‐valine and L‐leucine esters with various lewis acids

To develop a novel polycondensation method for the preparation of poly (amino acid)s, we screened a transition metal or a rare‐earth triflate as a Lewis acid for the polycondensation of activated amino acid esters in N,N‐dimethylformamide solutions at room temperature. The polymerizations of 4‐nitrophenyl L ‐leucinate ( 1a ) and 4‐nitrophenyl L ‐valinate ( 1b ) scarcely proceeded without any Lewis acid at room temperature. In the presence of 5 mol % metal triflates, especially scandium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate, the polymerizations of both monomers were promoted effectively. The products, which were collected by the reaction mixture being poured into water, were recognized as poly(L ‐valine)s by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography analysis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. These results showed that a metal triflate as a Lewis acid could coordinate to a carbonyl oxygen of activated L ‐valinate and L ‐leucinate even in a highly polar solvent, such as N,N‐dimethylformamide; therefore, the polymerizations of activated L ‐valinate and L ‐leucinate were promoted. Because steric hindrance derived from the isobutyl group in 1b was less than that of the isopropyl unit in 1a , the effect of the metals was not as sensitive for the polymerization of 1b . © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 543–547, 2007     

Non‐isocyanate synthesis and application of telechelic polyurethanes via polycondensation of diurethanes obtained from ethylene carbonate and diamines

Aliphatic polyurethanes could be obtained in high yield via a non‐isocyanate method based on the self‐polycondensation of dihydroxyurethanes obtained by the reaction of diamines and ethylene carbonate. The polycondensation under a N₂ atmosphere yielded [6,2]polyurethane with a M_n value of 5300 in 87% yield. Two‐step polycondensation, consisting of the polycondensation under a N₂ atmosphere followed by that under reduced pressure, was effective to improve the yield and the molecular weight up to 90% and 10,000, respectively. Although the second polycondensation step at 180 °C was accompanied by formation of urea groups, this side reaction was relatively suppressed at 150 °C. The resulting polyurethane having hydroxyl groups at both of the end groups was converted to polyurethane methacrylate via a reaction with glycidyl methacrylate, and the polyurethane methacrylate served as a crosslinker for radical polymerization of methyl acrylate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Strontium‐based initiator system for ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic esters

An amino isopropoxyl strontium (Sr‐PO) initiator, which was prepared by the reaction of propylene oxide with liquid strontium ammoniate solution, was used to carry out the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters to obtain aliphatic polyesters, such as poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA). The Sr‐PO initiator demonstrated an effective initiating activity for the ROP of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) and L‐lactide (LLA) under mild conditions and adjusted the molecular weight by the ratio of monomer to Sr‐PO initiator. Block copolymer PCL‐b‐PLLA was prepared by sequential polymerization of ε‐CL and LLA, which was demonstrated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. The chemical structure of Sr‐PO initiator was confirmed by elemental analysis of Sr and N, ¹H NMR analysis of the end groups in ε‐CL oligomer, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The end groups of PCL were hydroxyl and isopropoxycarbonyl, and FTIR spectroscopy showed the coordination between Sr‐PO initiator and model monomer γ‐butyrolactone. These experimental facts indicated that the ROP of cyclic esters followed a coordination‐insertion mechanism, and cyclic esters exclusively inserted into the Sr–O bond. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1934–1941, 2003     

Bidentate coordination effect on polycondensation of amino acid esters between metal triflates and methoxy groups

To study the bidentate coordination effect on the polycondensation of L ‐valinates between metal triflates as a Lewis acid and methoxy groups, we carried out the polycondensation of 2‐methoxy‐4‐nitrophenyl L ‐valinate ( 1a ) and 2‐methoxyphenyl L ‐valinate ( 1b ) in the presence of the various kinds of rare‐earth triflates in DMF solution at room temperature. The polymerizations of 1a did not proceed without any metal triflates. In the presence of 5 mol% triflates, especially Sc(OTf)₃, the polymerization proceeded effectively. After the reaction mixture was poured into water, the product was collected, which was recognized as poly(L ‐valine)s by FTIR spectrum and GPC measurement. The yield of the product from the polymerization of 1a with Sc(OTf)₃ was higher than that from the polymerization of 4‐nitrophenyl L ‐valinate ( 1c ) with Sc(OTf)₃. This result indicates that the polymerization of 1a was promoted to introduce the methoxy group on the o‐position of the phenyl ring at the ester group with the aim of the bidentate coordination effect between metal triflates and L ‐valinate. As a control experiment, we carried out the polycondensation of 1b in the presence of 5 mol% metal triflates; however, any polymerization did not proceeded. That reason is from the lower activity of activated L ‐valinate ( 1b ). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2864–2868, 2008     

Polycondensation of α‐amino acid esters in the presence of yttrium triflate as a Lewis acid

To develop polycondensation methods for poly(α‐amino acid)s, we describe a first examination to use yttrium triflate as a Lewis acid for polycondensation of α‐amino acid esters. In the absence of Lewis acid, no polycondensation of 2‐methoxyphenyl glycinate ( 1b ) at room temperature proceeded. While the polycondensation of 1b was carried out with 5 mol % yttrium triflate, a condensation product of glycine was obtained in 16% yield. Although polycondensation of 4‐nitrophenyl L ‐leucinate ( 1c ) and 4‐nitrophenyl L ‐valinate ( 1d ) were also promoted with 5 mol % yttrium triflate, the condensation products of both α‐amino acid esters were obtained in only a few percent yield. When 1d was polymerized in the presence of 100 mol % yttrium triflate, high molecular weight poly(L ‐valine) was obtained in 91% yield. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4731–4735, 2006     

Hydrogen‐bonding‐aided synthesis of novel ladderlike organobridged polysiloxane containing side‐chain naphthyl groups

With a hydrogen‐bonding template, a novel soluble aryl amide‐bridged ladderlike polysiloxane, containing naphthyl as the side‐chain group, has been successfully synthesized via a stepwise coupling polymerization. It is proposed that the monomer, N,N′‐di(3‐naphthyldiethoxylsilyl‐propyl)‐[4,4′‐oxybis(benzyl amide)], prepared by Grignard and hydrosilylation reactions, undergoes self‐assembly first via amido hydrogen bonding and then via hydrolysis, followed by condensation under controlled reaction conditions to yield a high molecular weight, soluble, dark yellow polymer. The analytical results (Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and vapor pressure osmometry) show that the polymer possesses an ordered ladderlike architecture. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 636–644, 2003     

Organic–inorganic poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) copolymers with double‐decker silsesquioxane in the main chains: Synthesis,glass transition,and self‐assembly behavior

An organic–inorganic copolymer with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and xanthate moieties in the main chain was synthesized via the polycondensation between 3,13‐di(2‐bromopropionate)propyl double‐decker silsesquioxane (DDSQ) and 1,4‐di(xanthate potassium)butane. This hybrid copolymer was used as the macromolecular chain transfer agent to obtain the organic–inorganic poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPy) copolymers via a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer/macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates (RAFT/MADIX) polymerization approach; the polymerization behavior of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone was investigated by means of gel permeation chromatography. It was found that the polymerization was in a living and controlled manner. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the organic–inorganic PVPy copolymers with DDSQ in the main chains were microphase‐separated in bulks. Compared to plain PVPy, the organic–inorganic PVPy copolymers displayed the decreased glass transition temperatures (T_gs); the decreased T_gs are attributable to the effect of the introduced DDSQ cages on the packing of PVPy chains as evidenced by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In water, the organic–inorganic PVPy copolymers can self‐assemble into the spherical nano‐objects with the size of 20–50 nm in diameter. In the self‐assembled nano‐objects, the aggregates of the hydrophobic DDSQ constituted the cores of the polymeric micelles whereas the PVPy chains between the DDSQ behaved as the coronas of the polymeric micelles. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2949–2961     

Synthesis and characterization of novel,optically active poly(amide‐imide)s from N,N′‐(4,4′‐sulfonediphthaloyl)‐bis‐L‐phenylalanine diacid chloride and aromatic diamines under microwave irradiation

3,3′,4,4′‐Diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride was reacted with L ‐phenylalanine in acetic acid, and the resulting imide acid ( 3 ) was obtained in high yield. The diacid chloride ( 4 ) was obtained from its diacid derivative ( 3 ) by reaction with thionyl chloride. The polycondensation reaction of 4 with several aromatic diamines such as 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether, p‐phenylenediamine, m‐phenylenediamine, 2,4‐diaminotoluene, and 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene was developed with a domestic microwave oven in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride and a small amount of a polar organic medium such as o‐cresol. The polymerization reactions were also performed with two other methods: low‐temperature solution polycondensation in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride and reflux conditions. A series of optically active poly(amide‐imide)s with moderate inherent viscosities of 0.21–0.42 dL/g were obtained in high yield. All of the aforementioned polymers were fully characterized by IR, ¹H NMR elemental analyses, and specific rotation techniques. Some structural characterizations and physical properties of these optically active poly(amide‐imide) s are reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3974–3988, 2003     

Preparation by controlled radical polymerization and self‐assembly via base‐recognition of synthetic polymers bearing complementary nucleobases

The radical polymerization of three monomers bearing nucleobases 1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)thymine (VBT), 1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)uracil (VBU) and 9‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)adenine (VBA) was investigated. The corresponding homopolymers could be prepared in high yields via conventional radical polymerization. However, the resulting polymers were found to be only soluble in a few polar solvents. On the other hand, copolymers of dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) with either VBT or VBA could be prepared via both free radical polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization and could be dissolved in a large variety of organic solvents. Moreover, the formed complementary copolymers P(VBT‐co‐DMA) and P(VBA‐co‐DMA) were found to self‐assemble in dilute solutions in dioxane or chloroform via base recognition, as evidenced by a significant hypochromicity effect in UV spectroscopy. Nevertheless, at higher concentrations in chloroform, both dynamic light scattering and optical microscopy indicate that P(VBT‐co‐DMA), P(VBA‐co‐DMA), or P(VBT‐co‐DMA)/P(VBA‐co‐DMA) mixtures spontaneously self‐assemble into micron size spherical aggregates. ¹H NMR and FTIR studies confirmed that the self‐assembly process is driven in all cases via H‐bond formation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4805–4818, 2005     

Newly designed hydrogel with both sensitive thermoresponse and biodegradability

The synthesis and characterization of thermoresponsive hydrogels on the basis of N‐isopropylacrylamide (IPAAm) copolymers crosslinked with biodegradable poly(amino acids) are described. This hydrogel was prepared with two kinds of reactive IPAAm‐based copolymers containing poly(amino acids) as the side‐chain groups and activated ester groups. We introduced the graft chains by decarboxylation polymerization of amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides initiated from lateral amino groups in the PIPAAm copolymer. The hydrogels easily crosslinked with degradable poly(amino acid) chains by only mixing the copolymer aqueous solutions. The gelling method in this study would provide some of the following innovative features: (1) no necessary removal of unreacted monomers and so forth, (2) simpler loading of drugs into the hydrogels (only mixing when gelling), and (3) easier insertion into the body. On the basis of the swelling ratio measurement of the hydrogel, large volume changes dependent on temperature changes were observed. Moreover, the enzymatic temperature‐dependent degradation was confirmed. The results suggested that these hydrogels could be used for an injectable or implantable matrix of temperature‐modulated drug release. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 779–787, 2003     

Living syndiospecific polymerization of propylene promoted by C1‐symmetric titanium complexes activated by dried MAO

A series of C₁‐symmetric titanium complexes with both salicylaldiminato and β‐enaminoketonato as the ligands have been synthesized and investigated as the catalysts for propylene polymerization. In the presence of dried methylaluminoxane (dMAO), the complex with bulky substituent tert‐butyl ortho to alkyl oxygen can promote living polymerization of propylene with improved catalytic activity at ambient temperature, producing high molecular weight syndiotactic polypropylenes (rrrr 90.2%) with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.07–1.22), via a propagation of 1,2‐insertion of monomer and chain‐end control of stereoselectivity. The propagation of polymer chain is completely different from that mediated by FI catalysts (the titanium complexes with phenoxy‐imine chelate ligands) which favor 2,1‐insertion of monomer. The interaction between a fluorine and a β‐hydrogen of a growing polymer chain, negligible chain transfer to monomer and dMAO without any free AlMe₃ were responsible for the achievement of living propylene polymerization. The substituent ortho to alkyl oxygen determined the stereo structure of the resultant polypropylene. In the case of less steric congested complexes with two nonequivalent coordination positions, the growing polymer chain might swing back to the favorite coordination position (site‐epimerization), forming m dyads regioirregular units. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Pd(0)‐catalyzed polycondensation of methyl propargyl carbonate and bisphenols under stoichiometrically imbalanced conditions

We found that a novel Pd(0)‐catalyzed polycondensation of methyl propargyl carbonate ( 1 ) and bisphenol analogs 4 such as 4,4′‐dihydroxydiphenyl ether (4b ) proceeded successfully and gave polyethers 5 having exomethylene groups. The polycondensation was affected by the kind of bisphenol analogs used. The molar ratio of 1 and 4 also affected the polymerization behavior. Polyethers 5 with higher molecular weights were obtained by polymerization with 0.5 equiv of 4 toward 1 . The use of 1 equiv of 4 gave poor results. When 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone ( 4d ) was employed as a nucleophile, benzenesulfonamide ( 13 ) was needed as an additive for obtaining the corresponding polyether with higher molecular weight. The Pd(0)‐catalyzed condensation of 1 and p‐hydroxyacetophenone was conducted as a model reaction. The desired compound and three by‐products were produced. Two of the by‐products were formed by reaction of 1 and methanol liberated from 1 . The other one appeared to be formed via hydrogenolysis. The formation of the by‐products suggested that some terminal reactions took place in the polycondensation of 1 and 4 . © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2250–2261, 2008     

Microwave‐assisted synthesis of optically active poly(amide imide)s derived from diacid chloride containing epiclon and L‐leucine with aromatic diamines

Epiclon [3a,4,5,7a‐tetrahydro‐7‐methyl‐5‐(tetrahydro‐2,5‐dioxo‐3‐furanyl)‐1,3‐isobenzofurandione or 5‐(2,5‐dioxotetrahydrofurfuryl)‐3‐methyl‐3‐cyclohexyl‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid anhydride] was reacted with L ‐leucine in acetic acid, and the resulting imide acid ( 3 ) was obtained in a high yield. The diacid chloride ( 4 ) was obtained from its diacid derivative 3 by a reaction with oxalyl chloride in dry carbon tetrachloride. The polycondensation reaction of 4 with several aromatic diamines, such as 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether, p‐phenylenediamine, m‐phenylenediamine, 2,4‐diaminotoluene, and 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene, was developed with a domestic microwave oven in the presence of a small amount of a polar organic medium such as N‐methylpyrrolidone. The polymerization reactions were also performed with two other methods: low‐temperature solution polycondensation in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride and reflux conditions. A series of optically active poly(amide imide)s with moderate yields and inherent viscosities of 0.12–0.19 dL/g were obtained. All of these polymers were fully characterized by IR, elemental analysis, and specific rotation techniques. Some structural characterizations and physical properties of these optically active poly(amide imide)s are reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1077–1090, 2003     

LCP aromatic polyesters by esterolysis melt polymerization

Polyarylates have previously been synthesized from acetate esters via esterolysis (loss of methyl acetate). This polycondensation can be extended to p‐substituted aromatic monomers for liquid crystal polyesters (LCPs). For AB‐type polymers, methyl p‐acetoxybenzoate and methyl 6‐acetoxynaphthoate were copolymerized to an LCP with reasonable molecular weights. Benzoate esters, methyl 4‐benzoyloxybenzoate (MBB) and methyl 6‐benzoyloxy‐2‐naphthoate (MBN), are also investigated. Several tin and antimony oxide catalysts were effective. The rate of esterolysis polymerization of MBB and MBN is slower than that of the corresponding acidolysis melt polymerization, but fast enough to give relatively high‐molecular‐weight polymers and similar thermal stability as commercial LCP prepared by acidolysis. Using these alternative benzoyloxy groups significantly reduced the color problem, because ketene loss cannot occur. Esterolysis melt polymerizations leading to AB/AABB‐type LCPs were performed using either dimethyl 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate (DMND) or dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) with methyl 4‐acetoxybenzoate and phenylhydroquinone diacetate with tin and antimony catalysts. DMT‐based monomer compositions show much faster polymerization than DMND‐based compositions using antimony oxide catalyst. All these LCPs show a T_g in the 140–170 °C range as a result of the inclusion of the naphthalene and/or phenyl hydroquinone units in the polymer chain. Compositions completely off‐balanced on either side still lead to relatively high‐molecular‐weight copolyesters because either excess monomer can be removed during polymerization. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3586–3595, 2000     

Radical polymerization of styrene derivatives bearing N‐free amino acid side chains,synergic effect of chirality,and hydrogen bonding for stereoselective polymerization

Radical polymerization of styrene derivatives having a series of amino acid, alanine, glycine, leucine, valine, Boc‐leucine, and Boc‐valine, in the side chain bound at the C‐terminal was conducted to regulate the stereoinduction system in the propagation step. Isotacticity increased in the polymer main chain, especially in the polymerization of monomers bearing N‐free L ‐leucyl and L ‐valyl esters in THF or DMF at 50 °C, by the synergic stereoregulation with chirality control and hydrogen bonding between the radical polymer terminal and the monomer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Morphology of poly(p‐oxybenzoyl) crystal prepared by direct polycondensation of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid with p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride in pyridine

Poly(p‐oxybenzoyl) (POB) crystals were prepared with the reaction‐induced crystallization of oligomers during the direct polycondensation of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) with p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride (TsCl) and N,N‐dimethylformamide in pyridine. Sheaflike lozenge‐shaped POB crystals were obtained, of which the longer diagonal was 7.0–8.0 μm. The influence of the polymerization condition on the morphology was examined to optimize the preparative condition for the crystals exhibiting the clearest habit, and the favorable condition was determined as the molar ratio of TsCl to HBA of 1.3 and polymerization concentration of 3.0%. The crystals possessed extremely high crystallinity and outstanding thermal stability. The formation mechanism of the crystal was proposed as follows. When the number‐average degree of polymerization of the oligomers exceeded a critical value of about 4, they were precipitated to form the hexagonal lamellae. The crystals were grown very quickly to lozenge‐shaped crystal through screw dislocation with the continuous precipitation of oligomers from the solution. Finally, the further polymerization occurred in the precipitated crystal with developing polymer‐chain packing. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3275–3282, 2003     

Mechanistic investigations of antimony‐catalyzed polycondensation in the synthesis of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The chemical aspects of poly(ethylene terephthalate) synthesis via the antimony‐catalyzed polycondensation of hydroxy ethylene terephthalate end groups were studied to elucidate its mechanism. A polycondensation mechanism was proposed in which activation occurs by the formation of a chelate ligand on antimony composed of the hydroxyl end group and alcoholic oxygen of the ester of the same end group. The rate‐determining step of the polycondensation reaction was concluded to be the coordination of a second chain end to antimony. The low activity of antimony at a high concentration of hydroxyl end groups was proposed to result from the competition between hydroxyl end groups and the chelate structure leading to the transition state. The high selectivity of antimony is probably due to its relatively low Lewis acidity. Moreover, antimony was found to stabilize hydroxyl end groups against degradation by preventing their complexation to carbonyl functionalities. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1049‐1059, 2006     

Constitutional isomerism in polyamides derived from isophthaloyl chloride and 1,3‐diamine‐4‐chlorobenzene

Polyamides from isophthaloyl chloride and 1,3‐diamino‐4‐chlorobenzene with diverse constitutional order were obtained in a one‐stage synthesis varying the polymerization temperature and the monomer mixing modes. The constitutional order was calculated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. A model to determine the constitutional isomerism in these polycondensates was applied with the relevant kinetic reaction parameters obtained from the model reactions. The Monte Carlo technique was used to model the constitution along the polycondensation reaction as a function of the average polymerization degree. Constitution was determined by kinetic factors and not by thermodynamic ones. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1202–1215, 2003     

New tethered ansa‐bridged zirconium catalysts: Insights into the “self‐immobilization” mechanism

New ω‐alkenyl‐substituted ansa‐bridged bisindenyl zirconium complexes are prepared and tested as self‐immobilized catalysts for ethene polymerization. But, even at very high concentration of the tethered complexes and low pressure of ethene, there is no evidence of their insertion into the polyethene chain. A “cross polymerization” test, performed by copolymerizing the tethered complexes with ethene using rac‐Me₂Si(2‐MeBenzInd)₂ZrCl₂ ( MBI ), does not lead to their incorporation into the polyethene chain. However, the corresponding ligand proves to be a suitable comonomer for ethene, and, through copolymerization promoted by MBI, innovative poly(ethene‐co‐2,2′‐bis[(1H‐inden‐3′‐yl)‐hex‐5‐ene) copolymers are prepared and characterized by ¹³C NMR. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013