Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene: 1-Isopropyl-3-benzylimidazol-2-ylidene as Catalyst for Ring-Opening Polymerization of ϵ-Caprolactone

An unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene, namely 1-isopropyl-3-benzylimidazol-2-ylidene, is a highly active catalyst for ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone (CL) to give polycaprolactone (PCL) with number average molecular weight (Mn) as high as 2.66 × 10⁴ at 0°C in 100 min in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The effects of monomer/initiator molar ratio ([M]/[I]), catalyst/initiator molar ratio ([C]/[I]), monomer concentration, as well as polymerization temperature and time have been investigated. The kinetic studies of CL polymerization have indicated that the polymerization rate is first-order with respect to both monomer and catalyst concentrations. The apparent activation energy amounts to 56.04 kJ/mol. The proposed mechanism is a monomer-activated process.     

双金属氧联醇盐催化环硫丙烷的开环聚合

研究了环硫丙烷以铝锌双金属氧联醇盐为催化剂在甲苯中的聚合动力学及分子量分布。结果表明,环硫丙烷的聚合速度对单体浓度是二级关系,对催化剂浓度是半级关系。聚合系统中催化剂存在缔合,认为环硫丙烷以双分子配位增长。测得聚合活化能为12.2±0.5kcal/mol,计算了单体及溶剂的链转移常数。通过淋洗液中加氯化锂的GPC工作研究了分子量及其分布随转化率的变化。     

Transfer reaction and molecular weight distribution in the anionic polymerization of formaldehyde

The anhydrous formaldehyde polymerization is examined. The influence of initiator and monomer concentration on the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are emphasized. A mechanism for the transfer to the monomer is introduced. This mechanism is confirmed by experimental results and leads to the formation of formyl end groups. The influence of various initiators on the transfer reaction also is evaluated.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the ring opening polymerization of (R,S)-β-butyrolactone initiated with dibutylmagnesium

Ring opening polymerization (ROP) of (R,S)-β-butyrolactone (BL) using dibutylmagnesium (Bu₂Mg) as initiator was investigated both in bulk and in solution. The synthetic poly-3-hydroxybutyrates (P3HB) were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR and GPC. Effects of molar ratio of initiator to monomer, reaction temperature and time on the monomer conversion and the polymer molecular weight and its distribution were discussed. The kinetics of the solution polymerization of BL was examined and showed a first order both in monomer concentration and initiator concentration. The end groups analysis suggested that the monomer inserted into the growing chain proceeding through the coordination-insertion mechanism based on the acyl-oxygen bond scission rather than the alkyl-oxygen bond cleavage of the BL ring. Furthermore, a possible mechanism for the initiation and propagation procedures of P3HB synthesized from BL with Bu₂Mg was proposed.     

KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF PHASE TRANSFER CATALYZED FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL ACRYLATE

The kinetics of free radical polymerization of methylacrylate (MA) was investigated using benzyltributylammonium chloride (BTBAC) as phase transfer catalyst and potassium peroxydisulfate as initiator at aconstant temperature, 60°C, in an inert atmosphere under unstirred condition. The effect of concentrations of the monomer, initiator and the catalyst on polymerization was discussed and a mechanism of polymerization has been proposed. The order with respect to the monomer, initiator, and phase transfer catalyst was found to be 2, 0.5, and 0.5, respectively.     

Free-radical polymerization of phenylacetylene

The free-radical polymerization of phenylacetylene initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile at 50°C was studied in bulk and in the presence of benzene and toluene. The polymerization rate is approximately first-order with respect to the initiator concentration. The number-average molecular weight of the polymer is independent of the initiator concentration in bulk and is approximately proportional to the monomer concentration in the presence of the two diluents, but independent of their nature. The data are consistent with a mechanism based on first-order decay of active to inactive radicals. This step appears to exert the major control over kinetic and molecular chain lengths. Chain transfer to the monomer is concluded to be absent or to make only a small contribution to molecular termination.     

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF PROPYLENE SULFIDE CATALYZED BY BIMETALLIC OXO ALKOXIDE

It was shown that the polymerization rate of propylene sulfide is second order with respect tomonomer concentration and half order with respect to catalyst concentration. A mechanism ofbimolecular coordinated propagation of propylene sulfide and association of the catalyst in thepolymerization system were proposed. The activation energy of polymerization was measured as12.2±0. 5 kcal/mole. Chain transfer constants of monomer and solvent were calculated. Thechange of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution with conversion was followed by GPCwhich was improved by adding LiCl to eluant.     

Group transfer polymerization in the bulk: linear polymers and randomly cross-linked networks

Linear homopolymers and randomly cross-linked homopolymer networks of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate of various molecular weights (MWs) were synthesized by group transfer polymerization in the bulk. 1-methoxy-1-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-methyl propene was used as the initiator, while tetrabutylammonium bibenzoate served as the catalyst. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was the cross-linker used for the network synthesis at an 8-fold molar excess with respect to the initiator. Gel permeation chromatography in tetrahydrofuran was used to characterize the linear homopolymers in terms of their MW and molecular weight distribution (MWD). Although the experimental MWs did not match the theoretical MWs, they were reasonably close to them. The MWDs were rather broad with polydispersity indices ranging between 1.5 and 1.9. The monomer conversion was relatively high, ranging from 97% to 74% for theoretical degrees of polymerization (DPs) from 5 to 500. No polymerization was observed for an attempted DP of 1000. Networks with molar ratios of monomer to initiator (nominal DPs) from 5 to 200 were prepared, while an attempted synthesis with a nominal DP of 500 did not yield a network. The networks were characterized in terms of their degree of swelling in water and the effects of DP, pH, salt concentration and temperature were investigated.     

Cyclopolymerization of diallylcyanamide

A soluble polymer of cyclic structure has been obtained by radical polymerization of diallyleyanamide. A kinetic analysis of the polymerization indicated that the overall rate of the system is first-order with respect to concentration of initiator and either first- or second-order with respect to monomer concentration, depending on the solvent used. The molecular weight of the polymer is independent of the concentration of the initiator and the monomer. The intramolecular abstraction of hydrogen is proposed as a termination reaction.     

2‐Cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of acrylonitrile targeting a polymer with a higher molecular weight

The reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) mediated by 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate was first applied to synthesize polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with a high molecular weight up to 32,800 and a polydispersity index as low as 1.29. The key to success was ascribed to the optimization of the experimental conditions to increase the fragmentation reaction efficiency of the intermediate radical. In accordance with the atom transfer radical polymerization of AN, ethylene carbonate was also a better solvent candidate for providing higher controlled/living RAFT polymerization behaviors than dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. The various experimental parameters, including the temperature, the molar ratio of dithiobenzoate to the initiator, the molar ratio of the monomer to dithiobenzoate, the monomer concentration, and the addition of the comonomer, were varied to improve the control of the molecular weight and polydispersity index. The molecular weights of PANs were validated by gel permeation chromatography along with a universal calibration procedure and intrinsic viscosity measurements. ¹H NMR analysis confirmed the high chain‐end functionality of the resultant polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1272–1281, 2007     

Ring-opening polymerization of 1,5-dioxepan-2-one initiated by a cyclic tin–alkoxide initiator in different solvents

Ring-opening polymerization of 1,5-dioxepan-2-one initiated by 1,1,6,6-tetra-n-butyl-1,6-distanna-2,5,7,10-tetraoxacyclodecane was carried out in chloroform, dichloromethane, or 1,2-dichloroethane. Effects of reaction temperature, solvent, and monomer-to-initiator ratio were investigated. Polymerization kinetics showed a first-order dependence on the monomer for polymerization in chloroform and dichloromethane at 40°C. The kinetic order with respect to the initiator were a first order when dichloromethane was used as the solvent, the order in initiator changed, depending on the initiator concentration when chloroform was used. A maximum in molecular weight was observed at 40°C when chloroform was used as the solvent. The change of solvent did not markedly alter the polymerization rate or the molecular weight of the polymers prepared, as expected from the coordination insertion mechanism. Depolymerization of the polymers formed was observed when the reaction was allowed to continue after complete monomer conversion in chloroform as reaction medium at 40°C. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3407–3417, 1999     

Anionic polymerization of 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-oxa-2,5-disilacyclopentane

In the first of a two-part series, a study has been made of the anionic polymerization of a five-membered cyclocarbosiloxane, 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-oxa-2,5-disilacyclopentane. The polymerization was initiated by lithium n-butyldiphenylsilanolate in the presence of tetrahydrofuran. The chemical shifts of the protons of the cyclic monomer and the polymer were found to be different, and therefore the rate of polymerization was obtained in an NMR spectrometer. The effects of varying the concentrations of THF, initiator, and water upon the rate of polymerization and upon the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution were investigated. At a constant concentration of monomer and initiator, the rate of polymerization increased when the THF concentration was increased. At a constant concentration of monomer and THF the rate of polymerization reached a constant value when the initiator concentration was varied. The molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution were dependent upon the initiator to water ratio, whereas water concentration had little effect on the rate of polymerization. Essentially monodispersed polymers were obtained when the concentration of initiator was in large excess to that of water or vice versa. A bimodal distribution in molecular weight was obtained when the concentration of initiator was approximately equal to that of water. The apparent activation energy of polymerization was 12.7 kcal/mole.     

Polymerization of 1,P-Epoxides Initiated by Tetraalkyl Aluminates. I. Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide in the Presence of Sodium Tetrabutyl Aluminate

The polymerization of ethylene oxide (EO) initiated by NaA1Bu₄ is shown to proceed upon initial complex formation between monomer and initiator. In polymerization in toluene a high order of the kinetic equation with respect to initiator was found, indicating that chain propagation proceeds on dimers and trimers of the active center. An induction time of polymerization in THF is observed. It is necessary to reach a specific concentration of the NaAIBu₄.EO complexes which take part in the polymerization process. The wide molecular weight distribution, the high effectivity coefficient (initiation efficiency), and the polymerization rate increase with polymer yield are evidence of a polycentric polymerization mechanism.     

Microemulsion Polymerization: An Undergraduate Experiment in the Synthesis of Nanosized Polystyrene Particles

The synthesis of polystyrene nanoparticles through microemulsion polymerization is presented as an undergraduate advanced organic laboratory exercise. The resultant polymers molecular weight and particle size are studied as a function of monomer and initiator concentration. A comparison of cationic vs. anionic surfactants, and their effects on the polymer produced through microemulsion polymerization are also investigated. A direct relationship is observed between molecular weight and monomer concentration. A direct relationship is also found for the particle size of the latex produced. An inverse relationship is observed for molecular weight and particle size as the initiator concentration was raised. Comparison of molecular weight and latex size for cationic and anionic surfactants demonstrates that the anionic surfactant produces both a higher molecular weight and a larger latex size over the entire monomer and initiator concentration ranges.     

The emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate. Factors controlling particle surface area and rate of polymerization

An emulsion polymerization system with uniform continuous addition of vinyl acetate monomer, Pluronic F68 surfactant, and persulfate initiator has been examined with variation of the surfactant concentration over a tenfold range. The particle surface area per unit weight of emulsion was found to vary directly as the surfactant/monomer ratio, as also did the emulsion viscosity. At constant polymer/emulsion weight the number of particles per unit emulsion weight varied directly as the cube of the surfactant concentration. It is shown that these relationships apply also to other monomers, such as styrene and methacrylate esters. The solubility of vinyl acetate in a range of Pluronic F68 aqueous solutions was determined, and it was shown that the rate of polymerization is dependent on the solubility of the monomer in the surfactant solution. It is concluded that when a water-soluble initiator is used, polymerization proceeds in the aqueous phase. The principal factors controlling the rate of polymerization in the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate are, consequently, the initiating system and the concentration of monomer in the aqueous phase. Solubilization characteristics indicate that the surfactant concentration will have a much greater effect on the less water-soluble monomers, such as styrene, than on the more soluble ones, such as vinyl acetate.     

Modeling and simulation of free radical polymerization of styrene under semibatch reactor conditions

The first part of this approach is concerned with the elaboration of a radical polymerization model of styrenne, based on a kinetic diagram that includes chemical and thermal initiation, propagation, termination by recombination and chain transfer to the monomer. Furthermore, volume contraction during polymerization is considered, as well as the gel and glass effects. The mathematical formalism that describes the model in terms of moments is explored in detail. The model was then used to predict the changes in monomer conversion and molecular weight after intermediate addition of initiator and monomer. The results of this operation are dependent on the conditions of the reaction mass, quantity, and moment of substance addition. Therefore, the simulations were performed at different times with respect to the gel effect; before, during and after this phenomenon, and also with respect to different temperatures and initiators. Increasing the initiator concentration before the gel effect leads to an earlier appearance of the phenomenon and to a decrease in molecular weight. The ratio reveals a polydispersity index smaller for the intermediate addition of initiator. No significant changes take place during or after the gel effect. If along with the initiator, unreacted monomver (used to dissolve the initiator) enters the reactor, a small dip in conversion is observed. The general conclusion of this paper reveals the intermediate addition of initiator as a method to control polymer properties and to prevent the “dead-end” polymerization of styrene.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of ionic liquid 2‐(1‐butylimidazolium‐3‐yl)ethyl methacrylate tetrafluoroborate

Polymeric forms of ionic liquids may have many potential applications because of their high thermal stability and ionic nature. They are generally synthesized by conventional free‐radical polymerization. Here we report a living/controlled free‐radical polymerization of an ionic liquid monomer, 2‐(1‐butylimidazolium‐3‐yl)ethyl methacrylate tetrafluoroborate (BIMT), via atom transfer radical polymerization. Copper bromide/bromide based initiator systems polymerized BIMT very quickly with little control because of fast activation but slow deactivation. With copper chloride as the catalyst and trichloroacetate, CCl₄, or ethyl α‐chlorophenylacetate as the initiator, BIMT was polymerized at 60 °C in acetonitrile with first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer concentration. The molecular weight was linearly dependent on the conversion. The monomer concentration strongly affected the polymerization: a low monomer concentration caused the polymerization to be incomplete, probably because of catalyst disproportionation in polar solvents. The addition of a small amount of pyridine suppressed such disproportionation, but a further increase in the amount of pyridine greatly slowed the polymerization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5794–5801, 2004     

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF 1,4-DIOXAN-2-ONE INITIATED BY LANTHANUM TRIS( 2,6-DI- TERT-B UTYL-4-METHYLPHENOLATE)

The ring-opening polymerization of 1,4-dioxan-2-one (PDO) was carried out by lanthanum tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (La(OAr)3) as novel single component initiator. The influences of polymerization reaction temperature and the molar ratio of monomer to initiator on the monomer conversion and molecular weight of poly(1,4-dioxan-2-one) (PPDO) were explored. PPDO with high viscosity average molecular weight of 1.95 × 105 can be prepared at 40℃ when [PDO]/ [La(OAr)3] molar ratio was 800. Mechanism investigation shows that the polymerization proceeds through a "coordinationinsertion" mechanism with selective rupture of acyl-oxygen bond of PDO.     

Dibenzyl trithiocarbonate mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of acrylonitrile

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization has been successfully applied to polymerize acrylonitrile with dibenzyl trithiocarbonate as the chain‐transfer agent. The key to success is ascribed to the improvement of the interchange frequency between dormant and active species through the reduction of the activation energy for the fragmentation of the intermediate. The influence of several experimental parameters, such as the molar ratio of the chain‐transfer agent to the initiator [azobis(isobutyronitrile)], the molar ratio of the monomer to the chain‐transfer agent, and the monomer concentration, on the polymerization kinetics and the molecular weight as well as the polydispersity has been investigated in detail. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and ¹H NMR analyses have confirmed the chain‐end functionality of the resultant polymer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 490–498, 2006     

双官能度引发剂引发苯乙烯聚合微观动力学

采用 2 ,5 二甲基 2 ,5 二己酰基过氧化己烷 (DMDEHPH)为引发剂 ,在 5 5～ 80℃下引发苯乙烯聚合 .通过研究影响聚合速率的各种因素 ,得出了聚合速率对单体浓度和引发剂浓度的级数分别为 1 0和 0 5次、聚合活化能为 92 0kJ mol、引发效率为 0 5 5± 0 0 3.温度一定 ,引发效率随引发剂浓度的增加而减小 .求得 6 0和70℃下DMDEHPH向引发剂的链转移常数分别为 0 0 37和 0 0 4 8、向单体的链转移常数分别为 0 5 9× 10 - 4和0 75× 10 - 4.