Copolymerization of isobutene and α-methylstyrene as a function of reaction conditions

The influence of reaction conditions (solvent, Lewis acid, temperature) on the cationic copolymerization of isobutene and α-methylstyrene was investigated. The crude product consists of low molecular nonprecipitable oligomers, polyisobutene, and poly(isobutene-co-α-methylstyrene). The amount of poly(α-methylstyrene) formed under the reaction conditions used was negligible. The degree of charge separation in the propagating cationic intermediate determines the selectivity of the reaction; that is, incorporation of monomer units into the polymer, ratio of different product fractions, and microstructure. Molecular weight distribution, copolymerization parameters, and sequence-length distribution functions were determined. The softening range of the copolymers depended on their isobutene content but appeared to be constant up to 15% isobutene in copolymers. The degradation temperature of the copolymers was between 340 and 390°C.     

Preparation,fractionation, and dilute-solution behavior of ABA poly(methyl methacrylate-b-α-methylstyrene) block copolymers

The preparation by anionic polymerization of six ABA poly(methyl methacrylate-b-α-methylstyrene) block copolymers and of sixteen poly(α-methylstyrene)s is described. The block copolymers, of similar molecular weight but with different chemical compositions, were fractionated by preparative gel permeation chromatography and their behavior in dilute solution was investigated using viscometry. The results obtained indicate that the intramolecular phase separation does not occur under the conditions utilized, the block copolymers assuming randomcoil configurations in all of the copolymer/solvent systems studied. Consequently the block copolymer molecules are more expanded than homopolymers of the same molecular weight. The series of poly(α-methylstyrene)s covered the molecular weight range 2.7 × 10³–1.3 × 10⁶ and enabled the determination of Mark–Houwink–Sakurada constants for poly(α-methylstyrene) in the solvents chosen for the block copolymer studies.     

Synthesis of nearly monodisperse poly(α-methylstyrene)s containing two Si atoms and an allyl group and the application to resist

The anionic polymerizations of 4-allyldimethylsilyldimethylsilyl-α-methylstyrene ( 1 ), 4-allyldimethylsilylmethyldimethylsilyl-α-methylstyrene ( 2 ), and 4-allyldimethylsilylethyldimethylsilyl-α-methylstyrene ( 3 ) have been conducted. Nearly monodisperse poly(4-allyldimethylsilyldimethylsilyl-α-methylstyrene) ( 4 ), poly(4-allyldimethylsilylmethyldimethylsilyl-α-methylstyrene) ( 5 ), and poly(4-allyldimethylsilylethyldimethylsilyl-α-methylstyrene) ( 6 ) were obtained. The T_gs of 4 , 5 , and 6 are 100.5, 39.0, and 30.5°C, respectively. Among these, 4 has attracted most interest because of a high T_g (100.5°C) and a high Si content (20.5%, w/w). Therefore, a near-UV resist (DMAS-A) composed of 4 and a bisazide has been developed as a top resist layer for a bilayer system.     

Synthesis of 2, 6-dicyclohexyl-substituted pyrylium salts

2, 6-Dicyclohexyl-substituted pyrylium salts are synthesized by condensing hexahydrobenzoyl chloride with isobutene, isomeric pentenes, diisobutene, and -methylstyrene. Treatment of the resultant pyrylium salts with ammonia converts them into the corresponding pyridine salts.     

Anionic Polymerization of New Dual-Functionalized Styrene and α-Methylstyrene Derivatives Having Styrene or α-Methylstyrene Moieties

Anionic polymerizations of four new dual-functionalized styrene and α-methylstyrene derivatives, 3-(4-(4-isopropenylphenoxy)butyl)styrene ( 4 ), 3-(4-(2-isopropenylphenoxy)butyl)-α-methylstyrene ( 5 ), 4-(4-(4-isopropenylphenoxy)butyl)-α-methylstyrene ( 6 ), and 4-(4-(2-vinylphenoxy)butyl)styrene ( 7 ), were carried out in THF at -78 °C with sec-BuLi as an initiator. Both 4 and 5 underwent anionic polymerization in a living manner to quantitatively afford functionalized polystyrenes and poly(α-methylstyrene)s having α-methylstyrene moiety in each monomer unit and precisely controlled chain lengths. On the other hand, insoluble polymers were obtained by the anionic polymerization of 6 and 7 under the same conditions. The positional effect of substituent on anionic polymerization was discussed.     

Cationic copolymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl) oxetane with vinyl compounds

Copolymerizations of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane (BCMO) with some vinyl compounds were carried out with cationic catalysts in various solvents to determine what kind of vinyl compound is able to copolymerize with BCMO. p-Methylstyrene (pMS), 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether (CEVE), α-methylstyrene (αMS), and isobutene (IB) were used as comonomers. The rate of consumption of each monomer was measured by gas chromatrography. Plots of copolymer composition in the copolymerization of BCMO with pMS were characterized by S-shaped curves in several solvents. As poly-BCMO is insoluble and the vinyl polymers are soluble in benzene, the polymers obtained were separated into benzene-soluble and benzene-insoluble fractions, and the composition of each fraction was determined by elemental analysis. It was found that pMS, CEVE and IB formed a copolymer with BCMO, but αMS produced no copolymer with BCMO. Thus the formation of copolymer between a cyclic ether and some vinyl monomers was observed by a cationic mechanism. The cross-propagation mechanism is discussed on the basis of these results.     

Photodegradation kinetics of poly(para-substituted styrene) in solution

The UV irradiation effects on stability of polystyrene, poly(4-methoxystyrene), poly(4-methylstyrene), poly(α-methylstyrene), poly(4-tert-butylstyrene), poly(4-chlorostyrene), and poly(4-bromostyrene) in dichloromethane, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, and N,N-dimethylformamide solutions were studied in the presence of oxygen at different intervals of irradiation time. The photodegradation was studied at 293 K using fluorescence spectroscopy. Solutions of these polymers were accompanied by quenching of monomer and excimer emissions during the exposure of their solutions to UV light, and by a change in the structure of the fluorescence spectrum. Irradiation of poly(4-methylstyrene) and poly(α-methylstyrene) at excitation wavelength of 265 nm showed an increase of fluorescence intensity of a broad band, at longer wavelength without clear maxima. This may indicate that photodestruction of these polymers by irradiation with light of frequency absorbed by the polymer, may start from a random chain scission, with the possibility of formation of polyene and carbonyl compounds.     

Plasma-Induced Living Radical Copolymerization

Plasma-induced polymerization (copolymerization) is a new method of polymer synthesis. Different comonomer pairs (methyl methacrylate-styrene, methyl methacrylate-α-methylstyrene, acrylonitrile-α-methylstyrene, methacrylonitrile-styrene, butyl methacrylate-styrene) have been copolymerized by this technique. The results showed that the process proceeds through a living radical mechanism and yields ultrahigh molecular weight macromolecular compounds (pleistomers). So, the reactivity ratio values of the monomers copolymerized by this technique are very close to those yielded by their classical radical copolymerization, and the microstructure of the copolymers is similar to that of their radically obtained homologs. Some characteristics, as well as some solution properties, of the ultrahigh molecular weight copolymers obtained are also presented.     

A new synthetic route to α-alkylacrylic esters and α-alkylacrylonitriles

α-Alkylacrylic esters and α-alkylacrylonitriles have been synthesized by cracking their cyclopentadiene adducts. The latter were derived by treatment of the lithium enolates of cyclopentadiene-blocked acrylates or acrylonitriles with alkyl halides.     

Interaction of organo-alkali compounds with unsaturated hydrocarbons

The stability of disodium tetramer of α-methylstyrene (“living” polymer) in THF and in a THF-α-methylstyrene mixture has been investigated by spectrophotometry. It was found that at 25°C and at concentrations lower than the equilibrium concentration α-methylstyrene greatly stabilizes the process leading to disappearance of the main absorption band (λ_max = 340 mμ) of “living” polymer. In this case isomerization of “living” polymer is accompanied by quantitative conversion of the compound having λ_max = 340 mμ into a new compound with λ_max = 430 mμ. The constants of the disappearance rate D₃₄₀ and the activation energies of the process were determined in THF and in a THF-α-methylstyrene mixture. The introduction of small amounts of α-methylstyrene into living polymer at 25°C markedly increases its activity in the course of propagation. The experimental results are considered from the standpoint of formation of complexes of living polymer with α-methylstyrene.     

Polymerization of α-Methylstyrene in Cyclohexane with Potassium as Initiator. IV. Thermodynamic Study and Gel-Permeation Chromatographic Analyses of the Polymers

Polymerization of α-methylstyrene in cyclohexane containing traces of tetrahydrofuran (THF) has been carried out at 40°C with potassium as initiator. The conversion of monomer to polymer was very slow, and a solution with [M]₀ of 5.15 mole/ liter, carrying 0.110 mole/liter of the living ends [LE], required two months to reach a stationary state. The gel-permeation chromatographic (GPC) analyses of these polymers showed them to have multimodal distributions which could be split into components D+A, B, and C similar to those found for poly-α-methylstyrene prepared in THF and α-dioxane as solvents. Furthermore, under identical conditions of [M]₀ and [LE], the GPC distributions of poly-α-methylstyrene prepared in cyclohexane, p-dioxane, and THF were the same, in spite of their different dielectric constants. Under identical conditions of [M]₀ but with different [LE], the effect of excessive [LE] on the GPC distributions of the polymers prepared in cyclohexane was not limited to the component D+A as was the case when THF or p-dioxane were the solvents, but also on the component C which increased its contribution [P]_e to the polymer.     

Thermal Decomposition of Polyisoprene,Poly(p-isopropyl α-Methylstyrene), and Poly(isoprene/p-isopropyl α-Methylstyrene)

Thermal decompositions of polyisoprene, poly(p-isopropyl α-methylstyrene) (PPIPαMS), and poly(isoprene/p-isopropyl α-methylstyrene) (sample M-32) were carried out at various temperatures in the range 200–340° C in a differential thermo-gravimetric apparatus. The undecomposed polymers as well as their decomposed residues were analyzed by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Based on the changes observed in the distribution of molecular weights, depolymerization is the predominant step in the decomposition of PPIPAMS and polymer M-32, whereas random scissions predominate in the case of polyisoprene. The combined data of GPC, IR, and NMR indicate that only interchain reactions leading to the formation of cyclized products are present in the decomposition of polyisoprene while interchain as well as intrachain reactions are operative in the case of polymer M-32.     

Enantioselective turnover in glyoxylate-ene reactions catalyzed by chiral copper complexes

The catalytic, enantioselective carbonyl-ene reaction of ethyl glyoxylate with α-methylstyrene and 4-halo-α-methylstyrene has been investigated in the presence of copper triflate-bisoxazoline complexes. The reaction proceeded smoothly to give γ,δ-unsaturated-α-hydroxy esters in moderate to good yields and with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 100% ee). A hypothesis has been provided to explain the reversal of enantioselectivity in the reaction.     

Spectres ultrasonores de solutions diluées de polystyrène et de quelques derivés—I. Poly(α-Méthylstyrène) et poly(o-bromostyrène)

Ultrasonic absorption data were obtained over the frequency range 0·3–150 MHz for dilute solutions of polystyrene, poly(α-methylstyrene) and poly(o-bromostyrene). We have shown that for polystyrene and poly(α-methylstyrene) the spectra are very similar and can be resolved into two relaxations. A bromine atom ortho in the benzene ring affects the ultrasonic spectrum which shows three relaxation times at least. Investigation of the temperature dependence also has shown a different behaviour for poly(o-bromostyrene).     

Monomer-Polymer Equilibria of Deuterated α-Methylstyrenes

The equilibria between α-trideuteromethyl-β,β-dideuterostyrene, α-methyl-2,3,4,5,6-pentadeuterostyrene, and perdeutero-α-methylstyrene and their respective polymeric anions in tetrahydrofuran have been investigated between 253 and 308°K. The heat and entropy changes were both increased by deuteration of the alkyl group. Qualitatively the effect observed appears best explained by the premise that a lowering of steric repulsions occurs with deuterium and hence the effective volume for deuterium is less than that for hydrogen.     

Temperature dependence of unperturbed dimensions for stereoirregular 1,4-polybutadiene and poly(α-methylstyrene)

The temperature coefficient of chain dimensions, d ln〈r²〉₀/dT, was determined for stereoirregular 1,4-polybutadiene and poly(α-methylstyrene) via dilute solution viscometry. The 1,4-polybutadiene was examined in oligomeric 1,4-polybutadiene (an athermal solvent), and poly(α-methylstyrene) was evaluated under near-theta conditions using 1-chloro-n-alkanes as solvents. Both approaches minimize the potential for influence by specific solvent effects. The resulting temperature coefficients, ?0.1₀ × 10^?3 deg^?1 for 1,4-polybutadiene and ?0.3₀ × 10^?3 deg^?1 for poly(α-methylstyrene) are in excellent agreement with rotational isomeric state calculations.     

Synthesis of tritium labelled monomers and polymers

The use of P₂O₅ for promoting the tritiation of various monomers and polymers has been investigated. Methyl methacrylate and vinyl acetate may be labelled at ambient temperatures by this procedure which is also applicable to labelling polystyrene and poly(α-methylstyrene). Exchange labelling of polymer substrates is most conveniently carried out in chlorinated hydrocarbons. The rate of tritium exchange increases with solvent polarity and temperature. Monomers of high radiochemical purity may be derived from the thermal depolymerization of tritiated polystyrene, poly(α-methylstyrene) and poly(methyl methacrylate).     

Cationic Copolymerization with Depropagation. The Copolymerization of α-Methylstyrene and Styrene

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the existence of the depropagation reaction in the copolymerization of vinyl monomers, the cationic copolymerization of α-methylstyrene with styrene was studied. The copolymer composition exhibited an extensive dependency on the temperature of polymerization and the monomer concentration, this fact not being explained by the Mayo-Lewis equation. Treatment of the copolymerization in terms of the depropagation reaction led to an estimate of the monomer reactivity ratio and the equilibrium constant between the polymer and the monomer of α-methylstyrene. A comparison of the equilibrium constants thus obtained with those reported in the literature indicates that the magnitude of the equilibrium constants depends on the sequence length of α-methylstyrene units. By extrapolation to long sequence length, the equilibrium constants approach the values which are reported for high molecular weight poly(α-methylstyrene).     

Cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene from polydienes. I. Synthesis and characterization of poly(butadiene-g-α-methylstyrene) copolymers

The preparation of poly(butadiene-g-α-methylstyrene) copolymers was investigated with three different alkylaluminum coinitiators. The alkylaluminum compounds in conjunction with polybutadiene which contained a low concentration of labile chlorine atoms initiated the polymerization of α-methylstyrene to produce graft copolymers. Trimethylaluminum gave higher grafting efficiencies than diethylaluminum chloride at comparable monomer conversions. Triethylaluminum produced only very low monomer conversions (<5%), even at long reaction times, and for this reason was not studied extensively. The number of grafts per polybutadiene backbone was determined for a number of copolymers and found to increase slightly as the allylic chlorine concentration in the polybutadiene backbone was increased. In all cases, however, only a low percentage of the available labile chlorine sites along the polybutadiene backbone resulted in grafted α-methylstyrene side chains. The addition of small quantities of water to the polymerization solvent greatly enhanced the grafting rate and ultimate monomer conversion during the synthesis of these poly(butadiene-g-α-methylstyrene) copolymers. The mechanistic role of water during these grafting reactions is unknown at the present time.     

Thermal degradation of graft copolymers of PVC prepared by mastication with styrene and methyl methacrylate,and of further PVC mixtures and vinyl chloride copolymers

Graft copolymers prepared by mastication of PVC in the presence of styrene or of a styrene/ methyl methacrylate mixture, have been studied by thermogravimetry, estimation of hydrogen chloride, thermal volatilization analysis, and flash pyrolysis/g.l.c. The degradation behaviour of PVC/ polystyrene mixtures, vinyl chloride/styrene random copolymers, a random copolymer of methyl methacrylate and styrene, and PVC/poly-α-methylstyrene mixtures has also been studied. The graft copolymers resemble the PVC/methacrylate graft copolymers previously studied in showing retardation of the dehydrochlorination reaction, but contrast with them in yielding chain fragments but no monomer during HCl production. Some stabilization of the second component at higher temperatures is also found. PVC/polystyrene mixtures behave in the same way as the corresponding graft copolymers, but vinyl chloride/styrene copolymers show reduced stability towards both dehydrochlorination and monomer production compared with the homopolymers. PVC/poly-α-methylstyrene mixtures yield some monomer concurrently with HCl loss, and display marked retardation of the latter reaction. Stabilization of the second polymer at higher temperatures is again observed. Many of these results add further strong support to the view that chlorine atoms are involved as chain carriers in the thermal dehydrochlorination of PVC.