Polymerization of α=Aminoisobutyric Acid NCA: Interpretation According to the Hypothesis of a Multiple Mechanism

The basic salt-initiated polymerization of α-aminoisobutyric acid NCA in acetonitrile was studied using various alkaline alcoholates and in the presence or absence of various protic (very weak acid) additives. The cation effect observed was the one expected from either the N-carboxy-α-amino acid anhydride (NCA) anion mechanism (activated monomer mechanism) or the alcoholate anion mechanism (Blout's mechanism). The anion effect appeared to be abnormal for the former mechanism, but did not agree nor disagree substantially with the latter. Furthermore, such additives as methanol (conjugate acid of the initiator), 3-methylhydantoin, 2-oxazolidone, and N-acetylglycine NCA (prototype of the chain growing through the NCA anion mechanism) considerably enhanced the rate of initiation. A still higher rate of initiation could be obtained by the combined use of two additives. IR and DTA analyses of the polymerization products showed the formation of 5,5-dimethylhydan-toin-3-isobutyric acid in the sample using the alcohol-free initiator, hence the NCA anion mechanism is operative. This acid was absent in the low DP polymer obtained in the presence of added methanol, and this agrees with the alcoholate anion mechanism without, however, proving it. Thus, while only part of the results could be explained by one or the other of the previous interpretations, all the experimental facts were accounted for, without noticeable contradiction, by the hypothesis of a multiple mechanism which contains both interpretations among its elements.     

Polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides initiated by histamine in N,N-dimethylformamide

The polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides (NCAs) initiated by 4-aminoethylimidazole (histamine) was studied in order to synthesize poly(amino acids) containing an imidazole nucleus at the end of polymer chain. On the basis of the kinetical measurements, it was found that the rate of polymerization is proportional to the first order in both NCA and initiator concentrations and that the initiation reaction is predominantly caused by the primary amine with the highest basicity in a histamine molecule. Binding of the histamine fragment to the end of polymer chain was confirmed by elementary analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and measuring the number-average molecular weight of the resulting polymers. It was thus possible to prepare poly(amino acids) with a pendant histamine. In addition, the lowering of the number-average degree of polymerization of the polymers prepared was observed under the condition that the initial molar ratio of NCA to histamine was larger. It was caused by the reinitiation of polymerization by the imidazole nucleus at the chain end.     

Mechanism of the NCA polymerization. VI. Investigations on cocatalysts of the base-initiated NCA polymerization

The triethylamine-initiated polymerization of glycine-NCA [N-carboxylic acid anhydrides (oxazolidine-2,5-diones)], L -alanine-NCA, and sarcosine-NCA, as well as the pyridine-initiated polymerization of sarcosine-NCA, were carried out in the presence of potential cocatalysts. The 11 electrophilic reagents tested in this work can be divided into two classes: N-acyllactams and similar compounds, which are less reactive than the monomers and have no influence on the polymerization; and isocyanates and N-acyl-NCAs or -NTAs [N-thiocarboxylic acid anhydrides (thiazolldine-2,5-diones)], which are more electrophilic than the monomers and behave as cocatalysts in the case of glycine-NCA and alanine-NCA, since their base-initiated polymerization proceeds via the attack of NCA anions on the electrophilic N-acyl NCA chain and (“activated monomer mechanism”). In the case of sarcosine-NCA, however, the propagation involves a nucleophilic chain end (“carbamate mechanism”) and the strong electrophilic reagents behave as inhibitors.     

Polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides. III. Mechanism of polymerization of L- and DL-alanine NCA in acetonitrile

The polymerization of L - and DL -alanine NCA initiated with n-butylamine was carried out in acetonitrile which is a nonsolvent for polypeptide. The initiation reaction was completed within 60 min.; there was about 10% of conversion of monomer. The number-average degree of polymerization of the polymer obtained increased with the reaction period, and it was found to agree with value of W/I, where W is the weight of the monomer consumed by the polymerization and I is the weight of the initiator used. The initiation reaction of the polymerization was concluded as an attack of n-butylamine on the C₅ carbonyl carbon of NCA. The initiation, was followed by a propagation reaction, in which there was attack by an amino endgroup of the polymer on the C₅ carbonyl carbon of NCA. The rate of polymerization was observed by measuring the CO₂ evolved, and the activation energy was estimated as follows: 6.66 kcal./mole above 30°C. and 1.83 kcal./mole below 30°C. for L -alanine NCA; 15.43 kcal./mole above 30°C., 2.77 kcal./mole below 30°C. for DL -alanine NCA. The activation entropy was about ?43 cal./mole-°K. above 30°C. and ?59 cal./mole-°K. below 30°C. for L -alanine NCA; it was about ?14 cal./mole-°K. above 30°C. and ?56 cal./mole-°K. below 30°C. for DL -alanine NCA. From the polymerization parameters, x-ray diffraction diagrams, infrared spectra, and solubility in water of the polymer, the poly-DL -alanine obtained here at a low temperature was assumed to have a block copolymer structure rather than being a random copolymer of D - and L -alanine.     

Noncoordinating anions in carbocationic polymerization

The initiation and catalysis of isobutylene polymerization from several new metallocene and nonmetallocene initiator-catalysts that contain the noncoordinating anions (NCA), B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ and RB(C₆F₆)₃⁻, is reported. Application of these initiator-catalysts is extended to styrenics and vinyl ethers. The NCA does not contribute to termination and can be used in low concentrations compared with conventional Lewis acids. These qualities provide for isobutylene polymerizations that yield low M_n oligomers or high M_n polymer, dependent upon the initiator and polymerization conditions. Mechanistic aspects of initiation, transfer and termination as well as the participation of adventitious water are considered for each class of initiator-catalyst. The influence of the NCA on the stereoregularity of cationic styrene polymerization is also considered. NCAs do not cause the stereospecific carbocationic polymerization of styrene. We suggest that under conditions not conducive to carbocationic polymerization, NCA/metallocenes mediate the coordination polymerization of styrene. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of polymerization of N-carboxy amino acid anhydride in dimethyl sulfoxide

Various kinds of NCA's were polymerized in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). DL -Alanine NCA polymerized at a fast rate without initiator, the rate being represented by R_p1 = k[M]^1/2. When the polymerization was carried out in chloroform in the presence of DMSO, the rate was represented by the equation, R_p2 = K₂[M][DMSO]^1/2. Glycine NCA and DL -α-amino-n-butyric acid NCA also polymerized at a fast rate in DMSO without initiator. On the other hand, N-methylglycine NCA, DL - and L -valine NCA and DL - and L -leucine NCA did not polymerize in DMSO without initiator.     

Polymerization of N-carboxy–amino acid anhydrides in the solid state. II. Relation between polymerizability and molecular arrangement in L-leucine NCA and L-alanine NCA crystals

The polymerizability of N-carboxy–amino acid anhydrides (NCAs) of L -leucine and L -alanine was examined in the solid state and in solution. L -leucine NCA shows much higher reactivity in the solid state (when immersed in hexane) than in solution (in acetonitrile), but the opposite is true for L -alanine NCA. However, the two NCAs give similar values of apparent activation energy in each polymerization system. Rather high-molecular-weight polypeptides were obtained in the polymerization of L -leucine NCA in the solid state compared with those obtained in solution, while the molecular weight of polymers obtained from L -alanine NCA was higher in solution than in the solid state. IR spectra showed that α helices form mainly in the polymerization of both L -leucine NCA and L -alanine NCA in the solid state; a small amount of the β structure forms in the latter polymerization. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy revealed that L -leucine NCA polymerizes predominantly along the c axis in the crystal, while the polymer chains grow in random directions in the crystal of L -alanine NCA. The difference can be explained by the molecular arrangement in the crystal. There are two requirements for high reactivity in the solid state: the five-membered rings of the monomer must form a layer structure and the polymer must occupy nearly the same space as the reacting monomer.     

Observations on the Anionic Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide by Alkali Metal Naphthalene and Anthracene Complexes

The anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide by alkali metal naphthalenes and anthracenes was studied in DMSO and THF to determine the effects of solvent and of polycyclic hydrocarbon, and to obtain information on the mode of initiation. No propagation occurred with lithium naphthalene, and this made it possible to isolate mono- and dihydroxyethyl naphthalene, the species formed on initiation.

The molecular weights obtained in the presence of DMSO were about half those obtained in THF, and were proportional to [monomer]/[initiator]. This was explained as being due to differences in initiation; i.e., formation of dimsyl anion as the true initiator in DMSO. The rate of polymerization was first order to monomer, and the molecular weights were found to increase linearly with percent inversion.     

Effect of tetraalkylammonium salts on the tacticity of poly(methyl methacrylate), 1. Initiation by ethyl α-lithioisobutyrate

The anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in the presence of ethyl α-lithioisobutyrate (α-LiEtIB)/quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) in toluene and tetrahydrofuran/toluene (vol. ratio 75/25) at −60°C. It was found that the tacticity of PMMA strongly depends on size and shape of QAS. A highly isotactic polymerization in toluene was observed, when using the system α-LiEtIB/trimethylhexadecylammonium bromide. The initiator system α-LiEtIB/tetrahexylammonium chloride produces polymers with a high (>50%) syndiotactic content and relatively low polydispersity. The influence of QAS on the mode of polymerization is due to specific salt effect resulting from the cation exchange reaction, from the participation of the bulky substituent in the primary solvation shell, and ionic aggregation between the growing anion, Q⁺ and LiX.     

13C-NMR Sequence Analysis. XVIII. Tacticity of Poly(D,L-β-amino Acids)

D, L-Cis-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid NCA, D, L-cis-and trans-2-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) and D, L-cis-2-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid NCA were polymerized under various conditions. The ¹³C-NMR spectra of the resulting β-polyamides measured in trifluoro-acetic acid show splittings of all signals reflecting diads and triads. Poly-D, L-3-aminobutyric acid obtained by anionic polymerization of D, L-4-methyl acetidinone does not display tacticity effects in its ¹³C-NMR spectrum. Hence it is concluded that tacticity effects are observable only if both α- and β-carbons have a substituent. Furthermore, it was found that the reaction conditions do not have a strong influence on the stereospecificity of the NCA-polymerization. In all cases nearly random sequences of D and L-units were obtained.     

Polymerization of aromatic olefins in the system liquid sulfur dioxide–percompounds: The nature of the initiation

Indene, α-methylstyrene, and styrene were polymerized in liquid sulfur dioxide in the presence of hydroperoxides and peracids. With indene, depending on the molar ratio of the monomer to sulfur dioxide, homopolymerization and polysulfone formation could be observed. With α-methylstyrene spontaneous polymerization in liquid sulfur dioxide was observed; the addition of hydroperoxide increased the yield and molecular weight. Styrene was polymerized in this solvent with hydroperoxides and peracids, the latter being a more effective initiator. The initiation in these systems could be explained by the formation of a mixed anhydride between sulfuric acid and m-chlorobenzoic acid.     

Vinyl polymerization of acrylamide initiated by Thallium(III) ions in solution

Kinetics of polymerization of acrylamide initiated by Thallium(III) perchlorate was investigated in aqueous perchloric acid medium in the temperature range of 55–70°C. The rates of polymerization were measured varying the concentration of the monomer, initiator, and perchloric acid. The rate of polymerization was found to increase with increase of temperature, monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and perchloric acid concentration. The effect of additives like different solvents, surfactants, and retarders on the rate of polymerization was studied. Molecular weights of the polymer were determined by viscometry. The chain transfer constants for the monomer (C_M) and that for the solvent dioxan (C_s) were calculated to be 7.33 × 10^?3 and 6.66 × 10^?3, respectively. From the Arrhenius plot, the overall activation energy (E_a) was calculated to be 10.68 kcal/mol. The energy of initiation was calculated to be 12.36 kcal/mol. Depending on the results obtained, a suitable reaction mechanism has been suggested and a rate equation has been derived.     

Peptide block copolymers by N‐carboxyanhydride ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization: The effect of amide macroinitiators

The synthesis of polypeptide‐containing block copolymers combining N‐carboxyanhydride (NCA) ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was investigated. An amide initiator comprising an amine function for the NCA polymerization and an activated bromide for ATRP was used. Well‐defined polypeptide macroinitiators were obtained from γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate NCA, O‐benzyl‐serine NCA, and N‐benzyloxy‐L ‐lysine. Subsequent ATRP macroinitiation from the polypeptides resulted in higher than expected molecular weights. Analysis of the reaction products and model reactions confirmed that this is due to the high frequency of termination reactions by disproportionation in the initial phase of the ATRP, which is inherent in the amide initiator structure. In some cases selective precipitation could be applied to remove unreacted macroinitiator to yield well‐defined block copolymers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009     

Polymerization of α-piperidone with M–AlEt3, MAlEt4, or KAlEt3(piperidone) as catalysts and N-acetyl-α-piperidone as initiator

Low-temperature polymerization of α-piperidone was carried out by using MAlEt₄, KAlEt₃(piperidone), and M–AlEt₃ (where M is Li, Na, or K) as catalysts and N-acetyl-α-piperidone as initiator. The behavior in polymerization of these catalysts was superior to alkali metal or aluminum triethyl, and a polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.8 dl./g. was obtained. Polymerization results and infrared analyses of the metal salts of lactams suggest that a complex, the structure of which was analogous to the one formed from M–AlEt₃, is formed in the case of the alkali metal piperidonate–ethyl aluminum dipiperidonate catalyst system and that it is changed to another complex having a different composition and lower catalytic activity by heat treatment. The infrared absorption band of the metal salts of lactams and of KAlEt₃(piperidone) at 1570–1590 cm.^?1, which is attributable to the C?N group in enolate form, may be considered to be related to the catalytic activities of alkali metals and the polymerizabilities of lactams. Such special catalysts as MAlEt₄, alkali metal–AlEt₃, or KAlEt₃(piperidone) are supposed to suppress the consumption, by alkali metal, of N-acyl-α-piperidone group of growing polymer end. A prolonged polymerization required for obtaining a high molecular weight polymer, even when such catalysts are used, is ascribable to a greater difficulty in re-forming lactam anion from α-piperidone, the basicity of which is higher than that of the other lactams.     

Photoinduced ionic polymerization. II. Cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene in the presence of tetracyanobenzene

The dependence of the rate of polymerization on light intensity and the stereoregularity of the polymer was studied to elucidate the propagation and termination mechanisms of the photoinduced cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene in the presence of tetracyanobenzene in methylene chloride. The rate of polymerization was proportional to the light intensity. The polymer is highly syndiotactic, and the stereoregularity is similar to that of polymers obtained by radiation-induced cationic polymerization. The initiation mechanism was also studied by electron spin resonance, by which the anion radical of tetracyanobenzene formed from a photoexcited complex between α-methylstyrene and tetracyanobenzene was observed. The cation radical of α-methylstyrene, counterpart of the anion radical, is believed to initiate the polymerization.     

Crystal,Molecular, and Electronic Structure of 1-Acetyl-indoline and Derivatives

The crystal and molecular structures of the following molecules have been determined: 1-acetyl-indoline, 1-acetyl-5-nitro-indoline, l-acetyl-5-nitro-7-bromo-indoline, 1-acetyl-5-bromo-7-nitroindoline, and l-acetyl-5-bromo-7-nitro-indol. Molecular orbital calculations are performed for these compounds and two related species.     

亚硝酸钠引发丙烯腈聚合的研究

研究了亚硝酸钠引发硝酸溶液中丙烯腈的聚合反应。测得表现聚合速度 Rp=Ae~(-10,800/RT)[AN]~2.2[NaNO_2]~(0.17-1.0)[HNO_3]~(1.0-0.67 丙烯腈-丙烯酸甲酯共聚合反应中竞聚率分别是γ_An=0.96,γ_MA=1.17,表明聚合反应是按自由基机理进行。 根据聚合动力学和红外光谱分析,认为以亚硝酸钠引发硝酸溶液中丙烯腈的聚合反应与电解或金属溶蚀过程中的次级引发相同。     

乙烯-醋酸乙烯酯-α-烯烃三元共聚物

以乙烯、醋酸乙烯酯和α-烯烃为原料,以偶氮二异丁腈为引发剂,通过高压本体聚合制备三元聚合物.考察了聚合条件对共聚物数均分子量和醋酸乙酯(VA)质量分数的影响.结果表明:在引发剂用量为1.1g,反应压力为6 MPa,反应温度95℃,醋酸乙烯酯和α-烯烃的质量比为2:1的条件下能得到数均分子量为8 600和VA质量分数为0.35的产物.实验证明该产物性能优良,可作为蜡的添加剂.     

Polymerization of N-carboxy-amino acid anhydrides in the solid state. I. Polymerizability of the various α-amino acid NCAs in the solid state

The solid-state polymerization of various α-amino acid NCAs was investigated and the results were compared with those obtained by heterogeneous polymerization in acetonitrile. Essential differences were found in the polymerizability of the NCAs in these two systems. In the solid state, L-leucine NCA was the most reactive among the NCAs examined, and its reactivity was even higher than in the precipitation polymerization of acetonitrile solutions. On the other hand, glycine NCA was the most inert among the NCAs examined in the solid state. The difference between the reactivities of glycine NCA and L-alanine NCA was interpreted in terms of their crystal structures. Several kinetic features of the solid-state polymerization were studied on γ-benzyl-L -glutamate NCA.     

60Co-initiated polymerization of styrene,vinyl acetate,and their mixtures in the presence of a radical initiator

Styrene and vinyl acetate have been polymerized by γ-radiation in the presence of α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile or benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide does not affect the vinyl acetate polymerization, but the rate of polymerization is greatly increased by the action of the initiator in the case of the following systems: styrene–α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile, styrene–benzoyl peroxide, and vinyl acetate–α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile. For these three systems, the experimental results are in good agreement with a kinetic scheme obtained by assuming an energy transfer process from monomer excited molecules to the initiator; this process does not occur in the first system, and the initiation rate is determined only by the vinyl acetate concentration. In the case of the polymerization of mixtures of the two monomers, the action of α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile and that of benzoyl peroxide are practically the same; that is, the shape of the polymerization curve may be understood on the basis of an energy transfer from styrene excited molecules to the initiator.