Preparation and polymerization of difluoramino-substituted alkyl acrylates and methacrylates

Several difluoramino-substituted alkyl acrylic acid esters were conveniently prepared by the debromination of difluoramino-substituted alkyl-2,3-dibromopropionates and 2,3-dibromoisobutyrates. The polymerization character of difluoramino-substituted alkyl acrylates and methacrylates was found to be similar to that displayed by other alkyl acrylic esters.     

Radiation polymerization of alkyl methacrylates in polymer–monomer compositions

This work summarizes the results of a study of the mechanism of polymerization in monomer-polymer compositions initiated by ionizing radiation. Attention was mainly paid to the investigation of the polymerization directly in the γ-radiation field. The next monomers were chosen for monomer-polymer compositions: heptyl acrylate (HA), heptyl methacrylate (HMA) and some other acrylic and methacrylic monomers. The polymer components are: chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) (molecular mass M_n ≅ 1 × 10⁵), chlorinated paraffins (CP) (molecular mass M_r ≅ 450), butadiene-nitrile rubber BN-1 (molecular mass M_w ≅ 3 × 10⁵) and BN-2 (molecular mass M_w ≅ 2500). Compositions that are crosslinked (BN-1+HMA, BN-2+HMA, CPE+HA) and noncrosslinked under γ-radiation were specially selected. The dynamic of radiation polymerization in the system studied was measured by calorimetric technique. A calorimeter was situated directly in the zone of γ-ray₆₀ Co. The dynamic of polymerization was followed by the heat release rate recorded by the calorimeter. Viscosity of the systems was measured on a rotational viscosimeter REOTEST-2 at room temperature. The investigations carried out have allowed us to establish the kinetic regularities of the radiation polymerization processes in the crosslinking and noncrosslinking compositions under irradiation based on HMA and some polymers. A comparison of the main characteristic of these processes was also made. The employment of the crosslinking and noncrosslinking polymers in the compositions significantly changes the radiation polymerization dynamics and allows the construction of the composites at the molecular level to be changed. The results obtained may serve as a basis for choosing the optimal system for producing-radiation-cured monomer-polymer compositions.     

Miniemulsion polymerization of styrene using alkyl methacrylates as the reactive cosurfactant

 Stable styrene miniemulsions were prepared by using alkyl methacrylates as the reactive cosurfactant. Like conventional cosurfactants (e.g., cetyl alcohol (CA) and hexadecane (HD)), alkyl methacrylates (e.g., dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) and stearyl methacrylate (SMA)) may act as a cosurfactant in stabilizing the homogenized miniemulsions. Furthermore, the methacrylate group may be chemically incorporated into latex particles in subsequent miniemulsion polymerization. The data of the monomer droplet size, creaming rate and phase separation of monomer as a function of time were used to evaluate the shelf-life of miniemulsions stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate in combination with various cosurfactants. Polystyrene latex particles were produced via both monomer droplet nucleation and homogeneous nucleation in the miniemulsion polymerization using CA or DMA as the cosurfactant, with the result of a quite broad particle size distribution. On the other hand, the miniemulsion polymerization with HD or SMA showed a predominant monomer droplet nucleation. The resultant particle size distribution was relatively narrow. In miniemulsion polymerization, the less hydrophobic DMA is similar to CA, whereas the more hydrophobic SMA is similar to HD. Received: 19 November 1996 Accepted: 20 February 1997     

Radical polymerization of vinyl acetate in individual and mixed solvents

The kinetics of polymerization of vinyl acetate in individual and mixed solvents was studied. The reaction rate constant and the rate of chain transfer in the mixed solvent were calculated, molecular weights and some adhesive characteristics of poly(vinyl acetate) obtained by the radical polymerization in solution were determined. A comparative analysis of the polymers obtained in the individual and mixed solvents was performed. It is shown that the change in the solvent composition can affect the rate of reaction and the poly-(vinyl acetate) adhesive properties.     

Hydrodynamic properties and unperturbed dimensions of polycyclohexyl and polyphenyl methacrylates in various solvents

Intrinsic viscosity, sedimentation, light scattering and osmotic pressure measurements have been made on dilute solutions of polycyclohexyl (PCy) and of polyphenyl methacrylates (PPh). Relations between (η), (S₀), second virial coefficient and molecular weight have been established.     

Block copolymers of styrene and n‐alkyl methacrylates with long alkyl groups. Micellization behavior in selective solvents

The micellization properties of well‐defined block copolymers of styrene and decyl methacrylate (SDMA) were studied in two different solvents, methyl acetate (MAc) selective for the polystyrene (PS) block and dodecane, selective for the poly(decyl methacrylate) (PDMA) block. The results were compared with those obtained, in the same solvents, from block copolymers of styrene and stearyl methacrylate (SSMA). In MAc, SDMA copolymers with a decyl methacrylate (DMA) content of 15% or less formed unimolecular micelles, whereas those with a content of 18.5% or higher formed multimolecular micelles. The degrees of association were lower than the corresponding SSMA samples. In dodecane, SDMA form large, monodisperse, spherical, and thermally stable micelles with degrees of association higher than the corresponding SSMA samples. The different behaviors can be attributed to the steric hindrance effect and the ability of the long alkyl groups of the polymethacrylate, MA blocks to crystallize. When the MA blocks are in the soluble corona of the micelles, the steric hindrance effect prevails, thus leading to higher degrees of association for the less bulky alkyl group. In the case where the MA block is in the insoluble core of the micelles, the higher the tendency for crystallization the higher the degree of association. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4177–4188, 2004     

Radical copolymerization of styrene and alkyl methacrylates: monomer reactivity ratios and thermal properties

Copolymers containing styrene and alkyl methacrylate (n-butyl-, n-hexyl-, or stearyl methacrylate) at different compositions have been prepared by radical copolymerization. The monomer reactivity ratios were estimated using the Finemann-Ross, the inverted FR and the Kelen-Tüdos graphical methods. Structural parameters of the copolymers were obtained calculating the dyad monomer sequence fractions. The effect of the size of the alkyl methacrylate on the copolymer structure is discussed. The glass transition temperature, T_g of the copolymers with butyl and hexyl methacrylate was examined in the frame of several theoretical equations allowing the prediction of these T_g values. The best fit was obtained using methods that take into account the monomer sequence distribution of the copolymers. The copolymers of styrene with stearyl methacrylate exhibited the characteristic melting endotherm, due to the crystallinity of the methacrylate sequences and the polystyrene glass transition temperature.     

Dynamical arrest of electron transfer in liquid crystalline solvents

We argue that electron transfer reactions in slowly relaxing solvents proceed in the nonergodic regime, making the reaction activation barrier strongly dependent on the solvent dynamics. For typical dielectric relaxation times of polar nematics, electron transfer reactions in the subnanosecond time scale fall into nonergodic regime in which nuclear solvation energies entering the activation barrier are significantly lower than their thermodynamic values. The transition from isotropic to nematic phase results in weak discontinuities of the solvation energies at the transition point and the appearance of solvation anisotropy weakening with increasing solute size. The theory is applied to analyze experimental kinetic data for the electron transfer kinetics in the isotropic phase of 5CB liquid crystalline solvent. We predict that the energy gap law of electron transfer reactions in slowly relaxing solvents is characterized by regions of fast change of the rate at points where the reaction switches between the ergodic and nonergodic regimes. The dependence of the rate on the donor-acceptor separation may also be affected in a way of producing low values for the exponential falloff parameter.     

The effect of feed conditions in the emulsion catalytic chain transfer polymerization of alkyl methacrylates

([bis[μ-[(2,3-butanedione dioximato)(2-)-O:O′]] tetrafluorodiborato(2-)-N,N′,N″,N‴] cobalt), CoBF, has been used for the effective catalytic chain transfer of alkyl methacrylate homo- and copolymers under emulsion polymerization conditions. The catalytic chain transfer process reduces the rate of polymerization such that when the monomer is fed over 60 min the instantaneous conversion is low enough for the particle to be swollen with monomer, allowing diffusion of the catalysts between the aqueous and monomer phases. When the amount of the catalyst is reduced, the rate is increased, eventually leading to viscous, glassy particles that prevent catalyst mobility, which is observed as a breakdown in the polymerization mechanism. This can be circumvented by the addition of a 20% shot of monomer at the start of the reaction. The effective chain transfer coefficient decreases on increasing the length of the ester group of the methacrylate. The analysis of the polymers made by the technique described shows that the T_g of the polymers observe a broad transition due to the effect of chain length being pronounced at low molecular mass. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3549–3557, 1999     

Asymmetric polymerization of methacrylates

The syntheses of optically active polymers having helical conformation from bulky methacrylates are reviewed focusing on selected topics. The monomers include triphenylmethyl methacrylate and its analogues. Asymmetric anionic polymerization of the monomers gives isotactic, optically active polymers having a helical structure with excess helicity. The isotactic content and the extent of helical‐sense excess depend on the monomer structure and the reaction conditions. In the case of methacrylates, completely isotactic and single‐handed helical polymers can be produced by asymmetric anionic polymerization (helix‐sense‐selective polymerization). Asymmetric radical polymerization is also possible for this class of monomer. Some of the helical polymers show chiral recognition ability toward a wide range of racemic compounds. Polymers having main‐chain configurational chirality are also discussed.     

Synthesis and properties of liquid crystalline urethane methacrylates for dental composite applications

Three novel liquid crystalline methacrylates have been synthesized and characterized to be tested as comonomers in light‐curing dental resin‐based composites. The selected formulations consist of an alkylammonium or cholesteryl urethane methacrylate and 2,2‐bis[4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloyloxypropyl)phenyl]propane (BisGMA) or a BisGMA derivate modified with urethane methacrylate groups, further diluted with triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and reinforced with 70% filler (zirconium silicate nanopowder, silanized filler). This study addresses the relationships between the LC monomer structure, photopolymerization rates (by differential scanning photo calorimetry), and specific properties of the dental resin composites (volumetric shrinkage, water sorption, water solubility, and hydrophobicity). The investigation of LC properties by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing microscopy indicated that the LC mesophase is stable to room temperature (cationic monomers) or at 40 °C (cholesteryl methacrylate). It was found that the polymerization rate for LC urethane methacrylates used in combination with BisGMA/TEGDMA (0.122–0.136 s^?1) is higher than that of the mesogenic monomers alone (0.085–0.107 s^?1). The structures of the urethane monomers and, consequently, the viscosity of the comonomer mixture influence both the rate and the degree of conversion (44.8–67.5 %) of the photopolymerization process. Polymerization shrinkage measured by pycnometry showed lower values for LC monomers (3.25–3.43 vol %) comparatively with the monomer mixture (5.19–6.65 vol %). Preliminarily, the effect of ammonium groups from two resin composites incorporating alkylammonium structures (4.5 wt %) was tested on Streptococcus mutans, and distinct zone of inhibition was observed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Copolymerizations of alkyl methacrylates with vinyltriacetoxysilane

Copolymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA) with vinyltriacetoxysilane (VTAS) have been carried out in bulk at 70°. The compositions of the copolymers were determined from their silicon contents; the reactivity ratios were calculated by the Kelen-Tüdős method. For MMA/VTAS, r₁ = 7.75 ± 0.31 and for BMA/VTAS, r₁ = 4.62 ± 0.15; in both systems, r₂ is zero, indicating that VTAS does not homopolymerize under the experimental conditions. The influence of the silicon comonomer on properties of the copolymers, such as solubility annd thermal behaviour, was studied.     

Reactivity of methacrylates in insertion polymerization

Polymerization of ethylene by complexes [{(P^O)PdMe(L)}] (P^O = κ(2)-(P,O)-2-(2-MeOC(6)H(4))(2)PC(6)H(4)SO(3))) affords homopolyethylene free of any methyl methacrylate (MMA)-derived units, even in the presence of substantial concentrations of MMA. In stoichiometric studies, reactive {(P^O)Pd(Me)L} fragments generated by halide abstraction from [({(P^O)Pd(Me)Cl}μ-Na)(2)] insert MMA in a 1,2- as well as 2,1-mode. The 1,2-insertion product forms a stable five-membered chelate by coordination of the carbonyl group. Thermodynamic parameters for MMA insertion are ΔH(++) = 69.0(3.1) kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(++) = -103(10) J mol(-1) K(-1) (total average for 1,2- and 2,1-insertion), in comparison to ΔH(++) = 48.5(3.0) kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(++) = -138(7) J mol(-1) K(-1) for methyl acrylate (MA) insertion. These data agree with an observed at least 10(2)-fold preference for MA incorporation vs MMA incorporation (not detected) under polymerization conditions. Copolymerization of ethylene with a bifunctional acrylate-methacrylate monomer yields linear polyethylenes with intact methacrylate substituents. Post-polymerization modification of the latter was exemplified by free-radical thiol addition and by cross-metathesis.     

Organogels formed in various organic solvents by different alkyl L-phenylalanine dihydrazide derivatives

A new group of organogelators, L-phenylalanine dihydrazide derivatives were synthesized, which can self-assemble in various organic solvents and turned them into thermally reversible physical supramolecular organogels at extremely low concentrations (<2 wt %). Scanning electron microscopy measurements revealed that the gelator self-assembled into different supramolecular network structures in different solvents. FT-IR spectroscopy studies revealed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding between N-H and C=O of amide group and hydrophobic interaction of the alkyl groups were the driving forces for the formation of the gels. Based on the data of XRD and molecular modeling, one possible packing mode for the formation of organogelator aggregates was proposed.