Crystal-to-Crystal Synthesis of Helically Ordered Polymers of Trehalose by Topochemical Polymerization

The synthesis of crystalline helical polymers of trehalose via topochemical azide–alkyne cycloaddition (TAAC) of a trehalose-based monomer is presented. An unsymmetrical trehalose derivative having azide and alkyne crystallizes in two different forms having almost similar packing. Upon heating, both the crystals undergo TAAC reaction to form crystalline polymers. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies revealed that the monomers in both the crystals polymerize in a crystal-to-crystal fashion; circular dichroism (CD) studies of the product crystals revealed that the formed polymer is helically ordered. This solvent-free, catalyst-free polymerization method that eliminates the tedious purification of the polymeric product exemplifies the advantage of topochemical polymerization reaction over traditional solution-phase polymerization.     

Crystal‐to‐Crystal Synthesis of Helically Ordered Polymers of Trehalose by Topochemical Polymerization

The synthesis of crystalline helical polymers of trehalose via topochemical azide–alkyne cycloaddition (TAAC) of a trehalose‐based monomer is presented. An unsymmetrical trehalose derivative having azide and alkyne crystallizes in two different forms having almost similar packing. Upon heating, both the crystals undergo TAAC reaction to form crystalline polymers. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) studies revealed that the monomers in both the crystals polymerize in a crystal‐to‐crystal fashion; circular dichroism (CD) studies of the product crystals revealed that the formed polymer is helically ordered. This solvent‐free, catalyst‐free polymerization method that eliminates the tedious purification of the polymeric product exemplifies the advantage of topochemical polymerization reaction over traditional solution‐phase polymerization.     

Side-chain liquid crystalline polymers with silphenylene-siloxane main chains. I. Synthesis of silphenylene-siloxane polymers containing hydrosilane units

Siophenylene-siloxane polymers with repeating units containing hydrosilane, SiH, groups were synthesized for use as backbone polymers in side-chain liquid crystalline polymers. The polymerization of 1,4-bis (hydroxydimethylsilyl) benzene with a bis (Pyrrolidinyl) silane monomer formed a crosslinked polymer during the course of the reaction, while the use of a bis (ureido) silane monomer gave a polymer which crosslinked on storage after preparation. However, a soluble polymer could be prepared successfully by using a dichlorosilane as the comonomer. Polymers containing two and three Si? H groups in each unit were prepared by the last method. All Soluble polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), infrared spectroscopy (IR) multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

分子烙印聚合物作为高效毛细管电泳添加剂的研究

分子洛印聚合物（molecular imprinted polymer)是一种高选择的有分子记忆效应的主体分子,通常在非极性环境中制备和应用。该文在极性溶剂中利用离子化作用和疏水作用制备了非共价的分子烙印聚合物,并将其作为高效毛细管电泳流动相添加剂;在含水缓冲溶液条件下,研究了单体种类、分子烙印聚合物颗粒度和含量、缓冲溶液pH值以及分离电压对分子烙印聚合物识别模板分子的影响。结果证明了在质子溶剂中制备和应用非共价分子烙印聚合物是可行的。     

Hydrophobic Self‐Assembly Affords Robust Noncovalent Polymer Isomers

In covalent polymerization, a single monomer can result in different polymer structures due to positional, geometric, or stereoisomerism. We demonstrate that strong hydrophobic interactions result in stable noncovalent polymer isomers that are based on the same covalent unit (amphiphilic perylene diimide). These isomers have different structures and electronic/photonic properties, and are stable in water, even upon prolonged heating at 100 °C. Such combination of covalent‐like stability together with structural/functional variation is unique for noncovalent polymers, substantially advancing their potential as functional materials.     

超分子聚合机理

与共价键聚合物由单体(M1)通过共价键连接不同,超分子聚合物是由单体(M2)通过非共价键连接而成的长链大分子。聚合包括分子聚合和超分子聚合。超分子聚合描述M2通过非共价键自组装形成超分子聚合物的过程,涉及氢键、π-π堆砌型和立体匹配等驱动力以及分子识别、协同性等特征,与M1通过共价键形成聚合物的过程(分子聚合)不同。为了理解超分子聚合物链结构形成机理,本文分析和讨论超分子聚合的三个主要机理:(1)线性链生长;(2)螺旋链生长;(3)拓扑链生长。     

POLYBINAPHTHYLS INCORPORATING (R)-20,''-BINAPHTHO-20-CROWN-6AND NAPHTHYL MOITIES

Chiral polymer was synthesized by the polymerization of (R)-6,6'-bistributylstannyl-2,2'-binaphtho-20-crown-6(M-1) with 1,4-dibromo-2,3-bisbutoxy-naphthyl (M-2) by Pd(PPh3)4 catalyzed Stille coupling reaction. Both monomer and polymer were analyzed by NMR, MS, FT-IR, UV, polarimetry, DSC-TGA, CD, fluorescent spectroscopy and GPC. The major difference between monomer and polymer is that a long wavelength Cotton Effect was observed for the polymer due to its more extended conjugation in the repeating unit and a highly rigid backbone in the polymer chain. Polymer has strong blue fluorescence due to the efficient energy migration from the extended π-electronic structure of the repeating unit of the polymer to the chiral binaphthyl core and is expected to have potential application in the materials of fluorescent sensors and chiral chromatographic packing for resolution ofracemic amino acid.     

POLYBINAPHTHYLS INCORPORATING (R)-2,2''''-BINAPHTHO-20-CROWN-6 AND NAPHTHYL MOITIES

Chiral polymer was synthesized by the polymerization of (R)-6,6'-bistributylstannyl-2,2'-binaphtho-20-crown-6 (M-1) with 1,4-dibromo-2,3-bisbutoxy-naphthyl (M-2) by Pd(PPh3)4 catalyzed Stille coupling reaction. Both monomer and polymer were analyzed by NMR, MS, FT-IR, UV, polarimetry, DSC-TGA, CD, fluorescent spectroscopy and GPC. The major difference between monomer and polymer is that a long wavelength Cotton Effect was observed for the polymer due to its more extended conjugation in the repeating unit and a highly rigid backbone in the polymer chain. Polymer has strong blue fluorescence due to the efficient energy migration from the extended n-electronic structure of the repeating unit of the polymer to the chiral binaphthyl core and is expected to have potential application in the materials of fluorescent sensors and chiral chromatographic packing for resolution of racemic amino acid.     

（＋）-甲基丙烯酸{2,5-双[4′-（（S）-2-甲基丁氧基）苯基]苯基}酯的合成及其螺旋选择性自由基聚合

设计合成了手性单体（＋）-甲基丙烯酸{2,5-双[4′-（（S）-2-甲基丁氧基）苯基]苯基}酯,并进行了自由基溶液聚合.相比于单体,聚合物的比旋光度有显著的同向增长,且在其圆二色光谱上对应于三联苯侧基以及酯基的吸收区域呈现明显的Cotton效应,说明其主链可能采取某一旋向占优的螺旋构象.研究了聚合条件对聚合物旋光性质的影响.结果表明,采用极性大的芳香族溶剂或增加单体浓度有利于获得旋光度大的聚合物;随聚合温度增加,聚合物旋光度先增加后减小,在80℃时聚合达到最大值.该聚合物比甲基丙烯酸三芳基甲基酯类光学活性螺旋链聚合物具有更好的化学结构稳定性和立体结构稳定性.     

One-Handed Helical Tubular Ladder Polymers for Chromatographic Enantioseparation**

Defect-free one-handed contracted helical tubular ladder polymers with a π-electron-rich cylindrical helical cavity were synthesized by alkyne benzannulations of the random-coil precursor polymers containing 6,6′-linked-1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-diol-based chiral monomer units. The resulting tightly-twisted helical tubular ladder polymers showed remarkably high enantioseparation abilities toward a variety of chiral hydrophobic aromatics with point, axial, and planar chiralities. The random-coil precursor polymer and analogous rigid-rod extended helical ribbon-like ladder polymer with no internal helical cavity exhibited no resolution abilities. The molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the π-electron-rich cylindrical helical cavity formed in the tightly-twisted tubular helical ladder structures is of key importance for producing the highly-enantioseparation ability, by which chiral aromatics can be enantioselectively encapsulated by specific π-π and/or hydrophobic interactions.     

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal synthesis of a pseudostarch via topochemical azide–alkyne cycloaddition polymerization

There is high demand for polysaccharide-mimics as enzyme-stable substitutes for polysaccharides for various applications. Circumventing the problems associated with the solution-phase synthesis of such polymers, we report here the synthesis of a crystalline polysaccharide-mimic by topochemical polymerization. By crystal engineering, we designed a topochemically reactive crystal of a glucose-mimicking monomer decorated with azide and alkyne units. In the crystal, the monomers arrange in head-to-tail fashion with their azide and alkyne groups in a ready-to-react antiparallel geometry, suitable for their topochemical azide–alkyne cycloaddition (TAAC) reaction. On heating the crystals, these pre-organized monomer molecules undergo regiospecific TAAC polymerization, yielding 1,4-triazolyl-linked pseudopolysaccharide (pseudostarch) in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal manner. This crystalline pseudostarch shows better thermal stability than its amorphous form and many natural polysaccharides.

Prudent crystal engineering allows head-to-tail arrangement of inositol monomer molecules pre-organizing azide and alkyne units of adjacent monomers in a ready-to-react manner. On heating regiospecific SCSC polymerization yields a starch-like polymer.     

Hydroxyl‐ and amine‐terminated hyperbranched polyurethanes using AB2‐type azide monomers: Synthesis,characterization, fluorescence,and charge‐transfer complexation studies

Novel AB₂‐type azide monomers such as 3,5‐bis(4‐methylolphenoxy)carbonyl azide (monomer 1) , 3,5‐bis(methylol)phenyl carbonyl azide (monomer 2) , 4‐(methylol phenoxy) isopthaloyl azide (monomer 3) , and 5‐(methylol) isopthaloyl azide (monomer 4) were synthesized. Melt and solution polymerization of these monomers yielded hydroxyl‐ and amine‐terminated hyperbranched polyurethanes with and without flexible ether groups. The structures of theses polymers were established using FT‐IR and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights (M_w) of the polymers were found to vary from 3.2 × 10³ to 5.5 × 10⁴ g/mol depending on the experimental conditions used. The thermal properties of the polymers were evaluated using TGA and DSC: the polymer obtained from monomer ( 1 ) exhibited lowest T_g and highest thermal stability and the polymer obtained from monomer ( 2 ) registered the highest T_g and lowest thermal stability. All the polymers displayed fluorescence maxima in the 425–525 nm range with relatively narrow peak widths indicating that they had pure and intense fluorescence. Also, the polymers formed charge transfer (CT) complexes with electron acceptor molecules such as 7,7,8,8‐tetracyano‐quino‐dimethane (TCNQ) and 1,1,2,2‐tetracyanoethane (TCNE) as evidenced by UV‐visible spectra. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3337–3351, 2009     

Topochemical Polymerization of 1,3‐Diene Monomers and Features of Polymer Crystals as Organic Intercalation Materials

From the viewpoint of controlled polymer synthesis, topochemical polymerization based on crystal engineering is very useful for controlling not only the primary chain structures but also the higher‐order structures of the crystalline polymers. We found a new type of topochemical polymerization of muconic and sorbic acid derivatives to give stereoregular and high‐molecular weight polymers under photo‐, X‐ray, and γ‐ray irradiation of the monomer crystals. In this article, we describe detailed features and the mechanism of the topochemical polymerization of diethyl‐(Z,Z)‐muconate as well as of various alkylammonium derivatives of muconic and sorbic acids, which are 1,3‐diene mono‐ and dicarboxylic acid derivatives, to control the stereochemical structures of the polymers. The polymerization reactivity of these monomers in the crystalline state and the stereochemical structure of the polymers produced are discussed based on the concept of crystal engineering, which is a useful method to design and control the reactivity, structure, and properties of organic solids. The reactivity of the topochemical polymerization is determined by the monomer crystal structure, i.e. the monomer molecular arrangement in the crystals. Polymer crystals derived from topochemical polymerization have a high potential as new organic crystalline materials for various applications. Organic intercalation using the polymer crystals prepared from alkylammonium muconates and sorbates is also described.     

Degradable star polymers with high “click” functionality

Degradable polyester‐based star polymers with a high level of functionality in the arms were synthesized via the “arms first” approach using an acetylene‐functional block copolymer macroinitiator. This was achieved by using 2‐hydroxyethyl 2′‐methyl‐2′‐bromopropionate to initiate the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of caprolactone monomer followed by an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a protected acetylene monomer, (trimethylsilyl)propargyl methacrylate. The hydroxyl end‐group of the resulting block copolymer macroinitiator was subsequently crosslinked under ROP conditions using a bislactone monomer, 4,4′‐bioxepanyl‐7,7′‐dione, to generate a degradable core crosslinked star (CCS) polymer with protected acetylene groups in the corona. The trimethylsilyl‐protecting groups were removed to generate a CCS polymer with an average of 1850 pendent acetylene groups located in the outer block segment of the arms. The increased functionality of this CCS polymer was demonstrated by attaching azide‐functionalized linear polystyrene via a copper (I)‐catalyzed cycloaddition reaction between the azide and acetylene groups. This resulted in a CCS polymer with “brush‐like” arm structures, the grafted segment of which could be liberated via hydrolysis of the polyester star structure to generate molecular brushes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1485–1498, 2009     

Covalent connection of individualized, neutral, dendronized polymers on a solid substrate using a scanning force microscope

The synthesis of a neutral, high-molar-mass, acrylamide-based, third-generation dendronized polymer (denpol) with a defined number of azide groups at its periphery is reported. An attach-to route is used in which a first-generation denpol is reacted with second-generation (G2) dendrons. The degree of structure perfection of the resulting denpol is quantified as 99.8 %. This value was obtained after the introduction of a fluorescence label at the sites that remained unaffected by the dendronization. The high coverage was independently confirmed for the dendronization of another first-generation polymer and a closely related G2 dendron. The third-generation denpol resulting from the first dendronization experiment was spin-coated as a sub-monolayer onto highly oriented graphite precoated with an ultrathin layer of C12H25NH2, which was introduced to provide a well-defined substrate for denpol adsorption and manipulation. Scanning force microscopy revealed single denpols, which could be moved across the surface and "welded" by covalent cross-linking induced by photochemical decomposition of the azides into highly reactive nitrenes. The successful formation of covalent bonds between two denpols was confirmed by mechanically challenging the link with the scanning force microscope (SFM) tip. This is the second reported case of a move-connect-prove sequence using polymers and the SFM, which for the first time employs noncharged denpols, thus widening the applicability of this method significantly.     

Chiral oxazoline substituted optically active poly(m‐phenylene)s: Synthesis and coupling polymerizations of (S)‐4‐benzyl‐2‐(3,5‐dihalidephenyl) oxazoline using transition metal catalysts

Optically active poly(m‐phenylene)s substituted with chiral oxazoline derivatives have been synthesized by the nickel‐catalyzed Yamamoto coupling reaction of optically active (S)‐4‐benzyl‐2‐(3,5‐dihalidephenyl)oxazoline derivatives (X = Br or I). The structures and chiroptical properties of the polymers were characterized by spectroscopic methods and thermal gravimetric analyses. The polymers showed higher absolute optical specific rotation values than their corresponding monomer, and showed a Cotton effect at transition region of conjugated main chain. The optical activities of the polymers should be attributed to the higher order structure such as helical conformations. Moreover, the helical conformation could be induced by addition of metal salts into polymer solutions. The polymers showed good thermal stabilities, which was attributable to the oxazoline side chains. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Hyperbranched polyurethanes with varying spacer segments between the branching points

Hyperbranched polyurethanes, with varying oligoethyleneoxy spacer segments between the branching points, have been synthesized by a one-pot approach starting from the appropriately designed carbonyl azide that incorporates the different spacer segments. The structures of monomers and polymers were confirmed by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The solution viscosity of the polymers suggested that they were of reasonably high molecular weight. Reversal of terminal functional groups was achieved by preparing the appropriate monohydroxy dicarbonyl azide monomer. The large number of terminal isocyanate groups at the chain ends of such hyperbranched macromolecules caused them to crosslink prior to its isolation. However, carrying out the polymerization in the presence of 1 equiv of a capping agent, such as an alcohol, resulted in soluble polymers with carbamate chain ends. Using a biphenyl-containing alcohol as a capping agent, we have also prepared novel hyperbranched polyurethanes with pendant mesogenic segments. These mesogen-containing polyurethanes, however, did not exhibit liquid crystallinity probably due to the wholly aromatic rigid polymer backbone. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-rich azo-linked conjugated polymer materials

Efficient azo-linked polymers of 2,4,6-tris(4-nitrophenyl)pyridine-melamine (TNPP-M), and 2,4,6-tris(4-nitrophenyl)pyridine-sulfanilamide (TNPP-S) were prepared by condensation polymerization technique from TNPP-based monomer reacting with amines as melamine and sulfanilamide. The synthesized polymer structure was confirmed by various experimental techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state ¹³C NMR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Particle size was calculated using Williamson–Hall (W–H) plot from powder XRD pattern. The thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy of TNPP-S polymer displayed an excellent thermal stability and capsule-like morphology was observed. UV/visible absorptions of TNPP-S and TNPP-M polymers exhibit two bands, a strong band at 365?nm, and a shoulder at 385?nm for TNPP-M; these polymeric semiconducting materials could be useful for solar fuel cell applications.     

Supramolecular polymers: from scientific curiosity to technological reality

Supramolecular polymers^[1] are introduced as a new approach to come to materials in which the repeating units are not connected by covalent bonds but by specific secondary interactions. Self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonded structures with high association constants are presented as easy to synthesize fragments in supramolecular polymers. Some of the many possibilities of equilibrium polymers are discussed, while it is shown that these supramolecular polymers can obtain materials properties normally only obtained with macromolecules.     

Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Besides mechanical blending and copolymerization there is a third possible way in which two polymers can be combined. Each polymer forms its own network, while both networks interpenetrate each other. There are no covalent bonds between the polymers. Such interpenetrating networks have been synthesized sequentially (from polymer A and monomer B) and simultaneously (from monomer A and monomer B). It is preferable that the polymers be of different chemical type; usually, an elastomer and a glass are combined, e.g. a polyurethane and a polyacrylate. Depending upon the ratio of component polymers either a strengthened elastomer or a glass having impact strength is formed. So far, there are no direct methods for establishing the degree of interpenetration.