Chain transfer by addition–substitution–fragmentation mechanism. I. End–functional polymers by a single-step free radical transfer reaction: Use of a new allylic linear peroxyketal

A new chain transfer agent, ethyl 2-[1-(1-n-butoxyethylperoxy) ethyl] propenoate (EBEPEP) was used in the free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St), and butyl acrylate (BA) to produce end-functional polymers by a radical addition–substitution–fragmentation mechanism. The chain transfer constants (C_tr) for EBEPEP in the three monomers polymerization at 60°C were determined from measurements of the degrees of polymerization. The C_tr were determined to be 0.086, 0.91, and 0.63 in MMA, St, and BA, respectively. EBEPEP behaves nearly as an “azeotropic” transfer agent for styrene at 60°C. The activation energy, E_atr, for the chain transfer reaction of EBEPEP with PMMA radicals was determined to be 29.5 kJ/mol. Thermal stability of peroxyketal EBEPEP in the polymerization medium was estimated from the DSC measurements of the activation energy, E_ath = 133.5 kJ/mol, and the rate constants, k_th, of the thermolysis to various temperature. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of triphenyl phosphite on the radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

The effects of triphenyl phosphite (TPP) on the radical polymerization of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated with α,α,-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was investigated at 50°C. The rate of polymerization of St and MMA at a constant concentration of TPP was found to be proportional to the monomer concentration and the square root of the initiator concentration. The rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization of both St and MMA increased with increasing TPP concentration. The accelerating effect was shown to be due to the decrease of the termination rate constant k_t with an increase in the viscosity of the polymerization systems. The chain transfer constant C_tr of TPP in St and MMA systems was determined from the degree of polymerization system. The C_tr of TPP was almost zero in the St system and 6.5 × 10^?5 in the MMA system.     

Effects of phosphorus oxychloride and phenylphosphonic dichloride on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene

Effects of pentavalent phosphorus compounds on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) were studied. Phosphorus oxychloride (Cl₃P?O) and phenyl-phosphonic dichloride (C₆H₅Cl₂P?O) were used. Polymerization was carried out in benzene at 50°C by the standard solution method, α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) being used as the initiator. In the polymerization of MMA, both phosphorus compounds increased the rate of polymerization. NMR spectral data suggested that this increasing effect was due to the complex formation between each phosphorus compound and MMA monomer. In the case of polymerization of St, NMR data also indicated the formation of a complex between the phosphorus compound and St monomer. Both phosphorus compounds showed an increasing effect for the rate of polymerization. Though these increasing effects could be explained by the complex formation, the polymerization of St in the presence of Cl₃P?O was especially found to be due to the cationic polymerization initiated simultaneously by Cl₃P?O in addition to the radical polymerization. These phosphorus compounds acted as chain-transfer agents in both polymerization systems. The parameters (Q_tr,_etr) which indicate the reactivity of a chain-transfer agent were calculated from the observed values of chain-transfer constant for both polymerization systems.     

Addition–fragmentation behavior of a capto-dative group-substituted acrylic ester in free-radical polymerization and reactivity of the derived macromonomers

Ethyl-2-(2-cyano-2-ethylthio)-ethyl-propenoate (ECEP) was synthesized and examined as free-radical addition–fragmentation chain transfer agent (AFCTA) in the bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene at various temperatures. A better chain transfer constant (C_tr) was observed for styrene than for MMA, projecting the potentiality of the compound as a better end-functionalizing agent for the former. In both cases, copolymerization of ECEP with the monomer predominated over fragmentation, the relative proportions of which were dependent on the monomer. The ECEP-terminated radical fragmented to an extent of 26% in the presence of MMA, whereas it was only 9.5% in the case of styrene. The relative extent of fragmentation and copolymerization was in conformation to the calculated reactivity ratios and chain transfer constants. Addition–fragmentation chain transfer resulted in the formation of methacrylic-functional macromonomers. The copolymerizability of the resultant macromonomer was found to depend on the nature of the backbone and on the comonomer. On copolymerizing with MMA, the terminal monomer moiety on polystyrene (PS)-based macromonomers preferred to undergo fragmentation, whereas that of the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based one copolymerized readily with styrene because of thermodynamic and kinetic factors. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2511–2524, 1999     

Sequential synthesis of multiblock copolymers by atom transfer radical and cationic polymerization

ABCBA‐type pentablock copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (S), and isobutylene (IB) were prepared by a three‐step synthesis, which included atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and cationic polymerization: (1) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with terminal chlorine atoms was prepared by ATRP initiated with an aromatic difunctional initiator bearing two trichloromethyl groups under CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridine catalysis; (2) PMMA with the same catalyst was used for ATRP of styrene, which produced a poly(S‐b‐MMA‐b‐S) triblock copolymer; and (3) IB was polymerized cationically in the presence of the aforementioned triblock copolymer and BCl₃, and this produced a poly(IB‐b‐S‐b‐MMA‐b‐S‐b‐IB) pentablock copolymer. The reaction temperature, varied from ?78 to ?25 °C, significantly affected the IB content in the product; the highest was obtained at ?25 °C. The formation of a pentablock copolymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution provided direct evidence of the presence of active chlorine at the ends of the poly(S‐b‐MMA‐b‐S) triblock copolymer, capable of the initiation of the cationic polymerization of IB in the presence of BCl₃. A differential scanning calorimetry trace of the pentablock copolymer (20.1 mol % IB) showed the glass‐transition temperatures of three segregated domains, that is, polyisobutylene (?87.4 °C), polystyrene (95.6 °C), and PMMA (103.7 °C) blocks. One glass‐transition temperature (104.5 °C) was observed for the aforementioned triblock copolymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6098–6108, 2004     

Chain transfer constants for vinyl monomers polymerized in methyl oleate and methyl stearate

Chain transfer constants were obtained for styrene, methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and vinyl acetate, polymerized in methyl oleate and methyl stearate at 60°C. Transfer constants increased in the order: methyl methacrylate < styrene < methyl acrylate ? vinyl acetate in both solvents. Average values of the transfer parameters were: for methyl oleate, Q_tr = 2.04 × 10^?4, e_tr = 1.08; for methyl stearate, Q_tr = 0.373 × 10^?4, e_tr = 1.01. Indication that polar species predominate in the transition state is supported by the observed order of reactivity. The usual rate dependence appeared to be followed by all of the monomers except vinyl acetate, which was retarded, severely in methyl oleate. Transfer in methyl oleate was about 5.8 times greater than that found in methyl stearate for these four monomers. The internal allylic double bond of methyl oleate had about the same reactivity in transfer as had the terminal unsaturation in N-allylstearamide at 90°C. Rough estimates were obtained of the monomer transfer constants for the long side-chain homologs of these four monomers from the respective monomer transfer constants and the experimental transfer constants, corrected for transfer to the labile groups of the solvent. It was concluded that the rate of polymerization would determine in large measure the degree of polymerization for the reactive 18-carbon homologs but that the molecular weight of poly(vinyl stearate) and (oleate) will be regulated primarily by transfer to monomer.     

ATRP of methyl methacrylate initiated with a bifunctional initiator bearing bromomethyl functional groups: Synthesis of the block and graft copolymers

This article reports the synthesis of the block and graft copolymers using peroxygen‐containing poly(methyl methacrylate) (poly‐MMA) as a macroinitiator that was prepared from the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of bis(4,4′‐bromomethyl benzoyl peroxide) (BBP). The effects of reaction temperatures on the ATRP system were studied in detail. Kinetic studies were carried out to investigate controlled ATRP for BBP/CuBr/bpy initiating system with MMA at 40 °C and free radical polymerization of styrene (S) at 80 °C. The plots of ln ([M_o]/[M_t]) versus reaction time are linear, corresponding to first‐order kinetics. Poly‐MMA initiators were used in the bulk polymerization of S to obtain poly (MMA‐b‐S) block copolymers. Poly‐MMA initiators containing undecomposed peroygen groups were used for the graft copolymerization of polybutadiene (PBd) and natural rubber (RSS‐3) to obtain crosslinked poly (MMA‐g‐PBd) and poly(MMA‐g‐RSS‐3) graft copolymers. Swelling ratio values (q_v) of the graft copolymers in CHCl₃ were calculated. The characterizations of the polymers were achieved by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the fractional precipitation (γ) techniques. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1364–1373, 2010     

Kinetic and ESR studies on radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of fullerene

The effect of fullerene (C₆₀) on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in benzene was studied kinetically and by means of ESR, where dimethyl 2,2′-azobis(isobutyrate) (MAIB) was used as initiator. The polymerization rate (R_p) and the molecular weight of resulting poly(MMA) decreased with increasing C₆₀ concentration ((0–2.11) × 10⁻⁴ mol/L). The molecular weight of polymer tended to increase with time at higher C₆₀ concentrations. R_p at 50°C in the presence of C₆₀ (7.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L) was expressed by R_p = k[MAIB]^0.5[MMA]^1.25. The overall activation energy of polymerization at 7.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L of C₆₀ concentration was calculated to be 23.2 kcal/mol. Persistent fullerene radicals were observed by ESR in the polymerization system. The concentration of fullerene radicals was found to increase linearly with time and then be saturated. The rate of fullerene radical formation increased with MAIB concentration. Thermal polymerization of styrene (St) in the presence of resulting poly(MMA) seemed to yield a starlike copolymer carrying poly(MMA) and poly(St) arms. The results (r₁ = 0.53, r₂ = 0.56) of copolymerization of MMA and St with MAIB at 60°C in the presence of C₆₀ (7.15 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L) were similar to those (r₁ = 0.46, r₂ = 0.52) in the absence of C₆₀. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2905–2912, 1998     

New ligands for atom‐transfer radical polymerization

A new type of ligands based on organic acids, such as acetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, succinic acid and isophthalic acid, has been successfully employed in the iron‐mediated atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of vinyl monomers, such as styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). The systems containing different organic acids can react at 250°C to 1300°C in “living”/controlled radical polymerizations giving polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.2–1.5). ¹H NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the structure of the resulting polymers. Block copolymers were synthesized to confirm the ìlivingî nature of the system. The measured molecular weights are close to the calculated values for the polymerization of MMA and are somewhat lower than the theoretical ones for styrene.     

Studies of the polymerization of diallyl compounds. XI. Polymerization of styrene in the presence of diallyl compounds

Radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of various diallyl compounds was carried out at 60°C, with the use of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The chain transfer constant C_s of the styryl radical to diallyl compounds was determined graphically by solving the Mayo equation. The C_s values of diallyl esters are quite small compared to those of diallyl acetals. The polymerization mechanism of styrene in the presence of diallyl compounds was also discussed in connection with the results obtained previously.     

Vinyl polymerization. 403. Polymerization of vinyl monomer initiated with sodium poly-p-vinylphenolate

The polymerization of vinyl monomer initiated by poly-p-vinylphenol (PVPh) in NaOH aqueous solution was carried out at 85°C with shaking. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was polymerized, whereas styrene and acrylonitrile were not. PVPh, which is dissociated into phenolate form (PVPh^?Na⁺) in NaOH aqueous solution, was effective for the polymerization. The effects of the amounts of MMA, PVPh, NaOH, and H₂O on the conversion of MMA were studied. The rate of polymerization of MMA increased with an increase in the molecular weight of PVPh-Na. The overall activation energy was estimated as 54 kJ mol^?1. The polymerization proceeded through a radical mechanism. The addition of tetra-n-butylammonium bromide increased the rate of polymerization.     

2‐[(Diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyridine as ligand for iron‐based atom transfer radical polymerization

2‐[(Diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyridine (DPPMP) was successfully used as a bidentate ligand in the iron‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with various initiators and solvents. The effect of the catalytic system on ATRP was studied systematically. Most of the polymerizations with DPPMP ligand were well controlled with a linear increase in the number‐average molecular weights (M_n) versus conversion and relatively low molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.10–1.3) being observed throughout the reactions, and the measured molecular weights matched the predicted values. Initially added iron(III) bromide improved the controllability of the polymerization reactions in terms of molecular weight control. The ratio of ligand to metal influenced the controllability of ATRP system, and the optimum ratio was found to be 2:1. It was shown that ATRP of MMA with FeX₂/DPPMP catalytic system (X = Cl, Br) initiated by 2‐bromopropionitrile (BPN) was controlled more effectively in toluene than in polar solvents. The rate of polymerization increased with increasing the polymerization temperature and the apparent activation energy was calculated to be 56.7 KJ mol^?1. In addition, reverse ATRP of MMA was able to be successfully carried out using AIBN in toluene at 80 °C. Polymerization of styrene (St) was found to be controlled well by using the PEBr/FeBr₂/DPPMP system in DMF at 110 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2922–2935, 2008     

RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE WITH DIPHENYL DISELENIDE UNDER THERMAL OR PHOTOIRRADIATIONAL CONDITIONS

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with diphenyl diselenide (DPDSE) in the presence of AIBN at 60°C was investigated. DPDSE was worked as a chain transfer agent (CTA). The chain transfer constant (C_tr) of DPDSE for MMA was estimated to be 1.43. On the other hand, DPDSE was functioned as a photoiniferter for the photopolymerization of MMA. In a limited range of conversion, both the polymer yield and number average of molecular weight ([Mbar]_n) increased with the reaction time, and the [Mbar]_n linearly increased with the yield. The terminal structure of poly(MMA) was investigated by the ⁷⁷Se NMR spectrum based on Methyl α-phenylseleno isobutylate (MSEPI) as model compound of the ω-chain end of poly(MMA). Further, photopolymerization of poly (MMA) containing phenylseleno group at ω-chain end as a polymeric photoiniferter with MMA effectively afforded a poly (MMA) having higher molecular weight.     

Vinylhydroquinone. III. Copolymerization of vinylhydroquinone and vinyl monomers by tri-n-butylborane

The copolymerization of vinylhydroquinone (VHQ) and vinyl monomers, e.g., methyl methacrylate (MMA), 4-vinyl-pyridine (4VP), acrylamide (AA), and vinyl acetate (VAc), by tri-n-butylborane (TBB) was investigated in cyclohexanone at 30°C under nitrogen. VHQ is assumed to copolymerize with MMA, 4VP, and AA by vinyl polymerization. The following monomer reactivity ratios were obtained (VHQ = M₂): for MMA/VHQ/TBB, r₁ = 0.62, r₂ = 0.17; for 4VP/VHQ/TBB, r₁ = 0.57, r₂ = 0.05; for AA/VHQ/TBB, r₁ = 0.35, r₂ = 0.08. The Q and e values of VHQ were estimated on the basis of these reactivity ratios as Q = 1.4 and e = ?;1.1, which are similar to those of styrene. This suggests that VHQ behaves like styrene rather than as an inhibitor in the TBB-initiated copolymerization. No homopolymerization was observed either under nitrogen or in the presence of oxygen. The reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Effect of chlorosilanes on the radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

Styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were polymerized by azobisisobutyronitrile at 50°C. in the presence of silanes such as tetramethylsilane, trimethylcholorosilane, dimethyldichlorosilane, methyltrichlorosilane, and tetrachlorosilane. The polymerization rates of both St and MMA in the presence of silanes were nearly equal to those in the absence of silanes. On the other hand, the molecular weights decreased gradually as the concentration of chlorosilane increased. The chain transfer constants of all the silanes in the polymerization of St and MMA at 50°C. were calculated by Mayo's equation. The chain transfer constants of Me₄Si, Me₃SiCl, Me₂SiCl, MeSiCl₃, and SiCl₄ were 0.31 × 10^?3, 1.25 × 10^?3, 1.78 × 10^?3, 1.92 × 10^?3, and 2.0 × 10^?3, for St and 0.13 × 10^?3, 0.22 × 10^?3, 0.245 × 10^?3, 0.27 × 10^?3, and 0.30 × 10^?3, for MMA, respectively. From these results, it was found that the Si? Cl bond was radically cleaved. The Q_tr values of the silanes, in the same order as above, were found to be 1.03 × 10^?4, 2.33 × 10^?4, 2.83 × 10^?4, 3.10 × 10^?4, and 3.35 × 10^?4, respectively and the e_tr values were +0.58, +1.30, +1.50, +1.48, and +1.43, respectively.     

Kinetics of the Photopolymerization of Vinyl Monomers by Bis(Isopropylxanthogen) Disulfide. Design of Block Copolymers

Bis(isopropylxanthogen) disulfide (BX) has been used as a photoinitiator with various vinyl monomers at 30°C. The kinetics of polymerization of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) at 30°C were studied for various concentrations of monomer and initiator. The observed deviations in polymerization rate from simple kinetic theory could be explained in terms of primary radical termination. The fraction of primary radical terminating chains was obtained as a function of various concentrations. The ratio of the rate constants for chain initiation and chain termination by a primary radical was determined to be 3.34 ± 10⁷ for St and 2.60 ± 10⁷ for MMA. The number-average degree of polymerization (DP _n) of polymers obtained by photopolym-erization with BX was found to increase linearly with conversion. However, the DP _n extrapolated to zero conversion was in good agreement with that calculated on the basis of the kinetic scheme. It was found that BX had interesting properties for the design of block copolymers, i.e., BX acts as a terminator and a chain transfer agent as well as an initiator in these polymerizations. The polymers obtained with BX contained two reactive isopropyl xanthate groups bonded at their chain ends, which could also act as macrophotoinitiators.     

Functionalization of PMMA by a functional “iniferter”: Kinetics of polymerization of MMA using N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) thiuram disulfide

α,ω-Dihydroxy-terminated-PMMA was synthesized by the bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of a functional “iniferter,” viz., N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)thiuram disulfide (DHTD). The kinetics of the polymerization were studied by determining the polymerization rate as a function of the “iniferter” concentration at 60, 70, 85, and 95°C. Evaluation of the data by a computerized multiple regression analysis led to calculation of the various kinetic parameters and the activation energies of the related phenomena. The maximum observed in the R_p–initiator concentration curve was found to shift to lower initiator concentration as the temperature increased. The formal reaction order with respect to the concentration of the initiator decreased with increasing temperature and concentration of DHTD. The chain transfer constants of DHTD with MMA were calculated from the molecular weights of the resulting polymers. The functionalities of the oligomers were calculated from the elemental analysis of the chain end groups. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the polymer chain ends were devoid of unsaturated groups and that the polymer underwent degradation only by random scission.     

Copper Catalyzed ATRP of Methyl Methacrylate Using Aliphatic α-Bromo Ketone Initiator

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of MMA was examined using 3-bromo-3-methyl-butanone-2 (MBB) as an initiator in the presence of CuBr as catalyst and 2,6-bis[1-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (BPIEP) as a tridentate N-donor ligand. The effect of various other N-donor ligands including a bisoxazoline ligand, namely, 2,6-bis(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl) pyridine (dmPYBOX) was studied in ATRP and reverse ATRP of MMA. The ATRP of MMA in toluene at 90 °C using MBB as initiator was relatively slow in the case of bidentate and faster in the case of tridentate N-donor ligands. The apparent rate constant, k_app, with MBB as initiator and BPIEP as ligand in toluene (50%, v/v) at 90 °C was found to be 7.15 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹. In addition, reverse ATRP of MMA in diphenylether at 70 °C using BPIEP/CuBr₂ as catalyst system was very effective in reducing the reaction time from several hours to 24 h for polymerization of MMA.     

Synthesis of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) with a low molecular weight and a low polydispersity index by single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization

The single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) method in the presence of chain transfer agent was used to synthesize poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAM)] with a low molecular weight and a low polydispersity index. This was achieved using Cu(I)/2,2′‐bipyridine as the catalyst, 2‐bromopropionyl bromide as the initiator, 2‐mercaptoethanol as the chain transfer agent (TH), and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent at 90 °C. The copper nanoparticles with diameters of 16 ± 3 nm were obtained in situ by the disproportionation of Cu(I) to Cu(0) and Cu(II) species in DMF at 22 °C for 24 h. The molecular weights of poly(NIPAM) produced were significantly higher than the theoretical values, and the polydispersities were less than 1.18. The chain transfer constant (C_tr) was found to be 0.051. Although the kinetic analysis of SET‐LRP in the presence of TH corroborated the characteristics of controlled/living polymerization with pseudo‐first‐order kinetic behavior, the polymerization also exhibited a retardation period (k > k_tr). The influence of molecular weight on lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was investigated by refractometry. Our experimental results explicitly elucidate that the LCST values increase slightly with decreasing molecular weight. Reversibility of solubility and collapse in response to temperature well correlated with increased molecular weight of poly(NIPAM). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Kinetics of the microemulsion polymerization of styrene with short‐chain alcohols as the cosurfactant

The kinetics of styrene microemulsion polymerization stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and a series of short‐chain alcohols (n‐C_iH_2i+1OH, abbreviated as C_iOH, where i = 4, 5, or 6) at 60 °C was investigated. Sodium persulfate was used as the initiator. The microemulsion polymerization process can be divided into two intervals: the polymerization rate (R_p) first increases to a maximum at about a 20% conversion (interval I) and thereafter continues to decrease toward the end of the polymerization (interval II). For all the SDS/C_iOH‐stabilized polymerization systems, R_p increases when the initiator or monomer concentration increases. The average number of free radicals per particle is smaller than 0.5. The molecular weight of the polymer produced is primarily controlled by the chain‐transfer reaction. In general, the reaction kinetics for the polymerization system with C₄OH as the cosurfactant behaves quite differently from the kinetics of the C₅OH and C₆OH counterparts. This is closely related to the different water solubilities of these short‐chain alcohols and the different concentrations of the cosurfactants used in the preparation of the microemulsion. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 898–912, 2001