Synthesis and Properties of Poly(Phenyl Propargyl Ether) and Its Homologues

Abstract

Various para-substituted phenyl propargyl ethers (substitutent = H, OMe, and CN) were synthesized and polymerized by transition metal catalyst systems including MoCl₅, WC1₆, and PdCl₂. The catalytic activity of MoCl₅-based catalysts was greater than that of WCl₆-based catalysts for the present polymerization. The polymer yield increased in the following order: H > OMe > CN, according to substitutents. The [poly-(pheny] propargyl ether) [poly(PPE)] and poly(methoxy phenyl propargyl ether) [poly(OMe-PPE)] obtained are completely soluble in various organic solvents such as chloroform, methylene chloride, THF, and 1,4-dioxane. However, poly(cyanophenyl propargyl ether) [poly(CN-PPE)] is partially soluble in various organic solvents such as those mentioned above. The electrical conductivities of the undoped and iodine-doped polymers and found to be about 10^?13 and 10^?4-10^?5 S/cm, respectively. The solubilities, thermal properties, and morphologies of the resulting polymers were also studied.     

Polymerization of 1-methoxy-1-ethynylcyclohexane by transition metal catalysts

The polymerization of 1-methoxy-1-ethynylcyclohexane (MEC) was carried out by various transition metal catalysts. The catalysts MoCl₅, MoCl₄, and WCl₆ gave a relatively low yield of polymer (≤ 16%). The catalytic activity of Mo-based chloride catalyst was greater than that of W-based chloride catalyst. However, catalyst tungsten carbene complex (I) gave a larger molar mass and higher yield in the presence of a Lewis acid such as AlCl₃ than in the absence of a Lewis acid. The activity of the tungsten carbene complex was obviously affected by Lewis acidity. The catalyst PdCl₂ was a very effective catalyst for the present polymerization and gave polymers in a high yield. The structure of the resulting poly(MEC) was identified by various instrumental methods as a conjugated polyene structure having an α-methoxycyclohexyl substituent. The poly(MEC)s were mostly light-brown powders and completely soluble in various organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform (CHCl₃), ethylacetate, n-butylacetate, dimethylformamide, benzene, xylene, dimethylacetamide, 1,4-dioxane, pyridine, and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the polymer started to lose mass at 125°C and that maximum decomposition occurred at 418°C. The x-ray diffraction diagram shows that poly(MEC) has an amorphous structure. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole by transition metal salts

The polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole (NVC) in the presence of transition metal salts such as WCI₆, MoCI₅, TaCl₅ and NbCl₅ under different reaction conditions was studied. In general, aromatic solvents were found to be superior to aliphatic solvents in the polymerization of NVC, i. e., both conversion and molecular weight were higher in aromatic solvents. It was observed that the polymerization reaction proceeds rapidly and almost quantitatively, even at low monomer concentration (< 5 × 10^?2M) and at low catalyst to monomer mole ratio (10^?5) in aromatic solvents. The copolymerization of NVC with acenaphthylene (ACN) was also investigated in solution at room temperature. The resulting homo- and copolymer were characterized by IR, NMR, x-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Thermal and photophysical properties are also reported. From the spectral data, the polymerization solvent was found to have a strong influence upon the polymer stereoregularity.     

A new class of multifunctional poly(1, 6-heptadiyne)-based materials by metathesis polymerization

A new class of multifunctional polymers based on poly(1, 6-heptadiyne) derivatives with various functional groups such as carbazole unit for photoconductive polymers and nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores for NLO polymers were synthesized by metathesis polymerization. The polymerizations were carried out with MoCl₅- and WCl₆-based catalysts. The catalytic activity of MoCl₅ was found to be greater than that of WCl₆. The resulting polymers exhibited photoconductivity and large optical nonlinearity. These conjugated polymers have good solubility in common organic solvents, long-term stability toward air oxidation, and high electrical conductivity.     

Polymerization of 1-ethynylcyclohexene by tungsten and molybdenum-based catalysts

1-Ethynylcyclohexene, an acetylene derivative having cyclohexenyl substituent, was polymerized by various W- and Mo-based catalysts. WCl₆-EtAlCl₂ catalyst system was found to be very effective for this polymerization. The effects of the monomer-to-catalyst mol ratio, the initial monomer concentration, the temperature, and the cocatalysts for the polymerization of 1-ethynylcyclohexene by WCl₆ were investigated. The catalytic activity of Mo-based catalysts was found to be similar to that of W-based catalysts. The polymer structure was identified to have a conjugated polymer backbone carrying a cyclohexenyl substituent. The resulting polymers were light-brown powder and completely soluble in aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbon solvents such as chlorobenzene, benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, etc. Studies of the thermal properties and morphology of poly(1-ethynylcyclohexene) were also carried out. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide)

The preparation and cyclopolymerization of dipropargyl sulfoxide were studied. The polymerization of dipropargyl sulfoxide was carried out by various transition metal catalysts. WCl₆–EtAlCl₂, MoCl₅, and PdCl₂ catalyst systems were very effective. The resulting poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) structures were characterized by NMR (¹H and ¹³C), IR, and elemental analysis to have conjugated polyene units. Poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) prepared by PdCl₂ was mostly soluble in organic solvents such as DMF and DMSO. Thermal and oxidative properties of poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) were also studied. The electrical conductivity of iodine-doped poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) was 5.2 × 10^?2 Ω^?1 cm^?1. Comparisons of poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) properties with other similar polymers from dipropargyl sulfur derivatives such as dipropargyl sulfide and dipropargyl sulfone were also carried out. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(1‐naphthylacetylene) and poly(9‐anthrylacetylene)

Polymerizations of 1‐naphthylacetylene (1‐NA) and 9‐anthrylacetylene (9‐AA) by various transition metal catalysts were studied, and properties of the polymers were clarified. 1‐NA polymerized with WCl₆‐based catalysts to offer dark purple polymers in good yield. Especially, a binary catalyst composed of WCl₆ and Ph₃Bi gave a polymer with high molecular weight (M_w = 140×10³) and sufficient solubility in common solvents. The use of Mo and Rh catalysts, in contrast, resulted in the formation of insoluble red poly(1‐NA)s. 9‐AA gave insoluble polymers by both WCl₆‐ and MoCl₅‐based catalysts in moderate to good yields. Copolymerization of 9‐AA with 1‐NA by WCl₆–Ph₃Bi provided a soluble copolymer which exhibited the largest third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibilities (χ⁽³⁾(−3ω; ω, ω, ω) = 40×10⁻¹²) among all the substituted polyacetylenes synthesized so far. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 277–282, 1999     

Polymerization of α-Hydroxyacetylenes by Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract

α-Hydroxyacetylenes (2-propyn-1-ol, DL-3-butyn-2-ol, 1-octyn-3-ol, 2-phenyl-3-butyn-2-ol) with a hydroxy functional group were polymerized by various Mo- and W-based catalysts. In general, the catalytic activities of Mo-based catalysts were greater than those of W-based catalysts for these polymerizations. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol, MoCl₅ alone and the MoCl₅-EtAlCl₂ catalyst system gave a quantitative yield of polymer. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol and its homologues by Mo-based catalysts, the polymer yield decreased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased. On the other hand, the polymer yield increased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased in WCl₆-EtAlCl₂-catalyzed polymerization. Polymers with a bulkier substituent showed better solubility in organic solvents than those without a substituent [e.g., poly (2-propyn-l-ol)]. The structures of the resulting polymers were characterized by various instrumental methods such as ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectroscopies. Thermogravimetric analyses and thermal transitions of the resulting polymers were also studied.     

Polymerization of acetylene and its monosubstitutes in the presence of halides and oxohalides of molybdenum and tungsten

MoCl₅, WCl₆, and OMoCl₄ were found to be effective initiators for the polymerization of acetylene and its monosubstituted derivatives RC?CH. The polymerization proceeded in homogeneous and heterogeneous media and was carried out in nonpolar (chloroalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons) and polar (THF, acetone, dioxane, carboxylic acids) solvents to give a high yield of polymers.     

Polymerization of propargylamine and 1,1-diethylpropargylamine by transition metal catalysts

Some polyacetylene derivatives containing an amine functional group were prepared by the polymerization of propargylamine (PA) and 1,1-diethylpropargylamine (DEPA) with various transition metal catalysts. In the polymerization of PA, Mo-based catalysts were more effective than that of W-based catalysts, and organoaluminum compounds, especially EtAlCl₂, were found to be very effective cocatalysts. In the polymerization of DEPA, Mo-and W-based catalyst systems showed a similar catalytic activity. The polymerization easily proceeded in polar solvents such as nitrobenzene and DMF as well as nonpolar aromatic solvents such as chlorobenzene, toluene, etc. The resulting poly(PA) and poly(DEPA) were insoluble in organic solvents regardless of polymerization catalysts but the polymers were found to be stable to air oxidation. Thermogravimetric analyses and thermal transitions of poly(PA) and poly(DEPA) were also studied. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Termination reactions in the metathesis polymerization of cyclic alkenes

A kinetic study of the polymerization of cyclopentene initiated by the metathesis catalyst WCl₆/AliBu₃ has shown the presence of termination reactions The termination processes (probably there are more than one), are second order in nature and also result in the reduction of the oxidation state of the transition metal. Reactivation of the transition metal complex towards metathesis polymerization can be effected by the addition of oxygen to a dead system.     

Polymerization of 5-Substituted Cyclooctenes with Tungsten and Molybdenum Catalysts

Polymerizations of cyclooctene, 5-methyl, 5-chloro-, and 5-methoxycyclooctenes were studied. Cyclooctene (CO) and 5-methylcyclooctene (MCO) provided high polymers in 80% yield with the use of WCl₆/AlEti._B Cl_u5 or WCl₆/AlEtCl₂ catalyst. 5-Chlorocyclooctene gave oligomer in 50% yield with WCl₆/AlEt₂Cl catalyst. Neither polymer nor oligomer was produced from 5-methoxycyclooctene. These polymers were found to be produced through a ring-opening mechanism. The ratio of cis to trans structure in poly(CO) and poly(MCO) was determined by measurements of the decoupled ′H-NMR spectrum. Poly(CO) containing more than 50% trans structure was a crystalline solid at room temperature, while the polymer containing 30% of trans structure did not crystallize at room temperature. Poly(MCO) was amorphous, regardless of the content of trans structure. Poly(CO) and poly(MCO) obtained with MoCU/AlEtaCl or MoCU/AlEtCb catalyst contained no carbon-carbon double bond, and a vinyl polymerization mechanism was expected for this system.     

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(1,6-HEPTADIYNE) HAVING A BULKY AND RIGID t-BUTYLBENZOYL GROUP

The polymerization of 4,4-bis(t-butylbenzoylmethyl)-1,6-hepta-diyne (BTBH) was carried out by group 5,6-transition metal catalysts. MoCl₅- as well as WCl₆-based catalysts were effective for the cyclopolymerization of BTBH. The polymer structure was analyzed to have conjugated backbone and recurring 5-membered ring by various spectroscopes. The polymer showed good solubility in common organic solvents. The polymer had good thermal stability and mechanical property. The oxygen permeability coefficient (PO₂) and permselectivity of oxygen to nitrogen (PO₂/PN₂) of poly(BTBH) with bulky and rigid t-butyl benzoyl group were 23.2 barrer and 4.63, respectively.     

Ring-opening polymerization of 2-azabicyclo-[2,2,1]-hept-5-en-3-one using metathesis catalysts

The ring-opening polymerization of an unsaturated bicyclic lactam, 2-azabicyclo-[2,2,1]-hept-5-en-3-one (ABHEO), was carried out using metathesis catalysts under various reaction conditions. It is observed that the best results (34% conversion and η_inh: 0.18 dL/g) were obtained when the mole ratios of ABHEO to WCl₆ as a catalyst and WCl₆ to AlEt₃ as a cocatalyst were 200 and 4, respectively. The infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H- and ¹³C-NMR) spectra of the polymer obtained indicated that the ABHEO was transformed to the ring-opened polymer, poly(2-pyrrolidone-3,5-diylvinylene) [poly(ABHEO)]. The resulting polymer was amorphous as determined by DSC analysis, which showed only secondary transition at 100°C.     

Influence of the catalyst system on the morphology,structure and conductivity of a new type of polyacetylene

Different new catalysts based on transition metal compounds of groups IVb, Vb, VIb and VIIIb combined with a reducing agent such as: triethylaluminium and butyllithium in various solvents; toluene and silicone oil, were used for the polymerization of acetylene. By changing the catalyst, cocatalyst, solvent and polymerization conditions, a large variety of polyacetylenes were obtained. The polyacetylenes were characterized by SEM, FTIR and C¹³ NMR spectroscopies. Some of the new polymers were stretched mechanically and then doped with iodine. Thus highly conducting thick (20μm) and transparent films (0.1 μm) were obtained, with conductivities of 20000 ω⁻⁰.cm⁻¹ and 8000 ω⁻¹.cm⁻¹, respectively. After modification of the standard catalyst system (Ti(OC₄H₉) ₄-Al (C₂H₅) ₃-silicone oil) by the introduction of some additional reducing agents, conductivities as high as 120000 ω⁻¹.cm⁻¹, after elongation and iodine doping of the polymers, were reached. In this paper we present also a comparative stability study of the new (CH)_x films and powders.     

Aromatic H／D Exchange Reaction Catalyzed by Groups 5 and 6 Metal Chlorides

Groups 5 and 6 metal chlorides such as MoCl5, WCI6, NbCl5 and TaCl5 were found to be simple and very efficientcatalysts for the aromatic H/D exchange reactions. Compared with other metal chlorides such as ZnCl2, SnCl4 and TiCl4, groups 5 and 6 metal chlorides showed better catalytic activity in the H/D exchange reaction of naphthalene with C6D6. Deuteration of anthracene using MoC15 as a catalyst proceeded within 24 h at room temperature. Other aromatic compounds such as toluene, diphenylmethane and 1,1,2-triphenylethane were also deuterated smoothly in C6D6 within 24 h at room temperature.     

The kinetics of polymerization of cyclopentene by WCl6/AliBu3 catalyst

The kinetics of the polymerization of cyclopentene by WCl₆/AliBu₃ catalysts have been studied and the factors controlling the reproducibility of the rate of polymerization have been ascertained. A significant dependence of the rate of polymerization on the time between the additions of WCl₆ and AliBu₃ was observed. The dependence of the catalyst activity r,i this time delay suggested that WCl₆ reacted with cyclopentene to produce an unstable species (W₁) that could react with AliBu₃ to produce a catalytically active species (W₁¹) or that could react further with cyclopentene to produce another species W₂ that in turn would react with AliBu₃ to produce a much less active catalyst W₂¹. The detailed study of the kinetics of polymerization under controlled conditions suggested a kinetic chain mechanism initiated by two catalyst species; mechanism of polymerization based on the carbene system is suggested.     

Substituted polyacetylenes

This article reviews the chemistry of substituted polyacetylenes developed by our research group, more specifically, development of polymerization catalyst, synthesis of new polymers, elucidation of their structure, investigation of their properties, and development of their functions. The main features are as follows: a number of catalysts based on group 5, 6, and 9 transition metals (Nb, Ta, Mo, W, and Rh) have been developed, which include living polymerization catalysts. By using these catalysts, many new substituted polyacetylenes have been synthesized, whose molecular weights are very high (M_w = 10⁴?10⁶). Most of the polymers are soluble in many common solvents and stable enough in the air unlike polyacetylene. Some of these polymers exhibit interesting functions including high gas permeability and photoelectronic properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 165–180, 2007     

The polymerization of 3-chloro-1-propyne and 3-bromo-1-propyne with Mocl5 and WCL6 based initiators and the structure of the resulting polymers

The WCl₆ and MoCl₅ initiated polymerizations of 3-chloro-1-propyne and 3-bromo-1-propyne were performed in both halogenated and aliphatic non-nucleophilic and in aromatic nucleophilic solvents. The structure of the obtained polymers suggested that the polymerization reaction occurs in two steps. In both nucleophilic and non-nucleophilic solvents, the first step consists of the metathesis polymerization of 3-chloro(bromo)-1-propyne followed by electrophilic cis–trans isomerization leading to polymers containing trans-cisoidal allyl chloride or bromide structural units. When the polymerization is performed in non-nucleophilic solvents, in the second step an intramolecular electrophilic addition followed by elimination takes place. The resulting polymers contain a highly conjugated cyclopentadiene ladder structure. When the polymerization is performed in nucleophilic aromatic solvents, the intramolecular electrophilic addition competes with the electrophilic substitution of the solvent resulting in polymers containing high concentrations of arylpropenyl structural units. Subsequently, depending on the nucleophilicity of the polymerization solvent, the polymer structure contains structural units based on cyclopentadiene and/or arylpropenyl groups.     

Polymerization of N-carbazolylacetylene by various transition metal catalysts and polymer properties

N-Carbazolylacetylene (CzA) was polymerized in the presence of various transition metal catalysts including WCl₆, MoCl₅, [Rh(NBD)Cl]₂, and Fe(acac)₃ to give polymers in good yields. The polymers produced with W catalysts were dark purple solids and soluble in organic solvents such as toluene, chloroform, etc. The highest weight-average molecular weight of poly(CzA) reached about 4 × 10⁴. In the UV–visible spectrum in CHCl₃, poly(CzA) exhibited an absorption maximum around 550 nm (ε_max = 4.0 × 10³ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and the cutoff wavelength was 740 nm, showing a large red shift compared with that of poly(phenylacetylene) [poly(PA)]. Poly(CzA) began to lose weight in TGA under air at 310°C, being thermally more stable than poly(PA) and poly[3-(N-carbazolyl)-1-propyne]. Poly(CzA) showed a third-order susceptibility of 18 × 10⁻¹² esu, which was 2 orders larger than that of poly(PA). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2489–2492, 1998