Stable helical polyguanidines: poly[N-(1-anthryl)-N'-[(R)- and/or (S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl]guanidines

Using chiral catalysts of (R)- and/or (S)-BINOL-Ti, the asymmetrical polymerization of achiral monomer, N-(1-anthryl)-N'-n-octadecylcarbodiimide, yielded soluble nonregioregular polyguanidines of Poly-R1 and Poly-S1. A racemization process occurred when the toluene solution of Poly-R1 was annealed at elevated temperatures (70-80 degrees C). Kinetic studies reveal this to be a slow process with an activation energy of ca. 36 kcal/mol. On the other hand, using titanium(IV) trifluoroethoxide catalyst, the polymerization of N-(1-anthryl)-N'-[(R)- and/or (S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl]carbodiimides afforded highly regioregular polyguanidines of Poly-R2 and Poly-S2. These polymers adopt stable helices in various solvents and elevated temperatures, whose kinetically controlled conformations and thermodynamically controlled conformations are essentially the same.     

Polymerization and crosslinking characteristics of a 3-methoxybutyl acrylate

Polymers of 3-methoxybutyl acrylate (3-MBA) were prepared by máss, solution, and emulsion polymerization techniques. The 3-MBA polymers could be converted from soft, rubbery, soluble, thermoplastic films to hard, glossy, flexible, crosslinked films when exposed to air and/or transition metal catalysts at elevated temperatures. The crosslinked polymers are resistant to common organic solvents and to mineral acids. Strong alkalis degraded the crosslinked polymers. The second-order transition temperature of poly-3-MBA is ?56°C. as determined by volume dilatometry. A comparison of the crosslinking properties of poly-3-MBA and other alkyl and alkoxyalkyl polymers is discussed. An autoxidative mechanism is proposed for the crosslinking of 3-MBA polymers.     

Screw-sense-selective polymerization of aryl isocyanides initiated by a Pd-Pt mu-ethynediyl dinuclear complex: a novel method for the synthesis of single-handed helical poly(isocyanide)s with the block copolymerization technique

Living polymerization of chiral aryl isocyanides, such as m- and p-menthoxycarbonylphenyl isocyanides 2 and 5, initiated by the Pd-Pt mu-ethynediyl dinuclear complex 1, proceeds with a high screw-sense selectivity to give the poly(isocyanide)s 3 and 6, which exhibit a large specific rotation and an intense CD band at lambda = 364 nm as a consequence of a helical chirality. The molar optical rotation and molar circular dichroism of the resulting polymers 3 and 6 reach a constant value at a degree of polymerization (Pn) of more than 30. Screw-sense-selective polymerization of achiral aryl isocyanides that bear very bulky substituents, such as 3,5-di(propoxycarbonyl)phenyl isocyanide (11), 3,5-di(butoxycarbonyl)phenyl isocyanide (13), and 3,5-di(cyclohexyloxycarbonyl)phenyl isocyanide (15), is achieved by the use of chiral oligomer complexes 3(30) and 6(30), prepared from the reaction of 1 with 30 equivalents of 2 or 5, as an initiator to give predominantly single-handed helical polymers. In contrast, smaller aryl isocyanides are also polymerized by 3(30) and 6(30) with screw-sense selectivity in the initial stage of the reaction, but the single-handed helix is not preserved up to high molecular weight. Kinetic studies of the polymerization of (L)- and (D)-2, or (L)- and (D)-5 with chiral oligomer complexes (L)-3(50) or (L)-6(100) suggests that the screw sense of the polymer backbone is not controlled kinetically, but rather that the thermodynamically stable screw sense is produced.     

Convenient synthesis of fully and partially deuterated stereoregular poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing a carboxy pendant and helicity induction on the polymers with chiral amines and its memory

Poly[(4-carboxyphenyl)acetylene] and its derivatives deuterated in the main chain and/or on the phenyl group (poly- 1 's) were conveniently synthesized by the polymerization of 4-ethynylbenzoic acid or its derivative deuterated on the phenyl group in the presence of bases with a water-soluble rhodium complex in water or deuterium oxide. The obtained polymers possesses highly cis–transoidal stereoregular structures according to NMR and Raman spectroscopy. Possible deuterium isotope effects of these partially and fully deuterated poly- 1 's during the helicity induction with chiral amines and its memory assisted by achiral amines were investigated. The thermal cis–trans isomerization of the methyl esters of poly- 1 's was also studied with ¹H NMR spectroscopy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4711–4722, 2004     

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.     

Control of helix sense by composition of chiral-achiral copolymers of N-propargylbenzamides

N-Propargylbenzamides 1-7 were polymerized with (nbd)Rh(+)[eta(6)-C(6)H(5)B(-)(C(6)H(5))(3)] to afford polymers with moderate molecular weights (M(n) = 26,000-51,000) in good yields. The (1)H NMR spectra demonstrated that the polymers have fairly stereoregular structures (81-88 % cis). The optically active polymers, poly(1) and poly(2), were proven by their intense CD signals and large optical rotations to adopt a stable helical conformation with an excess of one-handed screw sense when heated in CHCl(3) or toluene. The sign of Cotton effect could be controlled by varying the content in the copolymers of either chiral bulky 1 and achiral nonbulky 3, or chiral nonbulky 2 and achiral bulky 7. The smaller the pendant group in the copolymerization of achiral monomers with 1, the more easily did the preferential helical sense change with the copolymer composition. However, the copolymers of chiral nonbulky 2 and achiral nonbulky 3 did not change the helical sense, irrespective of the composition. The free energy differences between the plus and minus helical states, as well as the excess free energy of the helix reversal, of those chiral-achiral random copolymers were estimated by applying a modified Ising model.     

Chiroptical switching polyguanidine synthesized by helix-sense-selective polymerization using [(R)-3,3'-dibromo-2,2'-binaphthoxy](di-tert-butoxy)titanium(IV) catalyst

A series of chiral binaphthyl titanium alkoxide complexes were synthesized. Among them, chiral titanium complex [(R)-3,3'-dibromo-2,2'-binaphthoxy](di-tert-butoxy)titanium(IV) (R-3) exists as a crystallographic C2 dimer in the solid state but a monomer in solution at room temperature. Application of R-3 in the helix-sense-selective polymerization of achiral carbodiimide, N-(1-anthryl)-N'-octadecylcarbodiimide (1), yielded a well-defined regioregular, stereoregular poly[N-(1-anthryl)-N'-octadecylguanidine] (poly-1b) with a relatively narrow polymer dispersity index of 2.7. Full racemization of poly-1b at +80 degrees C in toluene requires more than 100 h. Interestingly, poly-1b was found to undergo fast reversible chiroptical switching at +38.5 degrees C in toluene. Furthermore, at room temperature, poly-1b shows a positively signed Cotton effect in toluene, but negative ones in THF and chloroform, respectively. The chiroptical switching takes place around the toluene content of 90% (vol) in the mixed toluene/THF solvents. This is the first example of chiroptical switching phenomenon occurring in a helical polymer possessing no chiral moieties in the polymer chains. We believe this reversible chiroptical switching phenomenon occurs by reorientation of anthracene rings relative to the chain director.     

Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene with BzCpTiCl3 and methylaluminoxane as cocatalysts

Benzyl cyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride (BzCpTiCl₃) was synthesized from benzyl bromide, cyclopentadienyl lithium, and titanium tetrachloride and used in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) for the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene. Kinetic measurements of the polymerization were carried out at different temperatures. The polymerization with BzCpTiCl₃/MAO differs from the polymerization with cyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride in its behavior toward the Al/Ti ratio. In addition, high activities are observed at high Al/Ti ratios. By analyzing the polymerization runs and the physical properties of the polymers with differential scanning calorimetry, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements, and gel permeation chromatography, we found that the phenyl ring coordinates to the titanium atom during polymerization. Other known substitutions of the cyclopentadienyl ring (V. Scholz, Dissertation, University of Hamburg, 1998) in principle influence the polymerization activity. The physical properties of the polymers produced by the catalysts already known are nearly identical. BzCpTiCl₃ is the first catalyst that leads to polystyrene obviously different from the polystyrene produced by other highly active catalysts. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2805–2812, 2001     

Anionic and coordination polymerization of 3-butyrolactone

Aluminoxane catalysts and anionic initiators can polymerize 3-butyrolactone, 3-BL, to high molecular weight stereoregular polymers. With the racemic monomer, [R,S]-3-BL, anionic polymerization with alkali metal complexes can form syndiotactic polymers and aluminoxane catalysts can form either highly isotactic, syndiotactic, or atactic poly-3-butyrolactone, P-3-BL, depending on the composition and method of preparation of the aluminoxane and the conditions of polymerization.     

Homoleptic copper(I) arylthiolates as a new class of p-type charge carriers: structures and charge mobility studies

Polymeric homoleptic copper(I) arylthiolates [Cu(p-SC(6)H(4)-X)](infinity) (X=CH(3) (1), H (2), CH(3)O (3), tBu (4), CF(3) (5), NO(2) (6), and COOH (7)) have been prepared as insoluble crystalline solids in good yields (75-95 %). Structure determinations by powder X-ray diffraction analysis have revealed that 1-3 and 6 form polymers of infinite chain length, with the copper atoms bridged by arylthiolate ligands. Weak intra-chain pi***pi stacking interactions are present in 1-3, as evidenced by the distances (3.210 A in 1, 3.016 A in 2, 3.401 A in 3) between the mean planes of neighboring phenyl rings. In the structure of 6, the intra-chain pi***pi interactions (d=3.711 A) are insignificant and the chain polymers are associated through weak, non-covalent C-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions (d=2.586 A). Samples of 1-7 in their polycrystalline forms proved to be thermally stable at 200-300 degrees C; their respective decomposition temperatures are around 100 degrees C higher than that of the aliphatic analogue [Cu(SCH(3))](infinity). Data from in situ variable-temperature X-ray diffractometry measurements indicated that the structures of both 1 and 7 are thermally more robust than that of [Cu(SCH(3))](infinity). TEM analysis revealed that the solid samples of 1-5 and [Cu(SCH(3))](infinity) contained homogeneously dispersed crystalline nanorods with widths of 20-250 nm, whereas smaller plate-like nanocrystals were found for 6 and 7. SAED data showed that the chain polymers of 1-3 and [Cu(SCH(3))](infinity) similarly extend along the long axes of their nanorods. The nanorods of 1-5 and [Cu(SCH(3))](infinity) have been found to exhibit p-type field-effect transistor behavior, with charge mobility (micro) values of 10(-2)-10(-5) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). Polycrystalline solid samples of 6 and 7 each showed a low charge mobility (<10(-6) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)). The charge mobility values of field-effect transistors made from crystalline nanorods of 1-3 and [Cu(SCH(3))](infinity) could be correlated with their unique chain-like copper-sulfur networks, with the para-substituent of the arylthiolate ligand influencing the charge-transport properties.     

Macromolecular helicity inversion of poly(phenylacetylene) derivatives induced by various external stimuli

Unique macromolecular helicity inversion of stereoregular, optically active poly(phenylacetylene) derivatives induced by external achiral and chiral stimuli is briefly reviewed. Stereoregular, cis-transoidal poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing an optically active substituent, such as (1R,2S)-norephedrine (poly- 1 ) and β-cyclodextrin residues (poly- 2 ), show an induced circular dichroism (ICD) in the UV-visible region of the polymer backbone in solution due to a predominantly one-handed helical conformation of the polymers. However, poly- 1 undergoes a helix-helix transition upon complexation with chiral acids having an R configuration, and the complexes exhibit a dramatic change in the ICD of poly- 1 . Poly- 2 also shows the inversion of macromolecular helicity responding to molecular and chiral recognition events that occurred at the remote cyclodextrin residues from the polymer backbone; the helicity inversion is accompanied by a visible color change. A similar helix-helix transition of poly((R)- or (S)-(4-((1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl)carbamoyl)phenyl)acetylene) is also briefly described.     

Copper(I) coordination polymers [{Cu(mu-X)}2{RP(mu-NtBu)}2]n (R = OC6H4OMe-o; X = Cl, Br, and I) and their reversible conversion into mononuclear complexes [CuX{(RP(mu-NtBu)2}2]: synthesis and structural characterization

The reactions of cyclodiphosphazane cis-[tBuNP(OC6H4OMe-o)]2 (1) with 2 equiv of CuX in acetonitrile afforded one-dimensional Cu(I) coordination polymers [Cu2X2{tBuNP(OC6H4OMe-o)}2]n (2, X = Cl; 3, X = Br; 4, X = I). The crystal structures of 2 and 4 reveal a zigzag arrangement of [P(mu-N)(2)P] and [Cu(mu-X)(2)Cu] units in an alternating manner to form one-dimensional Cu(I) coordination polymers. The reaction between 1 and CuX in a 2:1 ratio afforded mononuclear tricoordinated copper(I) complexes of the type [CuX{(tBuNP(OC6H4OMe-o))2}2] (5, X = Cl; 6, X = Br; 7, X = I). The single-crystal structures were established for the mononuclear copper(I) complexes 5 and 6. When the reactant ratios are 1:1, the formation of a mixture of polymeric and mononuclear products was observed. The Cu(I) polymers (2-4) were converted into the mononuclear complexes (5-7) by reacting with 3 equiv of 1 in dimethyl sulfoxide. Similarly, the mononuclear complexes (5-7) were converted into the corresponding polymeric complexes (2-4) by reacting with 3 equiv of copper(I) halide under mild reaction conditions.     

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange between TpRu(PMe3)(L)X (L = PMe3 and X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh; L = NCMe and X = Ph) and deuterated arene solvents: evidence for metal-mediated processes

At elevated temperatures (90-130 degrees C), complexes of the type TpRu(PMe3)2X (X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh; Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) undergo regioselective hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange with deuterated arenes. For X = OH or NHPh, H/D exchange occurs at hydroxide and anilido ligands, respectively. For X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh, isotopic exchange occurs at the Tp 4-positions with only minimal deuterium incorporation at the Tp 3- or 5-positions or PMe3 ligands. For TpRu(PMe3)(NCMe)Ph, the H/D exchange occurs at 60 degrees C at all three Tp positions and the phenyl ring. TpRu(PMe3)2Cl, TpRu(PMe3)2OTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate), and TpRu(PMe3)2SH do not initiate H/D exchange in C6D6 after extended periods of time at elevated temperatures. Mechanistic studies indicate that the likely pathway for the H/D exchange involves ligand dissociation (PMe3 or NCMe), Ru-mediated activation of an aromatic C-D bond, and deuteration of basic nondative ligand (hydroxide or anilido) or Tp positions via net D+ transfer.     

Phthalonitrile polymers: Cure behavior and properties

This article compares the cure behavior and properties of phthalonitrile polymers derived from three different monomers, namely, 4,4′-bis(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)biphenyl, 2,2-bis[4-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane and 2,2-bis[4-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]propane. Rheometric measurements with monomer melt in the presence of an aromatic diamine curing agent reveal that the rate of the cure reaction differs for the three monomers. The rate is dependent on the concentration of the curing agent. The glass transition temperature advances with increasing extent of cure and disappears upon postcure at temperatures in excess of 350°C. Based on thermogravimetric analysis, the thermal stability of all three polymers are comparable, whereas the fluorine-containing resin shows the best oxidative stability at elevated temperatures. Microscale calorimetric studies on all three polymers reveal that the char yields are high and the total heat release upon exposure to 50 kW/m² flux for each polymer is low, compared to other thermosets. Flexural strength ranges between 80–120 MPa. The water uptake under ambient conditions is less than 3% by weight after submersion in water for seven months. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2105–2111, 1999     

Cationic and free-radical polymerization of optically active 1-olefins

The AlCl₃-initiated cationic polymerization of optically active 1-olefins yields polymers of varying optical rotatory power. Polymers of (+)-3-methyl-1-pentene and (?)-4-methyl-1-hexene prepared between ?78 and ?55°C. in CH₂Cl₂ or n-heptane are almost completely optically inactive. Under identical reaction conditions (+)-5-methyl-1-heptene gives polymers of significant optical rotatory power. Alternating SO₂copolymers of the same olefins, formed in reactions which proceed through free-radical intermediates, yield optically active products with specific rotations similar to those of low molecular weight analogs. These results are consistent with a cationic polymerization mechanism in which the growing chain undergoes intramolecular hydride shift and the asymmetric carbon atoms are converted into carbonium ions. The data also provide evidence for the lack of rearrangement in free-radical polymerization. By comparing the specific rotations of the cationic and free-radical polymers, the extent of rearrangement during cationic polymerization can be estimated. The calculations show that the 1,2-polymer in cationic poly-3-methyl-1-pentene is less than 2%, the sum of 1,2- and 1,3-polymer in cationic poly-4-methyl-1-hexene is less than 4%, and the sum of 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-polymer in cationic poly-5-methyl-1-heptene is 14–20%.     

Addition Polymerization of 5-Ethylidene-2-Norbornene in the Presence of Pd N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

New high-performance catalytic systems based on Pd N-heterocyclic carbene complexes for the selective addition polymerization of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) were proposed. With these catalysts, polymerization can be conducted at unprecedentedly high monomer/catalyst ratio (up to 5 × 10⁵/1) and gives high-molecular-weight soluble polymers with good film-forming properties. Varying the polymerization conditions (reaction temperature, monomer and catalyst concentrations, monomer/Pd ratio) makes it possible to prepare soluble ENB-based addition polymers with specified molecular weights in reasonable yields.     

FI catalysts: new olefin polymerization catalysts for the creation of value-added polymers

This contribution reports the discovery and application of phenoxy-imine-based catalysts for olefin polymerization. Ligand-oriented catalyst design research has led to the discovery of remarkably active ethylene polymerization catalysts (FI Catalysts), which are based on electronically flexible phenoxy-imine chelate ligands combined with early transition metals. Upon activation with appropriate cocatalysts, FI Catalysts can exhibit unique polymerization catalysis (e.g., precise control of product molecular weights, highly isospecific and syndiospecific propylene polymerization, regio-irregular polymerization of higher alpha-olefins, highly controlled living polymerization of both ethylene and propylene at elevated temperatures, and precise control over polymer morphology) and thus provide extraordinary opportunities for the syntheses of value-added polymers with distinctive architectural characteristics. Many of the polymers that are available via the use of FI Catalysts were previously inaccessible through other means of polymerization. For example, FI Catalysts can form vinyl-terminated low molecular weight polyethylenes, ultra-high molecular weight amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymers and atactic polypropylenes, highly isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylenes with exceptionally high peak melting temperatures, well-defined and controlled multimodal polyethylenes, and high molecular weight regio-irregular poly(higher alpha-olefin)s. In addition, FI Catalysts combined with MgCl(2)-based compounds can produce polymers that exhibit desirable morphological features (e.g., very high bulk density polyethylenes and highly controlled particle-size polyethylenes) that are difficult to obtain with conventionally supported catalysts. In addition, FI Catalysts are capable of creating a large variety of living-polymerization-based polymers, including terminally functionalized polymers and block copolymers from ethylene, propylene, and higher alpha-olefins. Furthermore, some of the FI Catalysts can furnish living-polymerization-based polymers catalytically by combination with appropriate chain transfer agents. Therefore, the development of FI Catalysts has enabled some crucial advances in the fields of polymerization catalysis and polymer syntheses.     

Four-center type photopolymerization in the solid state. III. Polymerization of phenylene diacrylic acid and its derivatives

The solid-state photopolymerization of phenylene diacrylic acid (PDA) and its derivatives was studied as an application of solid-state photodimerization of cinnamic acid to photopolymerization of corresponding bifunctional molecule which has two cinnamic units in a single molecule. p- and m-PDA, and their esters and amides were prepared and investigated with respect to their photopolymerizability. Many of them have been found to polymerize into linear high polymers with the cyclobutane rings in the main chain on irradiation by ultraviolet or visible light. The polymerization process, the structure of the polymers, and their general properties were investigated in several ways. All the polymers are very similar to poly-2,5-distyrylpyrazine and poly-1,4-bis(β-pyridyl-2-vinyl) benzene with respect to their polymerization behavior, polymer structure, and some polymer properties: these polymers are soluble in a limited number of solvents, they have a high melting point and an extremely high crystallinity. On the basis of chemical behavior of poly-PDA and its phenyl ester the possible steric configurations of these polymers are discussed. It is demonstrated for the PDA series that solid-state dimerization can be generally extended to solid-state photopolymerization of the compound having two dimerizable units in a single molecule, although the crystal structure renders polymerization impossible in certain cases.     

Syntheses of optically active polymers by condensation polymerization of d-tartaric acid with some diamines

In order to synthesize optically active polymers which have asymmetric carbon atoms in the polymer main chain, polyamides were synthesized at high temperatures by the condensation of the salt prepared from d-tartaric acid with diamines, such as hexamethylenediamine, o-, m-, and p-phenylenediamine. Effects of the solvent, polymerization time, intrinsic viscosity, and pH on the degree of the specific rotation of polyhexamethylene-d-tartaramide, were investigated. From the results of hydrolyses of the polymers, it was found that d-tartaric acid is not racemized during condensation polymerization.     

Thermal and autoxidation reactions of poly-3-methylenecyclobutene and poly-1-methyl-3-methylenecyclobutene

The thermal ring-opening reactions, autoxidation and hydrogenation of polymethy-lenecyclobutene (PMCB) and poly-1-methyl-3-methylenecyclobutene (PMMCB), were investigated. Both polymers were prepared by cationic polymerization and consisted almost entirely of 1,5-repeating units containing cyclobutene rings in the polymer backbone. Both polymers showed well behaved exothermic processes at elevated temperatures which apparently resulted in crosslinking. These processes were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and interpreted to involve thermal ring-opening reactions. Autoxidation occurred very rapidly in PMCB but much more slowly in PMMCB as predicted by Bolland's rules. Attempts to hydrogenate the cyclobutene rings in both polymers resulted in the occurrence of hydrogenolysis in PMCB and little or no reaction with PMMCB for a Pd-catalyzed reaction and partial hydrogenation of the latter for a diimide reaction.