A New Crystal Form,Polymorphism, and Multi‐Morphology in Biodegradable Poly(3‐hydroxypropionate)

Summary: A new crystal morphology (δ form) of poly(3‐hydroxypropionate) (PHP) is found in cast and melt‐crystallized PHPs with low molecular weight, in which the PHP chains possibly adopt a 2₁ helix rather than the trans conformation found in the β or γ form. The fusion temperature‐ and the crystallization temperature‐dependent polymorphism are responsible for the dual morphologies and the unique growth kinetics of spherulites in the melt‐crystallized PHPs.

a) A dual‐morphology developed at 70 °C in PHP films after melting at 117 °C and b) that formed during cooling at a rate of 1 °C · min⁻¹ from 130 °C.     

Step‐Growth Radical Addition‐Coupling Polymerization (RACP) for Synthesis of Alternating Copolymers

We report a new type of step‐growth radical addition‐coupling polymerization (RACP) involving consecutive addition of carbon‐centered radical derived from α,α′‐dibromo dibasic ester to NO double bond of C‐nitroso compound followed by cross‐coupling of carbon‐centered radical and in situ formed nitroxyl radical, which produces alternating copolymers with high molecular weight and unimodal molecular weight distribution from saturated and unsaturated monomers.

     

Cooperative Self‐Assembly of Nanoparticle Mixtures in Lamellar Diblock Copolymers: A Dissipative Particle Dynamics Study

Summary: Dissipative particle dynamics simulations are performed on the distribution of binary nanoparticle mixtures in lamellar diblock copolymers. The results show that the self‐assembly of nanoparticle mixtures in polymer matrix is a cooperative assembly that is affected by various factors, providing molecular‐level information for the rational design of new polymer nanocomposites with tailored properties.

The simulated polymer nanocomposite structure (the polymer matrix was omitted for clarity; P, gray; Q, black).     

Vapor‐Based Synthesis of Poly[(4‐formyl‐p‐xylylene)‐co‐(p‐xylylene)] and Its Use for Biomimetic Surface Modifications

Summary: The vapor‐based synthesis and characterization of a reactive polymer, poly[(4‐formyl‐p‐xylylene)‐co‐(p‐xylylene)] ( 1 ), have been reported. The reactive polymer coating enables the immobilization of oligosaccharides via the chemoselective aldehyde‐hydrazide coupling reaction.

     

Alternating Poly(Pt‐salphen)‐(p‐phenyleneethynylene) as Phosphorescent Conjugated Linear‐Rod and Coilable Sensory Materials

Phosphorescent conjugated polymers consisting of alternating p‐phenylene‐ethynylene and ‘para‐’ or ‘meta‐type’ Pt(II)‐salphen luminophore units have been synthesized. Side‐arms bearing different substituents (n‐alkoxy and acetylated‐sugar) have afforded contrasting emission properties that are attributed to the polymer conformation, extent of π‐stacking interactions and differences in chemical structure. Intriguing selectivity in luminescent sensing of metal ions has been observed.

     

All‐in‐one Layer: Anisotropic Emission due to Light‐Induced Orientation of a Multifunctional Polymer

An efficient procedure to create oriented polymer films with strongly anisotropic properties is described. It is based on a two‐step process combining a photochemical and a thermal aligning step. The orientation of the polymer parallel or perpendicular to linearly polarised incident light can be adjusted. The method presented allows for simple fabrication of films with anisotropic absorption and emission characteristics with a dichroism of 0.7 and a fluorescence anisotropy of about 8.

     

Synthesis and Properties of a Superabsorbent Polymer Prepared by Copolymerization of Sodium Acrylate with Sodium 1‐(Acryloyloxy)propan‐2‐yl Phosphate

A novel monomer, 1‐(acryloyloxy)propan‐2‐yl phosphoryl dichloride, was synthesized and characterized in this work. Thereafter, the monomer was neutralized with sodium hydroxide and copolymerized with sodium acrylate to obtain a superabsorbent polymer. The superabsorbent polymer was then modified to improve its swelling properties (i.e., the water absorbency under load, the hydrogel strength, the resilience and the dispersion). Both single factor and orthogonal design experiments were adopted to obtain optimal conditions. The superabsorbent polymer prepared under the optimal conditions showed improved water absorbency in physiological saline [17 g · g^?1 under load (P = 2 × 10³ Pa) and 65 g · g^?1 at atmospheric pressure] and other swelling properties, such as hydrogel strength, resilience and dispersion, also improved.

     

Nickel(II) α‐Diimine Catalyst for Grignard Metathesis (GRIM) Polymerization

A nickel α‐diimine catalyst was used for Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization of 2,5‐dibromo 3‐hexylthiophene and 2‐bromo‐5‐iodo‐3‐hexylthiophene monomers. GRIM polymerization of 2‐bromo‐5‐iodo‐3‐hexylthiophene generated regioregular polymers with molecular weights ranging from 3 000 to 12 000 g · mol⁻¹. The nickel α‐diimine catalyst was also successfully used for the GRIM polymerization of a bulky benzodithiophene monomer.

     

Iodine catalyzed synthesis of α,α'‐bis(substituted benzylidene)‐1‐carbethoxy‐4‐piperidone

A facile and efficient method for the preparation of α,α′‐bis(substituted benzylidene)‐1‐carbethoxy‐4‐piperidone is described using iodine as a catalyst in acetonitrile. The reaction proceeds rapidly at room temperature, giving high yields of products.