Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of N,N‐Dimethylacrylamide

Summary: The living polymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide was achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization catalyzed by copper chloride complexed with a new ligand, N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl 3‐hexoxo‐3‐oxopropyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (BPED). With methyl 2‐chloropropionate as the initiator, the polymerization reached high conversions (> 90%) at 80 °C and 100 °C, producing polymers with very close to theoretical values and low polydispersity. The ligand, temperature, and copper halide strongly affected the activity and control of the polymerization.

PDMA molecular weight and polydispersity dependence on the DMA conversion in the DMA bulk polymerizations at different temperatures: DMA/CuCl/MCP/BPED = 100/1/1/1, 100 °C (♦, ⋄); 80 °C (▴, ▵); 60 °C (▪, □); and DMA/CuCl/MCP/BPED = 100/1/1/2, 80 °C (•, ○).     

Aqueous RAFT Polymerization of Acrylamide and N,N‐Dimethylacrylamide at Room Temperature

Summary: The first example of a room temperature reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization conducted directly in aqueous media is detailed. Under these conditions acrylamide and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide may be polymerized in a controlled fashion to near quantitative conversions employing a difunctional trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent (CTA). Hydrolysis studies conducted at pH 5.5 suggest that the CTA is stable up to approximately 50 °C.

     

The First Example of Main‐Chain Cyclic Azobenzene Polymers

A novel main‐chain azobenzene cyclic polymer, cyclic‐PEHPA, has been successfully synthesized by ‘click’ cyclization of the α‐alkyne‐ω‐azido hetero‐difunctional linear precursors (linear‐PEHPA), which is synthesized by a step‐growth polymerization of the 3′‐ethynylphenyl[4‐hexyl‐(2‐azido‐2‐methyl‐ propionate) phenyl] azobenzene (EHPA). Gel permeation chromatography, and ¹H NMR and FT‐IR spectra confirmed the complete transformation of linear‐PEHPA into cyclic‐PEHPA. With the same molecular weights, the cyclic‐PEHPAs are found to have higher glass transition temperatures than the linear‐PEHPAs, but almost the same decomposition temperatures. In addition, the obtained cyclic azobenzene polymer with lower molar mass shows a slightly better trans–cis–trans photoisomerization ability than the corresponding linear‐PEHPA.

     

Stereoselective Copolymerization of Unprotected Polar and Nonpolar Styrenes by an Yttrium Precursor: Control of Polar‐Group Distribution and Mechanism

Styrene underwent unprecedented coordination–insertion copolymerization with naked polar monomers (ortho ‐/meta ‐/para ‐methoxystyrene) in the presence of a pyridyl methylene fluorenyl yttrium catalyst. High activity (1.26×10⁶ g mol_Y⁻¹ h⁻¹) and excellent syndioselectivity were observed, and high‐molecular‐weight copolymers (24.6×10⁴ g mol⁻¹) were obtained. The insertion rate of the polar monomers could be adjusted in the full range of 0–100 % simply by changing the loading of the polar styrene monomer. Strikingly, the copolymers had tapered, gradient, and even random sequence distributions, depending on the position of the polar methoxy group on the phenyl ring and thus on its mode of coordination to the active metal center, as shown by tracking the polymerization process and DFT calculations.     

Fourier‐Transform Raman Spectroscopic On‐Line Monitoring of the Anionic Dispersion Block Copolymerization of Styrene and 1,3‐Butadiene

The anionic dispersion block copolymerization of styrene and 1,3‐butadiene has proved a suitable technique to synthesize block copolymers of tailor‐made blocklength under technically relevant conditions. For this purpose, however, an efficient analytical on‐line technique is required to control the concentrations of individual reactants and product. The present communication shortly outlines the potential of non‐invasive light‐fiber Fourier‐transform Raman spectroscopy in combination with a self‐modeling curve‐resolution analysis to monitor the polymerization progress and to derive concentration profiles of the two monomers and polybutadiene without prior calibration of the investigated system.     

One‐Step Synthesis of Dendritic Highly Branched Polystyrenes by Organotellurium‐Mediated Copolymerization of Styrene and a Dienyl Telluride Monomer

Dendritic highly branched polystyrenes (HB‐PSts) were prepared by a one‐step copolymerization of dienyl telluride 6 and St in the presence of organotellurium chain transfer agent 2 . The molecular weight (MW), dendritic generation, and branching density were easily controlled by the ratio of 2 to 6 to styrene (St) with maintaining monodispersity. The branching efficiency estimated by a deuterium‐labeling experiment showed that 6 quantitatively (>95 %) served as the branching point. The end group fidelity was high (ca. 90 %) as determined by the end group transformation to pyrene‐derivative. Intrinsic viscosity of the HP‐polystyrenes was significantly lower than that of linear polystyrenes and were easily tuned by the branching number and branching density. The method is compatible of various functional groups and chloro and acetoxy‐substituted styrenes were also used as a comonomer. A tadpole block copolymer was also synthesized starting from linear PSt as a macroinitiator.     

Quantitative Determination of the Contribution of Charge‐Transfer Complex in the Microemulsion Copolymerization of N‐Butyl Maleimide and Styrene

By using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and pentanol (PTL) as emulsifiers, the oil‐in‐water microemulsion containing N‐butyl maleimide (NBMI, M₁) and styrene (St, M₂) was prepared. The microemulsion copolymerization using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator was investigated. On the basis of kinetic model proposed by SHAN Guo‐Rong, the reactivity ratios of free monomers and the charge‐transfer complex (CTC) in the copolymerization were found to be r₁₂ = 0.0420, r₂₁ = 0.0644, r_1C = 0.00576 and r_2C = 0.00785, respectively. A kinetic treatment based on this model was used to quantitatively estimate the contribution of CTC to the total copolymerization rate in the NBMI/St copolymerization. It was about 17.0–20.0% for a wide range of monomer feed ratios.     

New,strong cationic hydrogels: Preparation of N,N,N′,N′‐tetraallyl piperazinium dibromide and its copolymers with N,N‐diallyl morpholinium bromide

N,N,N′,N′‐tetraallyl piperazinium dibromide (TAP) has been prepared in high yields by quaternization of N,N′‐diallyl piperazine with allyl bromide. Herein, we have described preparation of nonhydrolysable, strong, cationic hydrogels by copolymerization of TAP with N,N‐diallyl morpholinium bromide (DAM) in the presence of t‐butyl hydroperoxide as initiator in aqueous solutions. Because the monomer and crosslinker involved consist of quaternary amine functions, these hydrogels are fully cationic and do not carry hydrolysable groups. Contrary to expectations, the quaternary amine hydrogels presented do not show any super absorbency, instead dry gel particles in water undergo spontaneous disintegration with an audible bursting of the particles due to instantaneous, high osmotic pressure. Whereas, in KBr or HBr solutions, the swellings are relatively slow. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1006–1013, 2000     

Reaction of chloropyridazines with N,N‐dimethylformamide

Chloropyridazine derivatives 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10a‐c were reacted with N,N‐dimethylformamide under reflux condition to give the corresponding N,N‐dimethylaminopyridazines 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11a‐c regio‐selectively.     

Enantiomerically Pure Phosphaalkene–Oxazolines (PhAk‐Ox): Synthesis,Scope and Copolymerization with Styrene

The design of a synthetic route to a class of enantiomerically pure phosphaalkene–oxazolines (PhAk‐Ox) is presented. The condensation of a lithium silylphosphide and a ketone (the phospha‐Peterson reaction) was used as the P?C bond‐forming step. Attempted condensation of PhC(?O)Ox (Ox=CNOCH(iPr)C H₂) and MesP(SiMe₃)Li gave the unusual heterocycle (MesP)₂C(Ph)?CN‐(S)‐CH(iPr)CH₂O ( 3 ). However, PhAk‐Ox (S,E)‐MesP?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 a ) was successfully prepared by treating MesP(SiMe₃)Li with PhC(?O)CMe₂Ox (52 %). To demonstrate the modularity and tunability of the phospha‐Peterson synthesis several other phosphaalkene–oxazolines were prepared in an analogous manner to 1 a : TripP?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 b ; Trip=2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl), 2‐iPrC₆H₄P?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 c ), 2‐tBuC₆H₄P?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 d ), MesP?C(4‐MeOC₆H₄)CMe₂Ox ( 1 e ), MesP?C(Ph)C(CH₂)₄Ox ( 1 f ), and MesP?C(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)C(CH₂)₄Ox ( 1 g ). To evaluate the PhAk‐Ox compounds as prospective precursors to chiral phosphine polymers, monomer 1 a and styrene were subjected to radical‐initiated copolymerization conditions to afford [{MesPC(Ph)(CMe₂Ox)}_x{CH₂CHPh}_y]_n ( 9 a : x=0.13n, y=0.87n; GPC: M_w=7400 g mol^?1, PDI=1.15).     

cis‐1,4‐Selective Copolymerization of Ethylene and Butadiene: A Compromise between Two Mechanisms

Introducing ethylene units into polybutadiene backbones is an approach to synthesize advanced rubber materials, which has been a research challenge because of distinct polymerization mechanisms of the two monomers. To date, only trans ‐1,4‐ and 1,2‐regulated copolymers have been obtained. Herein, we reported the unprecedented cis ‐1,4 selective copolymerization of ethylene and butadiene by using the thiophene‐fused cyclopentadienyl‐ligated scandium complexes. The effects of the sterics and electronics of the catalytic precursors as well as the monomer loading mode on the activity and selectivity as well as the sequence lengths were investigated, and the mechanism was elucidated. Thus a novel ethylene‐based rubber material possessing a high molecular weight, 80 % cis ‐1,4 regularity and a T _g=−94 °C without an obvious melting point owing to short polyethylene sequences even at its content up to 45 mol %, was isolated. This new rubber material exhibited excellent anti‐flowing performance and strong tensile strength.     

Preparations of Saturated N‐P‐N Type Secondary Phosphine Oxides and their Applications in Cross‐Coupling Reactions

A series of cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine ( 3a – 3d ) and benzene‐1,2‐diamine derivatives ( 3e – 3h ) were pre‐ pared. Followed by hydrolysis, the reaction of 3a – 3c with PCl₃ successfully led to the formation of cor‐ responding metastable saturated heteroatom‐substituted secondary phosphine oxides (HASPO 4a – 4c ), a tautomer of the saturated heteroatom‐substituted phosphinous acid (HAPA). Whereas ambient‐stable diamine‐coordinated palladium complexes were obtained, HAPA‐coordinated palladium complexes were not successfully synthesized. The molecular structures of HASPO 4c , Pd(OAc)₂(3a) , PdBr₂(3b) and Pd(OAc)₂(3c) and [Cu(NO₃)(3d)⁺][NO₃ ^? ] were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. Catalysis of in‐situ Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions for aryl bromides and phenylboronic acid using diamine 3a as ancillary ligand showed that the optimized reaction condition at 60 °C is the combination of 2 mmol % 3a /3.0 mmol KOH/1.0 mL 1,4‐dioxane/1 mmol % Pd(OAc)₂. Moreover, moderate reactivity was observed when using aryl chlorides as substrates (supporting infor‐ mation). When diamine 3d was employed in Heck reaction, good tolerance of functional groups of aryl bromides were observed while using 4‐bromoanisole and styrene as substrates. The optimized condi‐ tion for Heck reaction at 100 °C is 3 mmol % 3d /3.0 mmol CsF/1.0 mL toluene/3 mmol % Pd(OAc)₂. In general, cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine derivatives exhibited better catalytic properties than those of benzene‐1,2‐diamines.     

Highly Hydrophilic Copolymers of N,N‐Dimethylacrylamide,Acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid,and Ethylenedimethacrylate: Nanoscale Morphology in the Swollen State and Use as Exotemplates for Synthesis of Nanostructured Ferric Oxide

The polymer framework of water‐swollen copolymers of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide, acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid, and ethylenedimethacrylate (nominal cross‐linking degrees of 4, 8, and 20 mol %) is composed of highly expanded domains, with “pores” not less than 6 nm in diameter. When the 4 % cross‐linked copolymer (DAE 26‐4) is swollen with a 10^?4 M solution of 4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPOL) in water, MeOH, EtOH, or nBuOH, the molecules of the paramagnetic probe rotate rapidly (τ<1000 ps) and as fast as in the bulk liquid in the case of water. The swelling degree of DAE 26‐4 is related to the Hansen solubility parameters of a number of liquids, including linear alcohols up to n‐octanol. It is also found that the rotational correlation time of TEMPOL in the copolymer swollen by water and the lightest alcohols increases with decreasing specific absorbed volume. Time‐domain NMR spectrometry of water‐swollen DAE 26‐4 shows that sorption of only 14 % of the liquid required for its complete swelling is enough for full hydration of the polymer chains. Accordingly, in fully swollen DAE 26‐4 the longitudinal relaxation time of water closely approaches the value of pure water. {¹³C} CP‐MAS NMR on partially and fully water swollen samples of DAE 26‐4 shows that swelling increases the mobility of the polymer chains, as clearly indicated by the narrowing of the best‐resolved peaks. DAE 26‐4 was used as an exotemplate for the synthesis of nanocomposites composed of the polymer and nanostructured Fe₂O₃ through a series of ion‐exchange/precipitation cycles. After the first cycle the nanoparticles are 3–4 nm in diameter, with practically unchanged size after subsequent cycles (up to five). In fact, the nanoparticle size never exceeded the diameter of the largest available pores. This suggests that the polymer framework controls the growth of the nanoparticles according to the template‐controlled synthesis scheme. Selected‐area electron diffraction, TEM, and high‐resolution electron microscopy show that the nanostructured inorganic phase is composed of hematite.     

Screening of N,N‐bidentate and N,N,N‐tridentate pyridine‐based ligands in the catalytic allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins

A variety of chiral N,N‐bidentate and N,N,N‐tridentate ligands based on the pyridine framework, namely C2‐symmetric dipyridylmethane and terpyridine, N‐(p‐toluensulfinyl)iminopyridines and two kinds of iminopyridines, has been assessed in the asymmetric copper(I)‐catalysed allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins. Catalytic activity and enantioselectivity were found to be highly dependent upon the framework of the ligands, which afforded cycloalkenyl benzoates in low to moderate yields and enantioselectivities. The best yields (up to 70%) and enantioselectivities (up to 53% enantiomeric excess) were obtained with an iminopyridine based on camphane and quinoline skeletons. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Living Polymerization of N,N‐Diphenylacrylamide with Triisobutylaluminum

Summary: N,N‐Diphenylacrylamide was polymerized in a living fashion with triisobutylaluminum in THF at 0 °C. The polymerization results showed an increase of molecular weight proportional to the amount of monomer consumed and a first‐order kinetics at −78 °C. The intermediates obtained with excess initiator at −78 °C revealed that the polymerization was initiated through 1,4‐addition of hydride from a triisobutyl group in the triisobutylaluminum and then proceeded through aluminum‐oxygen bond interchange.

N,N‐Diphenylacrylamide was polymerized in a living fashion with triisobutylaluminum in THF at 0 °C.