Characterization and optimization of poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-styrene) synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization

Styrene (S) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) under different conditions. The effect of initiators, ligands, solvents, and temperature to the linear first-order kinetics and polydispersity index (PDI) was investigated for bulk polymerization. First-order kinetics was observed between linearly increasing molecular weight versus conversion and low polydispersities (PDI) were achieved for ethyl 2-bromo isobutyrate (EBiB) as an initiator and N,N′,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA)/CuBr as a catalyst. The copolymers with different compositions were synthesized using different in-feed ratios of monomers. Copolymers composition was calculated from ¹H NMR spectra which were further confirmed by quantitative ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra. The monomer reactivity ratios were obtained with the help of Mayo-Lewis equation using genetic algorithm method. The values of reactivity ratios for glycidyl methacrylate and styrene monomers are r_G = 0.73 and r_S = 0.42, respectively.     

Synthesis of tertiary-butyl acrylate polymers and preparation of diblock copolymers using atom transfer radical polymerization

The synthesis of tert-butyl acrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is reported. This polymer was prepared using FeCl₂ · 4H₂O(PPh₃)₂ catalyst system in conjunction with methyl 2-bromopropionate as initiator, in bulk and in solution using acetone as a solvent. The addition of solvent was necessary in order to decrease the polymerization rate and to afford low polydispersity polymers. The number-average molecular weights of the resulting polymers increased in direct proportion to the monomer conversion, and the polydispersities (M_w/M_n) were as low as 1.2. In addition, the preparation of an AB diblock copolymer of poly (n-butyl methacrylate)-block-poly (tert-butyl acrylate) by ATRP is reported. The resulting polymers and copolymers were characterized by means of size exclusion chromatography and ¹H-NMR Spectroscopy.     

Effect of variation of [PMDETA]0/[Cu(I)Br]0 ratio on atom transfer radical polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate

A kinetic study was conducted to examine the effect of varying the ratio of ligand to transition metal in a Cu(I)Br/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) catalyst system for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of n‐butyl acrylate (nBA) using methyl 2‐bromopropionate as the initiator. Experimental molecular weights were higher than theoretical when low molecular weight polymers were targeted at low ratios of [PMDETA]₀/[Cu(I)Br]₀ (< 1), indicating inefficient initiation/deactivation. A downward curvature in the plot of M_n versus conversion was observed at high monomer conversion when targeting high molecular weight polymers. This deviation became more significant when an excess of ligand was used, indicating a contribution of chain transfer to ligand. The maximum rate of polymerization was obtained at [PMDETA]₀/[Cu(I)Br]₀ ≈ 0.5 for bulk ATRP of nBA; however for polymerization in the presence of 10 vol% DMF, the maximum appeared at the ratio ≈ 1:1. Addition of acetone or DMF improved solubility of Cu(II) complex, which consequently improved the level of control over the polymerization at low ratios of [PMDETA]₀/[Cu(I)Br]₀, but also reduced the reaction rate. The polymerization rate increased with temperature, but at the expense of increased polydispersities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3285–3292, 2004     

Spontaneous Cu(I)Br–PMDETA‐mediated polymerization of isobornyl methacrylate in heterogeneous aqueous medium at ambient temperature

Isobornyl methacrylate (IBMA), a bulky hydrophobic methacrylate, undergoes very fast polymerization, in bulk, with Cu(I)Br/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA)/ethyl‐2‐bromoisobutyrate system, at ambient temperature. IBMA also undergoes a spontaneous initiator‐free polymerization, at ambient temperature, with Cu(I)Br/PMDETA catalytic system in dimethyl sulfoxide–water mixtures. The rate of the polymerization is seen to increase with the water content up to 80 mol % of water. A possible intervention of air in initiation is proposed. The active Cu(0) formed by the disproportionation of Cu(I) species in aqueous medium probably plays a vital role for a possible air‐initiation of IBMA via single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) mechanism. A high tolerance level to water under SET‐LRP conditions is demonstrated. The poly(IBMA) samples obtained exhibit low molecular weight distributions (1.1–1.3). Similar behavior was not observed with other common methacrylates such as methyl methacrylate, t‐butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, and benzyl methacrylate. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Self-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in cyclohexanone

The self-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in cyclohexanone (CHO) in the presence of CuCl₂/N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) is reported. The linear semilogarithmic plot of ln([M]₀/[M]) vs time, the linear increase of number-average molecular weight (M_n) with conversion, and rather narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs) have been observed, which are in agreement of the characteristics of living/controlled polymerization. The NMR spectrum revealed the existence of terminal chlorine. The chain extension further proved the living characteristic. The polymerization can only be successful using CHO as the solvent, and is well controlled at the temperature as low as 50 °C. The effects of ligand, solvent, temperature and monomer to catalyst ratio are all discussed.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of (meth)acrylates and their novel block copolymers with vinyl acetate

Homopolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were carried out at 90 °C using methyl-2-bromopropionate (MBP) as initiator, copper halide (CuX, X=Cl, Br) as catalyst, 2,2^′-bipyridine (bpy) or N,N,N^′,N^′,N^″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as ligand in 1-butanol (less polar and containing OH) and acetonitrile (more polar) solvents. It was found that with CuCl/bpy catalyst ATRP of MA and MMA in 1-butanol proceeded faster than that in acetonitrile. The rate of ATRP of MA and MMA in acetonitrile and 1-butanol was comparable when CuCl/PMDETA used as catalyst system. The number-average molecular weights increased with conversion and polydispersities were low . The ATRP of MA and MMA with vinyl acetate telomer having trichloromethyl end group (PVAc-CCl₃) were also used to synthesize new block copolymers. The structures and molecular weight of synthesized PVAc-b-PMA and PVAc-b-PMMA were characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and shown that the block copolymers were novel.     

AGET ATRP of methyl methacrylate with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as solvent and TMEDA as both ligand and reducing agent

Activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in inexpensive, non-toxic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), with air-stable Cu(II)X₂(X = Br, Cl) as the catalyst and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) as both ligand and reducing agent was investigated. The polymerizations in PEG proceeded in a well-controlled manner as evidenced by kinetic studies and chain extension results. The polydispersity of the polymer obtained was quite narrow, with a weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight ratio of less than 1.2. Effects of the TMEDA content and the catalysts on polymerization were also investigated, respectively.     

Low-fluorinated homopolymer from heterogeneous ATRP of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate mediated by copper complex with nitrogen-based ligand

We report the preparation of low-fluorinated homopolymer via heterogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) using 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), and tris(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine (Me₆TREN) as representatives for di-, tri-, and tetradentate amine ligands, respectively. The ATRP was better controlled, yielding polymers with controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities (M_w/M_n ca. 1.11) when bpy was used as a ligand than when PMDETA was used. This was further supported by the results of our kinetic and chain extension studies. However, the ATRP of TFEMA had lower monomer conversions and gel formation when Me₆TREN was used as the ligand. Further reported are the thermal-properties, as well as the surface properties of the films from the resulting polymers with different molecular weights.     

A versatile synthesis of poly(lauryl acrylate) using N-(n-octyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine in copper mediated living radical polymerization

A facile synthesis of poly(lauryl acrylate) has been achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization using benzyl-2-bromoisobutyrate, copper (I) bromide, and N-(n-octyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine (OPMI). The latter was of great interest as its synthesis was very easy to carry out and as it allowed the reaction mixture to be homogeneous, which was essential for the control of the reaction. The polymerization was controlled under these conditions and was optimized with the addition of copper (II) bromide as deactivator. We proved that the synthesis of poly(lauryl acrylates) with well defined molecular weights and narrow polydispersities was possible using a ligand which does not require difficult synthesis and purification. We also showed the ability of pyridylmethanimine ligands to control ATRP of an acrylate derivative. Best results were obtained at 130 °C in xylene for [Initiator]₀/[Cu(I)Br]₀/[Cu(II)Br₂]₀/[OPMI]/[lauryl acrylate] equal to 1/1/0.05/2.2/181, respectively (M_n = 19,942, DPI = 1.28).     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of 2-methoxy ethyl acrylate and its block copolymerization with acrylonitrile

2-Methoxy ethyl acrylate (MEA), a functional monomer was homopolymerized using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique with methyl 2-bromopropionate (MBP) as initiator and CuBr/N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as catalyst system; polymerization was conducted in bulk at 60 °C and livingness was established by chain extension reaction. The kinetics as well as molecular weight distribution data indicated towards the controlled nature of polymerization. The initiator efficiency and the effect of initiator concentration on the rate of polymerization were investigated. The polymerization remained well-controlled even at low catalyst concentration of 10% relative to initiator. The influence of different solvents, viz. ethylene carbonate and toluene on the polymerization was investigated. End-group analysis for the determination of high degree of functionality of PMEA was determined with the help of ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra. Chain extension experiment was conducted with PMEA macroinitiator for ATRP of acrylonitrile (AN) in ethylene carbonate at 70 °C using CuCl/bpy as catalyst system. The composition of individual blocks in PMEA-b-PAN copolymers was determined using ¹H NMR spectra.     

Polymer–silicate nanocomposites produced by in situ atom transfer radical polymerization

Polymer–silicate nanocomposites were synthesized with atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). An ATRP initiator, consisting of a quaternary ammonium salt moiety and a 2‐bromo‐2‐methyl propionate moiety, was intercalated into the interlayer spacings of the layered silicate. Subsequent ATRP of styrene, methyl methacrylate, or n‐butyl acrylate with Cu(I)X/N,N‐bis(2‐pyridiylmethyl) octadecylamine, Cu(I)X/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, or Cu(I)X/1,1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyltriethylenetetramine (X = Br or Cl) catalysts with the initiator‐modified silicate afforded homopolymers with predictable molecular weights and low polydispersities, both characteristics of living radical polymerization. The polystyrene nanocomposites contained both intercalated and exfoliated silicate structures, whereas the poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites were significantly exfoliated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 916–924, 2004     

Copper-based reverse ATRP process of styrene in mixed solvents

Xylene/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and xylene/ethanol were employed as mixed solvents, respectively, for the reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (R-ATRP) of styrene with the azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/CuBr₂/N,N,N′,N′′,N′′-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) initiating system. With a limited amount of DMF added in, CuBr₂/PMDETA complex could dissolve well in the reaction system, so the control of polymerization was enhanced compared with the one in which simplex xylene was used as solvent. But the polarity of DMF leaded kinetics to deviation from first order. Ethanol could also improve the solubility of catalyst and be scavenged quickly by argon at 110°, therefore the impact of polarity of solvent on kinetics was negligible. Induction periods were not observed here indicating rapidly establishment of equilibrium between Cu(I) and Cu(II). This method that adding a little amount of polar solvent with low boiling point into non-polar solvent gives a new way to solve the problem of poor solubility of the catalyst in R-ATRP.     

Air‐stable and recoverable catalyst for copper‐catalyzed controlled/living radical polymerization of styrene; In situ generation of Cu(I) species via electron transfer reaction

Copper‐catalyzed controlled/living radical polymerization (LRP) of styrene (St) was conducted using the silica gel‐supported CuCl₂/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (SG‐CuCl₂/PMDETA) complex as catalyst at 110 °C in the presence of a definite amount of air. This novel approach is based on in situ generation and regeneration of Cu(I) via electron transfer reaction between phenols and Cu(II). Sodium phenoxide or p‐methoxyphenol was used as a reducing agent of Cu(II) complexes in LRP. The number–average molecular weight, M_n,GPC, increases linearly with monomer conversion and agrees well with the theoretical values up to 85% conversion The molecular weight distribution, M_w/M_n, decreases as the conversion increases and reaches values below 1.2. The catalyst was recovered in aerobic condition and reused in copper‐catalyzed LRP of St. For the second run, the number–average molecular weights increased with monomer conversion and the polydispersities decreased as the polymerization proceeded and reached to the value <1.3 at 81% conversion. The recycled catalyst retained 90% of its original activity in the subsequent polymerization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 77–87, 2006     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene initiated by triphenylmethyl chloride

Triphenylmethyl chloride (TPMCl) was employed for the first time as the initiator of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene in the presence of CuCl/N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as catalyst and cyclohexanone as solvent. The kinetic plot was first-order with respect to monomer. A linear increase of number average molecular weight (M_n) vs. monomer conversion was observed, and the molecular weight distribution (MWD) was relatively narrow (M_w/M_n = 1.2-1.5). ¹H NMR spectra revealed the ω-Cl group at the chain end. Another two initiators, benzyl chloride (BzCl) and diphenylmethyl chloride (DPMCl), were also employed in contrast with triphenylmethyl chloride to investigate the influence of phenyl numbers on the polymerization.     

Study on the polymerizations of methyl methacrylate and styrene initiated with chlorotrimethylsilane and CuCl/N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethyltriamine

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) have been radically polymerized in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane and CuCl/N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethyltriamine (Me₃SiCl/CuCl/PMDETA). An analysis of the resultant polymers by ¹H NMR discloses terminal silyl group and chlorine atom in all the obtained polymers. Kinetics studies have been carried out by measuring monomer conversions and polymer molecular weights against polymerization time. The results indicate that, for both MMA and St polymerizations, the monomer conversions exhibit a quasi-linear relationship with polymerization time, and the polymer number-average molecular weight (M_n) also increases with monomer conversion. The molecular weights of both PS and PMMA exceed one hundred thousand. Regardless of molecular weight, all the polymers show narrow molecular distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.2-1.5). These polymerization reactions are speculated to follow a mechanism similar to that of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP).     

INVESTIGATION OF THE ATRP OF n-BUTYL METHACRYLATE USING THE Cu（I）／N,N,N＇ N＂ N＂-PENTAMETHYLDIETHYLENETRIAMINE CATALYST SYSTEM

The polymerization of n-butyl methacrylate was investigated using the Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization technique with CuBr and CuCl/N,N,N‘,N“,N“-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine catalytic systems. Various combinations of catalyst systems and initiators were utilized in order to optimize the polymerization conditions and to obtain well-defined polymers (i.e. controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities). It has been found that the optimal initiator for this system is a chlorine-based initiator, when the catalyst used is a Cu(I) salt in conjunction with the N,N,N‘,N“,N“-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine ligand. Bromine-based initiators tend to result in large amounts of initial termination, leading to polymers with less than ideal chain end functionality, even if CuCI is used as the Cu(I) species to invoke the halogen exchange. Additionally, the effects of the polymerization temperature, copper(I) species and the initiator structure were determined.     

Homogeneous Solution Reverse Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

A homogeneous reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was successfully carried out in N, N-dimethylformamide(DMF) (25%, v/v) at 69°C, using an initiating system azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/CuBr₂/N, N, N′, N″, N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). The kinetics of homogeneous solution polymerizations showed linear first-order rate plots, indicating a constant number of growing species throughout the polymerization as well as a negligible contribution of termination or transfer reactions; a linear increase of the number-average molecular weight with conversion, and relatively low polydispersities, but low initiator efficiency. The dependence of the rate of polymerization on the concentrations of initiator, catalyst, ligand and temperature were presented.     

Optimization of the synthesis of poly(octadecyl acrylate) by atom transfer radical polymerization and the preparation of all comblike amphiphilic diblock copolymers

The atom transfer radical polymerization of octadecyl acrylate (ODA) has been investigated and optimized to produce polymers with predetermined molecular weights and narrow polydispersities (<1.2). The poor solubility of the catalytic system formed with conventional ligands such as the N‐(n‐propyl)‐2‐pyridylmethanimine and 2,2′‐bipyridine with Cu(I)Br in nonpolar reaction conditions gave poor control over molecular weight characteristics in ODA polymerizations. The use of N‐(n‐octyl)‐2‐pyridylmethanimine in combination with Cu(I)Br yielded a more soluble catalyst that improved control over the polymerization. The products from the polymerizations were further improved when an initiator, octadecyl 2‐bromo‐2‐methyl‐propanoate, similar in structure to the monomer, was used. Together, these modifications produced polymerizations that showed true controlled character as well as products with predetermined molecular weights and narrow polydispersities. Diblock copolymers of PODA were prepared with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and olig(oethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA). The PODA‐block‐POEGMA copolymers are the first examples of all comblike amphiphilic block copolymers. One of PODA‐block‐POEGMA copolymer samples has been shown to self‐assemble as micelles in a dilute aqueous solution. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1129–1143, 2005     

Highly active new α-diimine nickel catalyst for the polymerization of α-olefins

A new silylated α-diimine ligand, bis[N,N′-(4-tert-butyl-diphenylsilyl-2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene 3, and its corresponding Ni(II) complex, {bis[N,N′-(4-tert-butyl-diphenylsilyl-2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene}dibromonickel 4, have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of 3 and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, complex 4 is a dimer with two bridging Br ligands linking the two nickel centers, which have square pyramidal geometries. Complex 4, activated either by diethylaluminum chloride (DEAC) or methylaluminoxane (MAO) produces very active catalyst systems for the polymerization of ethylene and moderately active for the polymerization of propylene. The activity values are in the order of magnitude of 10⁷ g PE (mol Ni [E] h)⁻¹ for the polymerization of ethylene and of 10⁵ g PP (mol Ni [P] h)⁻¹ for the polymerization of propylene. NMR analysis shows that branched polyethylenes (PE) are obtained at room or higher temperatures and almost linear PE is obtained at 0 °C with 4/DEAC.     

Synthesis of precursors of poly(acryl amides) by copper mediated living radical polymerization in DMSO

The paper describes the optimization of copper(I) mediated living radical polymerization of N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate to achieve AB block copoly(acryl amides) offering a route to polymers with potential biomedical applications. Polymerization of N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate was carried out using copper(I) bromide/N-(n-propyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine catalyst with ethyl-2-bromoisobutyrate as the initiator at three different temperatures (70, 50 and 30 °C). Polymerizations at both 70 and 50 °C gave relatively high conversion, 72% and 62% respectively after 4 h. Polymerization at 30 °C the best linear first-order kinetic plot. The polydispersity remained narrow (1.15) and there was a good agreement between experimental, determined by ¹H NMR, and theoretical M_n. Polymerization of N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate was investigated in more detail by following reactions in situ by ¹H NMR. The experimental values of M_n (NMR) were quite close to the theoretical values and the polydispersities were relatively narrow (1.10-1.19). Isolated poly(N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate) was used as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of MMA catalyzed by Cu(I)Br in conjunction with N-(n-propyl)-2-pyridylmethanamine ligand leading to block copolymers. A poly(methyl acryl amide) is synthesized indirectly from the reaction of benzyl amine with poly(N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate) for 5 h with in DMSO at 50 °C under nitrogen.