Syntheses and radical polymerizations of optically active (meth)acrylamides having amino acid moieties

Syntheses and radical polymerizations of several (meth)acrylamides having L -amino acid moieties were examined. The monomers were prepared by the reactions of L -amino acid ester hydrochlorides with (meth)acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in satisfactory yields. Radical polymerizations of the monomers were carried out in the presence of AIBN (1 mol %) in bulk and in several solvents to afford the corresponding polymers in satisfactory yield. The glass transition temperatures and specific rotations of the polymers depended on the substituents of the L -amino acid moieties. Nearly the same specific rotations were observed for the monomers and the model compounds of the polymer units, N-pivaloyl amino acid methyl esters. On the contrary, the specific rotations of the polymers shifted to the negative direction in ca. 30°. The interaction between the polymer side chains might affect the changes in the specific rotations from monomers to polymers. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 2619–2629, 1997     

Polymerization behavior of N-(p-vinyl)phenylacrylamide

The polymerization behavior of N-(p-vinyl)phenylacrylamide, synthesized from p-aminostyrene and acryloyl chloride by means of the Schotten-Baumann reaction was studied. Due to a marked difference in electron density between the two double bonds, this monomer provided soluble polymers by both cationic and anionic polymerization procedures, the cationic and anionic polymers mainly carrying, as side chains, the acrylamide and styrene moieties, respectively. The polymerization behavior of the residual double bonds was also investigated for both polymers, leading to crosslinked, insoluble products.     

On the polymerization reactivity of fluorinated vinyl monomers

The polymerization reactivities of α,β,β‐trifluorovinyl compounds (CF₂=CF—R) and α‐trifluoromethylvinyl compounds (CH₂=C(CF₃)—R) are discussed since these monomers have scarcely been investigated and hardly yielded corresponding homopolymers, although tetrafluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene have been studied under radical polymerization conditions. In the case of α,β,β‐trifluorostyrene, a homopolymer is obtained in low yields by anionic polymerization and it is concluded that the reaction takes place without any side reactions once the reaction has started, since simple addition polymerization is observed and the molecular weight distribution is very narrow. Anionic polymerization of hexafluorobuta‐1,3‐diene is successfully achieved by the addition reaction of living end to the 2‐carbon of hexafluorobuta‐1,3‐diene followed by isomerization to produce excellently high thermostable polymers. ω‐Trifluorovinyloxyfluoroalkyl alcohol produces a polyether via a polyaddition reaction under anionic conditions. The homopolymers of α‐trifluoromethylacrylates are quantitatively obtained under anionic polymerization conditions. α‐Trifluoromethylstyrene derivatives are likely to polymerize under radical conditions, but are not well‐studied. The radical polyaddition reaction of perfluoroisopropenyl esters in 1,4‐dioxane, diethyl ether or 1,2‐dimethoxyethane yields the polymers possessing the solvent moiety in the polymer main chain, respectively. It is clearly demonstrated that each fluorinated vinyl monomer discussed in this article demands its own reaction conditions. Therefore, more experimental data on the polymerization of these individual monomers is needed, including research on developing the reactions discovered in the organofluorine chemistry field to the preparation of polymers.     

Syntheses of N-substituted carbazoles involving polymerizable terminal vinyl groups

Eleven N-substituted carbazoles (CZ) with terminal vinyl groups were synthesized by five sequences of reaction: N-(p-vinylbenzyl)- and N-β-(vinyloxyethyl)CZ by N-alkylations of potassium CZ with corresponding chlorides; N-(β-acryloyloxyethyl)CZ by the esterification of N-(β-hydroxyethyl)CZ with acryloyl chloride; N-acrylamido-or methacryl-amido-methyl CZ from N-hydroxymethyl CZ and acryl- or methacrylamide; N-(3-acryloyl- or methacryloyl-oxy-2-hydroxypropyl)CZ and N-[3-(p- or m-vinylanilino)-2-hydroxypropyl] CZ from N-(2,3-epoxypropyl)CZ and acrylic or methacrylic acid and p- or m-vinylaniline, respectively; and 2-[β-(N-carbazyl)propionyloxy]ethyl acrylate or methacrylate by the Michael addition of CZ to 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate or methacrylate, followed by esterifications. The vinyl polymers with pendant carbazyl groups more or less distant from the polymer backbones, prepared by conventional radical or cationic polymerization procedures, indicated charge-transfer spectra with 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions that are spread over most of the visible range.     

Syntheses of polymerizable viologens bearing a terminal vinyl group

Viologens that bore a terminal vinyl group were synthesized by four sequences of reactions: (1) N-vinylbenzyl-N′-n-propyl-4,4′-bipyridinium bromide chloride (V) was synthesized by the reaction of 4-(4′-pyrodyl)-N-n-propyl pyridinium bromide (III) with vinylbenzyl chloride; (2) N-β-acrylamidoethyl-N′-n-propyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide (IX) was synthesized by the Menschutkin reaction of III with 2-aminoethyl bromide hydrobromide and subsequent reaction with acryloyl chloride; (3) N-β-methacryloyloxyethyl-N′-n-propyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide and its analogs (XI) were synthesized by the reactions of III with the corresponding acyloxyalkyl bromides; and (4) N-vinyloxycarbonylmethyl-N′-n-propyl-4,4′-bipyridinium bromide chloride (XIII) was synthesized by the reaction of III with vinyl chloroacetate. With the exception of monomer XIII in which hydrolysis in large extent was observed during attempted polymerization, the synthesized monomers polymerized smoothly in aqueous solutions by a conventional radical procedure. Comparisons of the absorption peaks of the radical cations produced by reductions in aqueous solutions with those produced in films by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation indicate that the radical cations of polymers are associated intramolecularly in aqueous solutions.     

Syntheses of vinyl polymers containing the N-phenothiazinyl group in the side chain

Four kinds of vinyl polymers containing N-substituted phenothiazinyl groups in side chains were obtained by syntheses of the respective monomers and subsequent polymerizations. Thus, N-acrylamidomethylphenothiazine, N-(N-acrylamidomethyl)carbamoylethyl phenothiazine, β-(N-phenothiazinyl)ethyl acrylate and methacrylate, and β-(N-phenothiazinyl)ethyl vinyl ether were synthesized. It was found that all monomers except the last monomer can be polymerized with typical free-radical initiators such as α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile to afford stable soluble polymers with electron-donating characteristics, presumably due to the absence of a hydrogen atom at the site of the nitrogen atom of the phenothiazinyl group. The last monomer was found to be susceptible to typical cationic initiators such as boron trifluoride etherate to afford a stable soluble polymer also with the electron-donating characteristic.     

Polymerizations of some diene monomers. Preparations and polymerizations of vinyl methacrylate,allyl methacrylate,N-allylacrylamide,and N-allylmethacrylamide

Vinyl methacrylate, allyl methacrylate, N-allylacrylamide, and N-allylmethacrylamide were prepared, and these monomers were polymerized in toluene by α,α-azobisisobutyronitrile catalyst. Cyclization content of poly(vinyl methacrylate) was estimated by infrared spectroscopy to be 50–60% at low conversions, but at the high conversions, due to gelation the polymers were insoluble in the usual organic solvents. Allyl methacrylate did not produce any soluble polymer, even at a low conversion, in contrast with poly-(vinyl methacrylate). Poly-N-allylacrylamide and poly-N-allylmethacrylamide were also insoluble in common solvents. It was assumed that the polymers from monomers containing the allyl group might form crosslinks as a result of allyl resonance stabilization.     

Cationic Grafting of Vinyl Polymers onto a Carbon Whisker,Initiated by Acylium Perchlorate Groups Introduced onto the Surface

Abstract

The cationic graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto a carbon whisker, vapor-grown carbon fiber, initiated by acylium perchlorate groups introduced onto the surface, was investigated. The introduction of acylium perchlorate groups onto a carbon whisker was achieved by the treatment of a carbon whisker having acyl chloride groups, which were introduced by the reaction of surface carboxyl groups with thionyl chloride, with silver perchlorate in nitrobenzene. It was found that the cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers, such as styrene, indene, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, and n-butyl vinyl ether, is initiated by acylium perchlorate groups on a carbon whisker. In the polymerization, the corresponding vinyl polymers were grafted onto a carbon-whisker surface based on the propagation of polymer from the surface: the percentage of grafting of polystyrene and polyindene reached 42.5 and 100.3%, respectively. The percentage of polystyrene grafting decreased with increasing polymerization temperature because of preferential chain transfer reactions at higher temperatures. Polymer-grafted carbon whisker gave a stable colloidal dispersion in a good solvent for grafted polymer.     

STUDY ON PHOTODYNAMIC AND PHOTORESPONSIVE AZO POLYELECTROLYTES*

Several kinds of novel azobenzene-containing polyelectrolytes with special molecular design have been developedfrom acryloyl chloride or epoxy based precursor polymers. The acryloyl chloride based precursor polymer, poly(acryloylchloride), was prepared by free radical polymerization of acryloyl chloride. The azo polyelectrolytes were prepared by anesterification reaction between the precursor polymer and corresponding azo chromophores containing a reactive hydroxylgroup, followed by hydrolysis of the unreacted acyl chloride groups. The epoxy based precursor polymer was prepared by thereaction between 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol diglycidyl ether and aniline, and postfunctionalized by azo coupling reaction toform azo polymers containing chromophores with ionizable groups. The polyelectrolytes were characterized by elementalanalysis, ~1H-NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photodynamic and photoresponsive properties, as well as self-assemblyof these azo polyelectrolytes are reported in this paperp.     

Preparation of poly(phenylene vinylene) from cycloalkylene sulfonium salt monomers and polymers

Two new types of p-xylene bis-sulfonium chloride monomers were prepared from cycloalkylene sulfides. The polymerization characteristics of these monomers to form poly(p-xylene sulfonium chlorides), and the thermal elimination reactions of their polymers to poly(p-phenylene vinylene), were compared with those of two monomers prepared from dialkyl sulfides. The cycloalkylene sulfonium chloride monomer polymerized to higher yields and to higher molecular weight polymers, which showed more efficient elimination reactions.     

Syntheses and properties of photochromic polymers of the mercury thiocarbazonate series

Photochromic vinyl polymers of the mercuric thiocarbazonate series were synthesized via the three sequences: (1) synthesis of p-(meth)acrylamidophenyl mercuric acetate(II) by the reaction of (meth)acrylyl chloride with p-aminophenyl mercuric acetate, followed by polymerization to afford corresponding polymers(III) and subsequent reaction with diphenyl- or di-β-naphthyl-thiocarbazone, (2) alternative preparation of III by the reaction of (meth)acrylyl chloride polymers with p-aminophenyl mercuric acetate, and (3) reaction of N-hydroxymethyl (meth)acrylamide polymers with p-amidophenyl mercuric thiocarbazonates. The photochromic behavior of these polymers was investigated to provide data which might indicate the effect of steric conditions on the isomerization of the photochromic components in polymers both under illumination and in dark recovery.     

Study of photopolymer. XVII. Synthesis of novel photosensitive polymers with pendant photosensitive group and photosensitizer groups

Novel photosensitive polymers with pendant photosensitive group, such as cinnamic ester, and photosensitizer groups, such as N-carbamoyl-p-nitroaniline and N-carbamoly-4-nitro-1-naphthylamine, were synthesized from radical copolymerizations of (2-cinnamoyloxy)ethylmethacrylate with photosensitizer monomers, such as p-nitrophenylmethacrylamide and 4-nitro-1-na-phthylmethacrylamide, by using asobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in benzene and from the copolymerizations of (2-hydroxy)ethylmethacrylate or (2-hydroxy)ethylacrylate with photosensitizer monomers by using AIBN in DMF. This procedure was followed by condensation reactions of the copolymers with cinnamoyl chloride with pyridine as HCL acceptor in the same reaction flask. The photoreactivities of the polymers obtained were influenced by the concentration of photosensitive group and photosensitizer groups and their ratio in the polymer matrix. In addition, the photosensitivity of cinnamic ester groups attached to a soft polymer segment was higher than that of cinnamic ester group attached to a hard polymer segment when these polymers had the same pendant N-carbamoyl-p-nitroaniline group as photosensitizer. Furthermore, the spacer length between the polymer chain and photosensitizer group was important for increasing the photoreactivity of the photosensitive group in the polymers with pendant cinnamic ester and N-carbamoyl-p-nitroaniline groups.     

Polycationic salts. VI. Synthesis and in vitro studies of 2-ionene oligomer derivatives of styrene as bile acid sequestering agents

Several vinylbenzyltri-n-alkylammonium salts were prepared via the Menshutkin reaction in high yields by the reaction of vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC) and tertiary amines. Additional salts based on 2-ionene oligomers were synthesized via a sequential Menshutkin reaction. The 2-ionene oligomers were further reacted with VBC to afford the vinyl benzyl chloride-2-ionene halide monomers in nearly quantitative yield. The monomers were polymerized in either aqueous or organic solvents with azo initiators in high yield with correspondingly high inherent viscosities. The polymers were measured spectrophotometrically for their bile acid sequestering activity with an in vitro enzymatic reaction. Several of the measured polymers exhibited 15–28% greater activity relative to cholestyramine. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 701–713, 2004     

Synthesis and Qualitative Analysis of BACy and Its Self‐polymer

Many synthetic strategies of a reversible cross‐linker N,N′‐bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BACy) involve the typical condensation between the amino group of cystamine and the acyl group of acryloyl chloride in the mixed‐phase solvent system. In this study, the synthesis of BACy was performed in pure organic phase during the whole process. The yield and purity of synthesized BACy were comparable to those from aqueous/organic phase procedures. In addition, polymerization of BACy was also carried out by free radical reaction to prepare the self‐polymer and hydrogel which were characterized with FT‐IR, DSC and UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Notably, the BACy and its self‐polymer were both cleavable when exposed to the reducing agents, i.e. 1,4‐dithiothreitol (DTT) and 2‐mercaptoethanol (β‐ME). Interestingly, the reduced product of BACy contains vinyl and thiol groups, which could be further applied to the co‐polymerization with other monomeric units. On the other hand, carefully controlled reduction of BACy self‐polymer may be used to create the modified polymers with available thiol‐end groups for further chemistry. Together, our study provides modified procedure for BACy synthesis and characteristics of BACy self‐polymer and hydrogel. Further application of BACy and its self‐polymer in developing polymers with additional functionality is anticipated.     

Modification of polymers via electrophilic aromatic substitution

Three vinyl monomers, 2,4,6-trimethoxystyrene, 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)styrene, and N-methyl-2-vinylpyrrole, were synthesized via the Wittig reaction from the corresponding aldehyes. These monomers were homopolymerized by radical polymerization using α,α′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator at 60°C. The reaction of these polymers with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (phTD) and 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MeTD) was investigated. Although polytrimethoxystyrene reacts slowly with PhTD at room temperature, the other two polymers react fast and lead to the incorporation of the triazolinedione unit into the side chain of the polymer via electrophilic aromatic substitution. The reaction of bistriazolinediones (BTD) with these polymers was performed in dimethylformamide using 10–20% molar concentration of the BTD. The resulting crosslinked polymers are insoluble in polar as well as nonpolar solvents. Some physical properties of the unmodified and modified polymers were studied.     

Alkylated polypyrazines

The syntheses of four new monomers and two new polyaromatic pyrazines are described. The monomers; bis-p,p′-(octanoyl)diphenyl ether (Ia), bis-p,p′-(hexadecanoyl)diphenyl ether (Ib), bis-p,p′-(α-bromooctanoyl)diphenyl ether (IIa), and bis-p,p′-(α-bromohexadecanoyl)diphenyl ether (IIb), were produced by Friedel-Crafts acylation of diphenyl ether with the corresponding acyl chloride and subsequent α-bromination. Prepolymers were synthesized by the condensation of (IIa) and (IIb) with ammonia in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and polymers were prepared by subsequent melt condensation of the prepolymer to produce poly[2,5-(oxydiphenylene)-3,6-(dihexyl)pyrazine] (IIIa), and poly[2,5-(oxydiphenylene)-3,6-(ditetradecyl)pyrazine] (IIIb). Polymer IIIa was thermally (stable at >400°C while polymer IIIb was a tacky substance). The inherent viscosity of IIIa produced by 12 hr of melt condensation was 0.30 dl/g in formic acid. Additional heating in excess of 24 hr gave a slightly soluble polymer. The inherent viscosity of IIIb produced by 40 hr of melt condensation was 0.37 dl/g in formic acid.     

Grafting of Polymers onto a Crosslinked Polymer Carrying Carboxyl Groups as a Model Compound for Carbon Black

Abstract

A cation-exchange resin (a crosslinked polymer carrying carboxyl groups) was used as a model compound for carbon black, and the grafting of several polymers to the resin was investigated. Reaction of acyl chloride groups that had been placed on the ion-exchange resin with polymers having hydroxyl or amino groups, such as polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polybutadiene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, silicone diol, silicone diamine, and polyethyleneimine, resulted in grafting to the ion-exchange resin. In further experiments, primary amino groups were placed on the cation-exchange resin by reaction of acyl chloride groups with ethylenediamine. It was found that ring-opening polymerization of γmethyl L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride is initiated by the amino groups on the resin, and polypeptide was grafted from the cation-exchange resin. Therefore, the reactivity of carboxyl groups on the resin was found to be similar to that on carbon black. However, carboxyl groups on the resin failed to initiate the cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers, in contrast to those on carbon black. This suggested that the acidity of carboxyl groups on carbon black is greater than on the cation-exchange resin.     

Graft polymers: Chain transfer and branching

The vinyl monomers, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and methyl acrylate were polymerized in the presence of chlorinated rubber or poly(vinyl chloride) in homogeneous solution with benzoyl peroxide as catalyst. A graft polymer was formed by a chain-transfer reaction involving the growing polymer radicals to the backbone of chlorinated rubber or poly(vinyl chloride), in addition to homopolymer from the monomer. The homopolymer was isolated from the polymer mixture by fractional precipitation from methyl ethyl ketone solution with methanol as precipitant. The chain-transfer constants for the branching reactions were evaluated. The ratios k_p/(k_t)^1/2 for the grafting reactions were obtained by a correlation of chain-transfer constants with the extent of branching. The chain-transfer data were correlated on the basis of an extension of the Q–e scheme of Alfrey and Price to polymer–polymer transfer reactions. Specific effects due to the backbone are found to have considerable influence on the course of the chaintransfer reactions and k_p/(k_t)^1/2 of the grafting reactions.     

Gamma-Ray Induced Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers in Bagasse

Vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, methyl methacrylate and styrene etc., can be polymerized without catalyst into the composites of bagasse material by gamma-radiation induced in situ liquid polymerization process. The fundamental factors, such as polymerization-rate, effect of swelling agent, molecular weight of vinyl polymers and graft reaction between bagasse cellulose and vinyl polymers, have been investigated and discussed. The use of suitable low G-value polar swelling agents and the application of suitable gamma dose-rate are two key factors found to control the smooth in situ liquid polymerization system of vinyl monomers in bagasse.     

Synthesis and polymerization of optically active L-[α-(N-p-acryloxybenzoyl)alanine ethyl esters]

New optically active monomers L -[α-(N-p-acryloxybenzoyl)alanine ethyl esters] (I) and their polymers were synthesized. The title monomers (I) were prepared by the reaction of 1-p-acryloxybenzoyloxy-4-chlorobenzotriazoles (II) with L -alanine ethyl ester hydrochloride, by aminolysis of the active monoester. The new typical active ester (II) was synthesized by the N-hydroxy compound active-ester methods in excellent yield. Before the synthesis of the optically active monomers was carried out, a model study of the aminolysis of the two active esters was performed.