Photodegradation behavior of tert-butyl vinyl ketone polymers and copolymers with styrene and α-methylstyrene

Photodegradation behavior of atactic and isotactic polymers of tert-butyl vinyl ketone (t-BVK) and its copolymers with styrene and α-methylstyrene was studied in dioxane as a solvent at room temperature. The quantum yield of main-chain scission of atactic poly(t-BVK) was found to be larger than that of isotactic poly(t-BVK) and atactic poly(methyl vinyl ketone). From the Stern-Volmer plots on the quenching study of atactic poly(t-BVK) with naphthalene and 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene, it was found that 60–70% of its photochemical reaction underwent main-chain scission from the triplet state. It was also found that the increase in t-BVK contents of both copolymers accelerated the photodegradation, and the copolymer with styrene was more photodegradable than that with α-methylstyrene. These results seemed to suggest that the main-chain scission of these vinyl ketone polymers and copolymers proceeded through a Norrish type II photoelimination mechanism.     

Cationic polymerization of β-pinene,styrene and α-methylstyrene

Molecular weight distributions determined by gel permeation chromatography demonstrate that α-methylstyrene copolymerizes with both β-pinene and styrene, forming both bi- and terpolymers. The composition of precipitated polymer versus crude polymer, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, suggests that β-pinene and styrene also copolymerize. Extraction of the latter bipolymer of β-pinene and styrene with acetone gives only a small amount of insoluble β-pinene homopolymer, confirming that β-pinene and styrene copolymerize in m-xylene. GPC analysis shows that each copolymer contains some homopolymer. A comparison of M _n with molecular weight calculated from NMR analysis, assuming chain transfer to solvent, indicates that chain transfer is the predominant method of forming dead polymer. The carbonium ions of the growing chain tend to transfer to solvent with increasing ease in the order β-pinene, styrene, and α-methylstyrene.     

Kinetics of free-radical copolymerization of α-methylstyrene and styrene

The free-radical copolymerization of α-methylstyrene and styrene has been studied in toluene and dimethyl phthalate solutions at 60°C. Gas chromatography was used to monitor the rate of consumption of monomers. For styrene alone, the measured rate of polymerization R_p and M?_n of the polymer coincided with values expected from previous studies by other workers. Solution viscosity η affected R_p and M?_n of styrene homopolymers and copolymers as expected on the basis of an inverse proportionality between η^1/2 and termination rate. The rate of initiation by azobisisobutyronitrile appears to be independent of monomer feed composition in this system. Molecular weights of copolymers can be accounted for by considering combinative termination only. The effects of radical chain transfer are not significant. A theory is proposed in which the rate of termination of copolymer radicals is derived statistically from an ideal free-radical polymerization model. This simple theory accounts quantitatively for R_p and M?_n data reported here and for the results of other workers who have favored more complicated reaction models because of the apparent failure of simple copolymer reactivity ratios to predict polymer composition. This deficiency results from systematic losses of low molecular weight copolymer species in some analyses. Copolymer reactivity ratios derived with the assumption of a simple copolymer model and based on rates of monomer loss can be used to predict R_p values measured in other laboratories without necessity for consideration of depropagation or penultimate unit effects. The 60°C rate constants for propagation and termination in styrene homopolymerization were taken to be 176 and 2.7 × 10⁷ mole/l.-sec, respectively. The corresponding figures for α-methylstyrene are 26 and 8.1 × 10⁸ mole/l.-sec. These constants account for the sluggish copolymerization behavior of the latter monomer and the low molecular weights of its copolymers. The simple reaction scheme proposed here suggests that high molecular weight styrene–α-methylstyrene copolymers can be produced at reasonable rates at 60°C by emulsion polymerization. This is shown to be the case.     

Radiation degradation of methyl α-chloroacrylate–methacrylonitrile copolymers

The radiation degradation behavior of methyl α-chloroacrylate (MCA) and methacrylonitrile (MCN) copolymers has been investigated as part of a program to develop high-sensitivity polymeric resists for integrated circuit manufacture. High-molecular-weight copolymers were prepared by emulsion techniques. Several different copolymer compositions were prepared varying from 19 to 68 mole % MCA. These copolymers were fractionated and then subjected to γ irradiation from a ⁶⁰Co Source. The G_s - G_s, G_s - 4G_s values were determined from M?;F>n_k^?1 and G_u^?1 versus dose plots, and the G_fs and G_s Values were then calculated. Molecular weights of both unirradiated and irradiated polymers were analyzed by membrane osmometry and gel permeation chromatography. All copolymers exhibited higher degradation susceptibilities than that of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PPMA), which has G_x = 1.3. The individual G_x and G_x values of the copolymers were found to fall between those of the two homopolymers, poly(methyl α-chloroacrylate) (G_x = 6.0) and polymethacrylonitrile (G_x ～ 3.1). The dependence of G_x and G_x values on molecular weight was minor. The crosslinking susceptibility of the poly(methyl α-chloroacrylate) (G_x ～ 0.8), was greatly decreased by copolymerization with MCN. Relatively small amounts of MCN caused a large drop in G_x, i.e., G_x ～ 0.15 at 32% MCN and G_x ～ 0.03 at 51% MCN. The observation could be attributed to the decreasing probability that crosslinking sites, in the MCA monomer units on adjacent chains, would lie in close proximity.     

Cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene from polydienes. I. Synthesis and characterization of poly(butadiene-g-α-methylstyrene) copolymers

The preparation of poly(butadiene-g-α-methylstyrene) copolymers was investigated with three different alkylaluminum coinitiators. The alkylaluminum compounds in conjunction with polybutadiene which contained a low concentration of labile chlorine atoms initiated the polymerization of α-methylstyrene to produce graft copolymers. Trimethylaluminum gave higher grafting efficiencies than diethylaluminum chloride at comparable monomer conversions. Triethylaluminum produced only very low monomer conversions (<5%), even at long reaction times, and for this reason was not studied extensively. The number of grafts per polybutadiene backbone was determined for a number of copolymers and found to increase slightly as the allylic chlorine concentration in the polybutadiene backbone was increased. In all cases, however, only a low percentage of the available labile chlorine sites along the polybutadiene backbone resulted in grafted α-methylstyrene side chains. The addition of small quantities of water to the polymerization solvent greatly enhanced the grafting rate and ultimate monomer conversion during the synthesis of these poly(butadiene-g-α-methylstyrene) copolymers. The mechanistic role of water during these grafting reactions is unknown at the present time.     

Anionic copolymerization of α-methylstyrene and styrene: Kinetics and mechanism

A kinetic study of copolymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene accompanied with depropagation, initiated by n-butyilithium in cyclohexane with tetrahydrofuran as an additive polar solvent, has been performed. The various propagation rate constants of active species and the complexation equilibrium constants between different kinds of active species were determined. Furthermore, the reactivity ratios of two monomers with regard to monomeric, monoetherated and dietherated active species were obtained.     

Emulsion copolymerization behavior of α-methylstyrene with methacrylonitrile

The emulsion copolymerization behavior of α-methylstyrene with methacrylonitrile is described. The effects of polymerization temperature, potassium persulfate initiator concentration, sodium lauryl sulfate emulsifier concentration on copolymer yield, molecular weight, and rate of copolymerization are described. The copolymer was found to have an azeotropic composition at 43 mole-% AMS. Reactivity ratios were determined to be 0.06 and 0.28 for AMS and MAN, respectively.     

Preparation,fractionation, and dilute-solution behavior of ABA poly(methyl methacrylate-b-α-methylstyrene) block copolymers

The preparation by anionic polymerization of six ABA poly(methyl methacrylate-b-α-methylstyrene) block copolymers and of sixteen poly(α-methylstyrene)s is described. The block copolymers, of similar molecular weight but with different chemical compositions, were fractionated by preparative gel permeation chromatography and their behavior in dilute solution was investigated using viscometry. The results obtained indicate that the intramolecular phase separation does not occur under the conditions utilized, the block copolymers assuming randomcoil configurations in all of the copolymer/solvent systems studied. Consequently the block copolymer molecules are more expanded than homopolymers of the same molecular weight. The series of poly(α-methylstyrene)s covered the molecular weight range 2.7 × 10³–1.3 × 10⁶ and enabled the determination of Mark–Houwink–Sakurada constants for poly(α-methylstyrene) in the solvents chosen for the block copolymer studies.     

Pulse radiolysis study on the initial processes of radiation-induced cationic polymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene

Initial processes of radiation-induced cationic polymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene have been studied by means of microsecond pulse radiolysis. For styrene, absorption bands caused by the monomer cation radical St⁺? appear at 630 and 350 nm in a mixture of isopentane and n-butyl chloride at about ?165°C. In parallel with the decay of St⁺?, three absorption bands appear in the near-infrared (IR) region, and at 600 and 450 nm. The IR and 600 nm bands are assigned to the associated dimer cation radical St₂⁺?, and the 450 nm band to the bonded dimer cation radical St-St⁺?. The kinetic behavior of these species shows that reaction of St⁺? with styrene monomer forms both St₂⁺? and St-St⁺?. With the decay of St-St⁺?, another absorption band appears at 340 nm, and the lifetime of this band is relatively long. The 340 nm band may be due to carbonium ions of the growing polystyrene. For α-methylstyrene, the monomer cation radical (at 690 and 350 nm), the associated dimer cation radical (in the near-IR region and at 620 nm) and the bonded dimer cation radical (at 480 nm) behave in a manner similar to that of the corresponding styrene species. The absorption band caused by carbonium ions of growing poly(α-methylstyrene) appears at 340 nm.     

Conformational behavior of styrene–dymethylsiloxane block copolymers in dilute solution

To determine the behavior of a copolymer is dilute solution, a viscosity study has been performed on a polystyrene–polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer in three solvents presenting different thermodynamic conditions. The results are discussed in relation to a mixture of homopolymers and a segregated model. The unperturbed dimensions, obtained by the Stock–mayer–Fixman method, are intermediate between those of the parent homopolymers. The intrinsic viscosity measured in a good solvent, toluene, was close to the weighted averages of those of the corresponding homopolymers of equal molecular weight, but higher in decalin and in butanone, θ solvents for PS and PDMS, respectively. According to the low value obtained for the interaction parameter, the chain is slightly expanded as a result of the interactions between the unlike monomer units. Both segregation and random conformation would probably occur, depending on the quality of the solvent.     

γ-Radiolysis of ketone polymers. II. γ-Irradiation of styrene–methyl vinyl ketone copolymers

γ-Radiolysis of copolymers of styrene and methyl vinyl ketone shows that the introduction of pendant carbonyl groups markedly increases the G(s) value as compared to the homopolymer of styrene. The G(x) value is only slightly affected. These efficiencies are determined by employing an established statistical theory for random crosslinking and scission coupled with gel-permeation chromatography as the analytical tool required to follow the changes in the MWD of polymers. Also the G(H₂) values are unaltered by the introduction of carbonyl groups in polystyrene. These results are in marked contrast to the effects of carbonyl groups in polyethylene when subjected to γ-radiolysis and can be attributed to the protective role played by the aromatic phenyl groups in polystyrene.     

Syntheses of methyl α-dl-mycaminoside, methyl α-dl-oleandroside, methyl β-dl-cymaroside, methyl α-dl-tyveloside and methyl α-dl-chromoside C

Five rare hexoses, which are components of antibiotics or cardiac glycosides, have been synthesized as methyl glycosides through a common intermediate methyl 2,3-dehydro-2,3,6-trideoxy-α-dl glucopyranoside (7). Epoxidation and subsequent treatment with dimethylamine of7 afforded methyl α-dl-mycaminoside (9). The addition reaction of MeOH to12 gave methyl α-dl-oleandroside (15) and methyl β-dl-cymaroside (17). The hydroxymercuration and subsequent reduction of12 afforded methyl α-dl-chromoside C (19) and methyl β-dl-tyveloside (25).     

Ionic polymerization under an electric field. III. Cationic polymerizations of α-methylstyrene and styrene

Cationic polymerizations of α-methylstyrene and styrene were carried out in an electric field with iodine as a catalyst and ethylene dichloride as the solvent. The effects of the field on the rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization were studied. It was found that the field increased the rate of polymerization of α-methylstyrene and, also slightly increased the degree of polymerization, whereas the field had no influence on these quantities in the case of styrene. The expressions for the rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization, which were derived in a previous paper and refined in the present paper, show that these quantities are generally a function of the degree of dissociation of ion pairs at growing chain ends. For a comparatively large degree of dissociation, these expressions can account for the field effect as was observed on α-methylstyrene, if one assumes that the degree of dissociation in the presence of an electric field is larger than that in its absence, and that the free-ion propagation proceeds much faster than the ion-pair propagation. For a small degree of dissociation, however, these expressions become practically independent of the degree of dissociation so that a possible increase due to the presence of an electric field gives rise to no observable effect on the polymerization. This situation may be interpreted as corresponding to the case of styrene. In other words, the polymerization of α-methylstyrene has more free ionic character than that of styrene.     

Free radicals in γ-irradiated poly-α-methylstyrene

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra were observed at ?160°C and at room temperature for γ-irradiated poly-α-methylstyrene. The spectrum observed at room temperature has been attributed to the radical species while that at ?160°C results from the same radical and superposition of the spectrum due to the radical ?H₂-C(CH₃)(C₆H₅)-. The radicals which are stable at room temperature could be used to graft vinyl acetate.     

Anionic polymerization of arylbismuth,lead and tin derivatives of styrene and α-methylstyrene

Styryl- and α-methylstyryldiphenylbismuth (I and II, respectively), and styryl and α-methylstyryltriphenyllead and the two corresponding tin-containing monomers (III, IV, V and VI, respectively) were synthesized. Compounds III through VI were obtained pure, but I and II contain substantial quantities of Ph₃Bi and di- and tri-vinyl derivatives. Homopolymers of I, III and V, as well as copolymers with methyl acrylate were synthesized radically. Monomers III, V, and VI yielded narrow MWD polymers with anionic initiators such as the potassium salt of the α-methylstyrene dimer carbanion in THF at −80°C, while I gave a broad, bimodal MWD. Monomers II and IV did not polymerize under these conditions due to side reactions with the initiator. Glass transition temperatures, thermal stabilities and radiopacities of a number of the polymers were determined.