Anionic Synthesis of Primary and Secondary Amine-Functionalized Polymers Using Imine Chemistry

There has been growing interest and research on new synthetic methods for thepreparation of well-defined polymers with chain-end functional groups[1～ 7] . Thesefunctional groups in polymers can participate in reversible ionic association;chainextension,branching,or crosslinking reactions with polyfunctional reagents;couplingand linking with reactive groups in other oligomer or polymer chains;and initiation ofpolymerization of other monomers[4～ 6] . The methodology of living anionic polyme-ri…     

Tertiary amine-functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization

The quantitative synthesis of tertiary amine-functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization is reported. Tertiary amine-functionalized polystyrene was prepared with the adduct of 1-(bromoethyl)benzene with 1-(4-dimethyl-aminophenyl)-1-phenylethylene as an initiator in the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of a copper (I) bromide/2,2′-bipyridyl catalyst system. The polymerization proceeded via a controlled free-radical polymerization process to afford quantitative yields of the corresponding tertiary amine-functionalized polystyrene with predictable number-average molecular weights (1600–4400), narrow molecular weight distributions (1.09–1.31), and an initiator efficiency of 0.95. The polymerization process was monitored by gas chromatographic analysis. The tertiary amine-functionalized polymers were characterized by thin-layer chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, potentiometry, and spectroscopy. All experimental evidence was consistent with quantitative functionalization via the 1,1-diphenylethylene derivative. Polymerization kinetic measurements showed that the polymerization reaction followed first-order-rate kinetics with respect to monomer consumption and that the number-average molecular weight increased linearly with monomer conversion. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2058–2067, 2001     

Dendrimers as scaffolds for multifunctional reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer agents: Syntheses and polymerization

The synthesis and characterization of novel first‐ and second‐generation true dendritic reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents carrying 6 or 12 pendant 3‐benzylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanylpropionic acid RAFT end groups with Z‐group architecture based on 1,1,1‐hydroxyphenyl ethane and trimethylolpropane cores are described in detail. The multifunctional dendritic RAFT agents have been used to prepare star polymers of poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) and polystyrene (PS) of narrow polydispersities (1.4 < polydispersity index < 1.1 for PBA and 1.5 < polydispersity index < 1.3 for PS) via bulk free‐radical polymerization at 60 °C. The novel dendrimer‐based multifunctional RAFT agents effect an efficient living polymerization process, as evidenced by the linear evolution of the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) with the monomer–polymer conversion, yielding star polymers with molecular weights of up to M_n = 160,000 g mol^?1 for PBA (based on a linear PBA calibration) and up to M_n = 70,000 g mol^?1 for PS (based on a linear PS calibration). A structural change in the chemical nature of the dendritic core (i.e., 1,1,1‐hydroxyphenyl ethane vs trimethylolpropane) has no influence on the observed molecular weight distributions. The star‐shaped structure of the generated polymers has been confirmed through the cleavage of the pendant arms off the core of the star‐shaped polymeric materials. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5877–5890, 2004     

Covalent assembly and micropatterning of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes to monolayer-modified Si(111) surfaces

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) covalently bound to monocrystalline p-type Si(111) surfaces have been prepared by attaching soluble amine-functionalized MWNTs onto a preassembled undecanoic acid monolayer using carbodiimide coupling. SEM analysis of these functionalized surfaces shows that the bound MWNTs are parallel to the surface rather than perpendicular. The voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements reveal that the electron transfer at the MWNT-modified surface is faster than that observed at a MWNT-free alkyl monolayer. We have also demonstrated that it is possible to prepare MWNT micropatterns using this surface amidation reaction and a "reagentless" UV photolithography technique. Following this approach, MWNT patterns surrounded by n-dodecyl areas have been produced and the local electrochemical properties of these micropatterned surfaces have been examined by scanning electrochemical microscopy. In particular, it is demonstrated that the MWNT patterns allow a faster charge transfer which is consistent with the results obtained for the uniformly modified surfaces.     

The NIST rapid irradiation and counting system

A radiotracer based method for the determination of the rate of expel of a swelling agent from a swelling agent saturated polymer foil induced by a second organic liquid (i.e., blowing agent for foaming of polymers) has been set up and tested. The method was applied to acetone swollen polyetherimide (PEI) foil and 1,1,1-trichloroethane and ethanol (blowing agents) systems. By combining the results of radiotracer measurements with those obtained by measuring foil weights, the amount of the respective blowing agents that replaced acetone in the PEI foil was determined.     

Structurally Diverse Nitric Oxide-Releasing Poly(propylene Imine) Dendrimers

Structurally diverse secondary amine-functionalized poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers capable of tunable nitric oxide (NO) release were synthesized in a straightforward, one-step manner using ring-opening or conjugate-addition reactions with propylene oxide (PO), styrene oxide (SO), acrylonitrile (ACN), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (average Mn = 480) (PEG) or 1,2-epoxy-9-decene (ED). N-Diazeniumdiolate nitric oxide donors were formed on the resulting secondary amine-functionalized G2-G5 PPI dendrimers by reaction with NO gas in basic solution. The NO storage and release kinetics for the resulting dendritic scaffolds were diverse (0.9-3.8 μmol NO/mg totals and 0.3 to 4.9 h half lives), illustrating the importance of the exterior chemical modification (e.g., steric environments, hydrophobicity, etc.) on diazeniumdiolate stability/decomposition. Tunable NO release was demonstrated by combining two donor systems on the exterior of one macromolecular scaffold. Additionally, a mathematical model was developed that allows for the simulation of dual NO release kinetics using the NO release data from the two single NO donor systems. The approaches described herein extend the range and scope of NO-releasing macromolecular scaffolds by unlocking a series of materials for use as dopants in biomedical polymers or stand-alone therapeutics depending on the exterior modification.     

Synthesis and postfunctionalization of well‐defined star polymers via “double” click chemistry

In this article, the synthesis and the functionalization of well‐defined, narrow polydispersity (polydispersity index < 1.2) star polymers via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is detailed. In this arm first approach, the initial synthesis of a poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) polymer, and subsequent, cross‐linking using bis‐acrylamide to prepare star polymers, has been achieved by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. These star polymers were functionalized using a variety of amino functional groups via nucleophilic substitution of pentafluorophenyl activated ester to yield star polymers with predesigned chemical functionality. This approach has allowed the synthesis of star glycopolymer using a very simple approach. Finally, the core of the stars was modified via thiol‐ene click chemistry reaction using fluorescein‐o‐acrylate and DyLigh 633 Maleimide. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

One-step synthesis of amine-functionalized thermo-responsive magnetite nanoparticles and single-crystal hollow structures

A high-temperature solution phase hydrolysis has been developed for the synthesis of amine-functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanostructures. The concentrations of the reagents and the reaction time have great influence on the morphologies of the products. Increasing the amounts of poly (propylene glycol) bis (2-aminopropyl ether) transformed the product morphology from hollow nanostructures to magnetite nanoparticles. Single-crystal solid spherical aggregates, hollow spheres, loose nanoclusters and polyhedral-like magnetite particles can be selectively synthesized by varying the synthesis parameters, including the reaction time or the weight ratio of iron precursors to polyetheramine. The morphological transformation could be attributed to the cooperation of oriented aggregation and Ostwald ripening mechanisms. By using poly (propylene glycol) bis (2-aminopropyl ether) as the capping agent, the amine-functionalized nanoparticles show high water dispersibility and thermo-responsive. In addition, the Pickering emulsion stabilized by amine-functionalized nanoparticles was fabricated. One of the most promising applications of the as-prepared single-crystal hollow structures is as support materials for biological testing, catalysis and targeted drug delivery.     

Stepping Further from Coupling Tools: Development of Functional Polymers via the Biginelli Reaction

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have been used to prepare polymers with appealing functions. The Biginelli reaction, one of the oldest and most famous MCRs, has sparked new scientific discoveries in polymer chemistry since 2013. Recent years have seen the Biginelli reaction stepping further from simple coupling tools; for example, the functions of the Biginelli product 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-(thi)ones (DHPM(T)) have been gradually exploited to develop new functional polymers. In this mini-review, we mainly summarize the recent progress of using the Biginelli reaction to identify polymers for biomedical applications. These polymers have been documented as antioxidants, anticancer agents, and bio-imaging probes. Moreover, we also provide a brief introduction to some emerging applications of the Biginelli reaction in materials and polymer science. Finally, we present our perspectives for the further development of the Biginelli reaction in polymer chemistry.     

Synthesis and polymerization of racemic and optically active β-substituted β-propiolactones. II: β-monosubstituted and β-disubstituted monomers and polymers with different optical purities

β-(trichloromethyl)-β-propiolactone (CCl₃-PL), β-(trifluoromethyl,methyl)-β-propiolactone (CF₃, Me-PL) and β-(trifluoromethyl,ethyl)-β-propiolactone (CF₃,Et-PL) have been obtained by the reaction of ketene with chloral, 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone and 1,1,1-trifluorobutanone, respectively. Chiral catalysis lead to optically active monomers. The enantiomeric excess of the lactones has been measured by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, in the presence of 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)ethanol or an europium chiral shift reagent. Polymerizations have been carried out in bulk or in toluene, at 60°C or 80°C, using mainly organometallic initiators. The Polymers become insoluble and crystalline at enantiomeric excesses over 80% for CCl₃-PL and 70% for CF₃,Me-PL. Melting temperatures were recorded from 238 to 268°C for poly(CCl₃-PL) and from 78 to 100°C for poly(CF₃,Me-PL), depending upon the molecular weight and the enantiomeric excess. The ¹³C-NMR specroscopy of poly(CCL₃-PL) indicates that the polymerization of the corresponding lactone leads to polymers of increasing degrees of isotacticity with the enantiomeric excess of the monomer.     

Degradable polyesters through chain linking for packaging and biomedical applications

The major route to convert lactic acid to high-molecular-weight polymers is ring-opening polymerization of lactide. We have investigated alternative synthesis routes based on oligomerization and chain linking to produce high-molecular-weight thermoplastic degradable polymers cost-effectively. Chain linking also offers new possibilities to prepare degradable polyesters for biomedical applications by extending the range of polymer properties achievable. In this paper, we briefly review different chain linking techniques used in our laboratory. Typically, lactic acid prepolymers with molecular weights of around 3,000-15,000 g x mol(-1) have been prepared by direct polycondensation. Hydroxyl terminated oligomers have been chain linked by using diisocyanate coupling agents, preferably 1,4-butane diisocyanate, forming poly(ester-urethanes). Poly(ester-amides) have been prepared by using 2,2'-bis(2-oxazoline) as coupling agent for carboxylic acid telechelic oligomers. Chain linking by end functionalization has been used in the preparation of poly(ester-anhydrides). In addition, a variety of crosslinked degradable polymers and copolymers have been synthesized through different crosslinking routes, by using methacrylic, itaconic or maleic double bonds or triethoxysilane moieties. A biodegradation test and ecotoxicological evaluation of the degradation products were carried out in addition to hydrolysis tests. Lactic acid based chain linked polymers were biodegradable and the degradation products were harmless. In hydrolysis tests, enzymatic degradation was pronounced in the chain linked poly(epsilon-caprolactone).     

Polymerization of (meth)acrylates with aluminum-based initiators

<正>A simple and effective way to prepare poly(acrylate)s,such as poly(methacrylate),poly(butyl acrylate) and poly(butyl methacrylate),has been achieved by using the single component aluminum-based compounds,such as modified methylaluminoxane(MMAO),triisobutylaluminium(TIBA) and triethylaluminium(TEA) as initiators.Effective initiations and high molecular weight polymers with unimodal molecular weight distributions could be easily obtained by varying the reaction parameters of systems under mild conditions.Although these aluminum compounds were inefficient initiators for methyl methacrylate(MMA) polymerization,they exhibited remarkable catalytic activity for butyl methacrylate(BMA) polymerization,affording high molecular weight poly(BMA)s.     

Synthesis and characterization of “umbrella” shaped polymers

A new strategy has been developed to prepare umbrella polymer, i.e. star polymers with one heteroarm. The synthesis uses living anionic polymerization to prepare a short segment of 1,2-polybutadiene at the end of a linear polystyrene. The vinyl groups of 1,2-polybutadiene are hydrosilylated with dichloro(methyl)silane. The umbrella polymer is then formed by nucleophilic displacement of the silicon-chlorine with 1,4-polybutadienyllithium. An umbrella polymer with poly(2-vinylpyridine) arms is prepared in the same way after hydrosilylation with chlorodimethylsilane. The umbrella polymers are characterized by light scattering, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV/vis), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and intrinsic viscosity.     

Is there any three-center CBC bond in 1, 5-C2B3H5 and 1,5-C2B3H3?

Localized molecular orbitals, two- and three-center bond indices of 1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaborane ( 5 ) and 1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaborane ( 3 ) and their hydrocarbon analogs bicyclo [1,1,1]-pentane and [1,1,1] propellane, respectively, have been calculated using a suitable basis set. No previously reported three-center CBC bond has been found. However, a new three-center BCB bond has been observed in 1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaborane ( 5 ). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Machine-Driven Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Glycopeptide

Historically, researchers have put considerable effort into developing automation systems to prepare natural biopolymers such as peptides and oligonucleotides. The availability of such mature systems has significantly advanced the development of natural science. Over the past twenty years, breakthroughs in automated synthesis of oligosaccharides have also been achieved. A machine-driven platform for glycopeptide synthesis by a reconstructed peptide synthesizer is described. The designed platform is based on the use of an amine-functionalized silica resin to facilitate the chemical synthesis of peptides in organic solvent as well as the enzymatic synthesis of glycan epitopes in the aqueous phase in a single reaction vessel. Both syntheses were performed by a peptide synthesizer in a semiautomated manner.     

A3‐type star polymers via click chemistry

We report a simple preparation of three‐armed (A₃‐type) star polymers based on the arm‐first technique, using a click‐reaction strategy between a well‐defined azide‐end‐functionalized polystyrene, poly(tert‐butyl acrylate), or poly(ethylene glycol) precursor and a trisalkyne‐functional initiator, 1,1,1‐tris[4‐(2‐propynyloxy)phenyl]ethane. The click‐reaction efficiency for A₃‐type star formation has been investigated with gel permeation chromatography measurements (refractive‐index detector). The gel permeation chromatography curves have been split with the deconvolution method (Gaussian area), and the efficiency of A₃‐type star formation has been found to be 87%. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6458–6465, 2006     

无机-有机复合聚合物:材料研究的一个新领域

无机-有机复合聚合物特别是类分子筛聚合物、类多层钙钛矿和仿生物材料的合成及其应用研究成为近几年来一个热门的研究领域。我们瞄准了这一前沿领域并合成和表征了以下四个系列具有纳米孔洞的分子笼和一维、二维或三维的新型无机聚合物:(1)带有纳米尺寸空腔和孔状结构的新型过渡金属和稀土金属聚合物;(2)含有螺旋链的一维链状聚合物;(3)具有石墨形态层状结构和优异导电性能的聚合物;(4)以强金属-金属相互作用为核心、有机分子为稳定外壳的纳米线聚合物。本文总结这四个系列化合物的合成结构和特性。     

Enantiomeric Recognition of Continuous Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Rod Prepared by In Situ Method

Molecularly imprinted polymers have been successfully utilized as tailor-made separation media possessing a predetermined selectivity in liquid chromatograph for amino derivatives, drugs and so on. To date, most of molecularly imprinted polymers have been obtained as blocks. However, it is necessary to prepare the columns of molecular-imprinted polymers by tedious, time-consuming and not economical procedures. In this paper, using R-l-(l-naphthyl)ethylamine(R-NEA) as template and methacrylic acid as functional monomer, a continuous molecularly imprinted polymer rod was prepared by in situ polymerization method,in which polymerization was carried out in a stainless steel tube full with a reaction mixture solution. Thus a column packed with molecular-imprinted polymer was obtained by a sing-step procedure without any tedious steps.     

Synthesis of poly-β-(α-benzyl-L-aspartate) from L-aspartic β-lactam benzyl ester (3(R)-benzoxycarbonyl-2-azetidinone)

A study on the anionic-assisted polymerization of L-aspartic β-lactam benzyl ester in solution has been carried out in order to prepare an improved poly-β-(α-benzyl-L-aspartate). We have found that both imide formation (with appreciable racemization) and size of the resulting polymers are highly dependent on the nature of reaction medium. A high molecular weight poly-β-aspartate without detectable branching could thus be obtained by using solvents with low polarity. The mechanism of side reactions is discussed.     

Synthesis and characterisation of branched polyarylethers

Polyarylethers (Polysulfone: PSU, Polyethersulfone: PES) belong to the group of high performance polymers, having high glass transition temperature as well as high continuous use temperature. As a consequence of their high glass transition temperature, these polymers display high melt viscosity, which limits the number of accessible applications. Since the conventional methods to improve the flow characteristics are limited, the influence of branching by incorporation of the tri-functional monomer 1,1,1-Tris-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane (THPE) on the flow and the mechanical performance of PES was studied. Branching enhances the flow of Polyethersulfone significantly, but has a deleterious effect on the toughness, especially Charpy impact and tensile elongation.