Preparation of carboxyl‐end‐group polyacrylamide with low polydispersity by ATRP initiated with chloroacetic acid

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylamide was successfully carried out with chloroacetic acid as initiator and CuCl/N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) as catalyst either in water at 80 °C or in glycerol–water (1:1 v/v) medium at 130 °C. In both cases, carboxyl‐end‐group polyacrylamide was obtained with lower polydispersity ranging from 1.03 to 1.44 depending on the polymerization condition. Polymerization kinetics showed that the polymerizations proceeded with a living/controlled nature and accelerated at a higher temperature. The effect of pH in the reaction system on the polymerizations was further studied, revealing that chloroacetic acid not only served as a functional initiator for the ATRP of acrylamde but also provided the acidic polymerization condition, which effectively protected the ATRP of acrylamide from the unexpected complexation and cyclization side‐reactions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3956–3965, 2007     

Which are the mechanisms governing in cationic emulsion polymerization?

The cationic emulsion polymerization of styrene in a batch reactor using different concentrations of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (HDTAB) as cationic surfactants, and 2,2′-azobisisobutyramidine dihydrochloride (AIBA), and 2,2′-azobis (N,N′-dimethyleneisobutyramidine) dihydrochloride (ADIBA) as cationic initiators has been studied. In the preliminary study, the best conditions to obtain stable cationic latexes at high conversions were identified. When the surfactant concentration was above its cmc, latexes with high conversions were achieved for the two cationic surfactants studied (DTAB and HDTAB). Cationic latexes with less coagulum were obtained using ADIBA as cationic initiator due to its superior resistance to hydrolysis. AIBA is hydrolyzed to amide at basic pHs and in this way, the concentration of radicals formed in the aqueous phase decreases. On the other hand, a stronger effect of the particle size on the kinetics of the cationic emulsion polymerization of styrene using HDTAB as cationic surfactant was observed than using DTAB. Furthermore, different kinetic behaviors were observed with the two cationic initiators (ADIBA and AIBA) using HDTAB as cationic surfactant, due to the lower stabilizing effect of the cationic radicals provided by AIBA.     

Atom transfer radical copolymerization of acrylonitrile and ethyl methacrylate at ambient temperature

Copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and ethyl methacrylate (EMA) using copper‐based atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at ambient temperature (30 °C) using various initiators has been investigated with the aim of achieving control over molecular weight distribution. The effect of variation of concentration of the initiator, ligand, catalyst, and temperature on the molecular weight distribution and kinetics were investigated. No polymerization at ambient temperature was observed with N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) ligand. The rate of polymerization exhibited 0.86 order dependence with respect to 2‐bromopropionitrile (BPN) initiator. The first‐order kinetics was observed using BPN as initiator, while curvature in first‐order kinetic plot was obtained for ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) and methyl 2‐bromopropionate (MBP), indicating that termination was taking place. Successful polymerization was also achieved with catalyst concentrations of 25 and 10% relative to initiator without loss of control over polymerization. The optimum [bpy]₀/[CuBr]₀ molar ratio for the copolymerization of AN and EMA through ATRP was found to be 3/1. For three different in‐feed ratios, the variation of copolymer composition (F_AN) with conversion indicated toward the synthesis of copolymers having slight changes in composition with conversion. The high chain‐end functionality of the synthesized AN‐EMA copolymers was verified by further chain extension with methyl acrylate and styrene. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1975–1984, 2006     

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Styrene with 5‐Chloromethyl‐2‐hydroxy‐benzaldehyde as Initiator

Abstract

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St) proceeded using 5‐chloromethyl‐2‐hydroxy‐benzaldehyde as initiator, CuCl as catalyst, and N,N,N′,N′,N′‐pentamethyldiethyltriamine (PMDETA) as ligand. The results show that the polymerization is a first order reaction with respect to monomer concentration. The polymerization displayed living character as evidenced by a liner increase of monomer weight with conversation and a relatively narrow distribution (M _n/M _w ranges from 1.25 to 1.50). The end structure of PSt was analyzed by ¹H‐NMR, and PSt initiated MMA to form block copolymer (PSt‐b‐PMMA), which also proved that the polymerization could be controlled. The effects of reaction temperature and monomer to initiator mole ratio on the polymerization displayed living character were discussed.     

Controlled radical emulsion polymerization of polystyrene

In this paper, a new water-soluble initiator system, 2-bromopropane/CuSO₄/sodium ascorbate, was used as the initiator for emulsion polymerization. Radical emulsion polymerization of styrene was successfully carried out at 80 °C by using sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate as the emulsifier. The 2-bromopropane/CuSO₄/sodium ascorbate-initiated emulsion polymerization shows the controlled free-radical polymerization features with linear growth of molecular weight. Polystyrene with a relatively high molecular weight and a narrow molecular weight distribution can be synthesized by this method. On the other hand, stable polystyrene latex can be obtained, and the size of the polystyrene latex increased with the increase in monomer conversion.     

Radical polymerization of N-substituted itaconamic esters and itaconamides

Two kinds of itaconamic esters, α-substituted acrylate derivatives (IAE-I) and α-substituted acrylamide derivatives (IAE-II), as well as itaconamides (IAm) were prepared and polymerized with a radical initiator. It has been revealed that N,N-disubstituted IAE-I as an acrylate is more reactive in polymerization than N,N-disubstituted IAE-II as an acrylamide and that N,N′-dialkyl substituted IAm homopolymerizes but N,N,N′,N′;-tetraalkyl substituted one does not. In radical copolymerization with styrene, IAE-I showed a higher polymerization reactivity than IAE-II. The effects of the N-substituents on the polymerization reactivity were discussed on the basis of conformation of the monomers. The polymers obtained were also characterized. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Étude de la complexation des lanthanides trivalents par les six isomères de l'acide diaminocyclohexane-tétraacétique : Partie 3. Relation entre les Constantes d'Acidité et la Structure Moleculaire des Chélatants

(Study of the complexation of trivalent lanthanides by the six isomers of diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid. Part 3. Relationship between the acidity constants and the molecular structure of the ligands.)Potentiometric measurements of the acidity constants of the six isomers of diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (DCTA) are reported for an ionic strength of 1 mol l^?1 (KCl) at 25°C. The values of the two constants K_a3 and K_a4 are correlated with the maximum N—N distance for each ligand. Ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and some homologous ligands, including specially synthesized, 1,8-diaminooctane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid and 1,10-diaminodecane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, are studied under the same conditions. It is proved that there is a relationship between the molecular structure and the affinity for protons.     

Synthesis and kinetic studies of PMMA nanoparticles by non-conventionally initiated emulsion polymerization

The aqueous emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was studied under the catalytic effect of in situ developed bivalent transition metal-EDTA complex with ammonium persulfate (APS, (NH₄)₂S₂O₈) as initiator. Out of these, Cu(II)-EDTA system was selected for detailed kinetic and spectrometric study of polymerization. The apparent activation energy E_a, 34.5 kJ/mol, activation energy of initiator decomposition E_d, 26.9 kJ/mol, energy of propagation E_p, 29 kJ/mol and energy of termination E_t, 16 kJ/mol were reported. The emulsion polymer (PMMA) latex was characterized through the determination of the size and morphology by scanning electron microscopy, the average molecular weight by GPC and viscosity methods and the sound velocity by ultrasonic interferometer. From the kinetic results, the rate of polymerization, R_p at 50 °C was expressed by

     

Cinetique de polymerisation du styrene en presence de peroxyde de benzoyle p,p′ bis-bromomethyle synthese de polymeres peroxydes

The free radical polymerization of styrene has been studied by using p,p′-bisbromomethyl benzoyl peroxide as initiator containing a chain transfer group. The rate constant of decomposition (k_d) of this peroxide has been determined at various temperatures, as well as the efficiency factor f and the transfer constant to initiator C₁. At 60°, f = 0·70 ± 0·05 and C₁ = 0·5. Polystyrene containing peroxide groups has been prepared by using this initiator. The highest yield in polymeric peroxide has been obtained for polymerization in emulsion at 40°.     

Preparation of PEG-modified urethane acrylate emulsion and its emulsion polymerization

In order to improve stability and reduce droplet size, the PEG-modified urethane acrylates were synthesized by the reaction of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with residual isocyanate groups of urethane acrylate to incorporate hydrophilic groups into the molecular ends. The droplet sizes of the PEG-modified urethane acrylate emulsions were much smaller than those of unmodified urethane acrylate emulsions at the same surfactant composition, and the droplet sizes of these emulsions were significantly effected not by surfactant compositions and types, but by the reaction molar ratio of PEG, because the urethane acrylate containing polyoxyethylene groups as terminal groups aided the interfacial activity of surfactant molecules and acted as a polymeric surfactant. The actions of PEG-modified urethane acrylate were confirmed by the investigation of adsorption of urethane acrylate in a water/benzene interface.For polymerization of emulsions, the stability of emulsion in the process of emulsion polymerization was changed by the type of surfactant or initiator. In the case of emulsion polymerization with a water soluble initiator (K₂S₂O₈), the emulsions prepared using TWEEN 60 were broken in the process of polymerization. However, polymerization of these emulsions could be carried out using an oil soluble initiator (AIBN). The conversion of emulsion polymerization changed with the type of urethane acrylates, that is, the reaction molar ratio of PEG to 2-HEMA.     

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.     

Synthesis of saccharidic polymer colloids via free radical mini‐emulsion polymerization

Polymer colloids based on 3‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D ‐glucofuranose (3‐MDG) and butyl acrylate (BA) were prepared via free radical mini‐emulsion polymerization. The kinetic and colloidal features of the copolymerization were investigated. The final particle size (D) of the sugar latexes is inversely proportional to the concentration of the anionic emulsifier (sodium dodecyl sulphate, SDS) and the non‐ionic one (alkyl polyglucoside, APG). It was also found that D is independent of the concentration of either the water‐soluble initiator (potassium persulfate, KPS), or the oil‐soluble initiator (2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile, AIBN). The rate of mini‐emulsion polymerization is lower in comparison with the conventional emulsion polymerization under the same conditions. The polymerization rate (R_p) and the total number of particles (N_p) are proportional to the 0.72th and 0.93th power of the SDS, and to the 1.40th and 2.22th of the APG concentration. Following reaction orders, 0.79/0.06 were obtained for R_p/N_p versus the concentration of KPS, and 0.22/?0.01 for AIBN, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controlled synthesis of new amphiphilic glycopolymers with liquid crystal grafts

A cholesterol‐based liquid crystal monomer, diethylene glycol cholesteryl ether acrylate (DEGCholA), has been successfully polymerized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) for the first time. Appropriate experimental conditions to control the polymerization of DEGCholA have been investigated using a model initiator (ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or toluene at 60 °C. Well‐controlled ATRP of DEGCholA was obtained using N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as ligand in THF at 60 °C. These conditions were then applied to initiate the ATRP of DEGCholA from multifunctional macroinitiators based on dextran. Using a protection/deprotection synthetic scheme, novel graft glycopolymers (Dex‐g‐PDEGCholA) have been synthesized. The mesomorphic properties of DEGCholA, PDEGCholA, and Dex‐g‐PDEGCholA have been studied by thermal polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray scattering. PDEGCholA and Dex‐g‐PDEGCholA show an interdigitated smectic A phase (SmA_d) between T_g (～30 °C) and around 170 °C. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3829–3839     

Surface modification of polystyrene latex particles via atom transfer radical polymerization

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique using the copper halide/ N,N′,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine complex was applied to the graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate on the uniform polystyrene (PS) seed particles and formed novel core‐shell particles. The core was submicron crosslinked PS particles that were prepared via emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization. The crosslinked PS particles obtained were transferred into the organic phase (tetrahydrofuran), and surface modification using the chloromethylation method was performed. Then, the modified seed PS particles were used to initiate ATRP to prepare a controlled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) shell. The final core‐shell particles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elementary analysis. The grafting polymerization was conducted successfully on the surface of modified crosslinked PS particles, and the shell thickness and weight ratio (PMMA and PMA) of the particles were calculated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 892–900, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10160     

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.     

The influence of N-alkylation and chain length in the coordination ability of diamines towards silver(I) in dimethylsulfoxide

The thermodynamic functions for the complexation of Ag(I) by the following diamines: N,N-dimethyldiethylenediamine (N,N-dmen), N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (N,N-dmtn) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine (tmtn) have been determined in dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) by potentiometric and calorimetric techniques at 298 K and 0.1 mol dm⁻³ ionic strength (NEt₄ClO₄). Only mononuclear complexes are formed (AgL_j ⁺, j=1, 2) where the ligands act as monodentate or chelate agents. All the complexes are enthalpy stabilized whereas the entropy changes counteract the complexation. The different basicities and steric requirements of both the ligands and complexes formed together with the size of the chelate rings are taken into account to discuss the results presented here.     

Size control of polystyrene nodules formed on silica particles in soap-free emulsion polymerization with amphoteric initiator

An amphoteric initiator of 2,2′-azobis[N-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-2-methylpropionamidine] (VA-057) was applied to fabrication of raspberry-shaped composite particles in soap-free emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of silica particles surface-modified with 3-methacryoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. In the polymerizations, pH of the solution was ranged from 7.9 to 9.9 to alter dissociation degree of ionizable groups in the initiator. Raspberry-shaped particles were obtained in a pH range of 8.0 to 9.3 followed by a tendency in which average size of polystyrene (PSt) nodules adsorbed onto the silica particles decreased with pH. This tendency was similar to that of polymer particles formed in conventional soap-free emulsion polymerization in the absence of the silica particles. An increase in silica particle concentration led to a decrease in the final size in PSt nodules. The decrease was caused by the stabilization of polymer particles fixed to the silica surface against polymer particle aggregation in water phase.     

An efficient,rapid and facile procedure for conversion of aldoximes to nitriles using triphenylphosphine and N-halo sulfonamides

N,N,N＇,N＇-Tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide （TBBDA）/triphenylphosphine and N,N,N＇,N＇-tetra- chlorobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide （TCBDA）/triphenylphosphine have been introduced as highly efficient systems for the versatile conversion of aldoxime derivatives into nitriles. The process reported here is operationally simple and reactions have been mildly performed in dichloromethane at room temperature.     

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by p‐chlorobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate

The controlled polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in bulk was initiated with p‐chlorobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate ( 1 ) and Cu(II) or Cu(I)/Cu(II)/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldietylene triamine (PMDETA) complex system at various temperatures (20, 60, and 90 °C). The proposed polymerization mechanism is based on the Meerwein‐type arylation reaction followed by a reverse atom transfer radical polymerization. In this mechanism, aryl radicals formed by the reaction with 1 and Cu(I) and/or PMDETA initiated the polymerization of MMA. The polymerization is controlled up to a molecular weight of 46,000 at 90 °C. Chain extension was carried out to confirm the controlled manner of the polymerization system. In all polymerization systems, the polydispersity index and initiator efficiency ranged from 1.10–1.57 to 0.10–0.21, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2019–2025, 2003     

Preparation of titania hollow particles with independently controlled void size and shell thickness by catalytic templating core–shell polymer particles

Organic/inorganic hybrids were prepared by catalytic hydrolysis and subsequent polycondensation of tetra-n-butyl titanate (TnBT) in shell layers grafted on core particles. The core particles were synthesized by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene, N-n-butyl-N-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide (C₄DMAEMA), and 2-chloropropionyloxyethyl methacrylate using 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride as an initiator. The core diameters were controlled in the range of 70–550 nm by adjusting a C₄DMAEMA feed concentration. The core–shell particles were prepared by surface-initiated activator generated electron transfer–atom transfer radical polymerization of 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The sizes of core–shell particles were found to increase monotonically with an increase in a DMAEMA concentration. The hybrid particles were fabricated by adding TnBT into a water/ethanol dispersion of core–shell particles. The amounts of titania deposited increased in proportion to the grafted amounts of poly[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] on the core particles. The X-ray diffraction measurement revealed that the hollow titania particles obtained by heat treatment of hybrids have an anatase crystallographic phase.