Catalytic action of metallic salts in autoxidation and polymerization. VIII. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by various metal acetylacetonate–cyclic ether hydroperoxides

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by cyclic ether hydroperoxide–metal acetylacetonate systems for a number of different metals was carried out to compare with the tert-butyl hydroperoxide–metal acetylacetonate initiating systems. The rate of polymerization of methyl methacrylate with cyclic ether hydroperoxides as initiating systems was much higher than that with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. In cyclic ether hydroperoxide initiating systems, V(III), Co(II,III), Fe(III), Cu(II), and Mn(II) promoted the polymerization rate markedly, and Zn(II), Ni(II), Al(III), and Mg(II) had little or no effect; in the tert-butyl hydroperoxide initiating system only V(III), Co(II), and Mn(II) enhanced polymerization rate, and most of other metals showed little or no effect. Furthermore, noticeable differences in color of solution and appearance during polymerization, and in relation between conversion and the degree of polymerization were observed. The effect of metal acetylacetonates on hydroperoxide initiators in polymerization of methyl methacrylate was also compared with that on the decomposition of hydroperoxides.     

Effect of ultraviolet irradiation on terpolymerization of sulfur dioxide with two unsaturated compounds

The terpolymerization of sulfur dioxide, butene-1 and acrylonitrile affords terpolymers containing equimolar amounts of sulfur dioxide and butene-1 with various acrylonitrile contents. Ultraviolet irradiation was found to accelerate the polymerization and decrease the acrylonitrile content in the polymer. This fact is interpreted by a mechanism through a copolymerization of sulfur dioxide–butene-1 complex and acrylonitrile, whereby the polymerizability of sulfur dioxide–butene-1 complexed monomer may be accelerated by ultraviolet light. In fact, a binary system of sulfur dioxide and butene-1 was found to be accelerated by ultraviolet irradiation, and it affords a maximum rate at a 1:1 composition of feed monomer. Ultraviolet light of 250–300 mμ wavelength is effective for the initiation and the propagation. This may be ascribed to the ultraviolet absorption of the sulfur dioxide–butene-1 complex. The temperature coefficient was measured in both dark and ultraviolet irradiation reactions. The ultraviolet irradiation enhances the reactivity of sulfur dioxide–butene-1 complexed monomer at low temperature. In the terpolymerization with sulfur dioxide, isoprene, and butadiene, the ratio of isoprene and butadiene in the terpolymer was not altered by ultraviolet irradiation because both monomers from complexes with sulfur dioxide, perhaps having the same temperature coefficient for the polymerization.     

Polymerization initiated by an electron donor–acceptor complex. Part I. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by liquid sulfur dioxide–pyridine complex in the presence of carbon tetrachloride

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate can be initiated by a charge-transfer complex of liquid sulfur dioxide and pyridine in the presence of carbon tetrachloride. The molar ratio of sulfur dioxide and pyridine which participated in the complex was found from a spectrophotometric study to be 2:1. The polymerization proceeds through free-radical intermediates. The overall rate of polymerization is proportional to the square root of the concentration of the complex, and the values of k_p/k_t^1/2 under the various polymerization conditions were satisfactorily consistent with the literature value. For the activation energy of the overall reaction, 8.2 kcal./mole was obtained, and for initiation, 9.7 kcal./mole was evaluated from the values of k_p/k_t^1/2. It was deduced from a kinetic mechanism for the initiation that a primary radical may be produced from the reduction of carbon tetrachloride by an associated complex consisting of liquid sulfur dioxide–pyridine complex and the monomer.     

Kinetics of styrene homogeneous polymerization to atactic polypropylene

The rate of polymerization of styrene initiated by hydroperoxidized atactic polypropylene in a homogeneous toluene solution has been measured at 60 and 70°C. The reaction is first-order with respect to styrene concentration and independent of the polymeric hydroperoxide concentration above 2 × 10^?5N hydroperoxide. The individual rate constants, length and frequency of the grafted polystyrene chains along the polypropylene backbone have been calculated and their significance discussed. The initiation rate constant compares closely with values reported for the analogous tert-butyl hydroperoxide-initiated polymerization. The rate constant for the chain transfer termination elementary step at 70°C., however, is 18 times the value reported for the tert-butyl hydroperoxide-initiated polymerization of styrene. This high constant accounts for the relatively low rates of polymerization observed and high termination rates. Chain deactivation is presumably accelerated by increased collisions between growing styrene chains and inactive propylene hydroperoxide and polystyrene molecules. Distribution of polystyrene grafts on polypropylene is estimated from knowledge of effects of styrene concentration, polymeric hydroperoxide concentration, and temperature upon the rate of polymerization.     

Terpolymerization of sulfur dioxide or maleic anhydride with unsaturated compounds under ultraviolet irradiation

The effect of ultraviolet irradiation on the terpolymerization was investigated. In the terpolymerizations of sulfur dioxide–butene-1–acrylonitrile, sulfur dioxide–butene-1–n-butyl acrylate, and maleic anhydride–allyl chloride–acrylonitrile systems, the composition of the terpolymers prepared under ultraviolet irradiation was different from those prepared in the dark. The unit content of sulfur dioxide and butene-1 or of maleic anhydride and allyl chloride in the terpolymer increased under ultraviolet irradiation. The nature of the growing end under ultraviolet irradiation is supposed to be the same as that of the dark polymerization on the basis of the same solvent effect on the terpolymer composition, the rate of polymerization and the molecular weight of polymer. The experimental results suggest that the complex between sulfur dioxide and butene-1 or maleic anhydride and allyl chloride might be excited by ultraviolet light and the excited complex may participate in the terpolymerization.     

Mechanism of initiation of methyl methacrylate with lithium tert-alkoxides

An investigation of the solution polymerization of methyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl methacrylates and the polymerization of methyl and butyl methacrylates in the presence of methyl, butyl, and tert-butyl isobutyrate and methyl pivalate showed that the complex order of the initiation reaction with respect to the monomer (about 2) has its cause in the ability of the ester group in the monomer and of methyl or butyl isobutyrate to activate lithium tert-alkoxide. Owing to conjugation, the ester group in the monomer is less active than the ester group in isobutyrate. Steric hindrances of the formation of a complex between lithium tert-alkoxide and ester were also investigated, because this complex is intermediate product necessary for the formation of an activated lithium tert-alkoxide, capable of initiating the polymerization of alkyl methacrylates of the type CH₂?(CH₃)COOCH₂R.     

Radical terpolymerization of sulfur dioxide,styrene, and methyl methacrylate

The radical terpolymerization of sulfur dioxide, styrene, and methyl methacrylate in o-dichlorobenzene with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile was carried out in order to clarify the propagation mechanism of the radical copolymerization of sulfur dioxide and styrene, especially as a function of total concentration of sulfur dioxide and styrene. From the analysis of the trigonal composition diagrams it has been definitely shown that the radical copolymerization of sulfur dioxide and styrene proceeds by the propagation of two monomers, but the usual type of copolymerization mechanism, explicable in terms of the Lewis-Mayo equation, is not applicable to this copolymerization. The participation in the propagation of a monomer charge-transfer complex consisting of sulfur dioxide and styrene was also ruled out.     

Polymerization of aromatic olefins in the system liquid sulfur dioxide–percompounds: The nature of the initiation

Indene, α-methylstyrene, and styrene were polymerized in liquid sulfur dioxide in the presence of hydroperoxides and peracids. With indene, depending on the molar ratio of the monomer to sulfur dioxide, homopolymerization and polysulfone formation could be observed. With α-methylstyrene spontaneous polymerization in liquid sulfur dioxide was observed; the addition of hydroperoxide increased the yield and molecular weight. Styrene was polymerized in this solvent with hydroperoxides and peracids, the latter being a more effective initiator. The initiation in these systems could be explained by the formation of a mixed anhydride between sulfuric acid and m-chlorobenzoic acid.     

Polymerization initiated by the charge-transfer complex of styrene and maleic anhydride in the presence of cumene and of cumene and liquid sulfur dioxide

A polymerization was induced with a charge-transfer type of complex consisting of styrene and maleic anhydride in the presence a solvent such as ethyl benzene, cumene, or p-cymene. No polymer was obtained either when the solvent was missing from the polymerization system or when benzene, toluene, or xylene, which are relatively stable to hydrogen abstraction, was added to the polymerization system. An effective initiation, however, took place when cumene or p-cymene, each of which has a labile hydrogen on an α carbon, was added. On the basis of elementary analysis and infrared spectroscopy the formation of copolymer containing substantially equimolar amounts of styrene and maleic anhydride was ascertained. This polymerization was inhibited by the addition of DPPH, suggesting that the system styrene–maleic anhydride–cumene functions much as a conventional free-radical initiator. On the other hand, when a solution of cumene and liquid sulfur dioxide was added to the polymerization system, polystyrene was obtained. This polymerization was inhibited by the addition of a base such as dimethyl-formamide or dimethyl sulfoxide, indicating that the polymerization proceeds through carbonium ion intermediates. The addition of ethyl benzene or of p-cymene brought about the same result as cumene. It is conceivable that the polymerization is induced by the abstraction of hydrogen attached at the α position of cumene by means of the charge-transfer complex of styrene and maleic anhydride.     

Nontransition metal–crown ether complexes as hydroperoxide decomposition catalysts

The decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide in a chlorobenzene medium in the presence of complexes of dibenzo-18-crown-6 with calcium, strontium, and barium chlorides has been studied. It has been found and kinetically proven that the decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide is preceded by the formation of an intermediate hydroperoxide–catalyst complex. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the complex formation have been determined.     

Polymerisation of methyl methacrylate with tert-butyllithium and triisobutylaluminium in toluene: mechanism of initiation and termination by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS)

The polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using triisobutylaluminium/tert-butyllithium in hydrocarbon at 0°C and −78°C has been investigated by matrixassisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS). Although the system gives extremely good control over molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution, initiation of polymerization can be complicated by formation of small amounts of tert-butyl isoprenyl ketone ( 1 ), and termination of polymerization can occur by end cyclisation of the end unit of 3 . Both complications in initiation and termination can be avoided by suitable reaction conditions. Incorporation of 1 is suppressed by increasing the alkylaluminium content and by higher temperature. Termination by cyclisation has been found to occur over much longer time scales than propagation and can therefore be avoided by controlled termination after the appropriate reaction time.     

Polymerization initiated by an electron donor–acceptor complex. Part IV. Kinetic study of polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the charge-transfer complex consisting of poly-2-vinylpyridine and liquid sulfur dioxide

A kinetic study has been made of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by a charge-transfer complex of poly-2-vinylpyridine (electron donor) and liquid sulfur dioxide (acceptor) in the presence of carbon tetrachloride. It is concluded that the polymerization proceeds through free-radical intermediates, as with the pyridine-liquid sulfur dioxide complex system. The association constants K of acceptor and polymer electron donors which range widely in their molecular weight were determined spectrophotometrically, and it has been found that both K and overall rate of polymerization R_p of MMA decrease with increasing molecular weight of polymer donor; contrary to this, molecular weight of PMMA formed increases with increasing molecular weight of the polymer donor. Other kinetic behaviors was essentially the same as in the pyridine–liquid sulfur dioxide system, i.e., R_p is proportional to the square root of the concentration of the complex and to the 3/2-order of the monomer concentration; R_p is clearly sensitive to the carbon tetrachloride concentration at low concentration of carbon tetrachloride, but for a higher concentration it is practically independent of the carbon tetrachloride concentration. It has been deduced from a kinetic mechanism for the initiation that a primary radical may be produced from the reduction of carbon tetrachloride by an associated complex consisting of liquid sulfur dioxide–polymer donor and the monomer.     

Radical copolymerization of sulfur dioxide and chloroprene

The radical copolymerization of sulfur dioxide and chloroprene (CP) in benzene was carried out, especially as a function of the total monomer concentration ([SO₂] + [CP]). The composition of chloroprene polysulfones varies mainly with total monomer concentration and with polymerization temperature, but depends very slightly on feed composition. The microstructure of chloroprene units in chloroprene polysulfone was such that the trans-1,4 unit was predominantly over the cis-1,4 unit. Thus it would seem possible to rule out both radical copolymerization mechanisms, i.e., propagation of separate monomers as explained by the Lewis-Mayo equation, and propagation processes involving a monomer charge-transfer complex.     

Methyl methacrylate polymerization initiated by triethylborane–peroxide mixtures

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by triethylborane or triethylborane–peroxide mixtures was studied. The rate of initiation by a mixture of triethylborane and tert-butyl peroxide was found to be first-order in peroxide. The order in triethylborane changes from one at low triethylborane/peroxide to nearly zero at high triethylborane/peroxide. The possibility of a mechanism involving a fast reaction followed by a slow reaction that would initiate the polymerization is discussed.     

Effect of thiourea on the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. Part III. Effect of diphenyl thiourea on the polymerization of methyl methacrylate with various organic peroxides as initiator

The effect of diphenyl thiourea (DPTU) on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been studied in benzene solution at 50°C. with the use of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), p-menthane hydroperoxide (PMHP), tert-butyl perbenzoate (tBPBz), di-tert-butyl peroxide (DBP), and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as initiators. In the CHP-initiated polymerization, the rate of polymerization increased appreciably on addition of DPTU with a linear dependence on the square root of DPTU concentration up to a maximum which was observed when the ratio of the concentration of CHP to DPTU was 2.5. Then the rate decreased gradually with increasing DPTU concentration in the range greater than the above ratio. It was found from kinetic studied that the overall polymerization rate R_p was expressed by the equation: R_p = K[peroxide]^1/2 [DPTU]^1/2[MMA], where K is the rate constant, α = 1.2 for CHP and α = 1.0 for tBPBz. It was thought that the acceleration effect observed was due to a redox reaction caused by the interaction of a peroxide–monomer and/or a peroxide–solvent complex with DPTU, and the decrease in the polymerization rate which was observed over a certain concentration of DPTU was due to the action of the oxidized product of DPTU as a transfer agent. The effect of substituents was studied by using para and meta-substituted DPTU. It was found that the polymerization rate increased as electron-donating substituents are added to the benzene ring of DPTU with considerable dependence on Hammett's equation (p = ?0.36). The acceleration effect is also observed for PMPH-and tBPBz-initiated polymerizations, whereas the DCP- and DBP-initiated systems show no effects on the polymerization rate.     

Autocatalysis in oxidation reactions of verdazyl radicals with hydroperoxides

The reaction of 2,4,6-triphenyl- and 2,3,4,6-tetraphenylverdazyl with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in acetonitrile solution and acetonitrile-water mixture was studied. This reaction was shown to be autocatalytic owing to verdazylium hydroxide formation in the course of the reaction. The main kinetic parameters were determined for the catalytic and non-catalytic reactions.     

Metallo esters. VII. Stabilizing effect of sodium tert-butoxide on the growth center in the anionic polymerization of methacrylic esters

The growth center in the anionic polymerization of methacrylic esters is stabilized with alkaline alkoxides, sodium tert-butoxide in particular. The lifetime of the growth center was investigated in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate by evaluating yield and molecular weight distribution of the polymer formed when the monomer was added in two doses. The average lifetime of the original growth center stabilized by sodium tert-butoxide at 20°C under the given conditions was longer than several minutes. The stabilization of the growth center was also used in the stepwise copolymerization of n-butyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate. The copolymer thus obtained in high yield was characterized as a block copolymer on the basis of its solubility, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, and measurements of the complex shear modulus.     

Catalytic action of metallic salts in autoxidation and polymerization. IV. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by cobalt(II) or (III) acetylacetonate–tert-butyl hydroperoxide or dioxane hydroperoxide

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out by four initiating systems, namely, cobalt(II) or (III) acetylacetonate–tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-Bu HPO) or dioxane hydroperoxide (DOX HPO). Dioxane hydroperoxide systems were much more effective for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate than tert-butyl hydroperoxide systems, and cobaltous acetylacetonate was more effective than cobaltic acetylacetonate in both hydroperoxides. The initiating activity order and activation energy for the polymerization were as follows: Co(acac)₂–DOX HPO (E_a-9.3 kcal/mole) > Co (acac)₃–DOX HPO (E_a = 12.4 kcal/mole) > Co(acac)₂–t-Bu HPO (E_a = 15.1 kcal/mole) > Co(acac)₃–t-Bu HPO (E_a-18.5 kcal/mole). The effects of conversion and hydroperoxide concentration on the degree of polymerization were also examined. The kinetic data on the decomposition of hydroperoxides catalyzed by cobalt salts gave a little information for the interpretation of polymerization process.     

Sulfur compounds as synergistic antioxidants

The decomposition of tert-butyl, cumyl, and polypropylene hydroperoxides catalyzed by SO₂, H₂SO₄, dilauryl thiodipropionate, metal dithiolenes, and metal dithiocarbamates were studied. The principal reaction pathways leading to different products, which depend on the nature of the hydroperoxide and the sulfur compounds, were discussed. Even though metal dithiolenes are remarkable hydroperoxide decomposers, they are prooxidants for polymers under accelerated aging conditions. This is attributed to the instability of the peroxy radical-metal dithiolene complex intermediates. Expressions for optimum composition for each component of a synergistic antioxidant system have been derived.     

Photostabilizing activity of tertiary hindered amines

The influence of the N-alkyl group of tertiary hindered amines on the photostabilization of polymers was studied. The photostabilizing effects of the tertiary amine derivatives of 4-benzoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine ( 1a ) in polypropylene were compared. All tertiary amine derivatives having α-H to hindered N showed higher effectiveness than 1a . Model liquid phase photoxidations were carried out by irradiating (UV-lamp) the solutions of tertiary hindered amines containing tert-butyl hydroperoxide as a photoinitiator. The tertiary hindered amines were oxidized more easily than corresponding parent hindered amine and converted to the parent amine, which was identified as its salt, resulting from the carboxylic acid produced from the N-alkyl group by oxidation. The thermal reaction of the tertiary hindered amines with tert-butyl hydroperoxide was also studied in the liquid phase. The tertiary hindered amines decomposed tert-butyl hydroperoxide more rapidly than the parent secondary hindered amine, and generated the parent amine. It was also found that the photostabilizing effects of tertiary hindered amines for polyolefins were higher than that of the parent secondary hindered amine.