Synthesis of highly isotactic poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) by anionic polymerization with grignard reagents and diethylzinc

N,N‐Dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and N,N‐diethylacrylamide (DEA) were polymerized with various Grignard reagents in tetrahydrofuran at −78 °C in the presence of diethylzinc (Et₂Zn). Highly isotactic poly(DEA) was produced in quantitative yield with tert‐butylmagnesium bromide and Et₂Zn, whereas atactic poly(DEA) was generated in the absence of Et₂Zn. No stereospecific polymerization of DMA proceeded with Grignard reagent in the presence of Et₂Zn. The highly isotactic poly(DEA) obtained was soluble in water and showed the characteristic coil–globule transition phenomenon. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4677–4685, 2000     

Living anionic polymerization of N‐methoxymethyl‐N‐isopropylacrylamide: Synthesis of well‐defined poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) having various stereoregularity

Anionic polymerization of N‐methoxymethyl‐N‐isopropylacrylamide ( 1 ) was carried out with 1,1‐diphenyl‐3‐methylpentyllithium and diphenylmethyllithium, ‐potassium, and ‐cesium in THF at ?78 °C for 2 h in the presence of Et₂Zn. The poly( 1 )s were quantitatively obtained and possessed the predicted molecular weights based on the feed molar ratios between monomer to initiators and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.1). The living character of propagating carbanion of poly( 1 ) either at 0 or ?78 °C was confirmed by the quantitative efficiency of the sequential block copolymerization using N,N‐diethylacrylamide as a second monomer. The methoxymethyl group of the resulting poly( 1 ) was completely removed to give a well‐defined poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), poly(NIPAM), via the acidic hydrolysis. The racemo diad contents in the poly(NIPAM)s could be widely changed from 15 to 83% by choosing the initiator systems for 1 . The poly(NIPAM)s obtained with Li⁺/Et₂Zn initiator system possessed syndiotactic‐rich configurations (r = 75–83%), while either atactic (r = 50%) or isotactic poly(NIPAM) (r = 15–22%) was generated with K⁺/Et₂Zn or Li⁺/LiCl initiator system, respectively. Atactic and syndiotactic poly(NIPAM)s (42 < r < 83%) were water‐soluble, whereas isotactic‐rich one (r < 31%) was insoluble in water. The cloud points of the aqueous solution of poly(NIPAM)s increased from 32 to 37 °C with the r‐contents. These indicated the significant effect of stereoregularity of the poly(NIPAM) on the water‐solubility and the cloud point in water © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4832–4845, 2006     

Living Anionic Polymerization of N-Methacryloyl-2-methylaziridine

Anionic polymerization of N-methacryloyl-2-methylaziridine ( 1 ) proceeded with 1,1-diphenyl-3-methylpentyllithium (DMPLi) in the presence of LiCl or Et₂Zn to give the polymers possessing predicted molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.1) at −78 ∼ −40 °C in THF. In each polymerization initiated with DMPLi/LiCl at the various temperatures ranging from −40 to −60 °C, the linear relationship between polymerization time and conversion of monomer was obtained from the GLC analysis. The rate constant and the activation energy of the anionic polymerization for 1 were determined as follows: ln k = −5.85 × 10³/T + 23.3 L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 49 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Poly( 1 ) showed the glass transition temperature at 98 °C, and gave the insoluble product at higher temperature around 150 °C through the thermal cross-linking of highly strained N-acyl-aziridine moiety.     

Anionic Polymerization Behavior of α-Methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone

Anionic polymerization of α-methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone ( MMP ) was carried out in THF at −78∼0 °C with diphenylmethylpotassium (Ph₂CHK) and with diphenylmethyllithium (Ph₂CHLi) in the presence of Lewis acidic diethylzinc (Et₂Zn). Poly( MMP )s possessing predicted molecular weights based on the molar ratios between monomer and initiators and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.1) were obtained in quantitative yields. It was demonstrated that the propagating chain end of poly( MMP ) was stable at −30 °C to form the polymers with well-defined chain structures. From the polymerizations at the various temperatures ranging from −50 to −30 °C, the apparent rate constant and the activation energy of the polymerization were estimated as follows: ln k = −6.93 × 10³/T + 25.7 and 57 ± 5 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structure of Three Coordination Polymers from 5‐(Pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)aminoisophthalic Acid

Three new complexes: [M(L)(H₂O)] [M = Zn ( 1 ), Co ( 2 ), Ni ( 3 ); H₂L = 5‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)aminoisophthalic acid] were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 180 °C and were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of X‐ray diffraction analysis reveal that complexes 1 – 3 are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic system with space group P2₁/c. Each of the complexes displays a (3,3′)‐connected two‐dimensional (2D) wave‐like network with (4,8²) topology, within which five‐membered uncoplanar N,N‐chelated metallacycles are shaped. Delicate N–H ··· O and O–H ··· O hydrogen bonding interactions exist in complexes 1 – 3 . Adjacent 2D layers are linked by intermolecular interactions, resulting in the construction of extended metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) in complexes 1 and 2 .     

Controlled Anionic Synthesis of Poly[2‐(3‐nitrocarbazolyl)ethyl methacrylate]

Poly[2‐(3‐nitrocarbazolyl)ethyl methacrylate] (poly(NCzMA)) with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution was successfully synthesized using (methyl methacryloyl)potassium (MMA) as a weak initiator in the presence of diethylzinc (Et₂Zn) in THF at –78°C. Et₂Zn acted both as an additive for the coordination with enolate anion and nitro group and as a scavenger to remove impurities. Block copolymers PMMA‐block‐poly(NCzMA)‐block‐PMMA and poly(NCzMA)‐block‐PS‐block‐poly(NCz‐MA), were also synthesized quantitatively (PMMA: poly(methyl methacrylate), PS: polystyrene). The results indicate that Et₂Zn can be used to synthesize the polymers of solid, nitro group‐containing methacrylate monomers by anionic polymerization in THF.     

Effect of isomeric pyridine moieties in ethynylstyrene derivatives on their anionic polymerization

The anionic polymerization behaviors of ethynylstyrene derivatives containing isomeric pyridine moieties, 2‐(2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethynyl)pyridine ( A ), 3‐(2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethynyl)pyridine ( B ), and 4‐(2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethynyl)pyridine ( C ), were investigated in the identical conditions. The anionic polymerization of A – C was performed with (diphenylmethyl)potassium (Ph₂CHK) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?78 °C. The polymerization of A proceeded quantitatively at –78 °C for 4 h, and the resulting poly( A ) possessed predictable molecular weights (M_n = 3300–68,500) and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs) (M_w/M_n = 1.04–1.11). In contrast, the anionic polymerization of B was not performed at –78 °C for 4 h due to the occurrence of side reactions. The monomer B was quantitatively recovered after the reaction. In the polymerization of C performed at –78 °C for 6 h, observed M_n values of the resulting poly( C ) were in good agreement with calculated molecular weights based on monomer to initiator ratios, but the MWDs were somewhat broad (M_w/M_n = 1.23–1.31). To estimate the reactivity of A and to characterize its living nature, the block copolymerization of A with 2‐vinylpyridine (2VP) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was performed. The well‐defined block copolymers, poly(2VP)‐b‐poly( A ) and poly( A )‐b‐poly(MMA), were successfully synthesized without any additives. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Systematische Studie zu den Koordinationseigenschaften des Guanidin‐Liganden Bis(tetramethylguanidino)propan mit den Metallen Mangan,Cobalt, Nickel,Zink, Cadmium,Quecksilber und Silber

The transition metal complexes with the ligand 1,3‐bis(N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylguanidino)propane (btmgp), [Mn(btmgp)Br₂] ( 1 ), [Co(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 2 ), [Ni(btmgp)I₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 4 ), [Zn(btmgp)(O₂CCH₃)₂] ( 5 ), [Cd(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 6 ), [Hg(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 7 ) and [Ag₂(btmgp)₂][ClO₄]₂·2MeCN ( 8 ), were prepared and characterised for the first time. The stoichiometric reaction of the corresponding water‐free metal salts with the ligand btmgp in dry MeCN or THF resulted in the straightforward formation of the mononuclear complexes 1 – 7 and the binuclear complex 8 . In complexes with M^II the metal ion shows a distorted tetrahedral coordination whereas in 8 , the coordination of the M^I ion is almost linear. The coordination behavior of btmgp and resulting structural parameters of the corresponding complexes were discussed in an comparative approach together with already described complexes of btmgp and the bisguanidine ligand N¹,N²‐bis(1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)‐ethane‐1,2‐diamine (DMEG₂e), respectively.     

Anionic polymerization of N,N‐dialkylacrylamides containing alkoxysilyl groups in the presence of Lewis acids

With Ph₂CHK as an initiator, the anionic polymerization of N‐propyl‐N‐(3‐triisopropoxysilylpropyl)acrylamide ( 4 ) and N‐propyl‐N‐(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl)acryl‐amide generated polymers with predicted molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs) in the presence of Et₂Zn or Et₃B; however, the resulting polymers obtained in the absence of such Lewis acids had very broad MWDs. The results were ascribed to the coordination of the propagating anionic end to a relatively weak Lewis acid, in which the activity of the end anion was appropriately controlled for moderate polymerization without side reactions. A well‐defined diblock copolymer of 4 and N,N‐diethylacrylamide was also prepared with the binary initiating system of Ph₂CHK and Et₂Zn, whereas no such block copolymer was prepared by polymerization initiated with 1,1‐diphenyl‐3‐methylpentyllithium, as the propagating anion together with the lithium ion reacted with alkoxysilyl side groups on the poly( 4 ) backbone to produce grafted polymers with high molecular weights. The hydrolysis of the alkoxysilyl side groups of poly( 4 ) in acidic water yielded an insoluble gel. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2754‐2764, 2005     

Alkylaluminum activator effects on polyethylene branching using a N,N′‐nickel precatalyst appended with bulky 4,4′‐dimethoxybenzhydryl groups

Ten unsymmetrical N,N'‐bis (imino) acenaphthene‐nickel (II) halide complexes, [1‐[2,6‐{(4‐MeOC₆H₄)₂CH}₂–4‐MeC₆H₂N]‐2‐(ArN)C₂C₁₀H₆]NiX₂, each appended with one N‐2,6‐bis(4,4'‐dimethoxybenzhydryl)‐4‐methylphenyl group, have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of Ni1 , Ni3 , Ni5 and Ni6 highlight the variation in steric protection afforded by the inequivalent N‐aryl groups; a distorted tetrahedral geometry is conferred about each nickel center. On activation with diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl) or methylaluminoxane (MAO), all complexes showed high activity at 30°C for the polymerization of ethylene with the least bulky bromide precatalysts ( Ni1 and Ni4 ), generally the most productive, forming polyethylenes with narrow dispersities [M_w/M_n: < 3.4 (Et₂AlCl), < 4.1 (MAO)] and various levels of branching. Significantly, this level of branching can be influenced by the type of co‐catalyst employed, with Et₂AlCl having a predilection towards polymers displaying significantly higher branching contents than with MAO [T_m: 33.0–82.5°C (Et₂AlCl) vs. 117.9–119.4°C (MAO)]. On the other hand, the molecular weights of the materials obtained with each co‐catalyst were high and, in some cases, entering the ultra‐high molecular weight range [M_w range: 6.8–12.2 × 10⁵ g mol^?1 (Et₂AlCl), 7.2–10.9 × 10⁵ g mol^?1 (MAO)]. Furthermore, good tensile strength (ε_b up to 553.5%) and elastic recovery (up to 84%) have been displayed by selected more branched polymers highlighting their elastomeric properties.     

Synthesis of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight ethylene‐propylene copolymer via quasi‐living copolymerization with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligated vanadium complexes

The quasi‐living copolymerization of ethylene with propylene was achieved by using N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated vanadium complex ( V3 , VOCl₃[1,3‐(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂(NCH?)₂C:]) due to the stabilization of active center by the introduction of bulky and electron rich NHC ligand with bulky isopropyl substituents at the ortho positions of the phenyl rings. The weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) of the resulting copolymer increases linearly with its weight in 20 min. The ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight (UHMW) ethylene‐propylene copolymer (M_w = 1612 kg mol^?1) can be synthesized with V3 /Et₃Al₂Cl₃ catalytic system. The novel complex V4′ (VCl₃[1,3‐(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)₂(NCH?)₂C:]·2THF) was constructed by the introduction of two coordinated tetrahydrofuran molecules and decrease in steric hindrance at the ortho positions of phenyl rings. The UHMW ethylene‐propylene copolymer (M_w = 1167 kg mol^?1) can also be synthesized by using V4′ /Et₃Al₂Cl₃ catalytic system. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 553–561     

Anionic polymerization of N,N‐dialkyl‐2‐methylenebut‐3‐enamide: Effect of alkyl substituents on polymerization behavior

Anionic polymerizations of three 1,3‐butadiene derivatives containing different N,N‐dialkyl amide functions, N,N‐diisopropylamide (DiPA), piperidineamide (PiA), and cis‐2,6‐dimethylpiperidineamide (DMPA) were performed under various conditions, and their polymerization behavior was compared with that of N,N‐diethylamide analogue (DEA), which was previously reported. When polymerization of DiPA was performed at ?78 °C with potassium counter ion, only trace amounts of oligomers were formed, whereas polymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained in moderate yield when DiPA was polymerized at 0 °C in the presence of LiCl. Decrease in molecular weight and broadening of molecular weight distribution were observed when polymerization was performed at a higher temperature of 20 °C, presumably because of the effect of ceiling temperature. In the case of DMPA, no polymer was formed at 0 °C and polymers with relatively broad molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.2) were obtained at 20 °C. The polymerization rate of PiA was much faster than that of the other monomers, and poly(PiA) was obtained in high yield even at ?78 °C in 24 h. The microstructure of the resulting polymers were exclusively 1,4‐ for poly(DMPA), whereas 20–30% of the 1,2‐structure was contained in poly(DiPA) and poly(PiA). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3714–3721, 2010     

Synthesis of well‐defined naphthalene and photo‐labile group‐labeled polystyrene via ATRP

The atom transfer radical polymerizations of styrene were successfully carried out in bulk and solution, respectively, at 115 °C, with a novel photoiniferter reagent, (1‐naphthyl)methyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (NMDC), as an initiator in the presence of copper (I) bromide and N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine. The results showed that NMDC was an effective initiator with high initiation efficiency for ATRP of St. The polymerization rate was first‐order with respect to the monomer concentration and the molecular weights of the obtained polystyrene (PS) increased linearly with the monomer conversion, with very narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.07–1.29). The functionalized naphthalene‐labeled PS bearing N,N‐(diethylamino)dithiocarbamoyl group which was confirmed by ¹H NMR analysis, and chain extension of the PS exhibited fluorescence and ultraviolet absorption in chloroform (CHCl₃). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 510–518, 2006     

Synthesis of periodic copolymers via ring‐opening copolymerizations of cyclic anhydrides with tetrahydrofuran using nonafluorobutanesulfonimide as an organic catalyst and subsequent transformation to aliphatic polyesters

To synthesize polyesters and periodic copolymers catalyzed by nonafluorobutanesulfonimide (Nf₂NH), we performed ring‐opening copolymerizations of cyclic anhydrides with tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 50–120 °C. At high temperature (100–120 °C), the cyclic anhydrides, such as succinic anhydride (SAn), glutaric anhydride (GAn), phthalic anhydride (PAn), maleic anhydride (MAn), and citraconic anhydride (CAn), copolymerized with THF via ring‐opening to produce polyesters (M_n = 0.8–6.8 × 10³, M_n/M_w = 2.03–3.51). Ether units were temporarily formed during this copolymerization and subsequently, the ether units were transformed into esters by chain transfer reaction, thus giving the corresponding polyester. On the other hand, at low temperature (25–50 °C), ring‐opening copolymerizations of the cyclic anhydrides with THF produced poly(ester‐ether) (M_n = 3.4–12.1 × 10³, M_w/M_n = 1.44–2.10). NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectra revealed that when toluene (4 M) was used as a solvent, GAn reacted with THF (unit ratio: 1:2) to produce periodic copolymers (M_n = 5.9 × 10³, M_w/M_n = 2.10). We have also performed model reactions to delineate the mechanism by which periodic copolymers containing both ester and ether units were transformed into polyesters by raising the reaction temperature to 120 °C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Polymerization of n‐phenyl maleimide by lanthanide complexes

N‐Phenyl maleimide (N‐PMI) was successfully polymerized by divalent rare‐earth complexes (ArO)₂Sm(THF)₄ (ArO = 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methyl phenoxo‐; THF = tetrahydrofuran) and (Ar′O)₂Ln(THF)₃ (Ar′O = 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl phenoxo‐; Ln = Sm, Yb, or Eu). The central metals greatly affected the reactivity, and the reactivity order was Sm(II) > Yb(II) > Eu(II). The activity of (Ar′O)₂Sm(THF)₃ was higher than that of (ArO)₂Sm(THF)₄. The polymerization yields were higher in THF than in other solvents, and the maximum yields were obtained around 25 °C. A proposed mechanism is discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3966–3972, 2005     

Crystallographic report: Crystal structure of bis(2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenolato‐O) bis(tetrahydrofuran‐O) samarium (N,N‐η2‐azobenzene) diethyl ether solvate

Reaction of divalent Sm(OAr)₂(THF)₃ (Ar = C₆H₂‐tert‐Bu₃‐2,4,6; THF = tetrahydrofuran) with one equivalent of azobenzene in THF and crystallization of the product in diethyl ether afforded the title complex (ArO)₂(THF)₂Sm(η²‐N₂Ph₂)·Et₂O in good yield. In the complex, the N? N bond length for the azobenzene species is lengthened. The two Sm? N bonds are equivalent, and their bond lengths are intermediate between the donor bond and the single bond. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Asymmetric alkylation of aromatic aldehydes with dialkylzinc catalyzed by novel amino derivatives of hydroxytetrahydropyran

Novel, specially prepared, tetrahydropyran‐based γ‐amino alcohols (S)‐2‐(aminomethyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐6‐ethoxy(phenoxy)‐tetrahydropyrans ( I ) (amino = n‐Bu₂N, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl) were tested as catalysts in the asymmetric addition of Et₂Zn and n‐Bu₂Zn to (hetero)aromatic aldehydes. In most cases the phenoxy derivatives of I acted more enantioselectively than the ethoxy ones. The dibutylamino derivaties showed the least enantioselectivity; the pyrrolidinyl derivatives were more active as catalysts than piperidinyl and azetidinyl compounds. The highest enantioselectivity was observed in the addition of Et₂Zn to benzaldehyde in the presence of (S)‐2‐(N‐pyrrolidinylmethyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐6‐phenoxytetrahydropyran. The corresponding alcohol was prepared with 72% ee (R‐configuration). The addition of dibutylzinc proceeded slowly and less selectively. The alkylation of (hetero)aromatic aldehydes with Et₂Zn and n‐Bu₂Zn was also studied in the presence of the known optical inductor (1S,2R)‐N,N‐dibutylnorephedrine. Some chiral aromatic secondary alcohols were synthesized in high chemical yields and up to 93% ee enantioselectivity. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of well‐defined aromatic polyesters by chain‐growth polycondensation under suppression of transesterification

For the synthesis of aromatic polyesters with defined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs), we investigated the chain‐growth polycondensation of active amide derivatives of 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 1a and 1b , having an octyl or 4,7‐dioxaoctyl side chain, respectively. To suppress the transesterification of the polymer backbone with the monomer, the polymerization of 1 was carried out in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −30 °C in the presence of initiator 2 and Et₃SiH/CsF/18‐crown‐6, which generated a hydride ion as a base in situ. The number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of poly 1a was controlled, and narrow MWDs were maintained, until the [ 1a ]₀/[ 2 ]₀ feed ratio was 14.3 (M_n ≤ 3500), whereas that of poly 1b was controlled until the feed ratio was 30 (M_n ≤ 7250). The difference stemmed from the higher solubility of poly 1b in THF. This chain‐growth polycondensation was applied to the synthesis of a diblock copolyester of 1a and 1b of a defined architecture. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4109–4117, 2005     

Discrete Cationic Zinc and Magnesium Complexes for Dual Organic/Organometallic‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Trimethylene Carbonate

We describe herein an original approach for the efficient immortal ring‐opening polymerization (iROP) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) under mild conditions using dual‐catalyst systems combining a discrete cationic metal complex with a tertiary amine. A series of new zinc and magnesium cationic complexes of the type [{NNO}M]⁺[anion]^? ({NNO}^?=2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[(2′‐dimethylaminoethyl)methylamino]methyl}phenolate; M=Zn, [anion]^?=[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 2 ), [H₂N‐ {B(C₆F₅)₃}₂]^? ( 3 ), and [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 4 ); M=Mg, [anion]^?=[H₂N{B(C₆F₅)₃}₂]^? ( 7 )) have been prepared from the corresponding neutral compounds [{NNO}ZnEt] ( 1 ) and [{NNO}‐ Mg(nBu)] ( 6 ). Compounds 2 – 4 and 7 exist as free ion pairs, as revealed by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy in THF solution, and an X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the bis(THF) adduct of compound 7 , 7? (THF)₂. The neutral complexes 1 and 6 , in combination with one equivalent or an excess of benzyl alcohol (BnOH), initiate the rapid iROP of TMC, in bulk or in toluene solution, at 45–60 °C (turnover frequency, TOF, up to 25–30 000 mol(TMC)?mol(Zn)?h^?1 for 1 and 220–240 000 mol(TMC)?mol(Mg)?h^?1 for 6 ), to afford H‐PTMC‐OBn with controlled macromolecular features. ROP reactions mediated by the cationic systems 2 /BnOH and 7 /BnOH proceeded much more slowly (TOF up to 500 and 3 000 mol(TMC)?mol(Zn or Mg)?h^?1 at 110 °C) than those based on the parent neutral compounds 1 /BnOH and 6 /BnOH, respectively. Use of original dual organic/organometallic catalyst systems, obtained by adding 0.2–5 equiv of a tertiary amine such as NEt₃ to zinc cationic complexes [{NNO}Zn]⁺[anion]^? ( 2 – 4 ), promoted high activities (TOF up to 18 300 mol(TMC)?mol(Zn)?h^?1 at 45 °C) giving H‐PTMC‐OBn with good control over the M_n and M_w/M_n values. Variation of the nature of the anion in 2 – 4 did not significantly affect the performance of these catalyst systems. On the other hand, the dual magnesium‐based catalyst system 7 /NEt₃ proved to be poorly effective.     

Synthesis and polymerization of N‐(4‐tetrahydropyranyl‐oxyphenyl)maleimide

N‐(4‐Tetrahydropyranyl‐oxy‐phenyl)maleimide (THPMI) was prepared and polymerized by radical or anionic initiators. THPMI could be polymerized by 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) and potassium tert‐butoxide. Radical polymers (poly(THPMI)r) were obtained in 15–50% yields for AIBN in THF at 65°C after 2–5 h. The yield of anionic polymers (poly(THPMI)a) obtained from potassium tert‐butoxide in THF at 0°C after 20 h was 91%. The molecular weights of poly(THPMI)r and poly(THPMI)a were M_n = 2750–3300 (M_w/M_n = 1.2–3.3) and M_n = 11300 (M_w/M_n = 6.0), respectively. The difference in molecular weights of the polymers was due to the differences in the termination mechanism of polymerization and the solubility of these polymers in THF. The thermal decomposition temperatures were 205 and 365°C. The first decomposition step was based on elimination of the tetrahydropyranyl group from the poly(THPMI). Positive image patterns were obtained by chemical amplification of positive photoresist composed of poly(THPMI) and 4‐morpholinophenyl diazonium trifluoromethanesulfonate used as an acid generator. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 341–347, 1999