Microwave‐Assisted Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ε‐Caprolactone in the Presence of Ionic Liquid

Summary: Microwave‐assisted ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid using zinc oxide as a catalyst is investigated. By adding 30 wt.‐% ionic liquid, poly(ε‐caprolactone) with a weight‐average molar mass of 28 500 g · mol⁻¹ is obtained at 85 W for 30 min. The results indicate that the polymerization could be efficiently enhanced in the presence of ionic liquids under microwave irradiation because ionic liquids can effectively absorb microwave energy.

     

Kinetics of the First Order Autocatalytic Decomposition Reaction of Nitrocellulose （13.86% N）

The kinetics of the first order autocatalytic decomposition reaction of nitrocellulose (NC, 13.86% N) was studied by using DSC. The results show that the DSC curve for the initial 50% of conversion degree of NC can be de scribed by the first order autocatalytic equation dy/dt =-10^16.3 exp (-181860/RT)y-10^16.7ex(-173050/RT)y(1-y) and that for the latter 50% conversion degree of NC described by the reaction equations dy/dt=-10^16.4exp(-154820/RT)y (n=1) and dy/dt=-10^16.9 exp(-155270/RT) y^2.80(n≠1).     

UV‐Responsive Behavior of Azopyridine‐Containing Diblock Copolymeric Vesicles: Photoinduced Fusion,Disintegration and Rearrangement

A novel amphiphilic diblock copolymer composed of a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) and a hydrophobic polymethacrylate with photochromic azopyridine moieties in the side groups was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The copolymeric vesicles showed photoinduced circular process including fusion, damage and defect formation, disruption, disintegration and rearrangement in H₂O/THF during the irradiation of UV light. The process of photoresponsive cycle can be inhibited at any moment by visible light.

     

Multifunctional Poly(N‐vinylcarbazole)‐Based Block Copolymers and their Nanofabrication and Photosensitizing Properties

The synthesis of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole)‐based block copolymers functionalized with rhenium diimine complexes or pendant terpyridine ligands is reported. The copolymers are synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and they exhibit interesting morphological properties as a result of the phase separation between different blocks. The rhenium complex polymer block may function as a photosensitizer, while the terpyridine‐containing polymer block can be used as the template for nanofabrication by selective deposition of zinc complexes.

     

Synthesis of a new class of spiro heterocycles

A new class of spiro heterocycles viz., spiropyrazolidinediones, isoxazolidinediones, pyrimidinetriones or thioxopyrimidinediones are developed from methyl 3‐aryl‐2‐(Z‐arylethenenylsulfonyl)acrylate by double Michael addition reaction with dimethyl malonate followed by cyclocondensation with appropriate nucleophiles.     

Anionic copolymerizations of acrylonitrile with β-propiolactone

Anionic copolymerizations of acrylonitrile (monomer 1) with β-propiolactone (monomer 2) and the structures of the resulting copolymers were studied. The copolymerization with sodium cyanide in N,N-dimethylformamide gave copolymers of the structure I containing acid anhydride linkage in the molecular chains, with the monomer reactivity ratios, r₁ = 1.20, r₂ = 0.00. The copolymerization with potassium hydroxide gave either copolymers of the structure II (r₁ = 0.00, r₂ = 3.64 at 30°C; r₁ = 0.00, r₂ = 5.00 at 40°C) in N,N-dimethylformamide or only β-propiolactone homopolymer in toluene.      

Living Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters with Epoxide-Derived Titanium Alkoxides

Summary: The Ti^IIICp₂Cl-catalyzed radical ring opening of epoxides produces Ti alkoxides which initiate the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. A linear dependence of on conversion, linear kinetics, low values, and the synthesis of block copolymers demonstrate a living process, while NMR spectroscopy confirms the presence of the initiator chain end. Epoxides are thus introduced as a new class of initiators for the Ti-catalyzed living ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters.

The TiCp₂Cl-catalyzed radical ring opening of epoxides followed by the initiation of the living ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.     

Photoinduced Controlled Radical Polymerization

Well‐controlled radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate can be achieved by in situ photochemical generation of copper (I) complex from air‐stable copper (II) species without using any reducing agent at room temperature. The living character of this polymerization was confirmed by both the linear tendency of molecular weight evolution with conversion and a chain extension experiment.

     

Synthesis of Thermosensitive PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA Nanotubes by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization within a Porous Membrane

Summary: Thermosensitive polymer nanotubes can be fabricated within an aminopropylsilane‐modified porous anodic aluminum oxide membrane by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) followed by template removal. DSC experiments prove that the synthesized PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA copolymer nanotubes have a reversible thermosensitive behavior. The temperature‐induced changes in dimension and shape of the nanotubes were studied by AFM in real time in an aqueous environment. It indicates that the nanotubes undergo a shape alteration from an “ellipse” to “circular” shape in water upon heating to LCST or above.

DSC curves of PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA nanotubes.     

Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulation of ATRP in a Batch Reactor

A dynamic MC model was developed to simulate the polymerization kinetics and the detailed microstructure of copolymers made with ATRP in a batch reactor. The model was used to predict monomer conversion, average molecular weight, polydispersity index, and copolymer composition as a function of polymerization time. The model can also predict the distribution of molecular weight, chemical composition, and comonomer sequence length at any polymerization time or comonomer conversion. The simulation was used to explore the effects of rate constants and reactant stoichiometry on the microstructure of chains. Two copolymerization systems were chosen to demonstrate the effect of reactivity ratios and comonomer feed compositions on the final chemical composition distribution.

     

Synthesis of phosphorus-containing poly-o-acylamideoximes from polyacrylonitrile

The synthesis of phosphorus-containing poly-O-acylamideoximes from polyacrylonitrile has been accomplished by the reaction sequence: Reaction is believed to occur at the NH₂ nitrogen as well as at the oxime group, but reaction is not believed to occur at both groups in the amide oxime unit. Inclusion of the phosphorus moiety occurs in the medium to high range.     

Dual Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles Functionalized by NIPAM and Azobenzene

A novel amphiphilic diblock copolymer composed of a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) block and a hydrophobic block copolymerized by azobenzene‐containing methacrylate and N‐isopropylacrylamide was synthesized using ATRP. The polymer micelles showed dual responsiveness to heat and light. The size of the micelles was dependent on temperature and the encapsulated substance in the hydrophobic cores was released during heating and cooling processes. The hydrophobicity of the micellar cores appeared as a reversible change in response to light with neither disruption of the micelles nor leakage of the encapsulated substance while H‐aggregation of the azobenzene moieties was detected.

     

Synthesis and Characterization of Helix‐Coil Diblock Copolymers with Controlled Supramolecular Architectures in Aqueous Solution

Summary: A series of helix‐coil diblock copolymers based on poly(ethylene oxide) and optically active helical poly{(+)‐2,5‐bis[4′‐((S)‐2‐methylbutoxy)phenyl]styrene} (PMBPS) were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The synthetic methodology permitted straightforward preparation of the diblock copolymers with relatively low polydispersities and a broad range of compositions and molecular weights. Depending on the composing block length and the initial concentration, the copolymers self‐assembled into different supramolecular structures in aqueous solution, including spherical micelles, vesicles, multilamellar vesicles, large compound vesicles, and tubules.

Schematic representation of the synthesis of PEO‐b‐PMBPS block copolymers and their aggregation in aqueous solution.     

Effect of gegen ion in cationic polymerization and copolymerization of trioxane

p-Chlorophenyldiazonium hexafluorophosphate has been reported to be a superior catalyst for cationic polymerization and copolymerization of trioxane as compared to boron trifluoride dibutyl etherate (BF₃·Bu₂O)¹. In the present investigation the effect of anions derived from elements in Group VA, AsF and SbF, has been ascertained. It has been concluded that p-chlorophenyldiazonium hexafluoroarsenate is also a superior catalyst to boron trifluoride dibutyletherate (BF₃·Bu₂O), while p-chlorophenyl-diazonium hexafluoroantimonate is inferior. Copolymers with the highest polymer yield (>95%) and molecular weight (intrinsic viscosity = 4 to 5) were obtained with Simple dependences on catalyst concentration have been observed to hold for a wide catalyst concentration range ([M]/[C]) = (1 to 20) × 10⁵: For the same relationships hold. However, the polymer yield (75%) and molecular weights (intrinsic viscosity ?1) are considerably lower while the extent of chain transfer is higher. Furthermore, the polymerization proceeds with explosive violence. The quantitative aspects resulting from polymerization, for the most part, can be interpreted in terms of the extent of dissociation of the propagating ions.     

Ring Opening Polymerization of Lactide under Solvent‐Free Conditions Catalyzed by a Chlorotitanium Calix[4]arene Complex

A novel chlorotitanium calix[4]arene complex was synthesized and tested, without activator, as catalyst for the polymerization of L ‐ and rac‐lactide under solvent‐free conditions. The catalyst displayed high activity, which depended on the monomer‐to‐catalyst molar ratio, and led to highly isotactic PLLA. Despite concomitant transesterification during the polymerization, polylactide formation was well‐controlled, the molar mass distribution indexes remaining in the restricted range of 1.2–1.4.

     

Bridged polyaromatics: Synthesis and isomorphous properties of polymers and oligomers containing O,S, CH2 bridges

A study of the isomorphous relationships existing among five crystalline polyaromatic polymers containing O, S, CH₂ bridges, i.e., where Ph is phenyl, is reported. Appropriate series of oligomers corresponding to these polymers have also been prepared in order to investigate how the solid-state properties of the oligomers correlate with those of the polymers. A preliminary x-ray analysis is reported showing that the polymers are actually isostructural.     

Comparative synthesis of oligomeric group IV polyesters

Oligomeric group IV polyesters of the form: have been synthesized by using the interfacial technique. Polymerization rate follows the order Sn > Ge > Si as M is varied. Aliphatic-substituted organometallic compounds exhibit higher polymerization rates than do aromatic-substituted organometallic compounds. This may be the result of (p → d)π bonding between the vacant d orbitals of the metal and the p electrons of the phenyl rings.     

Photolysis of carbon tetrachloride in the presence of alkanes

The photolysis of carbon tetrachloride in the presence of a number of alkanes has been investigated in the gas phase. The products obtained from the photolysis experiments were those expected from a chain reaction in which trichloromethyl radicals abstract hydrogen atoms from the alkane. The data have been used to determine Arrhenius parameters for hydrogen abstraction from the series of alkanes CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, and i-C₄H₁₀ by trichloromethyl radicals, The rate data obtained are used to explain why termination reactions involving alkyl radicals become less significant as the alkane becomes more complex.     

Linear Azo Polymer Containing Conjugated 5,5′‐Azodisalicylic Acid Segments in the Main Chain: Synthesis,Characterization, and Degradation

Summary: Copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and 5,5′‐azodisalicylic acid (Olsalazine, OLZ) were synthesized and evaluated by hydrolysis and in‐vitro biodegradation with azoreductase. It was found that changing the molecular weight of the PEO blocks affected the loading ratio of OLZ, and resulted in significant differences in the hydration and degradability of the copolymers. These novel azo‐containing copolymers can be used in colon‐specific drug delivery.

Release of 5‐ASA from OLZ and PEO‐OLZ copolymers incubated with rat cecum content in the presence of benzyl viologen and α‐D ‐glucose.     

Synthesis and Characterization of α,ω‐Heterofunctional Poly(ethylene oxide) Macromonomers

A novel α,ω‐heterofunctional poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomer possessing methacryloyl and thienyl end groups was prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of ethylene oxide initiated by potassium thienylethoxide and termination of the living PEO ends with methacryloyl chloride. Incorporation of methacryloyl and thienyl groups was confirmed by free‐radical and oxidative polymerization processes, respectively, and by means of ¹H NMR analysis.