Polymerization of α-methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone

α-Methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone (α-MMP) was synthesized and homopolymerized by bulk and solution methods. The poly(α-MMP) is readily soluble in water, methanol, methylene chloride, and dipolar aprotic solvents at room temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis of poly(α-MMP) showed a 10% weight loss at 330°C in air. The kinetics of α-MMP homopolymerization and copolymerization were investigated in acetonitrile, using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The rate of polymerization R_p could be expresed by R_p = k[AIBN]^0.49[α-MMP]^1.3. The overall activation energy was calculated to be 84.1 kj/mol. The relative reactivity ratios of α-MMP (M₂) copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (r₁ = 0.59, r₂ = 0.26) in acetonitrile were obtained. Applying the Q-e scheme led to Q = 2.18 and e = 1.77. These Q and e values are larger than those for acrylamide derivatives.     

Stereoregularity of poly(α-methylvinyl alkyl ether)s determined by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy

α-Methylvinyl methyl ether, ethyl ether, and isobutyl ether were polymerized under various polymerization conditions and the structure of the polymers was determined by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. α-Methyl and β-methylene carbon spectra of poly(α-methylvinyl isobutyl ether) showed splitting and were analyzed by triad and tetrad sequences. β-Methylene carbon spectra of poly(α-methylvinyl ethyl ether) also showed splitting. When Eu(fod)₃ was added, α-methyl and methoxy proton spectra in benzene of poly(α-methylvinyl methyl ether) showed splitting assigned to triad tacticities. All the polymers obtained in polar solvents exhibited an increase in syndiotacticity. The polymerization mechanism is discussed.     

VINYL RADICAL POLYMERIZATION INITIATED WITH CERIC ION AND N-(SUBSTITUTED PHENYL) ACETAMIDE SYSTEMS

The polymerization of acrylamide (AAM)in H_2O/DMF or in H_2O/CH_3CN mixed solvent initiated with ceric ion (Ce~(4+) )/N-(substituted phenyl)-acetamide systems have been studied. The redox polymerization was revealed by the low value of overall activation energy (E_α) of AAM polymerization using ceric ion/N-(substituted phenyl) acetamide system as an initiator. The end group of polymer formed was detected by IR spectrum analysis method, it revealed the presence of N-(m-acetoxy-methylphenyl) acetamide (m-AAe) moiety end group in the polymer obtained with ceric ion/m-AAe initiation system.     

SYNTHESIS AND CATIONIC RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF 1, 4-ANHYDRO-2, 3-DI-O-(P-AZIDOBENZYL)-α-D-RIBOPYRANOSE

New highly stereoregular 2, 3 -di- O-(p-azidobenzyl )-(1 →5 ) - α-D -ribofuranan was synthesized byselective ring-opening polymerization of 1, 4-anhydro-2, 3 - di-O -(p-azidobenzyl )-α-D -ribopyranose(ADABR) using phosphorus pentafluoride or tin tetrachloride as catalyst at low temperature indichloromethane. The monomer was obtained by the reaction of p - bromomethyl -phenyleneazide with 1, 4 -anhydro-α-D-ribose in DMF. The structure of poly(ADANR) was identified by specific rotation and ~(13)C-NMR spectroscopy. Acid chloride-AgCl_4 complex catalyst such as CH_2=C(CH_3)C~+OClO_4~- used in thepolymerization resulted in polymers with mixed structures, i.e. (1→5)-α-D-ribofuranosidic and (1→4)-β-D-ribopyranosidic units. However, with C_6H_5C~+OClO_4~- as catalyst, pure (1→5)-α-D-ribofuranan was obtained.The effects of catalyst, polymerization temperature and time on polymer stereoregularity were examined, andthe mechanism of the ring-opening polymerization was discussed.     

Synthesis of Vinyl Polymer—Poly (α-Amino Acid) Block Copolymers by End-Reactive Oligomers

In order to synthesize block copolymers consisting of segments having dissimilar properties, vinyl polymer - poly (α-amino acid) block copolymers were synthesized by two different methods. In the first method, the terminal amino groups of polysarcosine, poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate), and poly(γ-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine) were haloacetylated. The mixture of the terminally haloacetylated poly (α-amino acid) and styrene or methyl methacrylate was photoirradiated in the presence of Mo (CO)₆ or heated with Mo(CO)₆, yielding A-B-A-type block copolymers consisting of poly(α-amino cid) (the A component) and vinyl polymer(the B component). The characterization of block copolymers revealed that the thermally initiated polymerization of vinyl compounds by the trichloroacetyl poly(α-amino acid)/Mo(CO)₆ system was most suitable for the synthesis of vinyl polymer - poly-(α-amino acid) block copolymers. In the second method, poly (methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene having a terminal amino group were synthesized by the radical polymerization in the presence of 2-mercaptoethylammonium chloride. Using these polymers having a terminal amino group as an initiator, the block polymerizations of γ-benzyl L-glutamate NCA and e-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine NCA were carried out, yielding A-B-type block copolymer. By eliminating the protecting groups of the side chains of poly(α-amino acid) segment, block copolymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) with poly(L-glutamic acid) or poly(L-lysine) and polystyrene with poly(L-glutamic acid) and poly(L-lysine) were successfully synthesized.     

Cationic grafting from carbon black. VII. Grafting of polyacetals by cationic ring-opening polymerization of trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane initiated by CO+ClO4− groups on carbon black

The cationic ring-opening polymerization of trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane was found to be initiated by CO⁺CIO₄^? groups on a carbon black surface, which were introduced by the reaction of COCI groups with AgCIO₄. The activation energy of the ring-opening polymerization of trioxane was estimated to be 15.5 kcal/mol. In the polymerization system, poly(oxymethylene) and poly(1,3-dioxolane) formed were effectively grafted onto carbon black depending upon the propagation of these polymers from the carbon black surface; for instance, the grafting ratio of poly(oxymethylene) onto carbon black increased with an increase in conversion and went up to about 180%. Although the grafted chain of poly(oxymethylene) was subject to stepwise thermal depolymerization from the chain ends, the thermal stability of poly(oxymethylene)-grafted carbon black was improved by acetylation of hemiformal end groups. The molecular weight of ungrafted poly(oxymethylene) formed in the polymerization was determined to be 1.8–2.0 × 10⁴. Furthermore, the copolymerization of trioxane with 1,3-dioxolane, styrene, and other comonomers initiated by CO⁺CIO₄^? groups and the thermal stability of these acetal copolymer-grafted carbon black were investigated.     

Non-isothermal kinetics of free-radical polymerization of 2,2-dinitro-1-butyl acrylate

The free-radical bulk polymerization of 2,2-dinitro-1-butyl-acrylate (DNBA) in the presence of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator was investigated by DSC in the non-isothermal mode. Kissinger and Ozawa methods were applied to determine the activation energy (E _a) and the reaction order of free-radical polymerization. The results showed that the temperature of exothermic polymerization peaks increased with increasing the heating rate. The reaction order of non-isothermal polymerization of DNBA in the presence of AIBN is approximately 1. The average activation energy (92.91±1.88 kJ mol ⁻¹) obtained was smaller slightly than the value of E _a=96.82 kJ mol⁻¹ found with the Barrett method.     

Kinetic studies of the radiation-induced graft polymerization of butadiene onto poly(vinyl chloride) powder

The radiation-induced graft polymerization of butadiene onto poly(vinyl chloride) powder was studied. By the kinetic treatment of elementary reactions the values of k_p and k_t[Z] of the graft polymerization were obtained. The activation energy of the propagation was calculated as 16.0 kcal mole^?1. The value of k_p was proportional of the 0.42 power of the dose rate and that of k_t[Z] was proportional to the 0.84 power of the dose rate.     

Radical heterogeneous polymerization behavior of N‐methyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide in benzene

The polymerization of N‐methyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide (NMFAm) initiated with dimethyl 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) in benzene was studied kinetically and with electron spin resonance. The polymerization proceeded heterogeneously with the highly efficient formation of long‐lived poly(NMFAm) radicals. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was 111 kJ/mol. The polymerization rate (R_p) at 50 °C is given by R_p = k[MAIB]^0.75±0.05 [NMFAm]^0.44±0.05. The concentration of the long‐lived polymer radical increased linearly with time. The formation rate (R_p?) of the long‐lived polymer radical at 50 °C is expressed by R_p? = k[MAIB]^1.0±0.1 [NMFAm]^0±0.1. The overall activation energy of the long‐lived radical formation was 128 kJ/mol, which agreed with the energy of initiation (129 kJ/mol), which was separately estimated. A comparison of R_p? with the initiation rate led to the conclusion that 1‐methoxycarbonyl‐1‐methylethyl radicals (primary radicals from MAIB), escaping from the solvent cage, were quantitatively converted into the long‐lived poly(NMFAm) radicals. Thus, this polymerization involves completely unimolecular termination due to polymer radical occlusion. ¹H NMR‐determined tacticities of resulting poly(NMFAm) were estimated to be rr = 0.34, mr = 0.48, and mm = 0.18. The copolymerization of NMFAm(M₁) and St(M₂) with MAIB at 50 °C in benzene gave monomer reactivity ratios of r₁ = 0.61 and r₂ = 1.79. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2196–2205, 2001     

A study of radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone in the presence of poly(methacrylic acid) templates by DSC

The template polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) along syndiotactic poly(methacrylic acid) (s1-PMAA) templates has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using the scanning as well as the isothermal technique. The resulting Arrhenius plot covers a temperature range between 65 and 120°C and two parts can be distinguished. Below 80°C the overall activation energy, E_a, and entropy ΔS^≠, are 76 kJ · mol^?1 and ?79 J · mol^?1 · K^?1 respectively, in excellent agreement with previous dilatometric results. These values differ slightly from those of the blank polymerization leading to rate enhancement by a factor of only two. The small difference in activation parameters is explained by the occurrence of desolvation of st-PMAA chains during propagation of the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) radicals along the template. Above 80°C, the decreasing tendency to form complexes between PVP and st-PMAA results in a decreasing template effect and a gradual change of apparent E_a and ΔS^≠ values towards those of the blank polymerization. Similar results were obtained with atactic and isotactic PMAA templates, but smaller rate enhancements were observed due to weaker complex formation.     

Calorimetric study of cross-linking polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of a multimonomer

The kinetics of free-radical cross-linking polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MM) in the presence of poly[2-(10-undecenoyloxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PUDEM) as a macromolecular cross-linker has been isothermally examined within the temperature range from 85–100°C using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The activation energy found for this reaction, E _a=89.3 kJ mol^–1, exceeds slightly the literature values of activation energy obtained for the mass polymerization of MM without any cross-linking agent. The activation energy has been also determined by the isoconversion method. It has been found that E _a decreases with the increase in the conversion, which may indicate a change in the reaction mechanism.This work was partly supported by the Committee for Research (KBN) in the framework of project No. 7 T08E 026 20     

Radical polymerization of 3-methylene-5,5′-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinone: A cyclic analog of N-substituted methacrylamide

3-Methylene-5,5′-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinone (α-MDMP), a cyclic analog of N-substituted methacrylamide, was synthesized and polymerized with α,α′-azobis (isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) in solution. Poly(α-MDMP) is only soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at room temperature. Thermogravimetry of poly(α-MDMP) showed 10% weight loss at 355°C in air and 400°C under nitrogen, respectively. The kinetics of α-MDMP homopolymerization with AIBN was investigated in DMSO. The rate of polymerization (R_p) can be expressed by R_p = k[AIBN]^0.49[α-MDMP]^1.0 and the overall activation energy has been calculated to be 73.2 kJ/mol. Monomer reactivity ratios in copolymerization of α-MDMP (M₂) with methyl methacrylate (M₁) are r₁ = 0.71 and r₂ = 0.71, from which Q and e values of α-MDMP are calculated as 0.75 and -0.43, respectively. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of α-substituted benzylpyridinium salts as cationic initiators

α-Methylbenzylpyridinium SbF₆ (1a) and α,α-dimethylbenzylpyridinium SbF₆ (1b) were prepared and the effect of α-methyl groups on the active species and the activity of 1a, 1b during the cationic polymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) was evaluated. 1b was prepared by the reaction of α,α-dimethylbenzyl alcohol with pyridinium hexafluoroantimonate (2) in several solvents, and the yield depended on the dipole moment of the solvents, although it was poor for the reaction of α,α-dimethylbenzyl chloride with pyridine for the steric hindrance of the α-methyl groups followed by exchange with NaSbF₆. Both 1a and 1b acted as a latent thermal initiator during the cationic polymerization of GPE and 1b showed higher activity during cationic polymerization with the higher steric effect of the α-methyl groups than 1a. The ¹H-NMR analysis of the obtained poly GPE indicated that the active species of 1b changed from the benzyl cation to H⁺, depending on the reaction temperature, although 1a released benzyl cations as active species in the cationic polymerization of GPE. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate with α,α,α′,α′‐Tetrachloroxylene as an Initiator

The homogeneous ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using α,α,α′,α′‐tetrachloroxylene (TCX)/CuCl/N,N,N′,N″,N″–pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as the initiating system has been successfully carried out. The kinetic plots showed first order relationship vs. monomer concentration. Well‐controlled polymerizations with low polydispersities (M_w/M_n=1.15?1.25) polymers have been achieved. The molecular weights increased linearly with monomer conversions and were close to the theoretical values, indicating high initiation efficiency. The polymerization rate increased significantly with an increase of TCX concentration. The rate of polymerization was about 0.6 orders with respect to the concentration of initiator. The polymerization rate increased significantly with an increase of CuCl concentration. The dependence of ln k_p ^app on ln ([CuCl]₀) indicated a 0.91 order. The apparent activation energy was calculated ΔE_app ^≠=43.3 KJ/mol, and the enthalpy of the equilibrium, ΔH_eq ⁰, was estimated to be 21.1 KJ/mol. The structure of obtained PMMA was analyzed by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The result proved that the TCX acted as a bifunctional initiator for ATRP of MMA.     

Polymer-Supported Lewis Acid Catalysts. II. Cationic Polymerization of α-Methylstyrene with Polystyrene-Gallium Trichloride Complex as Initiator

The polymerization of α-methylstyrene catalyzed by a polymer-supported Lewis acid catalyst, polystyrene-gallium trichloride complex, is described. The kinetic equation of the cationic polymerization is R_p = k˙C_ms˙C_cat , and the apparent activation energy is 20.9 kJ/mol. The effect of different solvents on the polymerization rate is quite pronounced; for example, the polymerization rate decreased in the following order in the three solvents: CH₂ ClCH₂ Cl < CH₂ Cl₂ < CCl₄. High molecular weight poly(α-methylstyrene) (T_g = 185°C) could be obtained at room temperature. The mechanism of the polymerization is also discussed.     

On the Modification of Chitosan Through Grafting

Abstract

The feasibility of grafting poly(methyl acrylate) and poly[1-(methoxycarbonyl) ethylene] onto chitosan, poly-β(1←-4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose, was investigated. The grafting reaction was carried out in aqueous solution by using ferrous ammonium sulfate (FAS) in combination with H₂O₂ as redox initiator. The effects of such reaction variables as chitosan, monomer and initiator concentrations, reaction time, and reaction temperature were determined. Through this study the grafting reaction could be optimized. The grafting yield reached its maximum value of 332% when 0.3 g chitosan was copolymerized with 3 mL monomer at 70°C for 120 minutes with [FAS] = 6 × 10^?5 M, [H₂O₂] = 6 × 10^?3 M, and 8 mL water. The grafted chitosan was found to be insoluble in solvents for chitosan and solvents for poly(methyl acrylate), but did show swelling in dilute acetic acid, methanol, acetone, and in an ethanol/2% acetic acid 1:1 mixture. The thermal stability of chitosan and grafted chitosan were studied by dynamic thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that the graft copolymer is thermally more stable than pure chitosan. The overall activation energy for graft copolymerization was estimated to be 32.8 kcal/mol.     

STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF POLYSTYRENE SULFONIC ACID MACROMOLECULES ON THE POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE

The effect of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) macromolecules on the polymerization of acrylamide (AM) has been studied. It was found that the rates of polymerization of AM were greatly increased in the presence of PSSA in the polymerization system.The maximum value of the rate of polymerization of AM was obtained when the ratio of [—SO_3H]: [AM] reached 3:1. When the insoluble crosslinked PSSA was used instead of the soluble one, this effect decreased considerably. The interaction between molecules of PSSA and AM was determined by infrared spectroscopy, elementary analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The combination form, —SO_3-NH_3~ CO—, formed between sulfonic group and amide group was found to be existed since the infrared absorption band of —NH_2 shifted from 3400cm~(-1) to 3150 cm~(-1), the binding energy of electron N_(18) changed from 399.7 eV to 401.3 eV, and the atomic ratio of N to S of the products was similar to the ratio of reagents. Based on these experimental results, the mechanism of AM polymerization in the presence of PSSA is proposed. The initial step is the combination of AM with sulfonic group to form —CONH_3~ , then followed by polymerization on the PSSA macromolecule. The role of PSSA on the polymerization of AM is discussed.     

Ab initio RAFT emulsion polymerization of butadiene using the amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid‐b‐styrene) trithiocarbonate as both surfactant and mediator

Ab initio reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) emulsion polymerization of butadiene was investigated by using the amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid_n‐b‐styrene₅) trithiocarbonate as both surfactant and mediator. The neutralization on acrylic acid (AA) units played significant influence on the gelation. When half of the AA units were neutralized, the gelation occurred in the early stage of the polymerization so that the highest accessible molecular weight of polybutadiene was as low as 5 kg mol^?1. In the non‐neutralized conditions, the gelation was much retarded so that the highest accessible molecular weight was increased up to 23 kg mol^?1. In the non‐neutralized conditions, potassium persulfate could not initiate the polymerization. When azobisisobutyronitrile was used as initiator, the polymerization mediated by poly(acrylic acid₂₇‐b‐styrene₅) trithiocarbonate could proceed much faster than the solution polymerization did. The latex was stable. Before the gel point, molecular weight agreed well with the theoretical prediction while PDI was relatively high due to the branching reaction. The poly(butadiene‐b‐styrene) core/shell particles could obtained by extending polybutadiene. When the n value in poly (acrylic acid_n‐b‐styrene₅) trithiocarbonate was lower than 20, the coalescence would occur, leading to the formation of some coagulum. On the other hand, when n value was as high as 60, the molecular weight was out of control. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

FeCl3/Acetic Acid-mediated Reverse Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Acrylonitrile

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) has been successfully applied in the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with FeCl₃/acetic acid as catalyst in the presence of conventional initiator azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at 65°C in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). A FeCl₃ to acetic acid ratio of 1:2 not only gave better control on polymer's molecular weight and its distribution, but also provided a rapid polymerization rate compared with any other molar ratio of FeCl₃ to acetic acid. The polymerization rate increased with increasing temperature and the apparent activation energy was calculated to be 80.6 kJ·mol^?1. In comparison with dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, cyclohexanone and ethyl acetate, DMF was considered to be the best solvent of the polymerization for its polarity. Analysis of ¹H-NMR further confirmed the living nature of the polymerization.     

Determination of propagation rate coefficients for an α‐substituted acrylic ester: Pulsed laser polymerization of dimethyl itaconate

Pulsed laser polymerization experiments have been performed on the bulk polymerization of dimethyl itaconate over the temperature range 20–50 °C. The activation energy and frequency factor were calculated as 24.9 kJ/mol⁻¹ and 2.15 × 10⁵ L/mol⁻¹s⁻¹, respectively. The activation energy is comparable with the methacrylate series of monomers. The frequency factor is relatively small and reflects steric hindrance in the transition state caused by the bulky 1,1, disubstitution in the monomer (and consequently the radical). The Mark–Houwink–Kuhn–Sakurada constants were also determined for poly(dimethyl itaconate) in tetrahydrofuran, these are reported as 46 × 10⁻⁵ dL/g (K) and 0.51 (α). The influence of penultimate units (γ‐substituents) on homopropagation reactions is discussed particularly for polymerizations leading to significant 1,3 interactions in the resultant polymer. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2192–2200, 2000