Low‐cost bifunctional initiators for bidirectional living cationic polymerization of olefins. III. centrally functionalized polyisobutylenes

Allyl‐telechelic polyisobutylene (A‐PIB‐A) produced by the bis‐benzocyclobutane dichloride (bBCB‐diCl) initiator contains the bis‐benzocyclobutane (bBCB) fragment at the center of the macromolecule (A‐PIB‐bBCB‐PIB‐A). Thermolysis of A‐PIB‐bBCB‐PIB‐A quantitatively converts the central bBCB fragment to a substituted conjugated tetraene (A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A). The structure of A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A was anticipated from small molecule models and identified/quantitated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. This is the first time a reactive functional group was introduced at the statistical center of a (telechelic) PIB. Subsequently, the A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A was peroxidized to an epoxy derivative. Reaction of the A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A with HSCH₂CH₂OH produced HOCH₂‐telechelic PIB containing a central  CH₂OH function, and hydrosilation with HSi(Me₂)‐O‐Si(Me₂)H produced SiH‐telechelic PIB with a central  SiH function. Reactions with maleic anhydride, tetracyanoethylene, butyl lithium, and potassium permanganate have also been examined. In sum, A‐PIB‐bBCB‐PIB‐A and A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A are useful intermediates for the synthesis of novel PIB‐based materials for various end uses under investigation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1140–1145     

Low cost bifunctional initiators for bidirectional living cationic polymerization of olefins. II. hyperbranched styrene–isobutylene–styrene triblocks with superior combination of properties

Both bifunctional initiators, the new low cost bBCB‐diCl [4,9‐dichloro,2,4,7,9‐tetramethyl‐tricyclo[6.2.0.0³⁶]deca‐1(8),2,6‐triene] and the universally used “hindered” HDCCl [1‐(tert‐butyl)‐3,5‐bis(2‐chloropropan‐2‐yl)benzene] induce the living bidirectional block copolymerization of isobutylene (IB) followed by styrene (St), and produce PSt‐b‐PIB‐b‐PSt (SIBS) triblocks. We discovered that the molecular weights of triblocks kept significantly increasing long after St conversion reached completion during syntheses. Results were explained by the formation of blends consisting of the expected linear SIBS plus hyperbranched SIBS, HB(SIBS)_n. The structure of high molecular weight (>10⁶ g/mol) HB(SIBS)_n was characterized by various techniques, and key properties of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends were investigated. The mechanism of HB(SIBS)_n formation and the synthesis of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends was elucidated. The properties of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends are superior to those of SIBS. Thus, whereas SIBS exhibits ∼25 MPa tensile strength and ∼450% elongation, SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends exhibit 25–27 MPa tensile strength and >400% elongation; deformation under constant load of SIBS is ∼12%, whereas that of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n is <1%; permanent set of SIBS is 1.3% whereas that of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n is <0.5%. SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends also exhibit higher yield, yield strength, and toughness than SIBS. The microstructure/property relationship of HB(SIBS)_n is discussed and the reasons for enhanced properties of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends are analyzed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 705–713     

Tetrafunctional initiators for cationic polymerization of olefins

3,3′,5,5′‐Tetrakis(2‐chloro‐2‐propyl)biphenyl (biphenyl tetracumyl chloride, BPTCC) and 1,3‐bis[3,5‐bis(2‐chloro‐2‐propyl)phenoxy]propane (diphenoxypropane tetracumyl chloride, DPPTCC) were synthesized as initiators for quasiliving cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB). In the synthesis of BPTCC, tetrafunctionality was achieved via the coupling of dimethyl 5‐bromoisophthalate (DMBI) using nickel dibromide bis(triphenylphosphine) and zinc in the presence of a base; in the synthesis of DPPTCC, two equivalents of dimethyl 5‐hydroxyisophthalate were linked via reaction with 1,3‐dibromopropane in the presence of potassium carbonate. Both initiators were used to initiate the polymerization of IB under quasiliving cationic polymerization conditions. PIB initiated from BPTCC revealed a chain end/molecule value (as determined by ¹H‐NMR) of 3.85, verifying the nearly exclusive production of 4‐arm polyisobutylene (PIB). GPC analysis revealed a narrow peak representing the target four‐arm PIB, with a slight shoulder at high elution volumes (low molecular weights). GPC analysis of the PIB initiated by DPPTCC revealed multimodal distributions, suggesting the formation of two‐, three‐, and four‐arm star polymers during the polymerization. This behavior was attributed to Friedel–Crafts alkylation of the initiator core after the addition of one IB unit, which was activated by the electron‐donating oxytrimethyleneoxy linking moiety. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5942–5953, 2004     

Oxoaminium salts as initiators for cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers

Oxoaminium salt ( 1 ), derived from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO, 2 ) by one-electron oxidation, could be an initiator for cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers such as isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE), 2,3-dihydrofuran, p-methoxystyrene, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, etc., to give the corresponding polymers, when 1 had a low nucleophilic counter anion. Formation of the adducts of 1 and IBVE as well as ¹H-NMR and IR data suggested the formation of polymers containing N? O? C structure as the polymer head group. In the polymerization of IBVE, the effects of solvent and concentration of 1 were little observed, however the polymerization rate was dependent on temperature. Furthermore, the thermal reaction of the polymers obtained, which were regarded as prepolymers for block copolymerization and polymeric initiators for radical polymerization, was studied. For example, poly(2-benzylidene-1,3-dioxane) obtained by the polymerization of 2-benzylidene-1,3-dioxane with oxoaminium hexafluoroantimonate ( 1, X = SbF₆) was employed as an initiator for radical polymerization of MMA to give its block copolymer with PMMA. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Novel substituted epoxide initiators for the carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene

This article presents the first detailed account of the discovery that substituted epoxides can initiate the carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene. α‐Methylstyrene epoxide (MSE), 2,4,4‐trimethyl‐pentyl‐epoxide‐1,2 (TMPO‐1), 2,4,4‐trimethyl‐pentyl‐epoxide‐2,3 (TMPO‐2), and hexaepoxi squalene (HES) initiated isobutylene polymerization in conjunction with TiCl₄. MSE, TMPO‐2, and HES initiated living polymerizations. A competitive reaction mechanism is proposed for the initiation and propagation. According to the proposed mechanism, initiator efficiency is defined by the competition between the S_N1 and S_N2 reaction paths. A controlled initiation with external epoxides such as MSE should yield a primary hydroxyl head group and a tert‐chloride end‐group. The presence of tert‐chloride end‐groups was verified by NMR spectroscopy, whereas the presence of primary hydroxyl groups was implied by model experiments. Multiple initiation by HES was verified by diphenyl ethylene end‐capping and NMR analysis; the resulting star polymer had an average of 5.2 arms per molecule. A detailed investigation of the reaction mechanism and the characterization of the polymers are in progress. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 444–452, 2000     

Multifunctional coupling agents for living cationic polymerization. I. Sodiomalonate anions for vinyl ethers

A series of multifunctional malonate anions, [Na^⊕?C(COOEt)₂CH₂]_mC₆H_6?m(I; m = 2–4), were examined as polymer coupling agents for the living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers initiated with the hydrogen iodide/zinc iodide (HI/ZnI₂) initiating system. The bifunctional anion ( 2 ;I, m = 2), 1,4-[Na^⊕?C(COOEt)₂CH₂]₂C₆H₄, terminated living polymers of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) (DP _n = 10) almost quantitatively in toluene at ?15°C to give coupled living polymers with doubled molecular weights in 96% yield; the dianion 2 was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran containing 18-crown-6 for maintaining the solution homogeneous. The yield of the coupled polymers was increased with shorter living chains or in less polar solvents. Also by coupling via 2 , ABA block copolymers were obtained from living AB block polymers of IBVE and an ester-functionalized vinyl ether (CH₂?CHOCH₂CH₂OCOCH₃). Coupling of living poly(IBVE) with the trifunctional anion ( 3 ; I, m = 3) led to tri-armed polymers in 56% yield, whereas with the tetrafunctional version ( 4 ; I, m = 4), only three out of the four anions reacted to give another tri-armed polymer in 85% yield. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Living cationic polymerization of isobutylene coinitiated by FeCl3 in the presence of isopropanol

A simple but effective FeCl₃‐based initiating system has been developed to achieve living cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) using di(2‐chloro‐2‐propyl) benzene (DCC) or 1‐chlorine‐2,4,4‐trimethylpentane (TMPCl) as initiators in the presence of isopropanol (iPrOH) at ?80 °C for the first time. The polymerization with near 100% of initiation efficiency proceeded rapidly and completed quantitatively within 10 min. Polyisobutylenes (PIBs) with designed number‐average molecular weights (M_n) from 3500 to 21,000 g mol^?1, narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD, M_w/M_n ≤ 1.2) and near 100% of tert‐Cl terminal groups could be obtained at appropriate concentrations of iPrOH. Livingness of cationic polymerization of IB was further confirmed by all monomer in technique and incremental monomer addition technique. The kinetic investigation on living cationic polymerization was conducted by real‐time attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The apparent constant of rate for propagation (k_p^A) increased with increasing polymerization temperature and the apparent activation energy (ΔE_a) for propagation was determined to be 14.4 kJ mol^?1. Furthermore, the triblock copolymers of PS‐b‐PIB‐b‐PS with different chain length of polystyrene (PS) segments could be successfully synthesized via living cationic polymerization with DCC/FeCl₃/iPrOH initiating system by sequential monomer addition of IB and styrene at ?80 °C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

The effect of the counterion composition on the chain restriction in the cationic polymerization of isobutylene

The effects of the nature of halogens in the initiatingtert-butyl halide-aluminum-containing Lewis acid system on the number average molecular weightM _n and the structure of end groups of polyisobutylene macromolecules obtained in the cationic polymerization of isobutylene in hexane at -78 °C were studied. An increase inM _n is observed in the transition from chlorine to bromine and iodine, accompanied by a decrease in the fraction of end C=C groups and an increase in the relative content of C-Hal groups (Hal = Cl, Br, and I). When atoms of different halogens are present in the counterion, more bulky atoms preferentially participate in the formation of the end groups. The results are interpreted within the framework of the principle of hard and soft acids and bases.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1184–1187, May, 1996.     

Competitive complexation in the cationic polymerization of isobutylene in a nonpolar medium

The cationic polymerization of isobutylene coinitiated by Al(i-Bu)Cl₂(Al) was carried out in mixed butane–butene fractions at −50 °C. The expected polymerization processes induced by the trace of moisture with Al system in the presence of a small amount of external electron-donor modifiers, such as methyl acrylate (MA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), were obtained. The experimental results showed that these polymerizations produced polymers with relatively high number-average molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (1.5–2.2). That the gel permeation chromatography traces of the polymers depended on the types and concentrations of external donors suggested that there existed competitive complexation reactions of various electron donors (H₂O, MA, and DMSO) with the Al Lewis acid. The roles of external electron donors were to take part in the initiation step by competitive complexation and to modify the reactivity of the growing chain ends in the propagation step by mediation and/or solvation, which impaired the high reactivity of the original growing chain ends. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2209–2214, 2002     

Living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers with carboxylic acid/tin tetrahalide initiating systems. I. New initiating systems based on acetic acid and selection of Lewis acid and basic additive leading to living polymers with low polydispersity

Cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) with acetic acid (CH₃COOH)/tin tetrahalide (SnX₄: X = Cl, Br, I) initiating systems in toluene solvent at 0°C was investigated, and the reaction conditions for living polymerization of IBVE with the new initiating systems were established. Among these tin tetrahalides, SnBr₄ was found to be the most suitable Lewis acid to obtain living poly(IBVE) with a narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD). The polymerization with the CH₃COOH/SnBr₄ system, however, was accompanied with the formation of a small amount of another polymer fraction of very broad MWD, probably due to the occurrence of an uncontrolled initiation by SnBr₄ coupled with protonic impurity. Addition of 1,4-dioxane (1–1.25 vol %) or 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (0.1–0.6mM) to the polymerization mixture completely eliminated the uncontrolled polymer to give only the living polymer with very narrow MWD (M _w/M _n ≤ 1.1; M _w, weight-average molecular weight; M _n, number-average molecular weight). The M _n of the polymers increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion, continued to increase upon sequential addition of a fresh monomer feed, and was in good agreement with the calculated values assuming that one CH₃COOH molecule formed one polymer chain. Along with these results, kinetic study and direct ¹H-NMR observation of the living polymerization indicated that CH₃COOH and SnBr₄ act as so-called “initiator” and “activator”, respectively, and the living polymerization proceeds via an activation of the acetate dormant species. The basic additives such as 1,4-dioxane and 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine would serve mainly as a “suppressor” of the uncontrolled initiation by SnBr₄. The polymers produced after quenching the living polymerization with methanol possessed the acetate dormant terminal and they induced living polymerization of IBVE in conjunction with SnBr₄ in the presence of 1,4-dioxane. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 3173–3185, 1998     

Cationic polymerization of isobutylene at room temperature

This review highlights recent approaches toward polyisobutylene (PIB) by an energy efficient room temperature cationic polymerization. Special focus is laid on our own work using modified Lewis acids and nitrile‐ligated metal complexes associated with weakly coordinating anions. In both cases, suitable conditions have been found for efficient production of PIB characterized by medium to low molar masses and a high content of exo double bonds as end groups—the typical features of highly reactive PIB, an important commercial intermediate toward oil and gasoline additives. These and other approaches demonstrate that the cationic polymerization of isobutylene is still not fully explored, and new innovative catalyst systems can lead to surprising results of high commercial interest. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers by electrophile/lewis acid initiating systems. VII. Living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether by trimethylsilyl halide/zinc halide initiating systems in the presence of p-methoxybenzaldehyde: Effects of halide anions and zinc halides

Trimethylsilyl halides (Me₃SiY), in conjunction with zinc halides (ZnX₂) (Y and X:I, Br, Cl), were employed to investigate the living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) in toluene at ?15°C in the presence of p-methoxybenzaldehyde; with the aldehyde and IBVE monomer, Me₃SiY yields an initiating species [Me₃Si? O? CHC₆H₄(OM_e) ? CH₂CH(OiBu) ? Y] that triggers the IBVE polymerization via the activation of its carbon-halogen bond (C? Y) by ZnX₂ into C^δ+…?Y^δ?…?ZnX₂. Living polymerizations occurred with the silyl iodide and bromide irrespective of the type of ZnX₂, either when Y = X (Me₃Sil/Znl₂ and Me₃SiBr/ZnBr₂) or when Y ≠ X (Me₃Sil/ZnBr₂, Me₃SiI/ZnCl₂, and Me₃SiBr/Znl₂). With these five initiating systems, the number-average molecular weights (M?_n) of the polymers increased in proportion to monomer conversion, and the molecular weight distributions (MWDs) of the polymers were narrow (M?_w/M?_n = 1.1?1.2). The Me₃SiCl-based systems (Me₃SiCl/ZnCl₂ and Me₃SiCl/Znl₂), in (Me₃SiCl/Znl₂), in contrast, failed to give perfectly living polymerization; the M?_n indeed increased with conversion, but the MWDs of the polymers were broader (M?_w/M?_n = 1.3?1.5). Thus, the living nature of the polymerizations with Me₃SiY/Znx₂ is primarily determined by the halogen Y in Me₃SiY, which generates the terminal carbon-halogen bond (C? Y) that is activated by ZnX₂ for the propagation via a species C^δ+…?Y^δ?…?ZnX₂. For Y^?, not only the iodide but the bromide anion also is suited for living cationic polymerization. The virtual absence of the effects of X in ZnX₂ implies that the halogen exchange between ZnX₂ and Y from Me₃ SiY at the growing end (C^λ+…?Y^δ?…?ZnX₂ ?C^δ+…?X^δ?…?ZnXY) is absent or negligible.     

Synthesis of end-functionalized polystyrenes with organosilicon end-capping reagents via living cationic polymerization

The end-functionalization of living polymers with bases (methanol, benzylamine, diethyl sodiomalonate, and sodium methoxide) and organosilicon compounds [X ? Si(CH₃)₃;X ? : CH₂?C(CH₃)COO? , CH₃COO? , CH₂?CHCH₂? , C₆H₅? ] was investigated in the living cationic polymerization of styrene initiated with the 1-phenylethyl chloride/SnCl₄/nBu₄NCl system in CH₂Cl₂ at ?15°C. The four bases and C₆H₅SiMe₃, independent of their structures, were apparently incapable of reacting with the living end and invariably led to polystyrenes with the ω-end chlorine [～ ～ ～ CH₂CH(Ph)Cl] originated from the initiating system. The number-average end-functionality (F?_n) of the chloride, determined by ¹H-NMR, was close to unity (F?_n > 0.9). The presence of chlorine in the polymer was also confirmed by elemental analysis. In contrast, the quenching by the trimethylsilyl compounds with X = methacryloxy, acetoxy, and allyl gave ω-end-functionalized polystyrenes with the corresponding terminal groups (X) for which the F?_n values were close to unity (F?_n > 0.9). The effects of the structure of silyl compounds on end-capping are also discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Criteria for living systems with a special emphasis on living cationic polymerization of alkenes

A number of new living systems have been reported in recent years. Classic anionic polymerization of nonpolar monomers allows the synthesis of well-defined high molecular weight polymers (DP > 1000), block copolymers, chains with perfect terminal functionalities and behaves as a true living system. Some new systems abuse the term “living polymerization.” A relatively modest criterion for living systems is proposed “3 X 10,000,” i.e., k_p/k_t > 10⁴ mol^-1 L, k_p/k_tr > 10⁴, 1/k_t/tr > 10⁴ s (translated to < 10% of chains deactivated at t ≈ 1000 s), which is related to a typical limit of the polymeric chain dimensions (DP ≈ 100) and standard synthetic manipulations (≈ 15 min). New living cationic systems are discussed in detail with special emphasis on exchange phenomena. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Highly reactive polyisobutylenes via AlCl3OBu2‐coinitiated cationic polymerization of isobutylene: Effect of solvent polarity,temperature, and initiator

The cationic polymerization of isobutylene using 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol (CumOH)/AlCl₃OBu₂ and H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating systems in nonpolar solvents (toluene, n‐hexane) at elevated temperatures (?20 to 30 °C) is reported. With CumOH/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system, the reaction proceeded by controlled initiation via CumOH, followed by β‐H abstraction and then irreversible termination, thus, affording polymers (M_n = 1000–2000 g mol^?1) with high content of vinylidene end groups (85–91%), although the monomer conversion was low (≤35%) and polymers exhibited relatively broad molecular weight distribution (MWD; M_w/M_n = 2.3–3.5). H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system induced chain‐transfer dominated cationic polymerization of isobutylene via a selective β‐H abstraction by free base (Bu₂O). Under these conditions, polymers with very high content of desired exo‐olefin terminal groups (89–94%) in high yield (>85%) were obtained in 10 min. It was shown that the molecular weight of polyisobutylenes obtained with H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system could be easily controlled in a range 1000–10,000 g mol^?1 by changing the reaction temperature from ?40 to 30 °C. The MWD was rather broad (M_w/M_n = 2.5–3.5) at low reaction temperatures (from ?40 to 10 °C), but became narrower (M_w/M_n ≤ 2.1) at temperatures higher than 10 °C. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Atom-transfer radical polymerization of styrene with bifunctional and monofunctional initiators: Experimental and mathematical modeling results

Bulk atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene was carried out at 110 °C using benzal bromide as bifunctional initiator and 1-bromoethyl benzene as monofunctional initiator. CuBr/2,2′-bipyridyl was used as the ATRP catalyst. The polymerization kinetic data for styrene with both initiators was measured and compared with a mathematical model based on the method of moments and another one using Monte Carlo simulation. An empirical correlation was incorporated into the model to account for diffusion-controlled termination reactions. Both models can predict monomer conversion, polymer molecular weight averages, and polydispersity index. In addition, the Monte Carlo model can also predict the full molecular weight distribution of the polymer. Our experimental results agree with our model predictions that bifunctional initiators can produce polymers with higher molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than monofunctional initiators. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2212–2224, 2007     

Controlled synthesis of glycopolymers with pendant D-glucosamine residues by living cationic polymerization

D -glucosamine-containing glycopolymers with well-controlled structure were synthesized by living cationic polymerization. To this end, D -glucosamine-containing vinyl ether (VE) of the type [CH₂()CH(OCH₂CH₂OR)] was prepared, where R denotes a 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimide-β-D -glucopyranoside, i.e., the hydroxyl and amino groups in D -glucosamine residues are protected by acetyl and phthaloyl groups, respectively. It was found that (1) the efficient living cationic polymerization of VE monomer is achieved by a combination of ethylaluminum dichloride (EtAlCl₂) with an adduct of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and isobutyl VE (IBVE) [CH₃CH(OiBu)OCOCF₃] (i.e., TFA/EtAlCl₂ initiating system); and (2) the polymerization in toluene at the elevated temperature (0°C) is most suitable to proceed the homogeneous polymerization over the whole conversion range. The molecular weight distribution of the resulting polymers was very narrow ($ {\bar M}_w/{\bar M}_n \sim 1.1 $). Quantitative deprotection of the resulting precursor polymers was successfully achieved with hydrazine monohydrate to afford the corresponding water-soluble polymers with pendant D -glucosamine residues. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 751–757, 1997     

Sulfonic acids as water‐soluble initiators for cationic polymerization in aqueous media with Yb(OTf)3

Aqueous sulfonic acids (HOSO₂R; R = CH₃, Ph‐p‐CH₃, and Ph‐p‐NO₂), coupled with a water‐tolerant Lewis acid, ytterbium triflate [Yb(OTf)₃; OTf =  OSO₂CF₃], initiate the cationic suspension polymerization of p‐methoxystyrene (pMOS) in heterogeneous aqueous media. They induce controlled polymerization of pMOS at 30 °C, and the molecular weights of the polymers (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight ∼ 1.7) increase with conversion. These suspension polymerizations are initiated by the entry of sulfonic acid from the aqueous phase into the organic phase and proceed via reversible activation of the sulfonyl terminus by the Lewis acid. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2728–2733, 2000     

Chiral arylnickel complexes as highly active initiators for screw‐sense selective living polymerization of 1,2‐diisocyanobenzenes

Optically active chiral organonickel complexes served as efficient chiral initiators for living aromatizing polymerization of 1,2‐diisocyanobenzene derivatives, which afford optically active helical poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s up to 84% s.e. (screw‐sense excess). In comparison with asymmetric polymerization with the corresponding organopalladium initiators, the nickel initiators show a much greater polymerization rate, while the selectivity remains high. The organonickel initiators can be generated in situ from nickel(0) precursors with the corresponding enantiopure (S,S)‐2‐(4,5‐diphenylimidazolin‐2‐yl)phenyl chloride, leading to the convenient synthesis of highly stereo‐controlled poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 898–904, 2010