Telechelic diene prepolymers. III. Polymerization temperature study of polybutadienes

A study of the effect of the polymerization temperature on the yield and properties of hydroxyl- and carboxyl-terminated polybutadiene prepolymers has been made. Polymerization reactions were conducted in dioxane with 4,4′-azobis(4-cyano-n-pentanol) and 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) as the free-radical initiators. The most significant result obtained was the observation that the polymerization temperature exhibited a pronounced effect on the heterogeneity index of the prepolymers.     

Densely crosslinked polycarbosiloxanes. I. Synthesis

Novel densely crosslinked polycarbosiloxanes were obtained by using functional branched prepolymers. Two types of soluble prepolymers were prepared from di- and trifunctional alkoxysilane monomers via cohydrolysis/condensation and for both final crosslinking occurred via hydrosilylation. The prepolymers having only vinyl functionalities (poly[phenylmethylvinyl]siloxanes, system A) were crosslinked by using a crosslinking agent with reactive silicon–hydrogen bonds. In the prepolymers having both silicon–vinyl and silicon–hydrogen functionalities (poly[phenylmethyl-vinylhydro]siloxanes, system B) crosslinking took place intermolecularly. For the characterization of the prepolymers ¹H-NMR, ²⁹Si–NMR, FT–IR spectroscopy, analytical SEC and VPO were employed. The prepolymers were fractionated with preparative SEC and the fractions analyzed with ¹H-NMR and analytical SEC. The crosslinking reaction was followed by FT–IR spectroscopy. The polymer networks were fully transparent homogeneous materials and are promising for future optical applications. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cationic polymerization with boron halides. V. Synthesis of poly(isobutylene-b-styrene) and poly(styrene-b-isobutylene)

Block copolymers of isobutylene and styrene, PIB-b-PSt and PSt-b-PIB, have been prepared by a two-step synthesis involving (1) preparation of terminally chlorinated (telechelic) polyisobutylene or polystyrene “prepolymers” by using the H₂O/BCl₃ initiator system and (2) blocking from these telechelic prepolymers a second polymer segment by using an alkyaluminum, e.g., Et₂AlCl coinitiator. The telechelic polyisobutylene and polystyrene contain tertiary and benzylic chlorine termini, respectively. Block copolymer characterization included detailed selective solvent extraction procedures, coupled with GPC determinations, PMR, solubility, and intrinsic viscosity studies. The synthesis of PIB-b-PSt and PSt-b-PIB provides direct chemical evidence for the presence and position of active chlorine termini in BCl₃-coinitiated olefin polymerizations.     

Study on curing reaction of epoxy resin modified with prepolymers containing spiro orthocarbonate

Prepolymers were prepared by the reaction of 3,9-dihydroxyethyl-3′9′-dibenzyl-1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro(5,5)undecane with 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,6-hexa-methylene diisocyanate (HDI). The number-average molecular weights of the prepolymers can be controlled by changing the mole ratios of spiro compound and diisocyanates. Kinetic studies of the cure reaction for the epoxy resin system modified with or without prepolymers were followed by a HLX-1 dynamic torsional vibration apparatus. The results indicated that gel time (t_g) and activation energy (E_a) increased as the content of prepolymers in the epoxy resin system increased. A difference with the cure reaction of the pure epoxy resin, the second-order reaction for the epoxy resin modified with the prepolymers, was obtained. Rate constants (k) of the cure reaction are 0.231 min^?1 for the epoxy resin, and 0.312 min^?1 for the modified epoxy resin. The mechanism of the cure reaction was discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Domain structure and interphase dimensions in poly(urethaneurea) elastomers using DSC and SAXS

Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and differential scattering calorimetry (DSC) were used to demonstrate distinct differences in domain size, phase separation, and hydrogen bonding in a series of segmented urethaneurea elastomers prepared from isocyanate‐terminated prepolymers and aromatic diamine chain extenders. Two types of prepolymers were studied. The first contained a broadly polydisperse high molecular mass oligomer with relatively high levels of free isocyanate monomer. The second type of prepolymer contained low levels of high molecular mass oligomers with mass fractions greater than 90% of the two‐to‐one adduct of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) to polytetramethylene glycol (PTMEG). The mass fraction of the residual unreacted diisocyanate was less than 0.1% in the second type. Two chain extenders, 4,4′‐methylene bis‐(2‐chloroaniline)(Mboca) and 4,4′‐methylene bis‐(3‐chloro‐2,6‐diethylaniline) (MCDEA), were used to convert the prepolymers to poly(urethaneurea) elastomers. Materials prepared from the prepolymers with low oligomer polydispersity exhibited smaller hard segment domains with more ordered morphology, greater phase separation, and more hydrogen bonding than those prepared from prepolymers with high oligomer polydispersity. These tendencies were enhanced in those elastomers prepared by chain extension with MCDEA compared to those made with Mboca. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2586–2600, 1999     

Telechelic diene prepolymers. V. Copolymers with 4-chlorostyrene

Copolymers of butadiene, isoprene, and chloroprene with 4-chlorostyrene have been prepared with hydroxyl and carboxyl terminal groups, 4,4′-azobis(4-cyano-n-pentanol) and 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid), respectively, being used as the initiators. The copolymerizations were carried out in dioxane solution to give liquid prepolymers of low molecular weight capable of undergoing conventional chain-extension reactions and suitable for utilization as encapsulating resins. Preparative and prepolymer characterization properties are described.     

Mass spectrometric characterization of telechelic prepolymers and addition polymers of DGEBA–aliphatic amines

Plasma desorption (PD) mass spectra of high molecular weight addition polymers of 2.2-bis-[4-(2.3-epoxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (DGEBA) and benzylamine show protonated molecular ions of the intact polymers and oligomer molecules. In the spectrum of a DGEBA/N,N′-dibenzyl-5-oxanonanediamine-1.9 addition polymer only fragments of the oligomers and a cyclic oligomer are observed. In both polymer spectra there is no indication for side reactions during the addition polymerization such as ether formation. Fast-atom bombardment (FAB) spectra of telechelic prepolymers having amino end groups show the regular oligomers with increasing degree of polymerization and the expected fragmentation products. Only prepolymers with epoxide end groups contain the regular prepolymers as well as side reaction products which are formed by reactions of the telechelics and DGEBA or by reaction of themselves. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Soluble and curable prepolymers from polyallyl ester monomers containing aromatic imide groups

Five polyallyl ester monomers that contain aromatic imide groups were synthesized as thermally stable laminating resins. From these monomers soluble and low-melting prepolymers were obtained by radical polymerization in aprotic polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, or N-methyl -2-pyrrolidone. The prepolymers are oligomeric compounds in which DP = 3–6 and have lower melting points than the corresponding monomers. It is assumed that the reaction of solvent molecule participates in the polymerization. Whereas, the bulk and the solution polymerization in n-butyl acetate or n-propyl alcohol yielded insoluble and infusible polymer. The relatively low-melting prepolymers were curable at 150–180°C without the evolution of volatile by-products. Resulting glass-fiber laminates have no glass transition point below 300°C and thermooxidative stability at 330°C.     

Preparation of high molecular weight polybenzoxazine prepolymers containing siloxane unites and properties of their thermosets

High‐molecular‐weight polybenzoxazine prepolymers containing polydimethylsiloane unit in the main‐chain have been synthesized from α,ω‐bis(aminopropyl)polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) (molecular weight = 248, 850, and 1622) and bisphenol‐A with formaldehyde. Moreover, another type of prepolymers was prepared using methylenedianiline (MDA) as codiamine with PDMS. The weight average molecular weight of the obtained prepolymers was estimated from size exclusion chromatography to be in the range of 8000–11,000. The chemical structures of the prepolymers were investigated by ¹H NMR and IR analyses. The prepolymers gave transparent free standing films by casting their dioxane solution. The prepolymer films after thermally cured up to 240 °C gave brown colored transparent and flexible polybenzoxazine films. Tensile test of the films revealed that the elongation at break increased with increasing the molecular weight of PDMS unit. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the thermosets showed that the T_gs were as high as 238–270 °C. The thermosets also revealed high thermal stability as evidenced by the 5% weight loss temperatures in the range of 324–384 °C from thermogravimetic analysis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Telechelic diene prepolymers. VII. Polymerization temperature study of polyisoprenes and polychloroprenes

A study of the free-radical polymerization of isoprene and chloroprene leading to the preparation of telechelic prepolymers containing hydroxyl and carboxyl terminal groups has been carried out. The polymerization temperature was found to have a pronounced affect on the molecular weight distribution of the polyisoprenes, heterogeneity index values below 1.3 generally being found for prepolymers prepared at 60°C or below and index values higher than 1.3 being found for prepolymers prepared at higher temperatures. This change in heterogeneity index values with polymerization temperature was not observed with the polychloroprenes.     

Molecular composite. I. Novel block copolymers of liquid-crystalline polyamide and amorphous polyimide: Synthesis and characterization

Two series of PA/PI block copolymers have been prepared from a two-pot polycondensation reaction. Acid-terminated poly-p-benzamide (PBA) prepolymer, composed of a rigid-rod structure and lyotropic character, was synthesized by applying the phosphorylation reaction of Yamazaki. On the other hand, two amine-terminated polyimide prepolymers with an amorphous structure were prepared by a typical low-temperature condensation reaction from 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)-bis(phthalic anhydride) (6FDA)/2,2′-bis-(4-aminophenyl)-hexafluoropropane (BAAF) and 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA)/2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-p-phenylene diamine (TMPD). The molecular weight of these prepolymers was determined by intrinsic viscosity or GPC. The copolymerization was carried out by mixing two prepolymer solutions. The products were analyzed by extraction, IR, and η_inh so as to confirm that the copolymerization reaction was precisely accomplished. Thermal analysis and lyotropic behavior were studied for these block copolymers and the critical concentration in NMP–LiCl was found to be 6.0% for one among those block copolymers. The copolymers were observed to form anisotropic liquid-crystalline domains under polarized light once the solutions had been prepared at (and beyond) the critical concentration. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis,characterization, and Diels–Alder extension of cyclopentadiene telechelic polyisobutylene. III. Silylcyclopentadiene-telechelic polyisobutylene

Telechelic polyisobutylenes with silylcyclopentadiene termini (CpSi-PIB-SiCp) were prepared, starting with α,ω-di(t-chloro)polyisobutylene and followed by dehydrochlorination, hydrosilylation, and cyclopentadienylation. The prepolymer was characterized and found to have a terminal functionality close to 2.0. Thermal chain extension by Diels–Alder addition of the end groups did not occur, most likely because of fluxional isomerization of the silylcyclopentadiene end groups, confirmed by model studies. Chain coupling of CpSi-PIB-SiCp prepolymers with stoichiometric amounts of bismaleimide gave rise to degrees of extension of more than 11.     

Synthesis of well‐defined multigraft copolymers by a two‐step living radical polymerization with nitroxyl‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate)

Novel multigraft copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate‐graft‐polystyrene) (PMMA‐g‐PS) in which the number of graft PS side chains was varied were prepared by a subsequent two‐step living radical copolymerization approach. A polymerizable 4‐vinylbezenyl 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) monomer (STEMPO), which functioned as both a monomer and a radical trapper, was placed in a low‐temperature atom transfer radical polymerization (60°C) process of methyl methacrylate with ethyl 2‐bromopronionate (EPNBr) as an initiator to gain ethyl pronionate‐capped prepolymers with TEMPO moieties, PMMA‐STEMPOs. The number of TEMPO moieties grafted on the PMMA backbone could be designed by varying STEMPO/EPNBr, for example, the ratios of 1/2, 2/3, or 3/4 gained one, two, or three graft TEMPO moieties, respectively. The resulting prepolymers either as a macromolecular initiator or a trapper copolymerized with styrene in the control of stable free‐radical polymerization at an elevated temperature (120 °C), producing the corresponding multigraft copolymers, PMMA‐g‐PSs. The nitroxyl‐functionalized PMMA prepolymers produced a relatively high initiation efficiency (>0.8) as a result of the stereohindrance and slow diffusion of TEMPO moieties connected on the long PMMA backbone. The polymerization kinetics in two processes showed a living radical polymerization characteristic. The molecular structures of these prepolymers and graft copolymers were well characterized by combining Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, chemical element analysis, and ¹H NMR. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1876–1884, 2002     

The synthesis and morphology of grafted semiinterpenetrating polymer networks on the basis of functional prepolymers

Semi-IPNs on the basis of PU prepolymers with carboxylic groups and methacrylic copolymers with tertiary amine groups were synthesized. The influence of the functional group content and of the M_n of polymer components, as well as their ratio, on the morphology and mechanical properties were investigated. The miscibility in the systems was estimated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The miscibility of components was increased by augmenting the content of the functional groups. By varying the ratio of components, the highest miscibility was found at the isoelectric ratio of functional groups. However, all the investigated IPNs were two-phase systems, due to the segmented structure of PU prepolymers. The lowering of M_n values of the starting components did not improve their compatibility. The mechanical properties of semi-IPNs changed with the increased concentration of functional groups in a way that is typical for ionomers. By physical interactions between functional groups, Young's modulus was most influenced, while the M_n of the polymethacrylic component influenced the tensile strength of IPNs. The compatibility between PU hard segments and the polymethacrylic component found in our experiments led us to the conclusion that the preparation of IPNs of finer morphology would be possible by using PU prepolymers with shorter soft segments. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐L‐proline‐based telechelic prepolymers and poly(ester‐urethane)

The synthesis of hydroxyproline‐based telechelic prepolymers by the condensation polymerization of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐proline methyl ester was investigated. All the polymerizations were carried out in the melt with stannous octoate as the catalyst and with different diols. The products were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectrophotometry, and inherent viscosity (η_inh). According to the analytic results, the η_inh value of the prepolymers depended on the kind and amount of diols that were added. With an increase in the 1,6‐hexanediol feed from 2 to 10 mol %, there was a decrease in η_inh from 0.78 to 0.41 along with a decrease in the glass‐transition temperature (T_g ) from 63 to 42 °C. When 2 mol % of different kinds of diols were used, η_inh ranged from 0.78 to 0.21, and T_g varied from 70 to 43 °C. These new prepolymers could be linked to poly(ester‐urethane) by the chain extender 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate. The poly(ester‐urethane) was amorphous, and the T_g was 76 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2449–2455, 2000     

AB CROSSLINKED POLYURETHANES THROUGH IONIC CROSSLINKING: INFLUENCE OF CROSSLINKING NETWORKS ON PHYSICO CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Isocyanate-terminated prepolymers were synthesized using poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol of molecular weight 1000 (PTMG₁₀₀₀) with tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI). The prepolymers were chain extended with N-methyldiethanolamine (N-MDEA) to form polyurethanes containing tertiary nitrogen. These polyurethanes were crosslinked with bromine terminated polyurethane, poly(urethane-imide), and poly(urethane-siloxane) through the formation of cationomers at tertiary nitrogen sites across the backbone polyurethanes.

The crosslinked cationomeric polyurethanes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), mechanical analyses, (static and dynamic), and static contact angles measurements. FTIR spectral studies confirms the formation of bromine terminated poly(urethane-imide) and poly(urethane-siloxane), as well as quaternization of the tertiary nitrogen which leads to crosslinking. A comparison of thermal stabilities of crosslinked polymers with respect to the chemical nature of bromine terminated prepolymers (BTP) indicates improved thermal stability for poly(urethane-imide) based ABCP. Stress-strain analysis shows high elongation values for poly(urethane-siloxane) and poly(urethane-imide) based ABCPs. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals better damping for poly(urethane- siloxane) based AB crosslinked polymers.     

Preparation,reaction, and polymerization of the nuclear chlorinated α,α′-xylylene diallyl ethers

A process has been developed in which the diallyl ethers of the tetrachloroxylenes are produced in 90–95% yield. The starting materials are the appropriate chlorinated xylene, sodium hydroxide, and allyl alcohol. Epoxidation of the diallyl ethers with perbenzoic acid gave the corresponding diepoxides. The above diallyl ethers are capable of entering into both homo- and copolymerization reactions in the presence of free-radical initiators. With 2% tert-butyl perbenzoate, the diallyl ethers are polymerized to soluble prepolymers at 130–138°C in about 1 hr. These prepolymers can be formulated with appropriate reinforcing materials and peroxide initiator to give hard, tough thermo-setting resins. The optimization of various molding and formulation conditions is also described.     

Syntheses and characterization of UV-curable polysiloxane-based polyurethane prepolymers

UV-curable polyurethane prepolymers were prepared from the following components: iso-phorone diisocyanate, hydroxybutyl-terminated polysiloxane, and 2-hydroxyethyl meth-acrylate with diethylene glycol or neopentyl glycol added as an optional chain extender. These prepolymers, with hard segments of different structures, were characterized by high resolution NMR, FTIR, and gel permeation chromatography. Model oligomers were prepared to confirm the structures of the prepolymers. The structure–property relationship of cured prepolymers were determined. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Telechelic diene prepolymers. II. Carboxyl-terminated polydienes

Butadiene, isoprene, and chloroprene have been polymerized in dioxane under free-radical initiation to give liquid prepolymers containing terminal carboxyl groups. 4,4′-Azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) was employed as the initiator. The prepolymers were obtained with molecular weights of 12,000 to 2000 and with functionalities usually greater than 2.0. Experimental parameters were studied to determine their effect on prepolymer yields and properties. The general preparative procedure and prepolymer characterization are described.     

Effects of hyperbranched prepolymers prepared from butyl acrylate and butyl methacrylate on the electro‐optical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal

Two hyperbranched prepolymers were synthesized via the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer copolymerization of butyl acrylate or butyl methacrylate with divinyl benzene, respectively. These prepolymers were used in the photopolymerization‐induced phase separation process of preparing polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films with no risk of gelation. The morphologies of PDLC samples were investigated. Of particular interest was that the driving voltage (V₉₀) of PDLC with high glass transition temperature (T_g) matrix was as low as 5 V, whereas the V₉₀ of PDLC with low T_g matrix was still high. An explanation for this phenomenon is the hypothesis that different interaction modes function at the interface of liquid crystal and polymer. Meanwhile, the hysteresis of the two systems was minor, which correlated with the hyperbranched structure of polymer. The on‐state transmittance (T_ON) of PDLC films enhanced because of the well matching between the refractive index of polymer and that of liquid crystal. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.