Exactly alternating silarylene–siloxane polymers. II. The condensation polymerization of arylenedisilanols and bisureidosilanes

A new method for the preparation of exactly alternating silarylene–siloxane polymers by the low temperature step-growth condensation polymerization reaction of arylenedisilanols and bisurei-dosilanes in chlorobenzene was investigated. To obtain high molecular weight products ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were used to monitor the polymerization reaction. By using these procedures 12 different polymers were prepared from 1,4-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)-benzene, 4,4′-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)phenyl ether, bis(1,1-tetramethylene-3-phenylureido)-dimethylsilane, and bis(1,1-tetramethylene-3-phenylureido)-methylvinylsilane monomers. The polymers were obtained in high yields, purities, and molecular weights.     

Synthesis and characterization of ultraviolet‐curable hyperbranched poly(siloxysilane)s

Two UV‐curable hyperbranched poly(siloxysilane)s ( I and III ) containing vinyl and allyl end groups were synthesized via polyhydrosilylation with methylbis(methylethylvinylsiloxy)silane and methylbis(dimethylallylsiloxy)silane monomers. A cationic UV‐curable hyperbranched polymer ( II‐Ep ) with epoxy end groups was prepared via the hydrosilylation of hyperbranched polymer II with Si? H terminated groups and glycidyl methacrylate, and II was also obtained via the polyhydrosilylation of AB₂‐type monomer methylvinylbis(methylethylsiloxy)silane. All hydrosilylation reactions were catalyzed by Pt/C or chloroplatinic acid. Three AB₂‐type monomers were synthesized via the hydrolysis of functional chlorosilane, which was prepared with Grignard reagents and dichlorosilane. The molecular structures of the polymers were characterized with ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared, and gel permeation chromatography, and the UV‐curing behaviors of the polymers under different atmospheres and with different photoaccelerators were also investigated. The thermostability of uncured and cured polymers was examined with thermogravimetric analysis, and the data indicated that the orders of the onset decomposition temperatures for the cured polymers and the residue weights were as follows: III (380 °C) > I (320 °C) > II‐Ep (280 °C) and I (70.4%) > III (64.1%) > II‐Ep (60.9%), respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1883–1894, 2005     

Anionic polymerization of arylbismuth,lead and tin derivatives of styrene and α-methylstyrene

Styryl- and α-methylstyryldiphenylbismuth (I and II, respectively), and styryl and α-methylstyryltriphenyllead and the two corresponding tin-containing monomers (III, IV, V and VI, respectively) were synthesized. Compounds III through VI were obtained pure, but I and II contain substantial quantities of Ph₃Bi and di- and tri-vinyl derivatives. Homopolymers of I, III and V, as well as copolymers with methyl acrylate were synthesized radically. Monomers III, V, and VI yielded narrow MWD polymers with anionic initiators such as the potassium salt of the α-methylstyrene dimer carbanion in THF at −80°C, while I gave a broad, bimodal MWD. Monomers II and IV did not polymerize under these conditions due to side reactions with the initiator. Glass transition temperatures, thermal stabilities and radiopacities of a number of the polymers were determined.     

Fluorocarbon polymers with alternating oxyalkylene and oxysilylene units

Linear polymers were prepared by the condensation of bis(dimethylamino)dimethylsilane and 1,4-bis(dimethylaminodimethylsily)benzene with fluorocarbon diols. 1,5-Dihydroxy-3-methyl-1,1,5,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene, the cis addition product of hexafluoroacetone and isobutylene, with the silylbenzene monomer gave a polymer that cured at room temperature to a rubber exhibiting a glass transition temperature of 0°C, low swelling in hydrocarbons, and excellent resistance to hydrolytic, oxidative, and thermal degradation, retaining its flexibility after exposure to air for 3 hr at 305°C. The polymers obtained by condensing 1,5-dihydroxy-1,1,5,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene, the trans addition product of hexafluoroacetone and propylene, with the silylbenzene and the silane monomers had glass transition temperatures of ?12 and ?50°C respectively, and greater resistance to swelling in hydrocarbons.     

Preparation and properties of n6-tricarbonylchromium-complexed arylenesiloxane polymers

Polytetramethyl-p-silphenylenesiloxane (I) and polymethylphenylsiloxane (II) were prepared and subsequently reacted with hexacarbonylchromium to generate their n⁶-Cr(CO)₃ complexed analogs, III and IV, respectively. During the complexation reaction, completing decomposition to chromium salts took place. Furthermore a competing chain scission reaction took place resulting in lower molecular weights for the complexed polymers. Heating III and IV resulted in carbon monoxide evolution and the presence of n⁶-Cr(CO)₃ moieties lowered the thermal stability of the polymers.     

Studies of silicon-containing maleimide polymers: 1. Synthesis and characteristics of model compounds

A series of the (N-maleimido phenoxy)silane monomers were synthesized by a two-step reaction for using as the application of flame retardant, functional modifier, or a photoresist material in deep-UV region. All of the monomers with maleimide ring were polymerized by radical polymerization in toluene solution using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator so as to prepare homopolymers. The structures of the maleimide monomers were identified by ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si NMR and element analysis. The chemical structures of polymers were identified by Fourier transform infrared reflection (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The molecular weight distributions of polymers were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) equipment. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to analyze the thermal properties of the polymers. The degree of polymerization in silicon-containing maleimide polymers should be affected by side chains. The introduction of alkylsilane into a side chain of maleimide polymer may reduce the glass transition temperature (T_g) and thermal stability, but increase char yield of solid residue as an excellent flame retardant.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel crosslinkable polymers with a nonlinear optical chromophore as a pendant group

New crosslinkable polymers with a nonlinear optical (NLO) active chromophore as a pendant group were synthesized by condensation chain polymerization via palladium‐catalyzed carbon–carbon coupling reactions. The polymerization yields were almost quantitative between the diiodobenzene (DIB) and diethyldipropargyl malonate (DEDPM) or 4‐(dimethylamino)‐4′‐(6‐dipropargylacetoxypropylsulfonyl)stilbene (DASS‐6) monomers. To improve the molecular weight and mechanical properties of the NLO active polymer, we carried out the copolymerization with DIB and DASS‐6 with various feed ratios of DEDPM. The resulting polymers were soluble in organic solvents and spun‐cast onto indium tin oxide‐coated glass substrates to make thin films. The molecular structures of the resulting polymers were characterized with various instrumental methods to confirm the carbon–carbon coupling reactions between the DIB and diacetylene monomers. The absorption of the ultraviolet–visible spectrum of the resulting polymers was drastically reduced after thermal curing at 160 °C because of the crosslinking of the reactive acetylene group in the polymer backbone. The electrooptic coefficient (r₃₃) measured at 1.3 μm ranged from 7 to 15 pm/V. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 4025–4034, 2001     

Synthesis and structure‐property relationship of new donor–acceptor‐type conjugated monomers and polymers on the basis of thiophene and benzothiadiazole

We have synthesized three new donor–acceptor‐type monomers to achieve soluble and processable low‐band gap polymers, 4,7‐bis(4‐octyl‐2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (B4TB), 4,7‐bis(3‐octyl‐2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (B3TB), and 4‐(3‐octyl‐2‐thienyl)‐7‐(4‐octyl‐2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (B34TB), by the Suzuki coupling reaction. Using B4TB and B3TB, two soluble high molecular weight regioregular head‐to‐head and tail‐to‐tail polymers poly[4,7‐bis(4‐octyl‐2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐ benzothiadiazole] (PB4TB) and poly[4,7‐bis(3‐octyl‐2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole] (PB3TB) were prepared via iron(III) chloride‐mediated oxidative polymerization. The structures of the polymers were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and the molecular weights were determined by size exclusion chromatography. The optical properties (absorbance and fluorescence) of the monomers and polymers were studied and compared with unsubstituted analogues. The monomers and polymers bearing octyl substituents on the thiophene rings pointing away from the benzothiadiazole units (B4TB and PB4TB) possess a more planar structure, and their optical spectra appear redshifted as compared with those having the octyl chain nearer to the benzothiadiazole (B3TB and PB3TB). The optical band gaps of PB3BT (E_g = 2.01 eV) and PB4BT (E_g = 1.96 eV), however, are at much higher energy levels than that of the unsubstituted electrochemically polymerized PBTB material (E_g = 1.1–1.2 eV) as a result of steric effects of the octyl chains. The electrochemical properties of the monomers and polymers were examined using cyclic voltammetry and reflect the effect of alkyl substitution. B4TB and PB4TB were oxidized at a lower potential than B3TB and PB3TB, whereas their reduction potentials were less negative. The electrochemical band gap calculated from the onset of the reduction and oxidation process agreed with the optical band gap calculated from the absorption edges. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 251–261, 2002     

Low surface energy polymers and surface active block polymers. I. t-butylphenyl containing polymers

Two new monomers in the 2-oxazoline series were synthesized and polymerized. These were 2-[4-(t-butyl)phenyl]-2-oxazoline ( I ) and 2-[(3-(3,5-di-t-butyl)phenoxy)propyl]-2-oxazoline ( II ). The polymer from I crystallized readily during bulk polymerization and showed T_m at 592 K (319°C). After annealing, the polymer showed a critical surface tension of 23.2 dyn/cm. Polymer from II was amorphous; hence, annealing showed little effect on contact angles. Block polymers were made with I (Xn = 10) and ethyl oxazoline (Xn = 6,20,60). Very sharp molecular weight distributions were obtained. All samples crystallized when annealed. The block polymer was an effective emulsifier for emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate at 0.1%.     

Synthesis of novel phosphinic acid-containing polymers

Three arylene difluoride monomers containing phosphine oxide ( 1 ), phosphinic acid ( 2 ), or phosphinate ester ( 3 ) groups were prepared and polymerized with bisphenol A to give novel poly-(arylene ether)s ( 4 , 5 , and 6 ). The polymers obtained had moderate molecular weights (η_inh: 0.14–0.30 dL g⁻¹ in N-methylpyrrolidinone) and glass-transition temperatures (T_g: 102–200 °C), depending on the phosphine group in the main chain. Using bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone as a comonomer improved the polymerization to give copolymers with higher solution viscosities. The stoichiometric investigation revealed that 7 mol % excess of fluoride monomer gave the highest molecular weight copolymer 8 with η_inh of 0.78 dL g⁻¹, which had a T_g of 176 °C, a T of 432 °C, and formed a hard film by casting from solution. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1854–1859, 2001     

Synthesis and properties of conjugated polymers containing 3,9‐carbazolylene and silylenevinylene moieties in the main chain

Novel conjugated polymers containing 3,9‐carbazolylene and silylenevinylene moieties were synthesized by the hydrosilylation polymerization of 1,4‐bis(3‐ethynyl‐9‐carbazolyl)benzene ( 1 ) with various bis(hydrosilane)s or dihydrosilanes using a rhodium catalyst. Polymers with weight‐average molecular weights ranging from 5400 to 20,000 were obtained in 55–97% yields by the polyaddition with a rhodium catalyst in toluene at 25 °C for 24 h. All the polymers were soluble in CHCl₃ and THF, and had predominantly trans‐structures. The polymers exhibited λ_max at a longer wavelength region than 1 , and emitted fluorescence in 14–50% quantumn yields. The polymers were oxidized and reduced in the region of 0.4–1.6 V, and thermally stable up to 200 °C under air. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1815–1821, 2010     

Synthesis of water‐soluble cationic polymers with star‐like structure based on cyclodextrin core via ATRP

A range of novel cationic star‐like polymers (Star‐P(MeDMA)s) were synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) by core‐first method, using a β‐cyclodextrin initiator with 21 initiation sites (21Br‐β‐CD). Methyl chloride‐quaternized 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (MeDMA) was polymerized in an aqueous medium using 21Br‐β‐CD, Cu(I)Br, and 2,2′‐dipyridyl as an initiator, catalyst, and ligand, respectively. The effects of polymerization temperature and monomer/initiator ratios on the degree and kinetics of polymerization were investigated. The molecular weights, hydrodynamic sizes, and charge densities of the quaternized polymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and colloidal titration, respectively. The results demonstrated that the moderate aqueous solubility of the 21Br‐β‐CD initiator had significant impact on the physicochemical properties of the obtained star polymers. The polymerization of 500/1/2/5 ([M]₀/[I]₀/[Cu(I)₀/[L]₀]) at 90 °C for 6 h was found to be the best condition to synthesize the proposed cationic star polymer with well‐defined structures in aqueous medium. The nonlinear relationship between the apparent charge density and the particle size of the cationic star polymers was further revealed by GPC and DLS measurements. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6345–6354, 2005     

Synthesis of ionic polymers by free radical polymerization using aprotic trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted monomers

Aprotic ionic polymers containing trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted imidazolium structures are synthesized using free radical polymerization of monomers comprising a vinyl group either at the cation or at the anion. Bulk polymerization is used for the room temperature ionic liquid monomer 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-vinylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. In contrast to this, solution polymerization is applied for 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-methylimidazolium p-styrene sulfonate because this monomer undergoes self-polymerization during melting at a higher temperature than selected for bulk polymerization. Glass transition temperature (T _g) of the ionic polymers and intrinsic viscosity measurements indicate differences between these polymers, which are composed either of a polycation with a trimethylsilylmethyl substituent at each vinylimidazolium segment of the polymer chain and mobile bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (NTf₂⁻) anions or a polyanion containing p-styrene sulfonate segments and mobile 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations. The new aprotic ionic polymers containing trimethylsilylmethyl substituents may be interesting for application in adhesive, interlayer and membrane manufacturing.     

A new method for synthesizing hyperbranched polymers with reductive groups using redox/RAFT/SCVP

The novel hyperbranced polymers containing reductive groups were successfully prepared and characterized using redox/reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer(RAFT)/self-condensing vinyl polymerization(SCVP) method. Several redox initiating chemicals such as Cu(III)/―CONH2, Ce(IV)/―CONH2 and Ce(IV)/―OH were chosen to increase the free radical generating rate, and the chain transfer agent(CTA) was used to reduce the molecular chain propagating rate, in order to obtain polymers with high degree of branching. Detailed analyses based on the molecular weight, ? value and the degree of branching of polymers(DB) obtained from 1H-NMR spectra and multi detector size exclusion chromatography(MDSEC) suggested the acquiring of hyperbranced polyacrylamides with Cu(III)/―CONH2 and Ce(IV)/―CONH2 as initiator in the presence of the CTA. Meanwhile, the as-prepared poly(N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide)(PNHAM) with higher DB value(0.48) proved that using Ce(IV)/―OH as the initiator could increase the free radical generating rate and diminish the gap between the propagating rate and the initiation rate during the reaction procedure. In addition, the effect of oxidant concentration on the Mark-Houwink index(?) value and the DB was also studied.     

Low surface energy polymers and surface-active block polymers. III. Adamantyl-containing polymers

Two adamantyl-containing oxazoline monomers. 2-(1-adamantyl)-2-oxazoline, A , and 2-(1-adamantylmethyl)-2-oxazoline, B , were synthesized, and polymerized in 1,2-dichlorobenzene to give polymers PA and PB respectively. Both polymers are highly crystalline and showed very high T_m's (269°C for PA and 320°C for PB ) and little solubility in common organic solvents. Annealed PA showed a critical surface tension of 23.6 dyne/cm. PB was not soluble in the many organic solvents tested at room temperature. Due to its high T_m and insolubility, contact angle measurements on PB were impossible. Diblock copolymers based on different weight ratios of A and 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline, E , showed relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) when methyl p-nitrobenzenesulfonate, I , was used as initiator. After annealing, diblock polymers with B/I = 7, 10, or 12 showed T_m's (200–281°C); after quenching the same samples showed T_c's (160–171°C), which were lower than that of pure PB , 215°C. The quenched diblocks showed single T_g's (63–82°C) which implies that these short blocks are compatible. Diblock polymer with B/I = 5 and E/I = 20 was amorphous and displayed inverse emulsifying ability in styrene + water emulsion polymerization. BEB type triblock polymers prepared using ethylene glycol dinosylate as initiator had broader MWD and higher T_m's compared to their diblock counterparts with the same B/E wt% and B/I ratios. These triblock polymers were not completely soluble in styrene and/or water and therefore could not be used as emulsifying agents.     

Syntheses and reactions of optically active polymers. II. Preparations of optically active polymers containing quinine,L-ephedrine,and L-histidine residues and their reactions with α-cyanoethylaquocobaloxime

Preparations of polymers with bis(dimethylglyoximato)cobalt (cobaloxime) were investigated. 4-Vinylpyridine was reacted with α-cyanoethylaquocobaloxime to produce α-cyanoethyl-4-vinylpyridinatocobaloxime (I) in 72% yield. It did not, however, polymerize by the use of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. Polymers containing α-cyanoethylcobaloxime were obtained by reactions of polymers with α-cyanoethylaquocobaloxime (II). Poly(9-O-methacryloylquinine) (III), poly(O-methacryloyl-N-methyl-L -ephedrine) (IV), poly[N^α-(o-vinylbenzyl)-L -histidine] (V), and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (VI) were prepared and used in these reactions. Polymers V and VI were reacted with II to give polymers X, XI, XII, and XIII containing α-cyanoethylcobaloxime.     

Rare earth metal initiated polymerization to give high polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution

Organolanthanide (III) initiated polymerization of alkyl acrylates gave high molecular weight poly(alkyl acrylate)s with extremely narrow molecular weight distribution in high yield. Molecular weight of the polymers increased linearly with the conversion. Random and block copolymerizations of acrylate monomers (alkyl acrylates and MMA) were successful. For development of olefin polymerization catalystsbased on lanthanide complexes, bulky substituents were introduced into Me₂Si bridged Cp rings and they were used as ligands of lanthanide complexes. Tri- and divalent lanthanide complexes with such a ligand system showed high activity for olefin polymerization and gave high molecular weight polyolefins.     

Model of hyperbranched polymers formed by monomers A2 and Bg with end-capping molecules

Hyperbranched polymers, HBPs, formed via a stepwise polymerization of A₂, B_g type monomers with the addition of end-capping molecules, AR, were investigated by means of recursive and kinetic models. First, gelation curves were established based on the initial compositions of reactants at various functionalities, g, of monomers B_g. According to this guide, the hyperbranched polymers without gel fraction can be obtained. The molecular structures of HBPs, such as molecular weight and the degree of branching were calculated as related to conversion. It is shown that they can be controlled by the composition of reactants. With the addition of molecules AR, the gelation can be avoided at high conversion, and the distribution of molecular weights of polymers becomes narrower.     

New Sn(IV) and Ti(IV) bis(trimethylsilyl)amides in d,l-lactide polymerization, SEM characterization of polymers

Ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide initiated with new chlorotris(bis(trimethylsilyl) amido) tin(IV), tetrakis(bis(trimethylsilyl)amido) tin(IV) and titanium(IV) was investigated. New complexes reveal practically quantitative conversion degrees and produced polymers with higher molecular weight with respect to reference alkoxo-species.The X-ray crystal structure of chlorotris(bis(trimethylsilyl)amido) tin (IV) was investigated. Axial enantiomerism of [SnCl{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃] molecules in solution was studied by high-field dynamic NMR, the value of Gibbs activation energy ΔG^‡ = 59.5 kJ/mol.Field emission SEM investigation of bulk polymer samples and thin films on conductive Al foil revealed a stratified fibrous textures in the bulk polymers, as well as nanoscaled topographical features due to coils and entanglements of individual macromolecules in thin films.