Synthesis and characterization of side-chain liquid crystalline polymer containing dichroic dye monomer

A series of side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing 1-(p-toluidino)-4-anthraquinone undecylenate (TAU) (dye-monomer) and 4-allyloxybenzoyl-4^′-(p-propyl-benzoyl)-p-benzenediol bisate (ABB) (liquid crystalline monomer) side groups were synthesized by copolymeraztion. The molecular structures of the monomers and polymers were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The optical characterization of the monomer ABB and polymers was made by using polarizing optical microscopy (POM) technique, and their thermal behaviour was investigated by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The conjugate action of the dye (1-(p-toluidino)-4-hydroxyl anthraquinone) and the monomer was analyzed by fluorophotometry. Polymers and monomer ABB revealed nematic phase. And DSC results demonstrated that the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the polymers increased with the increase in dye-monomer. TGA result showed that the temperatures at which 5% mass loss occurred () for all the polymers were above 270 °C.     

Poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-imide)s containing dimethylsilane groups

New poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-imide)s containing dimethylsilane units have been prepared by solution polycondensation reaction of an aromatic dianhydride incorporating dimethylsilane group, namely bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane dianhydride, with different aromatic diamines having preformed 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring, such as 2,5-bis(p-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis[p-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis[p-(3-aminophenoxy)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(3,5-diaminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, and 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-(3,5-diaminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole. The polymers were easily soluble in polar organic solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylformamide, and pyridine, as well as in less polar organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. Very thin coatings deposited on silicon wafers exhibited smooth, pinhole-free surface in atomic force microscopy investigations. The polymers showed high thermal stability with decomposition temperature being above 415 °C.They exhibited a glass transition in the temperature range of 202-282 °C, with reasonable interval between glass transition and decomposition temperature. Solutions of the polymers in N,N-dimethylformamide exhibited fluorescence, having maximum emission wavelength in the range of 353-428 nm.     

Poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-ether-imide)s and their polydimethylsiloxane-containing copolymers

Poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-ether-imide)s were prepared by thermal imidization of poly(amic-acid) intermediates resulting from the solution polycondensation reaction of a bis(ether-anhydride), namely 2,2′-bis-[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]-1,4-phenylenediisopropylidene dianhydride, with different aromatic diamines containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring, such as 2,5-bis(p-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis[p-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-(3,5-diaminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole. Poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-ether-imide)-polydimethylsiloxane copolymers were prepared by polycondensation reaction of the same bis(ether-anhydride) with equimolar quantities of an aromatic diamine having 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring and a bis(aminopropyl)polydimethylsiloxane oligomer of controlled molecular weight. A solution imidization procedure was used to convert quantitatively the poly(amic-acid) intermediates to the corresponding polyimides. All the polymers were easily soluble in polar organic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone and N,N-dimethylacetamide. The polymers showed good thermal stability with decomposition temperature being above 400 °C. Solutions of some polymers in N-methylpyrrolidone exhibited blue fluorescence, having maximum emission wavelength in the range of 370-412 nm.     

New photochromic polymers

New photochromic polymers were synthesized by quaternization of amino groups of N-methyldiethanolamine polyterephthalate with a mixture of bis(2,5-dimethyl-4-chloromethyl-3-thienyl)-1,3-dioxol-2-one and p-or m-xylylene dichloride. The spectral-kinetic studies of coatings based on the obtained polymers showed that these coatings have photochromic properties, the efficiency of which decreases with an increase in the sample thickness.     

Synthesis and characterization of new unsaturated polyesters and copolyesters containing azo groups in the main chain

A new interesting class of linear unsaturated polyesters based on dibenzylidenecycloalkanones have been synthesized by interfacial polycondensation of 4,4^′-azodibenzoyl chloride or 3,3^′-azodibenzoyl chloride with: 2,5-bis(p-hydroxybenzylidene)cyclopentanone I, 2,6-bis(p-hydroxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone II, 2,6-divanillylidenecyclohexanone III, or 2,7-bis(p-hydroxybenzylidene)cycloheptanone IV at ambient temperature. The copolyesters are also synthesized from the monomers I, II, III or IV with the diacid chlorides. The resulting polyesters and their copolyesters were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and solubility. Additionally, inherent viscosity of the polyesters in the range 0.32-0.86 dL g⁻¹ and the inherent viscosity of the copolyesters in the range 0.28-0.65 dL g⁻¹ were determined. The UV-visible spectra of certain polymers were measured in m-cresol solution and showed a characteristic absorption band at 435-473 nm due to n-π^* transition. The thermal properties of the polymers were evaluated by thermo gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry measurements and correlated with their structural units. The crystallinity of some polyesters and copolyesters were tested. In addition, the electrical properties of all polyesters and copolyesters were measured.     

Synthesis of porous vinylnaphthalene/divinylnaphthalene copolymers and their sorptive properties towards phenol and its derivatives

Four porous vinylnaphthalene/divinylnaphthalene (VN/DVN) polymers having three different nominal crosslinking degrees (60, 80 and 100 wt.%) have been synthesized using the suspension polymerization method in the presence of toluene and decane.The use of various crosslinking levels and inert diluents was aimed at changing the extent of polymeric network-diluent interactions. The resultant polymers have specific surface area in the range 450-700 m²/g depending on the DVN content. Two sets of pores were detected in all resins: one with the diameter of ≈2 nm and the second one in the range of 30-40 nm. Their sorptive properties have been studied using dilute (0.5 mmol/l) solutions of phenol and its derivatives (o-chlorophenol, 2-methylphenol, o-nitrophenol, m-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol). It has been found that sorption, at low equilibrium concentration, follows the order: o-nitrophenol > o-chlorophenol > m-nitrophenol > o-methylphenol > p-nitrophenol > phenol. Full characteristics of the porous structure of resultant polymers was obtained by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K and their surface properties analyzed using Inverse Gas Chromatography.     

One-dimensional order in atactic polyacrylates containing aromatic side groups

To help in the understanding of the relations between chemical structure and morphological order in polymers of the type of poly(p-biphenyl acrylate) (PPBA), some polymers of similar structure have been synthesized and some of their physical properties studied. These polymers are: poly(p-biphenyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl p-phenyl benzoate), poly(p-phenyl benzyl acrylate), poly(p-benzyl phenyl acrylate) and poly(p-cyclohexyl phenyl acrylate) (PPCPA). Only PPCPA has been shown to possess a one-dimensional order in the solid state for reasons which are briefly discussed.The effect of copolymerization on the structural order of PPBA has also been given preliminary study. Copolymers of p-biphenyl acrylate (PBA) with p-biphenyl methacrylate (PBMA), N-vinyl carbazole (NVC) and p-cyclohexyl phenyl acrylate (PCPA) have been prepared and their properties have been studied by DSC and X-ray techniques. Small concentrations of PBMA or NVC units are sufficient to cancel the order of PPBA. On the contrary, copolymers of PBA and PCPA of any composition display morphological order in the solid state.     

Thermal properties of novel polymers based on poly(hydantoin-methyl-p-styrene) and their substrates

The following compounds have been synthesized: (a) hydantoins 5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (1), 1??,3??-dihydrospiro[imidazolidine-4,2??-indene]-2,5-dione (2), 3??,4??-dihydro-1??H-spiro[imidazolidine-4,2??-naphthalene]-2,5-dione (3); (b) monomers: 5,5-dimethyl-3-(4-vinylbenzyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (4), 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)-1??,3??-dihydrospiro[imidazolidine-4,2??-indene]-2,5-dione (5), 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)-3??,4??-dihydro-1??H-spiro[imidazolidine-4,2??-naphthalene]-2,5-dione (6), (two of them are unknown: 5 and 6); (c) macromolecular compounds: poly(chloromethyl-p-styrene) (7), used as reference, and three polymers (two of them are novel) obtained by substitution of hydantoins 1?C3 to poly(methyl-p-styrene) (8?C10). Their thermal properties have been studied by thermogravimetry. It was found that the chemical structure, tautomerization, and intermolecular interaction influence the thermal stability of substrates. The presence of phenyl rings causes the increase of resistance of studied hydantoins. The obtained polymers are characterized by significantly improved thermal stability comparing to poly (chloromethyl-p-styrene). The mechanism of thermal degradation of investigated polymers and explanation of their thermal resistance has been proposed. The relatively high temperatures of glass transition of polymers have been determined by DSC.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel chiral calix[4]arene bearing (R)-(+)-1-phenylethylamine bonded silica particles

Two novel chiral di- and tri-amide derivatives of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene were synthesized by (R)-(+)-1-Phenylethylamine via convenient reactions and then immobilized on aminopropyl functionalized silica particles. The prepared chiral calix[4]arenes and their silica polymers (Calix-SP1 and Calix-SP2) were characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR, and thermal and elemental analysis techniques.     

Narrow bandgap semiconducting polymers for solar cells with near-infrared photo response and low energy loss

The alternating diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-Quinoxaline (Qx) based conjugated polymers are synthesized and investigated as electron donors for polymer solar cells (PSCs). Through the substitution of phenyl in Qx unit at para (p) and meta (m) positions with methoxy group, the resultant DPP-pMQx and DPP-mMQx polymers possess narrow optical band gap (1.32 and 1.26 eV) with relatively low-lying highest occupied molecular orbitals. The obtained photovoltaic devices indicate that the combination of DPP with weak acceptor Qx is helpful to develop narrow bandgap polymers with near-infrared photo response and low energy loss (0.58 eV for DPP-mMQx) in PSC devices.     

Click polymerization: Synthesis of novel σ-π conjugated organosilicon polymers

Poly[silylene-1,4-phenylene-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1,4-phenylene]s were prepared via step-growth Click coupling polymerization of bis(p-ethynylphenyl)silanes and 1,4-diazidobenzene. The organosilicon units in the backbones may contribute to an electronic communication among the π-conjugated units and improve the solubility of the polymers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) were used to confirm the polymers structure. The UV-vis absorption wavelength of silicon-containing compounds red-shifted ca. 15 nm when compared with the compounds without silicon atoms. The fluorescence emission of polymers in CHCl₃ solutions was observed in visible blue region (ca. 440 nm), and the intensity and quantum yield (Φ) were enhanced due to the influence of σ-π interaction. The results of the absorption and emission supported the weak σ-π conjugation between the silylene and aromatic segments, and these polymers can be potentially applied in organic light emitting devices (OLEDs).     

Synthesis of poly(Schiff-base)s by organometallic processes

Some new monomers with Schiff-base structures and bromine final atoms were obtained by combining condensation reactions of dialdehydes or diamines with p-bromoaniline or p-bromobenzaldehyde. The corresponding polymers were synthesized by Ni- or Pd-catalyzed polycondensation reactions in combination with 2,5-dihexylbenzene-1,4-diboronic acid. The new structures were characterized by spectral methods (¹H NMR, IR, UV-vis) as well as by thermal analyses (TGA, DSC).     

Surface patterns of block copolymers in thin layers after vapor treatment

A systematic study of formation of surface patterns in block copolymer thin layers after their exposure to solvent vapors was performed. The studied effect involves layers of thickness approximately equal to the ordering size of polymers - about 45 nm. Experiments were performed on three styrene - methacrylate derivative block copolymers, synthesized by living anionic polymerization: poly(4-octylstyrene)-block-poly(butyl methacrylate), poly(4-fluorostyrene)-block-poly(butyl methacrylate) and poly(p-octylstyrene)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate). The polymers were exposed to vapors of chloroform, 1,4-dioxane, hexane, acetone and tetrahydrofuran.     

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization of tailor-made monomers towards sequence-regulated vinyl copolymers

 Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization (ADMET) enables convenient transfer of sequential information of the designed monomers to the corresponding sequence-regulated copolymers. In this study, two structurally symmetric monomers, M1 and M2, were synthesized via atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) of diethyl meso-2,5-dibromohexanedioate with 1,5-hexadiene and 1,7-octadiene, respectively. Thus, sequenced segment of VB-EA-EA-VB (VB and EA represent vinyl bromide and ethyl acrylate, respectively) was incorporated into the ADMET diene monomers. ADMET polymerization of these two monomers with Grubbs first generation catalyst (Grubbs-I) was performed in CH₂Cl₂ at 40℃ for 5 days under nitrogen purge. Effects of catalyst amount, monomer concentration and methanol precipitation on the M_p and PDI of polymers were investigated by GPC, and the structures of the formed polymers were characterized by NMR. Our results indicate that using 3.0 mol% of Grubbs-I to monomer can afford polymers with high M_p. Moreover, selective precipitation in methanol enables complete removal of low molecular weight components from the crude products. Meanwhile, M2 exhibits higher ADMET polymerization reactivity than M1 due to its capability of suppressing negative neighboring group effect.     

Solvent effect on radical homo- and copolymerization of di-2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl itaconate

Solvent effect on homo- and copolymerization of di-2-[2-(methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl itaconate (DMEI) was studied at 50 °C using dimethyl 2,2^′-azobisisobutyrate as radical initiator. The polymerization rate (R_p) highly depended on the kind of solvent; 19 solvents were used. The highest R_p (in 1-tetradecanol) is 13 times the smallest (in chloroform). On the other hand, the solvents did not exert as great an effect on the molecular weight of the resulting polymers. The propagation rate constant (k_p) was determined in 15 different solvents by means of ESR spectroscopy. The highest k_p (4.5 l/mol s in toluene) is 5.6 times the lowest (0.8 l/mol s in chloroform). A noticeable solvent effect was also observed in the copolymerization of DMEI (M₁) and styrene (M₂), where nine solvents were used. The highest r₁ (0.46 in 1-butanol) is about 6 times the lowest (0.08 in methanol). The r₂ value falls in the range of 0.2 (dimethyl sulfoxide) and 0.52 (benzene). The solvent effects thus observed were analyzed according to the linear solvation energy relationship proposed by Taft and co workers.     

Photosensitivity of polymers based on epoxy-substituted vinylphenylcyclopropanes

The capability of polymers synthesized from new monomers, 2-glycidyloxymethyl-and 2-glycidyloxycarbonyl-1-(p-vinylphenyl)cyclopropane, to photochemical cross-linking was evaluated from variation of their solubility after UV irradiation. The dependence of the photosensitivity of the polymers on the structure of substituents was studied.     

Metallocene monomers and polymers. Ferrocenyl and ferrocenylene derivatives

The synthesis and study of some polyenes, polýiminoimides and Schiff polybases with ferrocene obtained by either polymerization or polycondensation are reported.The following monomers were used: ethynylferrocene, 1-chloro-1′-ethynyl-ferrocene, α-chloro-β-formyl-p-ferrocenylstyrene, p-ferrocenylphenylacetylene, p-ferrocenylacetophenone, 1,1′-diacetylferrocene and 1,1′-bis[β-(2-furyl)acryloyl]ferrocene which were characterized by spectral and thermodifferential analyses and Hückel MO calculations. The polymerization was performed in the presence of benzoyl and lauroyl peroxides, triisopropylboron and complex catalysts of [P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ NiX₂ type. The ferrocene derivatives were polycondensed with biuret, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl thioether, 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-dinitrodiphenyl disulphide in the presence of metallic salts and p-toluene sulphonic acid as catalysts.Polymers with either linear or tridimensional structure showing good thermal stability and semiconducting properties have been obtained. Some polymers show catalytical activity in the polymerization of chloroformylated vinylic derivatives.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s derived from 2,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzonitrile

A series of polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s were prepared by the direct poly-condensation of 2,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzonitrile [4-APBN] with aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bis(carboxyphthalimide)s in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone [NMP] with triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The synthesis of 4-APBN involves a nucleophilic displacement reaction in dipolar aprotic solvent with the alkali metal salt of p-aminophenol and an activated aromatic dichloro compound. Bis(carboxyphthalimide)s were prepared by condensation of 4,4^′-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 3,3^′-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 4,4^′-diaminodiphenylether, 4,4^′-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3^′-diaminobenzophenone, and trimellitic anhydride at a 1:2 molar ratio. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers were found to be in the range of 0.31-0.93 dl/g and glass transition temperatures between 235 and 298 °C. All polymers were soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide and NMP. The results of thermogravimetry revealed that all the polymers showed no significant weight loss before 400 °C. Wide-angle X-ray diffractograms revealed that all polymers were found to be amorphous except for the polyamide derived from isophthalic acid and polyamide-imides derived from diaminodiphenylether and diaminobenzophenone based bis(carboxyphthalimide)s.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties of new silarylene-siloxane-acetylene polymers

New silarylene-siloxane-acetylene polymers have been synthesized by coupling reactions employing 1,3-bis(p-ethynylphenyl)-1,1,3,3-tetraphenyldisiloxane (3) as the key monomer. Their thermal properties have been evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All of the new polymers showed good thermal stability, with their temperatures at 5% weight loss (T_d5) being higher than 540 °C under nitrogen and higher than 460 °C in air. Their char yields at 1000 °C under N₂ were above 80%. Broad exothermic peaks, attributable to reaction of the acetylenic units, were observed by DSC analysis in the temperature range 270-450 °C.     

Electrochemical and bioelectrocatalytical properties of novel block-copolymers containing interacting ferrocenyl units

The electrochemical characterization of three different polystyrene-b-polybutadiene block-copolymers, functionalized with diferrocenylsilane units, is reported. The PB-blocks have been functionalized with different fractions of electronically communicated, PS_m-PB_n−p (HSiMeFc₂)_p units, where m = 615, n = 53, p = 39 (1), m = 375, n = 92, p = 76 (2) and m = 455, n = 204, p = 170 (3). Electrochemical characterization has been carried out both in solution and after electrochemical deposition onto platinum electrodes. The bioelectrocatalytical properties of electrodes modified with the polymers in the nicotinamide dinucleotide (NADH) and glucose oxidase (GOx) oxidations have been investigated as a function of the constitution and structure of the polymers. The analytical properties of electrodes modified with these polymers as sensors of NADH and GOx are described. In addition, an amperometric biosensor for glucose, prepared by electrostatic immobilization of glucose oxidase onto a platinum electrode modified with one of the ferrocenyl block-copolymers as an example, has been developed.