Higher aliphatic polyaldehydes. IV. Transitions in poly(n-valeraldehyde), poly(n-hexaldehyde), poly(n-heptaldehyde), and poly(n-octaldehyde)

Crystalline polymers of n-valeraldehyde, n-hexaldehyde, n-heptaldehyde, and n-octaldehyde were prepared by anionic polymerization with lithium tertiary butoxide as the initiator at low temperatures. The polymers were end-capped with acetic anhydride, and their thermal stability was studied primarily by DTG. It was found that all polymers degrade rapidly above 150°C. All polymers show a dual melting-point behavior. The first melting region, which is associated with the melting of the side chain, is 80–85°C for poly(n-valeraldehyde); 87–90°C for poly(n-hexaldehyde); 78–101°C for poly(n-heptaldehyde); and 41–69°C for poly(n-octaldehyde). Annealing and quenching of the samples showed that this melting-point region consisted of several endotherm peaks whose intensity changed according to the thermal history of the sample. Although the samples are apparently highly crystalline, the side-chain crystallinity is apparently only in the 20% range.     

Higher aliphatic aldehyde polymers,VII: poly(n-decaldehyde)

n-Decaldehyde (DA) was polymerized to crystalline poly(n-decaldehyde) (PDA) of reasonable molecular weight in methylcyclohexane (MCH) solvent with lithiumtert-butoxide (LTB) as the initiator under carefully controlled temperature conditions. The polyacetal structure ofPDA was established by IR and PMR spectroscopy as well as by the characteristic degradation of the polymer in the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine.PDA had the dual melting behavior typical of aliphatic polyaldehydes with four or more side chain carbon atoms. The DSC scans of crystallinePDA in the first, or side chain, transition region showed as many as three endothermic peaks between 45 and 65°C. The X-ray diffraction pattern of crystalline PDA was similar to that which had been observed for other polyaldehydes but with a larger unit cell.PDA was extruded at 53°C in a capillary rheometer and gave a filament whose X-ray diffraction pattern indicated medium orientation effects.

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Zusammenfassung Die Polymerization vonn-Decaldehyd zu einem krystallinen Polymeren von mittlerem Molekulargewicht wurde mit Lithium-tert-butylat in Methylcyclohexan unter genauer Temperaturkontrolle durchgeführt. Poly(n-decaldehyd) (PDA) wurde mittels spektroskopischen Methoden (IR und PMR) charakterisiert, und durch Abbau in der Gegenwart von 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazin wurde die Polyacetalstructur des Polymeren bestätigt.PDA hat einen Doppelschmelzpunkt ähnlich anderer aliphatischer Polyaldehyde mit mehr als vier Kohlenstoffatome in der Seitenkette.DSC-Untersuchungen zeigten in der ersten Übergangsregion, der der Seitenkettenkristallisation, daß drei endotherme Spitzen zwischen 45 und 65° beobachtet werden konnten. DasDebye-Scherrer-Diagramm des krystallinenPDA war ähnlich dem anderer Polyaldehyde, aber mit größerer Einheitszelle.PDA wurde bei einer Temperatur von 53°C in einem Rheometer extrudiert und gab Fasern, deren Röntgenstreuung mittlere Orientierung zeigte.

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Part Vl:J. Starr andO. Vogl, J. Polymer Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed. (in press.).     

Poly(silmethylene)-based polymer blends. II. Synthesis and characterization of poly(diphenylsilmethylene)/poly(methylphenylsilmethylene) blends1

Poly(diphenylsilmethylene) (PDPSM)/poly(methylphenylsilmethylene) (PMPSM) binary polymer blends were synthesized by in situ ring-opening polymerization of 1,1,3,3-tetraphenyl-1,3-disilacyclobutane in PMPSM. Three catalytic methods as well as a noncatalytic method were employed. Radical initiators such as an organic peroxide or azo-compound proved to be the effective catalysts in addition to copper compounds. Blend samples were characterized in detail by DSC, dynamic mechanical analysis, solvent extraction, and microscopic observation to clarify the relationship between the preparative method and the properties of these polymer blends. It is strongly suggested that a part of PMPSM is converted into an insoluble form via formation of PDPSM–PMPSM block or graft copolymers in the case of the in situ copper-catalyzed polymerization in xylene. The formation of block or graft copolymers is also suggested for samples prepared by the in situ bulk polymerization in the presence of a radical initiator. However, PMPSMs simultaneously underwent molecular weight decrease and insolubilization probably due to polymer chain scission and crosslinking, respectively, when the latter method was employed using PMPSM with very high molecular weight. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1431–1442, 1997     

Synthesis of hydrogen-terminated aliphatic bis(ethynyl ketone)s and aliphatic poly(enamine-ketone)s and poly(enonesulfide)s

Hydrogen-terminated aliphatic bis(ethynyl ketone)s (H-ABEKs): 1,9-decadiyne-3,8-dione ( 3a ) and 1,13-tetradecadiyne-3,12-dione ( 3b ) were prepared by the Friedel-Crafts reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl) acetylene (BTMSA) with adipoyl chloride and sebacoyl chloride, followed by desilylation with an aqueous buffer solution. Aliphatic poly(enamine-ketone)s (APEKs) and aliphatic poly(enonesulfide)s (APESs) were prepared in nearly quantitative yield by the nucleophilic addition polymerization of 3a,b with various diamines and dithiols in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and m-cresol at room temperature during 14-22 h. Aromatic diamines and dithiols gave polymers that were soluble only in m-cresol. Primary diamines gave exclusively APEKs with the cis (Z) configuration. Dithiols gave APESs which contained more cis (Z) than trans (E) configurations. The inherent viscosities (η_inh) of the APEKs ranged from 0.05 to 0.73 dL/g. The APESs gave η_inh ranging from 0.36 to 2.21 dL/g.     

Polymer films on electrodes: Part II. Film structure and mechanism of electron transfer with electrodeposited poly(vinylferrocene)

The structure and properties of electrodeposited poly(vinylferrocene) (PVF) films on platinum electrodes (PVF/Pt) were examined by electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, various electrochemical techniques and measurements of the film resistance. The data were consistent with a mechanism in which the polymer films are permeable to dis-solved reactants. A theoretical treatment of this situation for chronoamperometry is presented. The oxidation and reduction of a variety of dissolved reactants with redox potentials far removed from that of the PVF/PVF⁺ system at PVF/Pt occurred by diffusion of the electroactive species through the polymer film and subsequent reaction at the platinum surface.     

Polymer single crystals of poly(4-hydroxybenzoate). II. A contribution to crystal structure and polymorphism

Electron diffraction has been used to investigate the structure of a wide range of as-polymerized crystals of poly(4-hydroxybenzoate) [systematic name: poly(1,4-oxybenzoyl)]. The chemical composition and the degree of polymerization (DP) have been varied and some samples have been thermally treated. At room temperature two crystalline modifications with orthorhombic unit cells coexist. The chains adopt a 2₁ helical conformation in both forms, but there are differences for oligomer and polymer crystals. Oligomers of low DP have an extended chain-conformation, whereas in polymers a shortening of the repeat distance along the chain is observed as a function of both the DP and the crystallization conditions. From the most extensive data sets we have derived the lattice parameters a = 7.52, b = 5.70, and c = 12.49 Å for polymer crystals of phase I, and the subcell parameters for oligomer crystals of phase II a = 3.77, b = 11.06, and c = 12.89 Å. Both phases contain two chains per unit cell. In addition to modifications I and II several defect structures exist the unit cells of which contain more than two chains. At temperatures which depend on the degree of polymerization, a phase transition to a third modification takes place. The large difference between the densities of phase III as compared to both phase I and II suggests that torsional degrees of freedom exist in phase III which allow a certain mobility of the phenyl and ester groups. This mobility enables the end groups of adjacent layers in interlamellar regions of oligomer crystals to undergo transesterification reactions and therefore to increase the molecular weight of the samples.     

New polymer syntheses. LXXXII. Syntheses of poly(ether-sulfone)s from silylated aliphatic diols including chiral monomers

Attempts were made to synthesize poly(ether-sulfone)s from aliphatic diols or bissilylated diols on the one hand, and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenylsulfone or 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone on the other hand. The reaction conditions and the catalyst were varied. Polycondensations of silylated diols with 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone and powdered K₂ CO₃ in N-methylpyr-rolidone proved to give the best results. Using silylated isosorbide and isomannide as mono-mers chiral poly(ether-sulfone)s were prepared. GPC measurements indicate weight-average molecular weights in the range of 27×10³–200×10³. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Higher aliphatic aldehyde polymers. VI. Poly(n-nonaldehyde)

Crystalline poly(n-nonaldehyde) (PNA) was prepared by anionic polymerization of n-nonaldehyde (NA) in methylcyclohexane (MCH) with lithium tertiary butoxide (LTB) as the initiator. Normal low-temperature conditions did not give polymer reprodusibly; however, when the polymerization was carried out with a gradual temperature decrease to ?60°C holding at this temperature followed by completion at ?78°C, a moderate yield of PNA was obtained. The polymer was acetate capped and characterized. Infrared and PMR spectroscopy, as well as degradation of the polymer in the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to the hydrazone, conclusively proved the chemical structure of the polymer. VPO measurements and measurement of the inherent viscosity showed the polymer to be of moderate molecular weight. PNA is highly crystalline and shows two transition regions, one corresponding to the melting of the main chain at temperatures above 120°C and one region between 50 and 80°C, which is related to the crystallization of the aliphatic side chains. PNA, although inherently brittle, can be extruded through an orifice at a temperature near the side-chain melting temperature to give an extrudate whose x-ray patterns show the characteristics of a fiber diagram. It is suggested that the crystal structure of the PNA is similar to that of poly(n-heptaldehyde) but with a larger a spacing, which is expected from a longer aliphatic side chain.     

Biodegradable aliphatic polyesters. Part II. Synthesis and characterization of chain extended poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate)

Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) was obtained from 1,4-butanediol and dimethyl esters of succinic and adipic acids through a two step process of transesterification and polycondensation. High molecular weight polyesters were synthesized using hexamethylene diisocyanate as chain extender. The effect of chain extension reaction time and chain extender content on polyester molecular weight, thermal and mechanical properties, was investigated. Polyesters were characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and mechanical property measurements. Chain extension reaction had as a result the significant increase of polyester molecular weight leading to increased tensile strength. Polyester crystallinity, as calculated from XRD and DSC analysis, and melting temperature decreased upon chain extension, while glass transition temperature increased. Polyester biodegradation was investigated by soil burial and enzymatic hydrolysis using the enzyme Pseudomonas fluorescens cholesterol esterase. It appears that biodegradation was affected by polyester crystallinity, rather than by its molecular weight.     

Photochemical synthesis of new polymer structures. II. Photocycloaddition of olefins to polyvinylbenzophenone and poly(styrene-co-vinylbenzophenone)

The photocycloaddition of simple olefins to poly(4-vinylbenzophenone) (PVB) and poly(styreneco-4-vinylbenzophenone) (PS-VB) was studied in benzene solution and in the solid polymer. In solution oxetane yields of 61–82% were obtained with di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted olefins, which are visualized as capable of giving a radical on a 3° carbon atom in the biradical preceding ring closure to form the oxetane. Photocycloaddition of isobutene to PVB and PS-VB occurs in solid polymer films to more than 90% conversion of the polymer ketone. Quantum yields of oxetane formation are 0.013 ± 0.003 on irradiation at 366 nm, independent of film thickness between 1.9 and 10.6 μm and of temperature between 23 and 65°C. The absence of a pronounced effect of the polymer glass transition on the efficiency of the cycloaddition in PVB suggests that large-scale molecular motion is not required by this solid-state photoreaction. Crosslinking by photochemical cycloaddition was demonstrated in mixed films of PVB and squalene, a polyfunctional olefin.     

Synthesis and properties of poly (diphenylacetylenes) having aliphatic para-substituents

1-(p-t-Butylphenyl)-2-phenylacetylene and 1-(p-n-butylphenyl)-2-phenylacetylene were polymerized in catalytic systems based on TaCl₅ to give new polymers in high yields. These monomers were more reactive than diphenylacetylene (DPA) in copolymerization. Unlike poly (DPA), the present polymers were soluble in toluene, CHCl₃, etc. owing to the high configurational entropy induced by the para-substituents. Their relative weight-average molecular weights determined by GPC were in the range of 6 × 10⁵–36 × 10⁵, and films could be obtained by solution casting. These polymers were fairly thermally stable, as seen from their high onset temperatures (320–380°C) of weight loss in TGA in air. The oxygen permeability coefficient of the polymer with t-Bu group was 1100 barrers, the highest among those of all the hydrocarbon polymers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of novel aliphatic poly(carbonate-ester)s

The biodegradable poly(5-methyl-5-methoxycarbonyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one-co-d,l-lactide) [poly(MMTC-co-d,l-LA)] copolymers were synthesized by the ring-opening copolymerization. The results show that the yield and molecular weight of copolymers are significantly influenced by reaction conditions. The chemical structure of the resultant copolymers was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR methods. Their molecular weight was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Study of monomer coreactivity ratios indicates that d,l-LA reacts faster than MMTC in the copolymerization. The enzymatic degradation of the polymers with various compositions was studied at 37 °C in pH = 8.6 Tris-HCl buffer solution in the presence of proteinase K. Their mechanical properties were also preliminarily investigated.     

Extraction of copper(II) and nickel(II) by long-chain aliphatic dioximes

In the search for a selective nickel extractant symmetric dialkyl dioximes have been studied in the extraction of copper and nickel ions from ammoniaca     

Gas transport in heterogeneous polymer blends : II. Blends of polydimethylsiloxane and poly(ethylene-copropylene) elastomers

The solution and transport of propane in blends of polydimethyl siloxane and poly(ethylene-co-propylene) elastomers has been studied in the range 25–50°C. The dependence of the blend permeability on composition was determined and compared with the Maxwell and other expressions for transport in heterogeneous media.     

Studies of polymer blends. I. Compatibility of poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-co-sulfur dioxide)

Various methods of determining polymeric molecular compatibility were applied to blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-co-sulfur dioxide) (E/VA/SO₂). In one series, where the E/VA/SO₂ had a mole composition of 72.7/18.5/8.8, true compatible blends were demonstrated by phase-contrast microscopy, torsion pendulum studies, and differential scanning calorimetry experiments for blends containing up to 40% E/VA/SO₂. These blends exhibited a single T_g whose compositional variation was found to follow the Fox expression. Experimental densities were slightly greater than predicted on assuming volume additivity. This observation implies better packing and a negative heat of mixing and thus is in harmony with a negative free energy of mixing and the observed molecular compatibility.     

Interpenetrating polymer networks based on poly(chloroprene) and poly(carbonate-urethane)

Simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks (SIN's) of poly(chloroprene) (CR) and poly(carbonate-urethane) (PCU) were prepared and characterized. The effect of composition on the phase morphology of full IPN's of CR/PCU has been studied by DSC and SEM. A single phase morphology of IPN's has achieved when the content of CR component is below 50 wt %. The microphase separation of the component networks in the IPN's occurred in samples whose weight percentage of the CR component was 50% and higher. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Influence of reactant structure on composition and stability of adducts of bis-macrocyclic complexes of copper(II) with aliphatic α,ω-diamines

On the basis of spectrophotometric measurements, constants have been determined for adduct formation between bis-macrocyclic complexes of copper(II) and aliphatic diamines. For these systems, the influence of reactant structure on the specific features of complexation has been established. L. V. Pisarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine, 31 Nauka Prospect, Kiev 252039, Ukraine. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 83–87, March–April, 1997.     

Synthesis,characterization, and mechanical properties of PMMA/poly(aromatic/aliphatic siloxane) semi-interpenetrating polymer networks

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and aromatic/aliphatic siloxanes have been made via sequential and simultaneous polymerizations. As the percentage of aliphatic siloxane increases, flexibility and, in general, toughness of the IPNs increases and clarity is reduced. This loss in clarity is due to the mismatch of refractive indices (1.49 form PMMA vs. 1.43 for aliphatic siloxane). PMMA is quite transparent. On the other hand, in making aromatic siloxane/PMMA IPNs clarity is retained as aromatic siloxane is increased due to better matching refractive index (1.49 for PMMA and −1.49 for poly(diphenyl siloxane)). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) indicates slightly crosslinked IPNs with the THF soluble portions having number-average molecular weight, M¯_n, of 10⁵–10⁶. NMRs of IPNs essentially show peaks for the components, PMMA and the siloxane, which make up the respective IPNs. ²⁹Si-NMRs indicate cross-linking and grafting. Mechanical properties show increased toughness of IPNs versus PMMA as percentage of siloxane and crosslinker increases, but with a corresponding loss in tensile strength. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Degradation of polymer mixtures. VIII. Blends of poly(vinyl acetate) with poly(methyl methacrylate)

The degradation of blends of PVA and PMMA in the form of films cast from a common solution of the polymers has been studied by TVA, TG, and EGA (evolved gas analysis) for acetic acid. Volatile degradation products have been characterized by spectroscopic and GLC techniques. Molecular weight, spectral and thermal stability changes in PMMA extracted from partially degraded blends have been examined. These blends behave in a closely analogous manner to PVC-PMMA blends already investigated. The results suggest that the PMMA component of the heterogeneous blends is modified in two ways: (1) in a destabilization reaction series initiated by attack of acetate radicals generated in the PVA phase which migrate into the PMMA phase, and (2) in a stabilization reaction involving conversion of ester side groups to acid and subsequently to anhydride ring structures which act as blocking points for depolymerization. The rate of acetic acid production in the blend is less than in PVA degraded alone. The mechanism of degradation of PVA is reconsidered in the light of these results.