Controlled Radical Copolymerization toward Well-Defined Fluoropolymers

In the past 80 years, fluoropolymers have found broad applications in both industrial and academic settings, owing to their unique physicochemical properties. Copolymerizations of fluoroalkene feedstocks present an important avenue to obtain high-performance materials by merging intrinsic attributes of fluorocarbons and great versatility of comonomers. Recently, while massive investigations have disclosed the great potentials of precisely synthesized polymers, researchers have made considerable efforts to approach well-defined fluorinated copolymers. This minireview discusses challenges in controlled radical copolymerizations (CRCPs) of fluoroalkenes and provides a concise perspective on recent progress in CRCPs of fluoroalkenes (e.g., tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropene, perfluoroalkyl vinyl ethers) with non-fluorinated vinyl comonomers, which have enabled on-demand preparations of various main-chain fluoropolymers with predefined molar masses, low dispersities, as well as regulable chemical compositions and sequences. The synthetic advantages of CRCPs will promote controlled and facile access to customized fluoropolymers for high-tech applications such as batteries, coatings and so on.     

Biological functions of synthetic polysaccharides

Structurally well-defined polysaccharide derivatives have been synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of bicyclic anhydro sugar derivatives and via enzyme-catalyzed polymerization using phosphorylase. This article describes the following four synthetic polysaccharides, (a) Octadecylated amphiphilic polysaccharides, (b) Regiospecifically fluorinated polysaccharide, (c) Comb-shaped branched polysaccharide, (d) Graft copolymers having pendant polysaccharide chains. None of these polysaccharides could be prepared by direct chemical modifications of natural polysaccharides. The synthetic polysaccharides are useful as tools to elucidate structure-function relationships and exhibit various novel biofunctional properties.     

Electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry of poly

Evaluation of polymer end-capping reactions with the aid of electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry techniques (ESI-MS(n)) allows characterisation of novel poly[(R, S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid]-(a-PHB) telechelics, containing primary hydroxyl groups at both polymer chain ends. The chemical structures of individual mass-selected macromolecules of the well-defined a-PHB telechelics have been defined in this way, and fragmentation mechanisms have been proposed. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Perfluoropyridine: Discovery,Chemistry, and Applications in Polymers and Material Science

Perfluoropyridine (PFPy) is an organofluorine compound that has been employed for a variety of applications, from straightforward chemical synthesis to more advanced functions, such as fluorinated networks and polymers. This can be directly attributed to the highly reactive nature of PFPy, especially towards nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr). The aim of this review is to highlight the discovery and synthesis of PFPy, discuss its reactive nature towards SNAr, and to summarize known reports of the utilization and thermal analysis of PFPy containing fluoropolymers and fluorinated network materials.     

Novel fluorinated block copolymer architectures fuelled by atom transfer radical polymerization

Block copolymers based on poly(pentafluorostyrene), PFS, in various numbers and of different lengths, and polystyrene are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Di- and triblock copolymers with varying amounts of PFS were synthesized employing either 1-phenylethylbromide or 1,4-dibromoxylene as initiators for ATRP. Diverse bromo(ester) (macro)initiators were also devised and involved in the formulation of fluorinated pentablock as well as amphiphilic triblock copolymers with a central polyether segment. Amphiphilic star-shaped fluoropolymers, hydrophobic fluorinated nanoparticles, or segmented fluorinated star-shaped block copolymers are further designed by use of different multifunctional initiators. The composition of the novel materials with PFS is determined by combination of SEC and ¹H NMR. Glass transition temperatures and thermal stabilities of the hydrophobic star-shaped PFSs on a six arm dipentaerythritol core are investigated in a wide range of molecular masses and further discussed.     

Electrochemical stability and transformations of fluorinated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)

Fluorination of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) leads to narrowing of its window of electrochemical stability in a cathodic range of potentials. It is found this is connected with appearance of both perfluorinated and incompletely fluorinated units in the polymer. The former units are liable to electrochemical reduction (at potentials <−2.0 V) followed by elimination of fluorine anions and the latter react with basic products (generated at potentials <−1.8 V) of electrochemical reduction of the background solution. In the both cases this results in appearance of conjugated multiple bonds in the fluorinated macromolecules. Quantities of these units in fluorinated PPO were determined with a help of direct and indirect electrochemical reductive degradation techniques.     

Fluorinated derivatives of a polyaspartamide bearing polyethylene glycol chains as oxygen carriers

In this paper the synthesis and characterization of new fluorinated polymers based on a polyaspartamide bearing polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, are reported. The starting material was the α,β-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide (PHEA), a water soluble and biocompatible polymer, that has been derivatized with both polyethylene glycol (with a molecular weight of 2000 Da) and 5-pentafluorophenyl-3-perfluoroheptyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole. By varying the amount of the fluorinated oxadiazole, three samples have been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Size exclusion chromatography analysis of these copolymers revealed the occurrence of a self-association process in aqueous medium. The value of critical aggregation concentration has been evaluated by performing a tensiometric study, whereas the size of these aggregates has been determined by photon correlation spectroscopy. Oxygen solubility studies in aqueous solutions of these fluoropolymers showed their ability to maintain high oxygen levels in solution. The biocompatibility of these fluoropolymers has been evaluated by performing an in vitro viability assay on human chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells (K-562), chosen as a model cell line, and haemolysis experiments on human red blood cells. All these properties suggest the potential use of these fluoropolymers as artificial oxygen carriers.     

Raman scattering study of highly fluorinated graphite

Raman spectra of highly fluorinated C_xF samples (1<x<2) prepared at room temperature and 515°C were measured. C_xF samples prepared at room temperature exhibited two Raman bands at 1593–1583 and 1555–1542 cm⁻¹. Graphite samples fluorinated at 515°C for 1 and 2 min also gave similar bands at 1581–1580 and 1550–1538 cm⁻¹. However, graphite samples fluorinated from 15 min to 10 h at 515°C no longer showed such spectra. The Raman peaks shifted to lower frequencies with increasing fluorine concentration in C_xF. This trend is due to the weakening of the C---C bonds of the graphene layers. Observation of both kinds of Raman bands suggests the coexistence of two highly fluorinated phases, C₂F and C₁F, in the samples. The process of formation of graphite fluoride is discussed on the basis of the Raman spectra of C_xF samples obtained at 515°C.     

Blends and composites based on fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers represent a rather unique group of polymeric materials. Essentially, current most widely used commercial fluoropolymers are derivatives of ethylene and propylene, also known as fluorocarbon polymers. Other, more complex fluorinated polymers are also important technically, but these are used in considerably smaller amounts. Because of the unique chemistry and properties, fluorocarbon polymers rarely form good blends. The only exceptions are homopolymers and copolymers of vinylidene fluoride, which form blends based on thermodynamic compatibility with certain polymers, such as acrylates and methacrylates. However, most known fluoropolymers can be used to produce fiber and fabric reinforced composites as well as composite films and coatings.     

X-ray crystal structure analysis and atomic charges of color former and developer: 2. Color formers

The crystal and molecular structures of 2′-amino-6′-dibutylamino-3′-methylspiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 9′[9H]xanthen]-3-one (1), 2′-amino-6′-(N-cyclohexyl-N-methylamino)-3′-methylspiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 9′[9H]xanthen]-3-one (2) and 2′-(2-chlorophenyl)amino-6′-dibutylaminospiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 9′[9H]xanthen-3-one (3) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Atom-atom non-bonded potential energy and semiempirical quantum chemical calculations have been performed. The xanthene rings of 1 to 3 are slightly bent and the phthalide rings are planar. The phthalide ring moieties are almost perpendicular (88.9(1)–93.5(5)°) to the xanthene rings. The bond lengths C(6)---O(2) are apparently extended from the normal C(sp³---O (lactone) length. The temperature factors for one butyl group C(32)---C(35)) of 1 increase gradually toward the terminal carbon. The temperature factors for C(30)---C(33) of 2 indicate large vibrations and these are reflected in short bond lengths. Two butyl groups of 3 are disordered and these C---C bond lengths are short and long alternately. Atomic net charges around spirocarbon C(6) and toward N(1) to C(6) indicate the weak alternative system in the colorless form. As the xanthene ring has a planar geometry, the π electron density migration will easily occur from the auxochromes attached to the phthalide ring to the xanthene ring.     

Tailor-made polymers and copolymers from aziridines and 1,3-oxacyclanes

Telechelic poly(tert-butylaziridine)s (polyTBA) and poly(1,3,6-trioxocane)s (polyTOC) and macromonomers were synthesized mainly by living cationic polymerization. Both, molecular weight and end-functionality distributions of polyTOC oligomers and polymers were studied using a combination of HPLC under “critical conditions”, gradient HPLC and SEC with double detection following a preparative HPLC fractionation. Monofunctional and bifunctional polyTBA with various end-groups were synthesized by the end-capping method. Several modification reactions were examined for terminal transformation of polyTBA and polyTOC hydroxy-telechelics into mono- and bifunctional vinyl ether macromonomers. Various tailor-made polymers based on uniform size telechelics and macromonomers were prepared using: 1. polymer-polymer coupling to produce block copolymers; 2. polyaddition of amino-functionalized telechelics to bisacrylamides; 3. addition of amino-polyTBA to polydienes; 4. synthesis of graft copolymers with well-defined graft component and networks.     

Notes on Kuhn's ω″ molecular orbital method

(1) It is shown that, contrary to statements sometimes made, it is perfectly possible to obtain consistent sets of charges in Kuhn's ω″ molecular-orbital method, whatever the values of the parameters ω, ω′, ω″.

(2) Particular applications are made to the benzyl cation, and to the non-alternants fulvene, heptafulvene and azulene. It appears that including the ω-terms decreases the magnitude of the largest of the net atomic charges as calculated by the simple Hückel method, and results in an overall smoothing-out process. Further inclusion of the ω′-terms continues this smoothing-out process, but inclusion of the ω″-terms may sometimes slightly reverse this process.

(3) The charge distributions obtained for fulvene and azulene in (1) and (2) lead to molecular dipole moments which are still much too large.

In view of (3) it is not clear that the additional work involved in the inclusion of ω′ and ω″ is justified by the greater accuracy thus obtained.     

X-ray crystal structure analysis and atomic charges of color former and developer: 2. Color formers

The crystal and molecular structures of 2′-amino-6′-dibutylamino-3′-methylspiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 9′[9H]xanthen]-3-one (1), 2′-amino-6′-(N-cyclohexyl-N-methylamino)-3′-methylspiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 9′[9H]xanthen]-3-one (2) and 2′-(2-chlorophenyl)amino-6′-dibutylaminospiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 9′[9H]xanthen-3-one (3) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Atom-atom non-bonded potential energy and semiempirical quantum chemical calculations have been performed. The xanthene rings of 1 to 3 are slightly bent and the phthalide rings are planar. The phthalide ring moieties are almost perpendicular (88.9(1)−93.5(5)°) to the xanthene rings. The bond lengths C(6)---O(2) are apparently extended from the normal C(sp³)---O (lactone) length. The temperature factors for one butyl group C(32)---C(35)) of 1 increase gradually toward the terminal carbon. The temperature factors for C(30)---C(33) of 2 indicate large vibrations and these are reflected in short bond lengths. Two butyl groups of 3 are disordered and these C---C bond lengths are short and long alternately. Atomic net charges around spirocarbon C(6) and toward N(1) to C(6) indicate the weak alternative system in the colorless form. As the xanthene ring has a planar geometry, the π electron density migration will easily occur from the auxochromes attached to the phthalide ring to the xanthene ring.     

Heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes of macrocyclic thioethers and halides: the crystal structures of [Pt(9S3)Cl2], [Pt(9S3)Br2], and [Pt(9S3)I2]

The synthesis, spectroscopic, and crystal structures of three heteroleptic thioether/halide platinum(II) (Pt(II)) complexes of the general formula [Pt(9S3)X₂] (9S3=1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) are presented. All three 9S3/dihalo complexes form very similar structures in which the Pt(II) center is surrounded by a cis arrangement of two halides and two sulfur atoms from the 9S3 ligand. The third sulfur from the 9S3 forms a long distance interaction with the Pt center resulting in an elongated square pyramidal structure with a S₂X₂+S₁ coordination geometry. The distances between the Pt(II) center and axial sulfur shorten with larger halide ions (Cl⁻=3.260(3) Å>Br⁻=3.243(2) Å>I⁻=3.207(2) Å). These distances are consistent with the halides functioning as π donor ligands, and their Pt---S axial distances fall intermediate between Pt(II) thioether complexes involving π acceptor and σ donor ligands. The ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR chemical shift values follow a similar trend with an increased shielding of the platinum ion with larger halide ions. The 9S3 ligand is fluxional in all of these complexes, producing a single carbon resonance. Additionally, a related series of homoleptic crown thioether complexes have been studied using ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR, and there is a strong correlation between the chemical shift and complex structure. Homoleptic crown thioethers show the anticipated upfield chemical shifts with increasing number of coordinated sulfurs. Complexes containing four coordinated sulfur donors have chemical shifts that fall in the range of −4000 to −4800 ppm while a value near −5900 ppm is indicative of five coordinated sulfurs. However, for S₄ crown thioether complexes, differences in the stereochemical orientation of lone pair electrons on the sulfur donors can greatly influence the observed ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR chemical shifts, often by several hundred ppm.     

Acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) depolymerization: The synthesis of 1,4-polybutadiene telechelics

ADMET depolymerization is a viable route in the formation of tailored-molecular-weight polybutadiene telechelics. The bulk depolymerization requirement is met by initially forming macrocyclic butadiene, thereby decreasing the amount of macrocyclic formation. This synthetic scheme is capable of generating well-defined, tailored-molecular-weight polybutadiene telechelics (M̄_n = 2600).     

MRD CI study on the low-lying states of AlP

Large-scale MRD CI calculations assign to AlP the ground state X ³Σ⁻ (9σ²3π²) and a close-lying state 1 ³Π (9σ3π³) (T_e = 0.08 eV). Up to transition energies of 2.0 eV, other states are described by the configurations 9σ3π³ (1¹Π), 8σ²3π⁴ (1 ¹Σ⁺), 9σ²3π² (1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺) and 9σ3π²4π (1 ⁵Π). The 2 ³Π state, located at ≈ 2.30 eV, shows a shallow double minimum. Numerous perturbations are expected to induce predissociation upon 2 ³Π. Multiplets arising from the occupation 8σ²3π³4π are clustered in the 3.25–3.50 eV region. Quintet states with the configuration 8σ9σ3π³4π are bound, with T_e values (in eV) of 3.80 (1 ⁵Σ⁺), 4.44 (1 ⁵Δ) and 4.88 (3 ⁵Σ⁻), respectively. The 9σ → 4s Rydberg members ⁵Σ⁻ and ³Σ⁻ lie in the 4.58–4.72 eV energy region. The first ionization potential (ionization to X⁴Σ⁻ of AlP⁺, 9σ → ∞) is estimated to be 7.65 eV. Ionization to the 1 ²Σ⁻ and 1 ²Π states of AlP⁺ is suggested to occur between 8.0 and 8.8 eV. The dipole moments of X ³Σ⁻, 1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺ are close to 1.0 D, whereas the 1 ¹Σ⁺ state has μ = 3.49 D; 1 ³Π and 1 ¹Π have dipole moments from 2.45 to 2.91 D. All low-lying states show a polarity Al⁺P⁻. Finally, the electronic structure and transition energies of AlP are compared with those of the isoelectronic species BN, AIN, and SiP⁺.     

Design and fabrication of chemically robust three-dimensional microfluidic valves

A current problem in microfluidics is that poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), used to fabricate many microfluidic devices, is not compatible with most organic solvents. Fluorinated compounds are more chemically robust than PDMS but, historically, it has been nearly impossible to construct valves out of them by multilayer soft lithography (MSL) due to the difficulty of bonding layers made of "non-stick" fluoropolymers necessary to create traditional microfluidic valves. With our new three-dimensional (3D) valve design we can fabricate microfluidic devices from fluorinated compounds in a single monolithic layer that is resistant to most organic solvents with minimal swelling. This paper describes the design and development of 3D microfluidic valves by molding of a perfluoropolyether, termed Sifel, onto printed wax molds. The fabrication of Sifel-based microfluidic devices using this technique has great potential in chemical synthesis and analysis.     

Computational analysis of side-chain conformations in polyaspartates exhibiting reversible helical sense inversion in the solid state

Poly(β-phenylpropyl -aspartate), poly(β-phenylbutyl -aspartate), and poly(β-phenylpentyl -aspartate) exhibit a reversible transformation from a right-handed -helix (_R) to a left-handed ω-helix (ω_L) in the solid state. During this transition, the infrared (IR) dichroism of the side-chain ester group and the birefringence change drastically, showing that the side-chain conformations are different for these two helices. In the present study, for the purpose of elucidating the preferred side-chain conformation in each helix, we performed the computational analyses. The energy contours, the directions of the IR transition moments and the anisotropies in polarizability as functions of the first two dihedral angles of the side chain, χ₁ and χ₂ were calculated. Then, comparing them with the experimental IR dichroism and birefringence data, we elucidated the specific side-chain conformation preferred for each _R or ω_L skeleton. The preferred values of (χ₁, χ₂) were found to be (−75, −60°) for _R and (180, 45°) for ω_L.     

Liquid-phase fluorination of aromatic compounds by elemental fluorine

The fluorination of aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, phenol and benzoic acid) by elemental fluorine diluted with nitrogen has been investigated in various solvents (Freon 11, chloroform, methanol, trifluoroacetic acid, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, water) in order to define the influence of the experimental conditions on the reaction. Experiments have been carried out by varying the temperature, the substrate concentration in solution, the molar ratio of fluorine to substrate, and the concentration of fluorine in the fluorine/nitrogen mixture. In all cases, the effects on the yield of fluorinated products were studied. Monofluorinated compounds were mainly found in the reaction mixture, the isomers formed being in accord with the mechanism for electrophilic substitution. The highest yield of monofluorinated products was obtained with polar solvents and the following order was found: CFCl₃ < CHCl₃ < CH₃OH < CF₃CH₂OH < CF₃COOH. Interesting results were also found using particular additives (for instance, KOH or C₄F₉SO₃Na in methanol) or water as the solvent. A direct relationship was observed between the yield of monofluorinated compounds and the molar ratio of fluorine to substrate, which has to be less than one in order to obtain high yields. In contrast, low selectivity, expressed as the yield ratio of ortho to para (or meta) isomers, was found.