Low‐cost bifunctional initiators for bidirectional living cationic polymerization of olefins. III. centrally functionalized polyisobutylenes

Allyl‐telechelic polyisobutylene (A‐PIB‐A) produced by the bis‐benzocyclobutane dichloride (bBCB‐diCl) initiator contains the bis‐benzocyclobutane (bBCB) fragment at the center of the macromolecule (A‐PIB‐bBCB‐PIB‐A). Thermolysis of A‐PIB‐bBCB‐PIB‐A quantitatively converts the central bBCB fragment to a substituted conjugated tetraene (A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A). The structure of A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A was anticipated from small molecule models and identified/quantitated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. This is the first time a reactive functional group was introduced at the statistical center of a (telechelic) PIB. Subsequently, the A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A was peroxidized to an epoxy derivative. Reaction of the A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A with HSCH₂CH₂OH produced HOCH₂‐telechelic PIB containing a central  CH₂OH function, and hydrosilation with HSi(Me₂)‐O‐Si(Me₂)H produced SiH‐telechelic PIB with a central  SiH function. Reactions with maleic anhydride, tetracyanoethylene, butyl lithium, and potassium permanganate have also been examined. In sum, A‐PIB‐bBCB‐PIB‐A and A‐PIB‐tetraene‐PIB‐A are useful intermediates for the synthesis of novel PIB‐based materials for various end uses under investigation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1140–1145     

Lewis Acid‐Induced N‐Methyleneamines as Initiators in the Synthesis of Secondary Amine‐Terminated Polymers

Summary: The cationic polymerization of poly(tert‐butyl vinyl ether) using N‐methyleneamine equivalents derived from a Lewis acid/1,3,5‐trimethylhexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazine (TMTA) co‐initiating system is reported. The resulting polymers possessed secondary amine functionality at the chain terminus, verified by derivatization with 4‐chloro‐7‐nitrobenzo‐2‐oxa‐1,3‐diazole (NBD‐Cl) and subsequent analysis with GPC‐UV (470 nm) and ¹H NMR.

Use of N‐methyleneamine equivalents lacking aryl substituents to afford amine‐terminated poly(tert‐butyl vinyl ether).     

Direct functionalization of polyisobutylene by living initiation with α‐methylstyrene epoxide

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of polyisobutylene (PIB) carrying one primary hydroxyl head group and a tertiary chloride end group, [Ph? C(CH₃)(CH₂OH)–PIB–CH₂? C(CH₃)₂Cl] prepared with direct functionalization via initiation. The polymerization of isobutylene was initiated with the α‐methylstyrene epoxide/titanium tetrachloride system. Living conditions were obtained from ?75 to ?50 °C (198–223 K). Low molecular weight samples (number‐average molecular weight ～ 4000 g/mol) were prepared under suitable conditions and characterized by Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The presence of primary hydroxyl head groups in PIB was verified by both methods. Quantitative Fourier transform infrared with 2‐phenyl‐1‐propanol calibration and ¹H NMR performed on both the hydroxyl‐functionalized PIB and its reaction product with trimethylchlorosilane showed that each polymer chain carried one primary hydroxyl head group. The synthetic methodology presented here is an effective and simple route for the direct functionalization of PIB. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1005–1015, 2002     

Precision synthesis and characterization of thymine‐functionalized polyisobutylene

A new two‐step synthesis of polyisobutylene (PIB) with precisely one thymine functionality per chain (PIB‐T) is reported. The primary hydroxyl‐functionalized PIB (PIB‐OH) precursor was prepared by direct functionalization via living carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene initiated by the α‐methylstyrene epoxide/TiCl₄ system. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐ToF MS) of a low molecular weight PIB‐OH precursor demonstrated the effectiveness of direct functionalization by this method. A PIB‐acrylate precursor (PIB‐Ac) was obtained from such a PIB‐OH, and the PIB‐T was subsequently prepared by Michael addition of thymine across the acrylate double bond. MALDI‐ToF MS of the products verified that all polymer chains carried precisely one thymine group. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3501–3506, 2010     

Chain‐End‐Functionalized Polyphosphazenes via a One‐Pot Phosphine‐Mediated Living Polymerization

A simple polymerization of trichlorophosphoranimine (Cl₃P = N−SiMe₃) mediated by functionalized triphenylphosphines is presented. In situ initiator formation and the subsequent polymerization progress are investigated by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, demonstrating a living cationic polymerization mechanism. The polymer chain lengths and molecular weights of the resulting substituted poly(organo)phosphazenes are further studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. This strategy facilitates the preparation of polyphosphazenes with controlled molecular weights and specific functional groups at the α‐chain end. Such well‐defined, mono‐end‐functionalized polymers have great potential use in bioconjugation, surface modification, and as building blocks for complex macromolecular constructs.

     

Synthesis of polyoxazolines using glycerol carbonate derivative and end chains functionalization via carbonate and isocyanate routes

We report the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline (MOx) using bio‐based initiator (GCTs). The functional initiator GCTs was prepared by tosylation of the corresponding alcohol: glycerol carbonate (GC). The termination stage of the polymerization was achieved in presence of KOH and the telechelic polyoxazoline carrying five‐membered cyclic carbonate and oxazolium end groups (GC‐POx^ium) was converted to ((HO)₂‐POx‐OH) carrying α‐diol and ω‐hydroxyl groups. End‐functionalized polyoxazolines (HO)₂‐POx‐OH with M_n ranging from 4200 to 8400 g mol^?1 were synthesized. According to GPC results, the polymerizations of MOx using GCTs and other initiator coming from 1,2‐isopropylidene‐glycerol (Solk‐Ts) were compared. On the basis of FTIR and NMR spectroscopies, the chemical modification of end chains of polyoxazolines was investigated by two alternative synthetic routes. The isocyanate route is a postpolymerization urethanization. The nucleophilic reactivity of the α‐diol and ω‐hydroxyl groups of (HO)₂‐POx‐OH was studied with functional isocyanate (TESPI). In the carbonate route, the electrophilic reactivity of α‐ and ω‐end groups of GC‐POx^ium were explored with amine. It was demonstrated that during the termination stage of the polymerization in presence of allylamine both urethane linker in α‐end chain was synthesized and the ω‐oxazolium group was converted into terminal amine. The carbonate route is an alternative to synthesize urethane without isocyanate. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4027–4035, 2010     

Novel Epoxide Initiators for the Carbocationic Polymerization of Isobutylene

Summary: We recently reported the synthesis of polyisobutylene (PIB) via direct initiation by epoxycyclohexyl isobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS®) (Figure 1 ) in conjunction with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄). This system successfully initiated the living carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) in hexane/methyl chloride (Hx/MeCl -60/40, v/v) at T = −80 °C, yielding an asymmetric telechelic PIB with one POSS® cage head group and one tert-Cl end group. 1 This paper will discuss IB polymerizations initiated by 1,2-epoxycyclohexane and bis[3,4-(epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]-tetramethyl-disiloxane, in conjunction with TiCl₄.     

2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylpiperydinyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) Functionalized Benzoxazines Prepared with a One‐Pot Synthesis for Reactive/Crosslinkable Initiators of Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization

In this work, the incorporation of a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperydinyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) group to a benzoxazine ring is performed using a one‐pot synthesis for the preparation of TEMPO‐functionalized benzoxazine compounds and polymers as reactive and crosslinkable initiators for nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP). The TEMPO‐functionalization reaction of benzoxazine, traced with ¹H NMR, is conducted with sequential radical transfer and coupling reactions. Moreover, polystyrene‐grafted polybenzoxazine copolymers are prepared with the TEMPO‐benzoxazine initiator and NMP of styrene. The polymerization system exhibits the characteristics of controlled radical polymerization, including controlled molecular weights of products and ability for sequential polymerization. Moreover, based on the chemical reactivity and crosslinking ability of benzoxazine groups, the synthesis route developed in this work will widen the scope of the design and synthesis of functional and high‐performance polymers.

     

Synthesis and in vitro activity of platinum containing 2‐oxazoline‐based glycopolymers

We report the synthesis of glyco(poly(2‐oxazoline)s) functionalized with Pt(II) units for targeted tumor applications. To this end, poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline‐block‐2‐(3‐butenyl)‐2‐oxazoline) is modified with thiol‐modified acetyl protected glucose and galactose, respectively, and terpyridine (tpy) units using thiol‐ene photoaddition. Deprotection of the sugars with sodium methoxide and treatment with Pt(COD)Cl₂ applying a mild synthesis route yields polymers with monosaccharide targeting moieties and cytotoxic Pt(II) units. The polymers and intermediates are characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. Subsequently, the hemolytic activity, induction of erythrocyte aggregation as well as the cytotoxicity against mouse fibroblast L929 cells, human embryonic kidney cells HEK 293, and human hepatocytes HepG2 are studied. The comparison to cisplatin, the standard for cancer therapy, demonstrates the potential of the presented system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2703–2714     

Polyisobutylene Based Supramolecular Networks via Living Carbocationic Polymerization

Functionalized, styrene based monomers were investigated for copolymerization with isobutylene (IB) via living carbocationic polymerization. The achieved incorporation of polar moieties into the polymer backbone yielded supramolecular networks, which were analyzed and characterized via rheological measurements.     

Green Polymer Chemistry: II. Enzymatic Synthesis of Methacrylate‐Terminated Polyisobutylenes

Methacrylate‐terminated polyisobutylenes (PIB‐MAs) were synthesized by transesterification of vinyl methacrylate by hydroxyl‐terminated polyisobutylenes (PIB‐OH) using Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozyme 435) catalyst in hexane at 50 °C. PIB CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ OH and Glissopal OH, synthesized by anti‐Markovnikov hydrobromination of allyl‐terminated PIB and Glissopal®2300 followed by hydrolysis, were quantitatively converted into the corresponding PIB‐MAs. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy verified the formation of the expected structures. This “green” chemistry is a very promising methodology for polymer functionalization in general, and biomaterial synthesis in particular.

     

A New Route for the Modification of Halogen End Groups to Amino End‐Functionalized Poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)s

The synthesis of primary amine end‐functional poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)s has been achieved by using the Gabriel reaction. Polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate was first achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization using ethyl‐2‐bromoisobutyrate or paramethoxyphenyl‐2‐bromoisobutyrate as initiator. Both resulting polymers, with a bromide‐end atom, were converted into phthalimido intermediates which then were successfully hydrolyzed using potassium hydroxide in tert‐butyl alcohol to result in poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)s terminated by a primary amine function. End group interconversions were followed by ¹H NMR, FT‐IR, and MALDI‐TOF MS measurements. All the results proved that quantitative transformations were achieved at each step. Moreover, the method developed is very easy to carry out.

     

Synthesis of polyisobutylene with arylamino terminal group by combination of cationic polymerization with alkylation

The controlled cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) initiated by H₂O as initiator and TiCl₄ as coinitiator was carried out in n‐Hexane/CH₂Cl₂ (60/40, v/v) mixture at −40 °C in the presence of N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMA). Polyisobutylene (PIB) with nearly theoretical molecular weight (M_n = 1.0 × 10⁴ g/mol), polydispersity (M_w/M_n) of 1.5 and high content (87.3%) of reactive end groups (tert‐Chlorine and α‐double bond) was obtained. The Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of triphenylamine (TPA) with the above reactive PIB was further conducted at different reactions, such as [TPA]/[PIB], solvent polarity, alkylation temperature, and time. The resultant PIBs with arylamino terminal group were characterized by ¹H NMR, UV, and GPC with RI/UV dual detectors. The experimental results indicate that alkylation efficiency (A_eff) increased with increases in [TPA]/[PIB], reaction temperature, and reaction time and with a decrease in solvent polarity. The alkylation efficiency could reach 81.0% at 60/40(v/v) mixture of n‐Hex/CH₂Cl₂ with [TPA]/[PIB] of 4.49 at 50 °C for 54 h. Interestingly, the synthesis of PIB with arylamino terminal group could also be achieved in one pot by combination of the cationic polymerization of IB initiated by H₂O/TiCl₄/DMA system with the successive alkylation by further introduction of TPA. Mono‐, di‐ or tri‐alkylation occurred experimentally with different molar ratio of [TPA]/[PIB]. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 936–946, 2008     

Physically cross‐linked networks of POSS‐capped poly(acrylate amide)s: Synthesis,morphologies, and shape memory behavior

In this work, we synthesized a novel organic–inorganic semitelechelic polymer from polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and poly(acrylate amide) (PAA) via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The organic–inorganic semitelechelic polymers have been characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. It was found that capping POSS groups to the single ends of PAA chains caused a series of significant changes in the morphologies and thermomechanical properties of the polymer. The organic–inorganic semitelechelics were microphase‐separated; the POSS microdomains were formed via the POSS–POSS interactions. In a selective solvent (e.g., methanol), the organic–inorganic semitelechelics can be self‐assembled into the micelle‐like nanoobjects. Compared to plain PAA, the POSS‐capped PAAs significantly displayed improved surface hydrophobicity as evidenced by the measurements of static contact angles and surface atomic force microscopy. More importantly, the organic–inorganic semitelechelics displayed typical shape memory properties, which was in marked contrast to plain PAA. The shape memory behavior is attributable to the formation of the physically cross‐linked networks from the combination of the POSS–POSS interactions with the intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions in the organic–inorganic semitelechelics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 587–600     

Synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylenes with exo‐olefin terminals via controlled cationic polymerization with H2O/FeCl3/iPrOH initiating system in nonpolar hydrocarbon media

Cationic polymerizations of isobutylene (IB) with H₂O/FeCl₃/isopropanol (iPrOH) initiating system were conducted in nonpolar hydrocarbon media, such as n‐hexane or mixed C₄ fractions at ?40 to 20 °C. This cationic polymerization is a chain‐transfer dominated process via highly selective β‐proton elimination from ? CH₃ in the growing chain ends, leading to formation of highly reactive polyisobutylenes (HRPIBs) with large contents (> 90 mol %) of exo‐olefin end groups (structure A ). The content of structure A remained nearly constant at about 97 mol % during polymerization and isomerization via carbenium ion rearrangement could be suppressed in nonpolar media. First‐order kinetics with respect to monomer concentration was measured for selective cationic polymerization of IB in the mixed C₄ fraction feed at ?30 °C and the apparent rate constant for propagation was 0.028 min^?1. High polymerization temperature (T_p) or [FeCl₃] accelerate β‐proton elimination or isomerizations and simultaneously decrease selectivity of β‐proton abstraction from ? CH₃. Molecular weight decreased and molecular weight distribution (MWD) became narrow with increasing T_p or [FeCl₃]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example to achieve high quality HRPIBs with near 100% of exo‐olefin terminals and relatively narrow MWD (M_w/M_n = 1.8) by a single‐step process in nonpolar hydrocarbon media. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4200–4212     

Synthesis of fac‐Ir(ppy)3 end‐functionalized poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene): single monomer addition of fac‐Ir(ppy)2(vppy) for well‐controlled polymer synthesis

Synthesis of the polymer whose end is functionalized by fac‐Ir(ppy)₃ (ppy = 2‐phenylpyridyl) was achieved by using (living) anionic polymerization of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene: the reaction of poly(1,3‐cyclohexadienyl)lithium (PCHDLi) with fac‐Ir(ppy)₂(vppy) [vppy = 2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)pyridyl] resulted in nucleophilic attack of the carbanion in PCHDLi on the vinyl group of fac‐Ir(ppy)₂(vppy) selectively. Complexation of the pyridyl ring protected the α‐carbons of fac‐Ir(ppy)₂(vppy) from the reaction of the anionic polymer. The homopolymerization of fac‐Ir(ppy)₂(vppy) did not occur, and only one molecule of fac‐Ir(ppy)₂(vppy) reacted with the carbanion of PCHDLi and was selectively incorporated into an end of poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene) (PCHD). Thus, the PCHD with fac‐Ir(ppy)₃ end‐group was obtained with a well‐controlled and defined polymer structure and molecular weight. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Living cationic polymerization of an azide‐containing vinyl ether toward addressable functionalization of polymers

We first achieved the living cationic polymerization of azide‐containing monomer, 2‐azidoethyl vinyl ether (AzVE), with SnCl₄ as a catalyst (activator) in conjunction with the HCl adduct of a vinyl ether [H‐CH₂CH(OR)‐Cl; R ? CH₂CH₂Cl, CH₂CH(CH₃)₂]. Despite the potentially poisoning azide group, the produced polymers possessed controlled molecular weights and fairly narrow distributions (M_w/M_n ～ 1.2) and gave block polymers with 2‐chloroethyl vinyl ether. The pendent azide groups are easily converted into various functional groups via mild and selective reactions, such as the Staudinger reduction and copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne 1,3‐cycloaddition (CuAAC; a “click” reaction). These reactions led to quantitative pendent functionalization into primary amine (? NH₂), hydroxy (? OH), and carboxyl (? COOH) groups, at room temperature and without any acidic or basic treatment. Thus, poly(AzVE) is a versatile precursor for a wide variety of functional vinyl ether polymers with well‐defined structures and molecular weights. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1449–1455, 2010     

Synthesis of porphyrin‐end‐functionalized polycyclohexane with well‐controlled and defined polymer chain structure

Tetraphenylporphyrin‐end‐functionalized polycyclohexane (H₂TPP‐PCHE) and its metal complexes (MTPP‐PCHE) were synthesized as the first successful example of porphyrin‐end‐functionalized transparent and stable polymers with a well‐controlled and defined polymer chain structure. Chloromethyl‐end‐functionalized poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene) (CM‐PCHD) was synthesized as prerequisite prepolymer by the postpolymerization reaction of poly(1,3‐cyclohexadienyl)lithium and chloro(chloromethyl)dimethylsilane. CM‐end‐functionalized PCHE (CM‐PCHE) was prepared by the complete hydrogenation of CM‐PCHD with p‐toluenesulfonyl hydrazide. H₂TPP was incorporated onto the polymer chain end by the addition of 5‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐10,15,20‐triphenylporphyrin to CM‐PCHE. The complexation of H₂TPP‐PCHE and Zn(OAc)₂ (or PtCl₂) yielded a zinc (or platinum) complex of H₂TPP‐PCHE. H₂TPP‐PCHE and MTPP‐PCHE were readily soluble in common organic solvents, and PCHE did not inhibit the optical properties of the H₂TPP, ZnTPP, and PtTPP end groups. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Construction of hydroxyl‐terminated poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) brushes on silicon wafer via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) on silicon wafer in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol (ME) chain transfer agent was conducted in attempt to create controllable hydroxyl‐terminated brushes. The initiator‐immobilized substrate, was prepared by the esterification of hydroxyl groups on silicon wafer with 2‐bromopropionyl bromide (2‐BPB); followed by the ATRP of NIPAM using a catalyst system, that is, Cu(I)Br/2,2′‐bipyridine (2,2′‐bpy) and a chain transfer agent, that is, ME. The formation of homogeneous tethered poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (poly(NIPAM) brushes with hydroxyl end‐group, whose thickness can be tuned by chancing ME concentration, is evidenced by using the combination of grazing angle attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and water contact‐angle measurements. The calculation of grafting parameters from experimental measurements indicated the synthesis of densely grafted poly(NIPAM) films with hydroxyl end‐group on silicon wafer and allowed us to predict a ME concentration for forming a “brush” conformation for the chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3880–3887, 2010