Vinyl homo/copolymerization of norbornene and ethylene using sterically enhanced 1,2‐bis(arylimino)acenaphthene–palladium precatalysts

A family of unsymmetrical 1,2‐bis(imino)acenaphthene‐palladium methyl chloride complexes [1‐[2,6‐{(C₆H₅)₂CH}₂‐ 4‐{C(CH₃)₃}‐C₆H₂N]‐2‐(ArN)C₂C₁₀H₆]PdMeCl (Ar = 2,6‐Me₂Ph Pd1 , 2,6‐Et₂Ph Pd2 , 2,6‐ⁱPr₂Ph Pd3 , 2,4,6‐Me₃Ph Pd4 , 2,6‐Et₂‐4‐MePh Pd5 ) have been prepared and fully characterized by ¹H/¹³C NMR, FTIR spectroscopies, and elemental analysis. X‐ray diffraction analysis of Pd2 complex revealed a square planar geometry. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, all the palladium complexes displayed high activities for norbornene (NBE) homo‐polymerization producing insoluble polymer. For the copolymerization of NBE with ethylene, Pd4 complex exhibited good activities with high incorporation of ethylene (up to 59.2–77.4%) and the resultant copolymer showed high molecular weights as maximum as 150.5 kg mol⁻¹. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 922–930     

Polymerization of Acrolein by Imidazole

Polymerization of acrolein(AL) in the presence of imidazole(Im) has been investigated in tetrahydrofuran or methanol below room temperature. The polymers obtained, white or pale yellow powders, were found to be composed of vinyl polymer with one Im group attached and having an aldehyde side chain, of which 70–80 mole % of the aldehyde revealed bridge structure. The number-average molecular weight (M _n) of these polymers was determined to be in the range of 317 to 691. The rate of polmerization R_p was expressed by the equation, R + k[Im] [AL]².

The addition of water or dimethyl sulfoxide accelerated the polymerization reaction, while the presence of benzaldehyde or N,N'-dimethylformamide decreased R_p. The structure of addition products in the initial polymerization step was confirmed by IR and NMR spectra, and the observations of polymerization system was carried out by UV and NMR spectra. The polymerization mechanisms were discussed on the basis of these results.     

Nitro‐substituted iron(II) tridentate bis(imino)pyridine complexes as high‐temperature catalysts for the production of α‐olefins

A new series of nitro‐substituted bis(imino)pyridine ligands {2,6‐bis[1‐(2‐methyl‐4‐nitrophenylimino)ethyl]pyridine, 2,6‐bis[1‐(4‐nitrophenylimino)ethyl]pyridine, (1‐{6‐[1‐(4‐nitro‐phenylimino)‐ethyl]‐pyridin‐2‐yl}‐ethylidene)‐(2,4,6‐trimethyl‐phenyl)‐amine, and 2,6‐bis[1‐(2‐methyl‐3‐nitrophenylimino)ethyl]pyridine} and their corresponding Fe(II) complexes [{p‐NO₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐ Me? p‐NO₂}FeCl₂ ( 10 ), L₂FeCl₂ ( 11 ), {m‐NO₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me? m‐NO₂}FeCl₂ ( 12 ), and {p‐NO₂? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Mes}FeCl₂ ( 14 )] were synthesized. According to X‐ray analysis, there were shortenings of the axial Fe? N bond lengths (up to 0.014 Å) in para‐nitro‐substituted complex 10 and (up to 0.015 Å) in meta‐nitro‐substituted complex 12 versus the Fe(II) complex without nitro groups [{o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me}FeCl₂ ( 1 )]. Complexes 10 , 12 , and 14 afforded very active catalysts for the production of α‐olefins and were more temperature‐stable and had longer lifetimes than parent non‐nitro‐substituted Fe(II) complex 1 . The reaction between FeCl₂ and a sterically less hindered ligand [p‐NO₂? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? p‐NO₂] resulted in the formation of octahedral complex 11 . A para‐dialkylamino‐substituted bis(imino)pyridine ligand [p‐NEt₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me? p‐NEt₂] and the corresponding Fe(II) complex [{p‐NEt₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me? p‐NEt₂}FeCl₂ ( 16 )] were synthesized to evaluate the effect of enhanced electron donation of the ligand on the catalytic performance. According to X‐ray analysis, there was a shortening (up to 0.043 Å) of the axial Fe? N bond lengths in para‐diethylamino‐substituted complex 16 in comparison with parent Fe(II) complex 1 . © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2615–2635, 2006     

Block copolymer mediated synthesis of amphiphilic gold nanoparticles in water and an aqueous tetrahydrofuran medium: An approach for the preparation of polymer–gold nanocomposites

The synthesis of polymer‐matrix‐compatible amphiphilic gold (Au) nanoparticles with well‐defined triblock polymer poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] and diblock polymers poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], polystyrene‐b‐poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], and poly(t‐butyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] in water and in aqueous tetrahydrofuran (tetrahydrofuran/H₂O = 20:1 v/v) at room temperature is reported. All these amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized with atom transfer radical polymerization. The variations of the position of the plasmon resonance band and the core diameter of such block copolymer functionalized Au particles with the variation of the surface functionality, solvent, and molecular weight of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts of the block copolymers were systematically studied. Different types of polymer–Au nanocomposite films [poly(methyl methacrylate)–Au, poly(t‐butyl methacrylate)–Au, polystyrene–Au, poly(vinyl alcohol)–Au, and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)–Au] were prepared through the blending of appropriate functionalized Au nanoparticles with the respective polymer matrices {e.g., blending poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate‐stabilized Au with the poly(methyl methacrylate)matrix only}. The compatibility of specific block copolymer modified Au nanoparticles with a specific homopolymer matrix was determined by a combination of ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry analyses. The facile formation of polymer–Au nanocomposites with a specific block copolymer stabilized Au particle was attributed to the good compatibility of block copolymer coated Au particles with a specific polymer matrix. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1841–1854, 2006     

Polymerization of substituted phenylacetylenes with a novel,water‐soluble Rh–vinyl complex in water

A novel, water‐soluble Rh complex, (nbd)Rh[PPh₂(m‐NaOSO₂C₆H₄)] [C(Ph)?CPh₂] ( 1 ) was synthesized by the reaction of [(nbd)RhCl]₂, Ph₂P(m‐NaOSO₂C₆H₄) and Ph₂C?C(Ph)Li, whose structure was determined by NMR and IR spectroscopies. The Rh catalyst 1 induced the polymerization of phenylacetylene (PA) in water to give two kinds of polymers; one was soluble in organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and CHCl₃, and the other was insoluble in common organic solvents. The polymerization of sodium p‐ethynylbenzoate (p‐NaOCO‐PA) homogeneously proceeded with 1 in water at 60 °C to give the polymer in high yield. Poly(p‐NaOCO‐PA) was treated with 1 N HCl and then reacted with (CH₃)₃SiCHN₂ to obtain poly(p‐MeOCO‐PA). The methyl‐esterified polymer was insoluble in THF and CHCl₃, which suggests that the formed poly(p‐MeOCO‐PA) has cis–cisoidal structure. The polymer obtained from the polymerization of [p‐CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)₂O₂CC₆H₄]C?CH with 1 in water was soluble in methanol, ethanol, and THF, and partly soluble in water. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2100–2105, 2004     

Kinetics of the Copolymerization of Methyl Vinyl Ketone and Acrylamide Initiated by the Adduct of Methyl Vinyl Ketone and Imidazole

N-(Butyl-3-one)imidazole acts as an initiating adduct which is formed in the anionic polymerization of methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) induced by imidazole (Im) and is directly formed from Im and the MVK monomer. The kinetics of the anionic homopolymerization of MVK and acrylamide (AAm) under argon in the presence of the adduct were investigated in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The rate of polymerization for the MVK system is expressed as R_p = k[Adduct] [MVK], where k = 3.1 × 10^?6 L/(mol·s)in THF at 30°C. The overall activation energy, E_a , was found to be 5.34 kcal/mol. The R_p for the AAm system is expressed as R_p = k[Adduct] [AAm], where k = 6.8 × 10^?6 L/(mol·s) in THF at 30°C, with E_a 7.78 kcal/mol. The mechanism of the polymerization induced by the initiator adduct is discussed on the basis of these results.     

Phosphine (oxide)‐(thio) phenolate palladium complexes: Synthesis,characterization and (co)polymerization of norbornene

A series of palladium complexes ( 2a–2g ) ( 2a : [6‐^tBu‐2‐PPh₂‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2b : [6‐C₆F₅–2‐PPh₂‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2c : [6‐^tBu‐2‐PPh^tBu‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2d : [2‐PPh^tBu‐C₆H₄O] PdMe(Py); 2e : [6‐SiMe₃–2‐PPh₂‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2f : [2‐^tBu‐6‐(Ph₂P=O)‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2g : [6‐SiMe₃–2‐(Ph₂P=O)‐C₆H₃S]PdMe(Py)) bearing phosphine (oxide)‐(thio) phenolate ligand have been efficiently synthesized and characterized. The solid‐state structures of complexes 2d , 2f and 2g have been further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which revealed a square‐planar geometry of palladium center. In the presence of B(C₆F₅)₃, these complexes can be used as catalysts to polymerize norbornene (NB) with relatively high yields, producing vinyl‐addition polymers. Interestingly, 2a /B(C₆F₅)₃ system catalyzed the polymerization of NB in living polymerization manner at high temperature (polydispersity index 1.07, M_n up to 1.5 × 10⁴). The co‐polymerization of NB and polar monomers was also studied using catalysts 2a and 2f . All the obtained co‐polymers could dissolve in common solvent.     

Mechanistic Investigation of Catalyst‐Transfer Suzuki–Miyaura Condensation Polymerization of Thiophene–Pyridine Biaryl Monomers with the Aid of Model Reactions

We have investigated the requirements for efficient Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization (Pd‐CTCP) reactions of 2‐alkoxypropyl‐6‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)pyridine ( 12 ) as a donor–acceptor (D –A) biaryl monomer. As model reactions, we first carried out the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of X–Py–Th–X′ (Th=thiophene, Py=pyridine, X, X′=Br or I) 1 with phenylboronic acid ester 2 by using tBu₃PPd⁰ as the catalyst. Monosubstitution with a phenyl group at Th‐I mainly took place in the reaction of Br–Py–Th–I ( 1 b ) with 2 , whereas disubstitution selectively occurred in the reaction of I–Py–Th–Br ( 1 c ) with 2 , indicating that the Pd catalyst is intramolecularly transferred from acceptor Py to donor Th. Therefore, we synthesized monomer 12 by introduction of a boronate moiety and bromine into Py and Th, respectively. However, examination of the relationship between monomer conversion and the M_n of the obtained polymer, as well as the matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra, indicated that Suzuki–Miyaura coupling polymerization of 12 with (o‐tolyl)tBu₃PPdBr initiator 13 proceeded in a step‐growth polymerization manner through intermolecular transfer of the Pd catalyst. To understand the discrepancy between the model reactions and polymerization reaction, Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of 1 c with thiopheneboronic acid ester instead of 2 were carried out. This resulted in a decrease of the disubstitution product. Therefore, step‐growth polymerization appears to be due to intermolecular transfer of the Pd catalyst from Th after reductive elimination of the Th‐Pd‐Py complex formed by transmetalation of polymer Th–Br with (Pin)B–Py–Th–Br monomer 12 (Pin=pinacol). Catalysts with similar stabilization energies of metal–arene η²‐coordination for D and A monomers may be needed for CTCP reactions of biaryl D–A monomers.     

Living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers with a naphthyl group: Decisive effect of the substituted position on naphthalene ring

Living cationic polymerization of a vinyl ether with a naphthyl group [2‐(2‐naphthoxy)ethyl vinyl ether, βNpOVE] was achieved using base‐assisting initiating systems with a Lewis acid. The Et_1.5AlCl_1.5/1,4‐dioxane or ethyl acetate system induced the living cationic polymerization of βNpOVE in toluene at 0 °C. The living nature of this reaction was confirmed by a monomer addition experiment, followed by ¹H NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) analyses. In contrast, the polymerization of αNpOVE was not fully controlled; under similar conditions, it produced polymers with broad molecular weight distributions. The ¹H NMR and MALDI‐TOF‐MS spectra of the resultant poly(αNpOVE) revealed that the products had undesirable structures derived from Friedel–Crafts alkylation. The higher reactivity of αNpOVE in electrophilic substitution reactions, such as the Friedel–Crafts reaction, was attributable to the greater electron density of the naphthyl ring, which was calculated based on frontier orbital theory. The naphthyl groups significantly affected the properties of the resultant polymer. For example, the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of poly(NpOVE)s are higher by approximately 40 °C than that of poly(2‐phenoxyethyl vinyl ether). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Coordination Chemistry of Homoleptic Actinide(IV)–Thiocyanate Complexes

The synthesis, X‐ray crystal structure, vibrational and optical spectroscopy for the eight‐coordinate thiocyanate compounds, [Et₄N]₄[Pu^IV(NCS)₈], [Et₄N]₄[Th^IV(NCS)₈], and [Et₄N]₄[Ce^III(NCS)₇(H₂O)] are reported. Thiocyanate was found to rapidly reduce plutonium to Pu^III in acidic solutions (pH<1) in the presence of NCS^?. The optical spectrum of [Et₄N][SCN] containing Pu^III solution was indistinguishable from that of aquated Pu^III suggesting that inner‐sphere complexation with [Et₄N][SCN] does not occur in water. However, upon concentration, the homoleptic thiocyanate complex [Et₄N]₄[Pu^IV(NCS)₈] was crystallized when a large excess of [Et₄N][NCS] was present. This compound, along with its U^IV analogue, maintains inner‐sphere thiocyanate coordination in acetonitrile based on the observation of intense ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer bands. Spectroscopic and crystallographic data do not support the interaction of the metal orbitals with the ligand π system, but support an enhanced An^IV–NCS interaction, as the Lewis acidity of the metal ion increases from Th to Pu.     

Electronic and Steric Ligand Effects in the Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate Mediated by β‐Ketoiminate Complexes of Cobalt(II)

Complexes Co[OC(Ph)CHC(Me)NAr]₂ [Ar=Ph, 1 ; o,o′‐C₆H₃Me₂ (Xyl), 2 ; p‐C₆H₄CF₃, 3 ] are tested in the polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) initiated by V‐70 (0.8 equiv) at 30 °C. Polymerization occurs without any notable induction time yielding PVAc with relatively low polydispersity, but with higher than expected M_n values, which indicates inefficient trapping processes. The apparent polymerization rate constant varies in the order 2 > 1 > 3 . Controlled polymer growth is also observed when the polymerization is conducted in the presence of a much higher V‐70/ 1 ratio, demonstrating that this system can also function as a transfer agent in a degenerative transfer process. Competition between chain growth and catalyzed chain transfer (CCT) is also observed, the latter prevailing at higher temperatures. Comparison of these results with previous reports on bis(β‐diketonato) complexes allows a separate assessment of ligand electronic and steric effects in the ability to control polymerization.     

Anionic Gold(I) Complexes—Twelve‐ and Ten‐Vertex Monocarba‐closo‐borate Anions with Carbon–Gold σ Bonds

The anionic gold(I) complexes [1‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₁]^? ( 1 ), [1‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐1‐CB₉H₉]^? ( 2 ), and [2‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐2‐CB₉H₉]^? ( 3 ) with gold–carbon 2c–2e σ bonds have been prepared from [AuCl(PPh₃)] and the respective carba‐closo‐borate dianion. The anions have been isolated as their Cs⁺ salts and the corresponding [Et₄N]⁺ salts were obtained by salt metathesis reactions. The salt Cs‐ 3 isomerizes in the solid state and in solution at elevated temperatures to Cs‐ 2 with ΔH_iso=(?75±5) kJ mol^?1 (solid state) and ΔH^≠=(118±10) kJ mol^?1 (solution). The compounds were characterized by vibrational and multi‐NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The crystal structures of [Et₄N]‐ 1 , [Et₄N]‐ 2 , and [Et₄N]‐ 3 were determined. The bonding parameters, NMR chemical shifts, and the isomerization enthalpy of Cs‐ 3 to Cs‐ 2 are compared to theoretical data.     

Polymerization of vinyl chloride by the Ti(O-n-Bu)4–AlEt3–epichlorohydrin catalyst system

The polymerization of vinyl chloride was carried out by using a catalyst system consisting of Ti(O-n-Bu)₄, AlEt₃, and epichlorohydrin. The polymerization rate and the reduced viscosity of polymer were influenced by the polymerization temperature, AlEt₃/Ti(O-n-Bu)₄ molar ratios, and epichlorohydrin/Ti(O-n-Bu)₄ molar ratios. The reduced viscosity of polymer obtained in the virtual absence of n-heptane as solvent was two to three times as high as that of polymer obtained in the presence of n-heptane. The crystallinity of poly(vinyl chloride) thus obtained was similar to that of poly(vinyl chloride) produced by a radical catalyst. It was concluded that the polymerization of vinyl chloride by the present catalyst system obeys a radical mechanism rather than a coordinated anionic mechanism.     

Synthesis,Structure and Raman Data of the New Binuclear Zirconium Complex [Ph4P]2[(ZrCl4Py)2O], with a Zr‐O‐Zr Bridge

The new Zirconium(IV) coordination compound [Ph₄P]₂[(ZrCl₄Py)₂O] (Ph = phenyl, Py = pyridine) was synthesized by dissolving ZrCl₄, [Ph₄P]Cl and a stoichiometric amount of NaOH/Na mixture in pyridine or pyridine/organic solvent mixtures. The title phase was obtained as colourless crystals. The crystal structure of [Ph₄P]₂[(ZrCl₄Py)₂O] was determined. It crystallizes monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 13.412(2), b = 13.461(2), c = 16.442(3) Å, β = 102.72(1)°. The structure consists of isolated tetraphenylphosphonium cations and [(ZrCl₄Py)₂O]^2? complex anions. The centrosymmetric complex anion contains a linear Zr–O–Zr bridge. Each Zr atom is coordinated by one oxygen dianion, the N atom of one pyridine ring and four chloro ligands in a distorted octahedral geometry. The Raman spectrum of [Ph₄P]₂[(ZrCl₄Py)₂O] is also reported. Most of the observed frequencies can be assigned to vibrations of the tetraphenylphosphonium cations and the pyridine rings.     

[Au(Et2dtc)2][TcNCl4] – Darstellung und Struktur

[Au(Et₂dtc)₂][TcNCl₄] – Synthesis and Structure [Au(Et₂dtc)₂][TcNCl₄] (Et₂dtc^– = N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate) is formed by the reaction of [Au(CO)Cl] with [TcN(Et₂dtc)₂] in dichloromethane. The solid state structure of the compound is characterized by a large triclinic unit cell (space group, P1, a = 9.422(2), b = 22.594(5), c = 32.153(7) Å, α = 72.64(1), β = 85.19(1), γ = 86.15(1)°, Z = 12) and shows an unusual arrangement due to long‐range contacts between the technetium atoms and sulfur atoms of the [Au(Et₂dtc)₂]⁺ units (3.45–3.56 Å) which assemble two anions and one cation to {[TcNCl₄][Au(Et₂dtc)₂] · [TcNCl₄]}^– moieties.     

Anionic Copolymerizations of Acrolein with Methyl Vinyl Ketone and Acrylamide by Imidazole

The anionic copolymerizations of acrolein (AL) with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and acrylamide (AAm) in the presence of imidazole (Im) as an initiator have been studied in tetrahydrofuran at 0°C. The AL-MVK copolymers were found to be composed of vinyl polymer with one Im group attached and having an aldehyde and a carbonyl side chain. The monomer reactivity ratio was determined from a Fineman-Ross plot as r₁ = 2.02 and r₂ = 0.06. On the other hand, the AL-AAm copolymer were found to be composed of polymer units of 1,2 and 1,4 addition polymerization of AAm. These observations might be explained by the intermolecular hydrogen transfer mechanism of AAm. The polymerization mechanisms were discussed on the basis of these copolymerization results.     

Difunctionalized {closo‐1‐CB11} Clusters: 1‐ and 2‐Amino‐12‐ethynylcarba‐closo‐dodecaborates

Carba‐closo‐dodecaborate anions with two functional groups have been synthesized via a simple two‐step procedure starting from monoamino‐functionalized {closo‐1‐CB₁₁} clusters. Iodination at the antipodal boron atom provided access to [1‐H₂N‐12‐I‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? ( 1 a ) and [2‐H₂N‐12‐I‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? ( 2 a ), which have been transformed into the anions [1‐H₂N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? (R=H ( 1 b ), Ph ( 1 c ), Et₃Si ( 1 d )) and [2‐H₂N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? (R=H ( 2 b ), Ph ( 2 c ), Et₃Si ( 2 d )) by microwave‐assisted Kumada‐type cross‐coupling reactions. The syntheses of the inner salts 1‐Me₃N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀ (R=H ( 1 e ), Et₃Si ( 1 f )) and 2‐Me₃N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀ (R=H ( 2 e ), Et₃Si ( 2 f )) are the first examples for a further derivatization of the new anions. All {closo‐1‐CB₁₁} clusters have been characterized by multinuclear NMR and vibrational spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry. The crystal structures of Cs 1 a , [Et₄N] 2 a , K 1 b , [Et₄N] 1 c , [Et₄N] 2 c , 1 e , and [Et₄N][1‐H₂N‐2‐F‐12‐I‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₉]?0.5 H₂O ([Et₄N ]4 a ?0.5 H₂O) have been determined. Experimental spectroscopic data and especially spectroscopic data and bond properties derived from DFT calculations provide some information on the importance of inductive and resonance‐type effects for the transfer of electronic effects through the {closo‐1‐CB₁₁} cage.     

Synthesis of biocompatible and biodegradable block copolymers of polyvinyl alcohol‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) using metal‐free living cationic polymerization

Applications of metal‐free living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers using HCl · Et₂O are reported. Product of poly(vinyl ether)s possessing functional end groups such as hydroxyethyl groups with predicted molecular weights was used as a macroinitiator in activated monomer cationic polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL) with HCl · Et₂O as a ring‐opening polymerization. This combination method is a metal‐free polymerization using HCl · Et₂O. The formation of poly(isobutyl vinyl ether)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PIBVE‐b‐PCL) and poly(tert‐butyl vinyl ether)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PTBVE‐b‐PCL) from two vinyl ethers and CL was successful. Therefore, we synthesized novel amphiphilic, biocompatible, and biodegradable block copolymers comprised polyvinyl alcohol and PCL, namely PVA‐b‐PCL by transformation of acid hydrolysis of tert‐butoxy moiety of PTBVE in PTBVE‐b‐PCL. The synthesized copolymers showed well‐defined structure and narrow molecular weight distribution. The structure of resulting block copolymers was confirmed by ¹H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5169–5179, 2009     

Synthesis of laterally attached side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polynorbornenes with high mesogen density by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization

(±)‐exo,endo‐5,6‐Bis{[[11′‐[2″,5″‐bis[2‐(3′‐fluoro‐4′‐n‐alkoxyphenyl)ethynyl]phenyl]undecyl]oxy]carbonyl}bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐ene (n = 1–12) monomers were polymerized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature with Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)(N‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂Ph)(O^tBu)₂ as the initiator to produce polymers with number‐average degrees of polymerization of 8–37 and relatively narrow polydispersities (polydispersity index = 1.08–1.31). The thermotropic behavior of these materials was independent of the molecular weight and therefore representative of that of a polymer at approximately 15 repeat units. The polymers exhibited an enantiotropic nematic mesophase when n was 2 or greater. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4076–4087, 2006     

A novel type of optically active helical polymers: Synthesis and characterization of poly(α,β‐unsaturated ketone)

New α,β‐unsaturated ketone monomers, menthyl vinyl ketone (MVK), and 1‐menthylbut‐3‐en‐2‐one (MBEK) were synthesized. The monomers were polymerized using butyllithium as an initiator. The polymer derived from MVK (poly‐MVK) had a tremendous specific optical rotation [α], which was as 32 times large as that of its monomer MVK. Poly‐MVK was confirmed to keep a prevailing helicity of backbone in solution by means of comparing the specific optical rotation and the CD spectra with that of MVK and the model compound such as ethyl menthyl ketone (EMK) and n‐hexyl menthyl ketone (n‐HMK). This conclusion was also confirmed by the fact that the specific optical rotation and the CD signal intensity of poly‐MBEK were not enough large due to backbone flexibility caused by the effective isolation of the main chain from the bulky menthyl. The excess value of one‐handed helicity of poly‐MVK decreased with the increase of polymerization temperature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1441–1448, 2010