Modeling of molecular weight development in atom transfer radical polymerization

A kinetic model has been developed for atom transfer radical polymerization processes using the method of moments. This model predicts monomer conversion, number‐average molecular weight and polydispersity of molecular weight distribution. It takes into account the effects of side reactions including bimolecular radical termination and chain transfers. The determining parameters include the ratios of the initiator, catalyst and monomer concentrations, as well as the ratios of the rate constants of propagation, termination, transfer and the equilibrium constant between radicals and their dormant species. The effects of these parameters on polymer chain properties are systematically simulated. The results show that an ideal living radical polymerization exhibiting a linear relationship between number‐average molecular weight versus conversion and polydispersity approaching unity is only achievable under the limiting condition of slow monomer propagation and free of radical termination and transfers. Improving polymerization rate usually accompanies a loss of this linearity and small polydispersity. For polymerization systems having a slow initiation, the dormant species exercise a retention effect on chain growing and tend to narrow the molecular weight distribution. Increasing catalyst concentration accelerates the initiation rate and thus decreases the polydispersities. It is also shown that for a slow initiation system, delaying monomer addition helps to reduce the polydispersities. Radical termination and transfers not only slow down the monomer conversion rates but also broaden polymer molecular weight distributions. Under the limiting conditions of fast propagation and termination and slow initiation, the model predicts the conventional free radical polymerization behaviors.     

Modeling the reversible addition–fragmentation transfer polymerization process

A kinetic model has been developed for reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization with the method of moments. The model predicts the monomer conversion, number‐average molecular weight, and polydispersity of the molecular weight distribution. It also provides detailed information about the development of various types of chain species during polymerization, including propagating radical chains, adduct radical chains, dormant chains, and three types of dead chains. The effects of the RAFT agent concentration and the rate constants of the initiator decomposition, radical addition, fragmentation, disproportionation, and recombination termination of propagating radicals and cross‐termination between propagating and adduct radicals on the kinetics and polymer chain properties are examined with the model. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1553–1566, 2003     

Tertiary amine-functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization

The quantitative synthesis of tertiary amine-functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization is reported. Tertiary amine-functionalized polystyrene was prepared with the adduct of 1-(bromoethyl)benzene with 1-(4-dimethyl-aminophenyl)-1-phenylethylene as an initiator in the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of a copper (I) bromide/2,2′-bipyridyl catalyst system. The polymerization proceeded via a controlled free-radical polymerization process to afford quantitative yields of the corresponding tertiary amine-functionalized polystyrene with predictable number-average molecular weights (1600–4400), narrow molecular weight distributions (1.09–1.31), and an initiator efficiency of 0.95. The polymerization process was monitored by gas chromatographic analysis. The tertiary amine-functionalized polymers were characterized by thin-layer chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, potentiometry, and spectroscopy. All experimental evidence was consistent with quantitative functionalization via the 1,1-diphenylethylene derivative. Polymerization kinetic measurements showed that the polymerization reaction followed first-order-rate kinetics with respect to monomer consumption and that the number-average molecular weight increased linearly with monomer conversion. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2058–2067, 2001     

Atom-transfer radical polymerization of styrene with bifunctional and monofunctional initiators: Experimental and mathematical modeling results

Bulk atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene was carried out at 110 °C using benzal bromide as bifunctional initiator and 1-bromoethyl benzene as monofunctional initiator. CuBr/2,2′-bipyridyl was used as the ATRP catalyst. The polymerization kinetic data for styrene with both initiators was measured and compared with a mathematical model based on the method of moments and another one using Monte Carlo simulation. An empirical correlation was incorporated into the model to account for diffusion-controlled termination reactions. Both models can predict monomer conversion, polymer molecular weight averages, and polydispersity index. In addition, the Monte Carlo model can also predict the full molecular weight distribution of the polymer. Our experimental results agree with our model predictions that bifunctional initiators can produce polymers with higher molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than monofunctional initiators. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2212–2224, 2007     

Synthesis and kinetic analysis of DPE controlled radical polymerization of MMA

The 1,1‐diphenylethene (DPE) controlled radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was performed at 80 °C by using AIBN as an initiator and DPE as a control agent. It was found that the molecular weight of polymer remained constant with monomer conversion throughout the polymerization regardless of the amounts of DPE and initiator in formulation. To understand the result of constant molecular weight of living polymers in DPE controlled radical polymerization, a living kinetic model was established in this research to evaluate all the rate constants involved in the DPE mechanism. The rate constant k₂, corresponding to the reactivation reaction of the DPE capped dormant chains, was found to be very small at 80 °C (1 × 10^?5 s^?1), that accounted for the result of constant molecular weight of polymers throughout the polymerization, analogous to a traditional free radical polymerization system that polymer chains were terminated by chain transfer. The polydispersity index (PDI) of living polymers was well controlled <1.5. The low PDI of obtained living polymers was due to the fact that the rate of growing chains capped by DPE was comparable with the rate of propagation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009     

脉冲激光引发自由基聚合的动力学研究

处理了无链转移时脉冲激光引发自由基聚合中的动力学问题:推导出聚合产物数均和重均分子量的严格数学表达式,给出了链自由基、死聚物及总的聚合产物的归一化的分子量分布函数,计算结果表明:随着单体转化率的上升,各种分子参数,例如数均和重均分子量,以及多分散指数的数值周期性地振荡,且振幅逐渐下降,分子量分布曲线则包含一些特征峰,且随着每次脉冲激光产生的初级自由基浓度的降低,分布曲线峰的数目增加,另外,与歧化终止相比,偶合终止使产物的分子量分布略为变窄.     

含芳酰胺结构的新型甲壳型液晶高分子PMPACS的聚合反应动力学研究

采用称量法和GPC,研究了以二甲基乙酰胺为溶剂,偶氮二异丁腈为引发剂,自由基溶液聚合制备含芳酰胺结构的新型甲壳型液晶高分子聚[乙烯基对苯二甲酸二(4-甲氧基苯胺)](PMPACS)的聚合反应动力学.研究发现,(1)MPACS的聚合反应在60℃时主要为双基偶合终止,所以反应后期聚合物分子量明显增大,分子量分布变窄;(2)该反应的聚合反应速率方程为Rp=kp[M][I]1/2,表观活化能Eα=44 kJ/mol,在60℃时的聚合反应常数kp=1.04 L·mol-1·h-1;(3)相同聚合条件下,单体的转化率和数均分子量随单体初始浓度[M]0的增加而增大,当引发剂浓度[I]0增加时,聚合物的分子量随之降低,分子量分布增大;(4)该研究虽采用普通自由基聚合,所得聚合物的分子量分布却较窄,仅为1.1～1.4.     

Synthesis of a well-defined glycopolymer by atom transfer radical polymerization

Controlled free radical polymerization of sugar-carrying methacrylate, 3-O-methacryloyl-1,2 : 5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glucofuranose (MAIpGlc) was achieved by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique with an alkyl halide/copper-complex system in veratrole at 80°C. The time–conversion first-order plot was linear and the number-average molecular weight increased in direct proportion to the ratio of the monomer conversion to the initial initiator concentration, providing PMAIpGlc with a low polydispersity. The sequential addition of the two monomers styrene (S) and MAIpGlc afforded a block copolymer of the type PS-b-PMAIpGlc. The acidolysis of the homo- and block copolymers gave well-defined glucose-carrying water-soluble polymers PMAGlc and PS-b-PMAGlc, respectively. The amphiphilic PS-b-PMAGlc block copolymer exhibited a microdomain surface morphology with spherical PS domains in a PMAGlc matrix. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2473–2481, 1998     

Controlled free radical ring-opening polymerization and chain extension of the “living” polymer

Free radical ring-opening polymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDP) in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy free radical (TEMPO) has been achieved to afford a chain polyester (PMDP) with di-t-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as an initiator at 125°C. The polydispersity of the polymers decreases as the concentration of TEMPO is increased. At high TEMPO concentrations, the polydispersity as low as 1.2 was obtained, which is below the theoretical lower limit for a conventional free radical polymerization. A linear relationship between the number-average molecular weight (M_n) and the monomer conversion was observed with the best-fit line passing very close to the origin of the M_n-conversion plot. The isolated and purified TEMPO-capped PMDP polymers have been employed to prepare chain extended polymers upon addition of more MDP monomer. These results are suggestive of the “living” polymerization process. A possible polymerization mechanism might involve thermal homolysis of the TEMPO-PMDP bonds followed by the addition of the monomers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 761–771, 1998     

Anionic polymerization of Lewis acid-activated methyl methacrylate by enamines

A novel ionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with a series of enamines (1) in the presence of methylaluminum bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxide) (2) was examined. Both nucleophile (1) and electrophile (2) are indispensable for the present polymerization, in which (1) acts as initiator and (2) as activator. MMA polymerization proceeded smoothly in toluene at or below room temperature (r.t.) in the presence of 1 and 2 (1 ∼ 4 mol %, respectively), went to completion within 1 h, and afforded syndiotactic-rich PMMA with molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n) in the 1.1 ∼ 1.4 range. The number-average molecular weight (M_n) of the polymer was significantly higher than that calculated from the feed ratio of 1 to the monomer, indicating low initiating efficiency. Kinetic studies coupled with isolation of an intermediate species proved that the real monomeric species involved in both initiation and propagation was a complex of MMA with 2. The effects of the concentrations of 1, 2, and MMA as well as the temperature of polymerization were also examined. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3671–3679, 1999     

9‐Bromoanthracene photodimers as initiators in controlled radical polymerization: Silane radical atom abstraction coupled with nitroxide mediated polymerization

Slow initiation relative to propagation has previously prevented photodimers of 9‐bromoanthracene or 9‐chloroanthracene, formed by [4 + 4] photocyclization reactions of the analogous 9‐haloanthracene, from being viable initiators in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reactions. The resulting polymers were found to possess high polydispersity index (PDI) values, much higher than expected number average molecular weight (M_n) values, with the reaction displaying a nonlinear relationship between monomer conversion and M_n. We report here the use of silane radical atom abstraction (SRAA) to create initiating bridgehead radicals in the presence of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) to mediate the polymerization. When using SRAA coupled with nitroxide mediated polymerization, a dramatic decrease in PDI values was observed compared with analogous ATRP reactions, with M_n values much closer to those anticipated based on monomer‐to‐initiator ratios. Analysis using UV‐Vis spectroscopy indicated only partial anthracene labeling (～ 25%) on the polymers, consistent with thermolysis of the anthracene photodimer coupled with competition between initiation from the bridgehead photodimer radical and silane‐based radical. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6016–6022, 2008     

Living free‐radical polymerization of styrene under a constant source of γ radiation

Living polymerization of styrene was observed using γ radiation as a source of initiation and 1‐phenylethyl phenyldithioacetate as a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent. The γ radiation had little or no detrimental effect on the RAFT agent, with the molecular weight of the polymer increasing linearly with conversion (up to the maximum measured conversions of 30%). The polymerization had kinetics (polym.) consistent with those of a living polymerization (first order in monomer) and proportional to the square root of the radiation‐dose rate. This initiation technique may facilitate the grafting of narrow polydispersity, well‐defined polymers onto existing polymer surfaces as well as allow a wealth of kinetic experiments using the constant radical flux generated by γ radiation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 19–25, 2002     

茂基二价钐配合物高效催化己内酯开环聚合

研究了二茂基二价钐配合物(C5H5)2Sm(THF)作为单组分催化剂催化己内脂开环聚合反应,考察了催化剂用量、聚合反应时间、聚合反应温度对己内酯聚合反应的影响。结果表明,配合物(C5H5)2Sm(THF)对己内酯聚合有极高的催化活性且产物的数均分子量较高,当催化剂与单体摩尔比为1：5000时,聚合产率仍可达50.3%,数均分子量可高达32.4万;温度升高,聚合反应的转化率增加,聚合产物数均分子量降低;催化剂用量增加,聚合转化率增加,聚合产物分子量降低;聚合产物的分子量分布较窄;通过凝胶色谱法对聚合产物的分子量及分子量分布进行了表征。     

Simulation of styrene free radical polymerization over bi-functional initiators using Monte Carlo simulation method and comparison with mono-functional initiators

In the present study, based on a complete mechanism, a Monte Carlo simulation method is employed to investigate the kinetics of styrene free radical polymerization over bi-functional initiators in a bulk medium. The effects of the concentration of initiator and the monomer, of the temperature on monomer conversion, average molecular weights, polydispersity index, and molecular weight distribution are inspected and compared with mono-functional initiators. According to the simulation results, an increase in either the concentration of initiator or the temperature leads to the rise of the monomer conversion and to the reduction of the average molecular weights, while the increase of the monomer concentration results in the rise of both monomer conversion and molecular weights, which is in accord with predictions of the theory of free-radical polymerization. In addition, application of bi-functional initiators increases both monomer conversion and average molecular weight and results in narrower chain length distributions.     

衰减链转移(DT)聚合醋酸乙烯酯的动力学

在醋酸乙烯酯的普通自由基聚合体系中加入少量碘（质量分数为0.57%～0.86%）,用偶氮二异丁腈作引发剂合成聚醋酸乙烯酯,对其聚合反应的动力学及反应机理进行了研究。 考察了碘质量分数对聚合反应速率、聚合物分子量及分子量分布的影响,发现随着碘浓度的增加,聚合物分子量及分子量分布得到更好的控制;对聚合过程进行了核磁跟踪,考察了聚合过程中几种化合物的变化情况,特别是初级自由基与碘生成的加合物A-I（A来自引发剂分裂后产生的自由基）及单体加合物A-Mn-I（M代表单体单元）的变化情况;对聚合物结构作了详细的1H NMR分析,结果表明,聚合过程中分子量随时间延长而逐渐增大,分子量分布随单体转化率增加而变窄,聚合终期,单体转化率达到80%左右时,所得聚合物分子量分布窄（Mw/Mn≤1.41）,且含有碘端基。该方法的自由基聚合具有活性/可控的性质。     

再活化链式聚合

基于传统的链式聚合和逐步聚合二种高分子链增长过程,提出了再活化链式聚合。按此聚合机理,高分子的链增长是通过将一个非活性或睡眠状态的链(Mm)重新活化为活性种(Mm*),活性种再和一个单体(M)反应,生成一个较大分子量的休眠产物(Mm 1)来实现的。再活化链式聚合主要例子包括苯胺和或许其它芳香族单体的氧化聚合,活性自由基聚合,以及核酸和蛋白质合成中的生物聚合。     

Copper‐mediated initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization of acrylonitrile

Initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization technique was first accessed to acrylonitrile by using CuBr₂/2,2′‐bipyridine as the catalyst, ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate as the halogen initiator, and azobis(isobutyronitrile) as the free radical initiator. The key to success is ascribed to the facile achievement of the rapid equilibrium between active species and dormant species. Effects of ligand, catalyst concentration, free radical initiator concentration, and reaction temperature on the polymerization reaction and molecular weight (MW) as well as polydispersity index (PDI) were investigated in detail. The polymerization proceeded in a controlled/living fashion even though the concentration of copper catalyst decreased to 50 ppm, which is evident in pseudo first‐order kinetics of polymerization, linear increase of molecular weight, low PDI, and high chain‐end functionality of the generated polymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Efficient Synthesis of Poly(acrylic acid) in Aqueous Solution via a RAFT Process

The direct polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in aqueous solution for high molecular weight by means of living radical polymerization is still difficult. Here, AA was polymerized homogeneously in water by a reversible addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization (RAFT) in the presence of a water-soluble trithiocarbonate as a RAFT agent. Various ratios [AA]:[RAFT agent] were investigated to aim at different molecular weights. The polymerization exhibited living free-radical polymerization characteristics at different ratios [AA]: [RAFT agent]: controlled molecular weight, low polydispersity and well-suited linear growth of the number-average molecular weight, M _n with conversion. The chain transfer to solvent or polymer was suppressed during the polymerization process, thus high linear PAA with high molecular weight and low PDI can be obtained. Moreover, using the generated PAA as a macro RAFT agent, the chain extension polymerization of PAA with fresh AA displayed controlled behavior, demonstrated the ability of PAA to reinitiate sequential polymerization.     

极性/非极性接枝共聚物PVIPA-g-PIB的合成研究

通过自由基共聚合方法,以AIBN为引发剂引发醋酸乙烯酯(VAc)和醋酸异丙烯酯(IPA)共聚,得到两者的无规共聚物聚(PVIPA).再以PVIPA作为大分子引发剂,以四氯化钛(TiCl4)为共引发剂,引发异丁烯进行正离子接枝共聚反应,分别考察了PVIPA/TiCl4/IB体系中TiCl4浓度、大分子引发剂浓度、陈化温度、陈化时间以及外加含氮亲核试剂2,6-二甲基吡啶(DMP)对异丁烯聚合转化率和PVIPA引发效率的影响,并采用GPC表征方法研究了聚合体系中两种引发活性中心(A)和(B)的引发竞争.实验结果表明,在没有外加亲核试剂的情况下,PVIPA与微量水均可参与与TiCl4的络合竞争,分别形成活性中心(A)和(B),并产生竞争引发异丁烯正离子聚合,生成相应的接枝共聚物PVIPA-g-PIB和均聚物PIB.TiCl4和PVIPA用量以及两者的络合作用温度与时间对异丁烯正离子接枝共聚起着重要作用.合适的TiCl4浓度与PVIPA浓度、低的微量水浓度以及在较低温度下使PVIPA与TiCl4充分络合,都有利于提高大分子引发剂PVIPA的引发效率.引发效率可以达到90%左右,并可制备出极性主链与非极性支链的接枝共聚物PVIPA-g-PIB,其GPC谱图呈现单峰分布,分子量分布(Mw/Mn)可达到2.17.此外,在聚合体系中加入适量含氮亲核试剂DMP,一定程度上可以提高PVIPA的引发效率.