Generation of highly stable amidate anion in anionic polymerization of 3‐(triethylsilyl)propyl isocyanate

To study living anionic polymerization, 3‐(triethylsilyl)propyl isocyanate (TEtSPI) monomer was synthesized by hydrosilylation of allylamine with triethylsilane and treatment of the resulting amine with triphosgene. The polymerization of TEtSPI was performed with sodium naphthalenide (Na‐Naph) as an initiator and in the absence and presence of sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh₄) as an additive in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?78 and at ?98 °C. A highly stabilized amidate anion for living polymerization of isocyanates was generated for the first time with the combined effect of the bulky substituent and the shielding action of the additive NaBPh₄, extending the living character at least up to 120 min at ?98 °C. Even the anion could exist at ?78 °C for 10 min. A block copolymer, poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate)‐b‐poly[(3‐triethylsilyl)propyl isocyanate]‐b‐poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate), was synthesized with quantitative yields and controlled molecular weights via living anionic polymerization in THF at ?78 °C for TEtSPI and ?98 °C for n‐hexyl isocyanate, respectively, with Na‐Naph with three times of NaBPh₄ as a common ion salt. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 933–940, 2004     

Room temperature polymerization of alkyl isocyanates catalyzed by rare earth Schiff base complexes

The polymerization of alkyl isocyanates catalyzed by rare earth chloride salen complexes/triisobutyl aluminum (Ln(H₂salen)₂Cl₃·2C₂H₇OH/Al(i-Bu)₃) at room temperature was investigated. The influences of ligand structure, catalyst composition, polymerization temperature, polymerization time, the concentration of catalyst and monomer, and the polymerization solvent on the polymerization of isocyanates were studied. It was found that under the polymerization conditions, examined La(H₂salen_A)₂Cl₃·2C₂-H₇OH/Al(i-Bu)₃ (H₂salen_A= N,N′-disalicylideneethylene diamine) is a fairly high efficient catalyst for the polymerization of n-hexyl isocyanate (n-HexNCO) to prepare high molecular weight poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) (PHNCO) with narrower molecular weight distribution at room temperature. PHNCO could be prepared with yield of 74.0%, number-average molecular weight (M _n) of 40.20×10⁴ and MWD of 1.79 under the following optimum conditions: [Al]/[La] = 30 (molar ratio), [n-HexNCO]/[La] = 100 (molar ratio), [n-HexNCO] = 3.43 mol/L polymerization at 20°C for 12 h in toluene. In the same polymerization conditions, poly (n-octyl isocyanate) (PONCO) with yield of 67.3%, and poly(n-butyl isocyanate) (PBNCO) with yield of 45.5%, could be prepared respectively. The kinetics of the polymerization of n-HexNCO was also investigated and found to be first-order with respect to both monomer and catalyst concentrations.     

Enolate anionic initiator,sodium deoxybenzoin,for leading living natures by formation of aggregators at the growth chain ends

The living anionic polymerization of n‐hexyl isocyanate (HIC) using a newly developed initiator forming metal–enolate complex, sodium deoxybenzoin (Na‐DB), is reported. For the polymerization of HIC, Na‐DB serves the dual functions of providing controlled fast initiation and efficiently protecting the living chain ends. The use of Na‐DB has resulted in quantitative polymer yields (～100%), effective control of the polymer's molecular weights, and low polydispersity index. To examine the living nature of poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate) (PHIC), block copolymerization of HIC with another isocyanate monomer, 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate (TESPI), was carried out. The resulting block copolymer, poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate)‐b‐poly(3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate) (PHIC‐b‐PTESPI) was synthesized successfully via living anionic polymerization using Na‐DB with quantitative yield and controlled molecular weight. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis of poly(2‐vinyl pyridine)‐b‐poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate) amphiphilic coil‐rod block copolymer by anionic polymerization

A well‐defined amphiphilic coil‐rod block copolymer, poly(2‐vinyl pyridine)‐b‐poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate) (P2VP‐b‐PHIC), was synthesized with quantitative yields by anionic polymerization. A low reactive one‐directional initiator, potassium diphenyl methane (DPM‐K), was very effective in polymerizing 2‐vinyl pyridine (2VP) without side reactions, leading to perfect control over molecular weight and molecular weight distribution over a broad range of initiator and monomer concentration. Copolymerization of 2VP with n‐hexyl isocyanate (HIC) was carried out in the presence of sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaBPh₄) to prevent backbiting reactions during isocyanate polymerization. Terminating the living end with a suitable end‐capping agent resulted in a P2VP‐b‐PHIC coil‐rod block copolymer with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. Cast film from a chloroform solution of P2VP‐b‐PHIC displayed microphase separation, characteristic of coil‐rod block copolymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 607–615, 2005     

Well-defined polyisocyanates via organotitanium(IV) catalyzed living polymerizations of isocyanates

The development of living organotitanium(IV) catalyzed polymerizations is presented. A living polymerization of alkyl isocyanates was developed using TiCl₃OCH₂CF₃, I, as a catalyst, through which large quantities of well-defined (in terms of molecular weight and polydispersity) polyisocyanates are obtainable under ambient conditions. η⁵-CpTiCl₂OCH₂CF₃ (Cp = cyclopentadienyl), II, is also an excellent catalyst for the polymerization of isocyanates and, unlike I, will polymerize monomers containing Lewis basic functional groups in the side chain. Compound II was used to synthesize poly(allyl isocyanate) and poly(2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate). Both polymers were found to be soluble, in contrast to previous reports, and spectroscopic characterization showed that no crosslinking of the side chains had occurred.     

Ring‐opening polymerization of 1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one initiated by lanthanum isopropoxide in bulk

Lanthanum isopropoxide (La(OiPr)₃) has been synthesized and employed for ring‐opening polymerization of 1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one in bulk as a single‐component initiator. The influences of reaction conditions such as initiator concentration, reaction time, and reaction temperature on the polymerization were investigated. The kinetics indicated that the polymerization is first‐order with respect to the monomer concentration. The Mechanistic investigations according to ¹H NMR spectrum analysis demonstrated that the polymerization of PDO proceeded through a coordination‐insertion mechanism with a rupture of the acyl‐oxygen bond of the monomer rather than the alkyl‐oxygen bond cleavage. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5214–5222, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of chiral poly(alkyl isocyanates) by coordination polymerization using a chiral half‐titanocene complex

A new chiral half‐titanocene complex, [CpTiCl₂(O‐(S)?2‐Bu)], is synthesized and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. This complex is employed for the coordination polymerization of n‐butyl and n‐hexyl‐ isocyanate leading to chiral polymers, as revealed by their CD spectra. Only the left‐handed helix is produced, due to the chiral (S)?2‐butoxy group, which is bound to the polymer chain end. The polymerization of 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate produces less soluble polymers. On the other hand, phenyl isocyanate reacts slowly with the complex leading quantitatively and selectively to triphenyl isocyanurate. 2‐Ethylhexyl isocyanate is slowly and selectively cyclotrimerized in the presence of the half‐titanocene complex. However, a statistical copolymer of 2‐ethylhexyl isocyanate and hexyl isocyanate is produced. The reaction of benzyl isocyanate with the complex leads to a mixture of low molecular weight polymer and cyclotrimer. The polymers are characterized using SEC, NMR, and CD spectroscopy and their thermal properties are investigated by TGA/DSC analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2141–2151     

The Effect of Alkyl Side Chain and Additives on the Anionic Polymerization of Isocyanates with Carbamate Group

The synthesis of new isocyanate monomers and their polymerization by anionic route is reported. Reaction of 1,6-diisocyanatohexane with aliphatic alcohols such as methanol, n-propanol and n-pentanol in 1:0.5 molar ratios was carried out in the presence of pyridine such that one  NCO group remained unreacted. The anionic polymerization of n-alkoxycarbonylaminohexyl isocyanates was carried out using sodium napthalenide (Na-Naph) initiator in the presence of 15-crown-5 (15C5) and sodium tetraphenylborate as the additives. While polymerization of n-propyloxycarbonylaminohexyl isocyanate (PAHI) and n-pentanoxycarbonylaminohexyl isocyanate (PEAHI) was feasible that of methoxycarbonylaminohexyl isocyanate (MAHI) led to an insoluble material. The polymers were isolated in high yields with NaBPh₄ as the additive.     

Asymmetric polymerization of aromatic isocyanates with optically active anionic initiators

The asymmetric anionic polymerization of o-, m-, and p-methylphenyl isocyanates, p-methoxyphenyl isocyanate, p-chlorophenyl isocyanate, 2,6- and 3,4-dimethylphenyl isocyanates, and 1-naphthyl isocyanate was carried out using chiral anionic initiators such as the lithium salts of (?) -menthol, (?) -(2-methoxymethyl) pyrrolidine, and (+) -1-(2-pyrrolidinylmethyl) pyrrolidine. Although o-methylphenyl isocyanate gave an insoluble polymer and 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanate afforded no polymer, the other monomers gave soluble polymers, which showed optical activity due to the prevailing helicity of the polymer chain induced by chiral initiator residues attached to the α-end of the polymer chain. The molecular mechanics conformational calculation for a tetramer of m-methylphenyl isocyanate supported the helical conformation of the main chain. The optical rotation of the polymers depended significantly on temperature. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Anionic Polymerization of Chiral Isocyanate and Influence of the Initiator on Changes in the Optical Activity

A chiral polyisocyanate, poly[6‐{1‐[(S)‐(–)‐2‐methylbutyl]oxycarbonylamino}hexyl isocyanate], was synthesized using sodium diphenylmethanide and sodium naphthalenide as unidirectional and bidirectional initiators, respectively, via anionic polymerization in THF at –98°C. NaBPh₄ as a common ion salt was used to produce the polymer in quantitative yield and with narrow molecular‐weight distribution. The polymer showed different optical activity depending on the nature of the initiator.     

Acceleration of the imine base/isocyanate (IBI)‐mediated polymerization of MMA caused by ionic liquid traces

The brutto rate of the imine base/isocyanate (IBI)‐mediated radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) can be significantly increased by use of ionic liquid (IL) traces. At least, catalytic amounts of IL influence both the value of the brutto polymerization rate ν_Br,0 and the necessary reaction temperature of the used IBI mixture. Combinations of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline (POX) or 1‐methyl pyrazole (1MP) with isocyanates are IBI systems that usually do not initiate MMA at room temperature. By adding traces of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([Emim]FAP), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with high average molecular weight can be obtained whereas the initiator mixture (imine base/isocyanate) concentration can be decreased by a factor of 10. The polymerization kinetics of several IBI combinations in the presence of ILs has been determined and a comparison to non‐IL containing initiator mixtures is given. Additionally, the temperature dependence of the IL‐containing polymerizations was measured. The interaction of the IL with MMA and the individual IBI initiator components is studied by means of attenuated total reflection Fourier transformation middle infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT MIR). Furthermore, the IBI brutto polymerization rate constants k_Br,0 were brought into relation to the IL hydrogen bond donating ability α. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Arrangement of C60 via the Self‐Assembly of Post‐Functionalizable Polyisocyanate Block Copolymer

Poly(furfuryl isocyanate) (PFIC), which includes the reactive furan group, was synthesized by anionic polymerization using a sodium benzhydroxide (Na‐BH), self‐assembly initiator. We determined the optimum polymerization conditions by varying both the reaction time and the molar ratio of the monomer to the initiator. Block copolymer, poly(furfuryl isocyanate)‐b‐poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate), was synthesized under optimized polymerization conditions. The PFIC was modified by Diels–Alder reactions with C60 for functionalization. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the self‐assembly of block copolymers and modified block copolymer with C60. C60 formed highly ordered aggregates on the PFIC domains via self‐assembly of the block copolymer.     

Versatile Organometallic Initiators for the Living Polymerization of Isocyanates

Shashoua and Sweeney first demonstrated that isocyanates could by polymerized via an anionic mechanism to form high molecular weight materials. We have sought to eliminate the problems associated with the anionic procedure by developing transition metal complexes which are capable of catalyzing the living polymerization of isocyanates. Recently, we reported the living polymerization of alkyl isocyanates using TiCl₃OCH₂CF₃, I. Using I, polyisocyanates with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities can be obtained at room temperature. ε⁵-CpTiCl₂N(CH₃)₂ (Cp = cyclopentadienyl), III, is also an excellent catalyst for the polymerization of isocyanates, and in terms of ease of handling and purification and tolerance toward monomer functionality, superior to I. In order to prepare triblock copolymers containing amorphous segments sandwiched between two isocyanate segments, we have prepared bimetallic initiators comprised of titanium alkoxides con- nected by flexible linkers. These linkers may be a small molecule (1,4- dihydroxycyclohexane, V) or a polymer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, VI). Complexes V and VI can be used to initiate the living polymerization of isocyanates to yield polymers possessing central cyclohexyl bends (ldquo;broken worms rdquo;) or PDMS segments (triblock copolymers), respectively. Finally, cyclopolymerizations of 1,2-diisocyanates using these or- ganometallic initiators are reported.     

Polymerization of n‐hexyl isocyanate with CpTiCl2(OR) (R = functional group or macromolecular chain): A route to ω‐functionalized and block copolymers and terpolymers of n‐hexyl isocyanate

Well‐defined ω‐cholesteryl poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate) (PHIC–Chol), as well as diblock copolymers of n‐hexyl isocyanate (HIC) with styrene, PS‐b‐PHIC [PS = polystyrene; PHIC = poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate)], and triblock terpolymers with styrene and isoprene, PS‐b‐PI‐b‐PHIC and PI‐b‐PS‐b‐PHIC (PI = polyisoprene), were synthesized with CpTiCl₂(OR) (R = cholesteryl group, PS, or PS‐b‐PI) complexes. The synthetic strategy involved the reaction of the precursor complex CpTiCl₃ with cholesterol or the suitable ω‐hydroxy homopolymer or block copolymer, followed by the polymerization of HIC. The ω‐hydroxy polymers were prepared by the anionic polymerization of the corresponding monomers and the reaction of the living chains with ethylene oxide. The reaction sequence was monitored by size exclusion chromatography, and the final products were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (light scattering and refractive‐index detectors), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and, in the case of PHIC–Chol, differential scanning calorimetry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6503–6514, 2005     

Anionic copolymerization of isocyanates with ketenes

Diphenyl-, phenylethyl, and phenylmethylketene have been copolymerized with phenyl isocyanate by use of sodium naphthalene in dimethylformamide (DMF) at ?45°C. Reactivity ratios of phenyl isocyanate (r₂) with diphenylketene (r₁) were r₁ = 0.10, r₂ = 0.29; with phenylethylketene (r₁) were r₁ = 1.6, r₂ = 0.10; and with phenyl methyl ketene (r₁) were r₁ = 4.8, r₂ = 0.02. The same initiator and solvent system were used for homopolymerization of phenylethylketene and copolymerization with m-chloro-, p-chloro-, p-methoxy-, and m-methoxyphenyl isocyanate as well as with phenyl isocyanate. Molecular weights ranged from 1740 to 4000. The effect of substituents on the order of isocyanate incorporation into the copolymer was m-Cl = p-Cl > m-MeO > H > p-MeO. Phenylethylketene was also copolymerized with m-methoxyphenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, and p-tolyl isocyanate in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?78°C. Molecular weights ranged from 2800 to 10,500. The least reactive isocyanate was incorporated into the copolymer to a greater extent in this solvent than in the more polar DMF. DTA showed the presence of crystallinity only in polymers of high isocyanate content. The ketenes copolymerized less readily with alkyl isocyanates, such as ethyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl, and cyclohexyl isocyanate, than with the aromatic isocyanates when sodium naphthalene was used in either DMF or THF.     

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     

Kinetic studies on the imine base/isocyanate‐induced radical polymerization of vinyl monomers

Specific imine bases (IB) in conjunction with various isocyanates (IC) mediate the radical polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA). Advantageously, the 2‐(methylmercapto)‐2‐thiazoline MMT/IC combination as initiator works even at room temperature for polymerization of MMA. The coefficients a, b, and c of the basic rate law of monomer consumption d[M]/dt = k_p·[IC]^a·[IB]^b·[M]^c were determined. The order a has been determined to 0.5 showing the root law of radical polymerization with respect to the IC component as initiator. Moreover, b and c amount 1. The initiator combination MMT/ IC was applied to determine the influence of the molecular structure of the IC on the rate of monomer conversion. For aromatic isocyantes, the gross rate constant of monomer consumption correlates with the Hammet constant of aromatic substituents. The activation energies of the gross polymerization rate constant of several initiator mixtures were determined whereby the value of E_A,Br was found to be between typical values of radical polymerization initiated by photochemical reactions (～20 kJ/mol) and commonly used thermal decomposing initiators (～80 kJ/mol). Presumptions on the initiating and terminating step of the IB/IC mediated polymerization were done by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and the elemental composition of the head and end group of the resulting polymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Novel synthesis of rod‐coil block copolymers by combination of coordination polymerization and ATRP

Combination of coordination polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was applied to a novel synthesis of rod‐coil block copolymers. The procedure included the following steps: (1) monoesterification reaction of ethylene glycol with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide yielded a α‐bromo, ω‐hydroxy bifunctional initiator, (2) CpTiCl₃ (bifunctional initiator) catalyst was prepared from a mixture of trichlorocyclopentadienyl titanium (CpTiCl₃) and bifunctional initiator. Coordination polymerization of n‐butyl isocyanate initiated by such catalyst provided a well‐defined macroinitiator, poly(n‐butyl isocyanate)‐Br (PBIC‐Br), and (3) ATRP method of vinyl monomers using PBIC‐Br provided rod (PBIC)‐coil block copolymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4037–4042, 2007     

Initiation of the stereospecific polymerization of p-chlorophenylglycidyl and phenylglycidyl ethers by the Al(OiPr)3 + ZnEt2 (1:1) initiator system

The Al(OiPr)₃ + ZnEt₂ (1:1) system has been found to be an efficient initiator of the polymerization of phenylglycidyl ethers. About 40–60% of the polymer obtained was an isotactic polymer fraction (ca. 80% of iso diads). By using aluminum isopropoxide containing C¹⁴, the amount of linear polymer molecules terminated by isopropoxide groups was shown not to exceed 50%. IR spectrophotometric studies of the structure of the initiator system showed that its components form a complex compound by an exchange of substituents between the aluminum and zinc atoms.     

Polymerization of n-Hexyl Isocyanate Initiated by Novel Rare Earth Tris （2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate）

The polymerization of n-hexyl isocyanate (HNCO) was carried out in the presence of a novel single initiator, rare earth tris (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) [Ln(OAr)3]. The influences of reaction conditions such as the monomer concentration, the polymerization temperature and time, and the types of solvents on the polymerization of HNCO were studied. Polymerizations of phenyl, i-propyl, p-tolyl, n-butyl and n-octyl isocyanates with La(OAr)3 were also examined.