Cyclopolycondensations. VI. Fully aromatic polybenzoxazinones from aromatic poly(amic acids)

New high temperature aromatic polybenzoxazinones of high molecular weight have been prepared by the cyclopolycondensation of 4,4′-diaminobiphenyl-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid (I) with aromatic dicarboxylic acid halides (II). The low temperature solution polymerization techniques afforded poly(amic acid) (III) of high molecular weight in the first step. An open-chain precursor subsequently underwent thermal cyclodehydration along the polymer chain at 200–350°C. in the second step, to give in quantitative yield a fully aromatic polybenzoxazinone (IV) of outstanding heat stability both in nitrogen and in air. The poly(amic acid) is soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and tough, transparent films can be cast from solution. Insoluble aromatic polybenzoxazinone films which possess excellent oxidative and thermal stability were obtained by the heat treatment of the polyamic acid. A detailed account of polymerization conditions in the low temperature solution polymerization of polybenzoxazinones is given, and the reaction mechanisms of cyclopolycondensation of poly(amic acids) and the formation of polybenzoxazinones are discussed.     

Preparation of poly(1,4-phenylene)s by electro-oxidative polymerization

The effect of substituents on the electropolymerization of benzene derivatives and the redox properrties of the corresponding polymers were determined using Brown's substituent constants (σ⁺). Electron-donating groups lower the oxidation potential by which increase in the current efficiency was observed. However, stabilization of the produced cation radicals by the electron-donating groups resulted in a decrease in the polymerization efficiency. The appropriate values of σ⁺ for the efficient polymerization ranged near ?1.5.     

Cyclopolycondensation. XIII. New synthetic route to fully aromatic poly(heterocyclic imides) with alternating repeating units

Fully aromatic poly(heterocyclic imides) of high molecular weight were prepared by the cyclopolycondensation reactions of aromatic diamines with new monomer adducts prepared by condensing orthodisubstituted aromatic diamines with chloroformyl phthalic anhydrides. The low-temperature solution polymerization techniques yielded tractable poly(amic acid), which was converted to poly(heterocyclic imides) by heat treatment to effect cyclodehydration at 250–400°C under reduced pressure. In this way, the polyaromatic imideheterocycles such as poly(benzoxazinone imides), poly(benzoxazole imides), poly(benzimidazole imides) and poly(benzothiazole imides) were prepared, which have excellent processability and thermal stability both in nitrogen and in air. The poly(amic acids) are soluble in such organic polar solvents as N,N-dimethyl-acetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, and dimethyl sulfoxide, and the films can be cast from the polymer solution of poly(amic acids) (η_inh = 0.8–1.8). The film is made tough by being heated in nitrogen or under reduced pressure to effect cyclodehydration at 300–400°C. The polymerization was carried out by first isolating the monomer adducts, followed by polymerization with aromatic diamines. On subsequently being heated, the open-chain precursor, poly(amic acid), undergoes cyclodehydration along the polymer chain, giving the thermally stable ordered copolymers of the corresponding heterocyclic imide structure.     

Preparation and polymerization mechanism of dihydroxy-capped PCL,poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL) and poly(DTC-b-CL-b-DTC)

PCL possesses a wide range of medical applications, such as tissue engineering and controlled drug release, because of its good biodegradability and miscibility. In order to extend the use of PCL, researchers have been exploring its structural and chemica…     

Synthesis of tert-butyl-substituted poly (ether ketone) by nickel-catalyzed coupling polymerization of aromatic dichloride

tert-Butyl substituted poly (aryl ether ketone)s with relatively high molecular weights were prepared by the Ni-catalyzed polymerization of tert-butyl substituted aromatic dichlorides containing ether ketone unit. These polymers were amorphous and soluble in common organic solvents, such as THF, dichloromethane, and chloroform. De-tert-butylation of the polymer by the treatment of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in the presence of toluene proceeded smoothly and produced crystalline poly (aryl ether ketone). © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

New poly(amide-imide)s syntheses. VII. Preparation and properties of poly(amide-imide)s derived from 1,5-bis(4-aminophenoxy) naphthalene,trimellitic anhydride,and various aromatic diamines

New bis(phenoxy)naphthalene-containing poly(amide-imide)s having an inherent viscosity in the range of 0.62–1.09 dL/g were prepared by the direct polycondensation of 1,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) naphthalene ( I ) and various aromatic diamines using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) in the presence of calcium chloride. The diimide-diacid (I) was prepared by the condensation of 1,5-bis(4-aminophenoxy) naphthalene and trimellitic anhydride. Most of the polymers were soluble in aprotic solvents such as NMP and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and afforded transparent, flexible and tough films upon casting from DMAc solutions. Measurements of wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that those polymers containing p-phenylene or oxyphenylene groups were characterized as crystalline polymers. Tensile strength and initial moduli of the polymer films ranged from 61–86 MPa and 1.83–2.21 GPa, respectively. Glass transition temperatures of the polymers were in the range of 231–340°C. The melting points of the crystalline polymers ranged from 375–430°C. The 10% weight loss temperatures were above 512°C in nitrogen and 481°C in air. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of poly(4-butyltriphenylamine) particles by chemical oxidative dispersion polymerization

Photoconductive poly(4-butyltriphenylamine) particles were prepared by a chemical oxidative dispersion polymerization. The utilization of statistical copolymer of methyl methacrylate with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (30:70) as a dispersant afforded particles with the narrowest distribution when the other experimental conditions such as the rate of monomer feed, and the dispersant concentration were appropriately selected. Porous particles were obtained at 40 °C using poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as a dispersant.     

Synthesis and characterization of new dicyanate monomers. A way to obtain fully aromatic crosslinked poly(ether ketone)s

Several aromatic mono- and dicyanate monomers bearing ether and ketone groups in the main chain have been synthesized through high-yield reactions widely used in organic chemistry. FT-IR and NMR were used to characterize these monomers and the intermediate products. The cyclotrimerization reaction was studied by DSC in monocyanate models, and the enthalpy of the reaction was determined. The value obtained was approximately 95 kJ/mol of cyanate irrespective of the substituent and symmetry of the substitution. For short dicyanates, cyclotrimerization did not reach completion, and for long dicyanates, the enthalpy of reaction could not be evaluated with accuracy. The resulting cured polycyanurates networks, due to the selectivity of the cyclotrimerization reaction, could be considered as true fully aromatic crosslinked poly(ether ketone)s with controlled structure. T_g values of the networks were above 180°C. The higher values were found for shorter dicyanates and for monomers with para substitution. The 1% and 5% weight loss values in nitrogen were above 310 and 380°C, respectively, with char yields in the range 50–60%. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3155–3168, 1999     

Preparation of poly(vinyl chloride) latexes by polymerization of stabilized monomer droplets

Poly(vinyl chloride) latexes have been prepared by polymerization in micron and submicron sized monomer droplets. Monomer emulsions with excellent long time stability were obtained by diffusional swelling of vinyl chloride monomer into preformed, stable polydisperse pre-emulsions of water-insoluble oils or monodisperse, oligomer styrene seed particles. It was found that the size and size distribution of the final latex particles were determined by those of the parent monomer emulsions. Except for the secondary particles formed during polymerization, the size and size distributions of the latex particles were found to be com-parable to those of the monomer emulsions employed, indicating a complete nucleation of the parent emulsion droplets. The extent of secondary particle formation was found to be very dependent upon the emulsifier concentration as well as on the type and amount of initiator used. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of narrow or monodisperse poly(ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) microspheres by distillation-precipitation polymerization

Highly crosslinked narrow or monodisperse poly(ethyleneglycol dimethacryltae) (polyEGDMA) microspheres were prepared by distillation-precipitation polymerization in neat acetonitrile with 2,2′-azobis(2-methyl propinitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator. The polymer microspheres with clean surfaces due to the absence of any added stabilizer in the reaction system were formed simultaneously through a precipitation manner during the distillation of acetonitrile off the reaction system. The effects of the solvent, initiator concentration, monomer concentration and comonomer (divinylbenzene, DVB) fraction on the formation of the microspheres were investigated. Narrow- or monodisperse particles with spherical shape and smooth surface were obtained with diameters between 1.18 and 2.50 μm with monomer loading lower than 3.13 vol%. The surfaces of the microspheres became rougher, some elliptic particles and doublet or triplet appeared with the increase of monomer concentration (as high as 3.75 vol%). The yield of polymer microspheres was increased from 31% to 75% with the increase of EGDMA fraction from 0 to 100% when EGDMA was copolymerized with DVB. The resulting polymer microspheres were characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform-IR spectra.     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles by dispersion polymerization

Dispersion polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate using four categories of polymeric stabilizers in a mixture of good and poor solvents was performed to produce polymeric particles. The stabilizers employed were methyl methacrylate and styrene homopolymers, methacryloyl-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene macromonomers, an amphiphilic poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid-graft-styrene), and polybutadiene derivatives containing reactive vinyl groups. Dispersion copolymerization with a small amount of the macromonomer gave micron-size particles with relatively narrow size distribution. The amphiphilic graft copolymer and the polybutadiene derivatives also afforded monodisperse particles. The mixed ratio between good and poor solvents greatly affected the particle size and size distribution. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies on the thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymer. VIII. Synthesis and properties of fully aromatic poly(ester)s and poly(amide-ester)s containing p-phenylene diacrylic group

Three series of polymers containing p-phenylene diacrylic group were prepared by direct polycondensation in the presence of diphenylchlorophosphate and pyridine. Series I was prepared from p-phenylene bis(acrylic acid) with various hydroquinones. Series II was prepared from p-phenylene bis (β-cyano acrylic acid) with methylhydroquinone. Series III was prepared from 3-methyl-4-aminophenol with p-phenylene bis(acrylic acid) or p-phenylene bis(β-cyano acrylic acid), respectively. The phase behavior of these polymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy equipped with a heating stage, and wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD). It was found that these polymers, except IIIb , exhibit thermotropic liquid-crystalline properties and show threaded or Schlieren texture under the optical polarizing microscopic observation. Furthermore, the melting temperatures of these polymers were decreased in the range of 254–354°C by incorporating with p-phenylene diacrylic group into the main chain. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Model studies on the structure of poly(amide oxime)s and their cyclodehydration reactions leading to poly(1,2,4-oxadiazole)s

To obtain an understanding of the low molecular weight character of wholly aromatic poly(1,4-arylene acyldiamide oxime)s (PAAs) having n-alkyloxymethyl side braches and the additional decrease in molecular weight during their cyclodehydration reaction leading to the corresponding poly(1,4-arylene-1,2,4-oxadiazole)s (PAOs), tautomeric structures of poly[1,4-phenylene-2,5-bis(n-octyloxymethyl)terephthaldiamide oxime] (C₈-PAA) were ¹H-NMR-spectroscopically investigated by using two model compounds: O,O'-dibenzoyl terephthaldiamide oxime (H-PAA-M, 4) and O,O'-dibenzoyl-2,5-bis(n-octyloxymethyl) terephthaldiamide oxime (C₈-PAA-M, 5). In solution H-PAA-M existed exclusively as oximino isomer, while C₈-PAA-M consisted only of imino tautomer and C₈-PAA contained both the oximino and imino form, the former being dominant in composition. It was found that the presence of imino tautomer caused serious effects both on the low molecular weight character of C₈-PAA and on the additional decrease in molecular weight during thermal cyclodehydration to C₈-PAO, whereas the presence of oximino tautomer showed practically little effect. A discussion on the results is provided from mechanistic viewpoint. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of small poly(butylene terephthalate) spheres by crystallization from solution

The crystallization of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) from moderately dilute solutions of PBT in a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy has been investigated. PBT dissolves in this epoxy approximately 35°C below its usual melting temperature of 227°C to form a one-phase solution. Cooling this solution below 165°C leads to rapid crystallization of the PBT. The resulting mixture of liquid epoxy and crystalline PBT has a low viscosity and contains highly birefringent, individual PBT spherulites. The PBT spherulites have a narrow size distribution and a high surface-to-volume ratio. These particles are suggested to arise from a rapid crystallization that follows liquid–liquid phase separation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Criteria for the preparation of cross-linked poly(meth)acrylate microparticles by solution free radical polymerization

Cross-linked polymer microparticles (CPMs) with nanoscopic size were synthesized from the free radical polymerization of acrylate/diacrylate mixtures or of their methacrylate counterparts. The syntheses were carried out in solution, and the study of the influence of the solvent on the CPM characteristics led to the definition of reliable criteria for the obtention of true, soluble, individualized microgels and for avoiding macro-gelation, when starting from any desired monomer combination. Two main parameters could be pointed out: first, the probability of propagation of the growing radicals, q, (or the kinetic chain length λ = 1/1 − q) that must be kept below a certain threshold value in order to prevent macrogelation; q may be adjusted by playing on the monomer, initiator and transfer agent concentrations. The second essential criterion is the ability of the copolymer for auto-stabilization in the chosen solvent (that may be adjusted by the use of a suitable stabilizing co-monomer in case the quality of the solvent would not be sufficient), in order to avoid flocculation and interparticular reactions. By controlling these two parameters, the preparation of CPMs becomes possible over a wide range of concentration and composition.     

Preparation of pH-responsive phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone) membrane by redox-graft pore-filling polymerization technique

In this communication, a simple method for the preparation of environmentally responsive membrane, in situ redox-graft pore filling polymerization, was reported. Phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide was used to prepare porous membranes by means of classical phase inversion method. After that, methylacrylic acid was grafted successfully onto the membranes using the method reported here. Then, surface chemical changes and membrane morphology changes before and after graft polymerization were investigated by the ATR–FTIR and FESEM, respectively, to ascertain the formation and location of graft. Besides, the graft yield was also determined gravimetrically under different monomer concentrations. At last, in the hydraulic permeability experiments and diffusional permeability experiments using VB₁₂ and KCl as solutes, the grafted membranes prepared using the reported method exhibited marked, rapid and reversible pH-response.