Polymerization of styrene with VCl4–aluminum alkyls

Polymerization of styrene has been carried out with VCl₄–AlEt₃ and VCl₄–Al(i-Bu)₃ catalyst systems. These two systems have been found to behave in a similar manner but their behavior is different from those systems where VOCl₃ has been used instead of VCl₄. Reaction is first order with respect to monomer concentration for both the systems and first order with respect to catalyst in the case of VCl₄–AlEt₃. In the case of VCl₄–Al(i-Bu)₃, the rate of polymerization is independent of catalyst concentration but intrinsic viscosities increase with increasing catalyst concentration. The average valence of vanadium in the catalyst complexes has been discussed in relation to nature of catalyst sites. Activation energy and effect of diethyl zinc support the anionic mechanism for the two systems.     

Polymerization of styrene with the VOCL3–AlEt2Br catalyst system

The rate of polymerization with the VOCl₃–AlEt₂Br catalyst system at 30°C. in n-hexane reached a maximum at an Al/V molar ratio of 1.5. At this ratio, the rate of polymerization was first-order with respect to catalyst and second-order with respect to monomer concentrations. The apparent activation energy calculated was 6.4 kcal./mole. Diethylzine was found to act as a chain transfer agent. However, the molecular weights of polymers obtained were low. The possibility of bromide-containing catalyst sites acting in the termination reaction has been investigated. The average valence of vanadium is discussed in relation to molecular weights.     

Polymerization of σ-bonded organo-transition metal derivatives of styrene

Five new monomers of transition metal complexes containing a styryl group, trans-\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm Pd}({\rm PBu}_{\rm 3})_2 \rlap{--} ({\rm C}_6 {\rm H}_4 {\rm CH} \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} {\rm CH}_2 ){\rm X\ X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} Cl(Ia),\ X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} Br(Ib)},\ {\rm X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} CN(Ic),\ X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} Ph(Id)} $\end{document} and trans-\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm Pt(PBu}_{\rm 3} {\rm )}_{\rm 2} \rlap{--} ({\rm C}_{\rm 6} {\rm H}_{\rm 4} {\rm CH} \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} {\rm CH}_2 ){\rm Cl}({\rm II})$\end{document}, were synthesized. The monomers were readily homopolymerized in benzene with the use of AIBN or BBu₃–oxygen as the initiator. Copolymerization of Ia with styrene was carried out by using AIBN. From the Cl content of the copolymers by analysis, monomer reactivity ratios and Q–e values were obtained as follows: r₁ = 1.49, r₂ = 0.45; Q₂ = 0.41, e₂ = ?1.4 (M₁ = styrene, M₂ = Ia). Based on the above data, the σ-bonded palladium moiety at para position of styrene acts as a strongly electron-donating group to the phenyl ring. This is also supported by the olefinic β-carbon chemical shift of ¹³C NMR for Ia.     

Polymerization of styrene with chromium acetylacetonate–triisobutylaluminum catalyst system

Styrene is polymerized with chromium acetylacetonate–triisobutylaluminum catalyst at 40°C in a benzene medium. At the stoichiometric ratio of Al/Cr of 4, the activity for polymerization was found to be maximum. Further, the kinetic studies were carried out at this ratio of Al/Cr of maximum activity. The kinetics of polymerization and the total activation energy around 10.00 kcal/mole suggest a coordinate anionic mechanism.     

Kinetics and mechanism of stereospecific polymerization of methyl methacrylate with VOCl3–AlEt2Cl catalyst system

Methyl methacrylate was polymerized at 40°C with VOCl₃–AlEt₂Cl catalyst system in n-hexane. The rate of polymerization was proportional to catalyst and monomer concentration at Al/V ratio of 2 and overall activation energy of 9.25 kcal/mole support a coordinate anionic mechanism of polymerization. The catalytic activity and stereospecificity of this catalyst system is discussed in comparison with that of VOCl₃–AlEt₃ catalyst system.     

Polymerization of propylene with TiCl3–AlEt2Cl–polymeric electron donor catalyst

Polymeric donors having ether or carbonyl groups were added to the TiCI₃–AlEt₂CI catalyst system as the third component, and the effects on the polymerization of propylene were investigated in comparison with the effect of the electron donors with low molecular weight. The polymeric donors were effective in making the catalyst more active, but the donors of low molecular weight depressed the catalyst activity. In the case of poly(propylene glycol dimethyl ether) (PPG-DME), PPG–DME with a number of propylene oxide units (n) of more than 6.7 was effective in enhancing the catalyst activity. These effects were considered to be due to the different reactivities between TiCI₃ and AlEt₂CI-polymeric donor complexes having various chain lengths.     

Probing the effects of π–π stacking on the controlled radical polymerization of styrene and fluorinated styrene

The addition of the π–π stacking agent octafluorotoluene (OFT) resulted in up to a 50% reduction in monomer conversion after 24 h for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reactions of styrene, when performed at 85 °C with 1 eq of OFT compared with styrene in the initial reaction mixture. Monitoring the progress showed that the ATRP of styrene in the presence of either OFT or hexafluorobenzene (HFB) maintained a linear relationship between monomer conversion and number average molecular weights, while showing a first order rate dependence on monomer. The effects of π–π stacking on the K_ATRP could be overcome by using adjusting the redox activity of the metal‐ligand complex while maintaining reaction temperatures of 85 °C. Further experiments showed that nitroxide‐mediated polymerizations of St were affected to an identical extent by the presence of the π–π stacking agent HFB. The ATRP of pentafluorostyrene (PFSt) in the presence of π–π stackers benzene or toluene showed an increase in monomer conversion compared with reactions in their absence, consistent with M_n π–π stacking increasing the stability of the active radical. Interactions between the π–π stacking agents OFT and HFB and the aromatic groups in the ATRP of St or PFSt were verified by ¹H NMR analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Blends of poly(2,6–dimethyl–1,4–phenylene oxide) with styrene copolymers

Binary blends of poly(2,6–dimethyl–1,4–phenylene oxide) (PPE) with various styrene copolymers were investigated. Poly(styrene–co–acrylonitrile) (SAN), poly[styrene–co–(methyl methacrylate)] (SMMA), poly[styrene–co–(acrylic acid)] (SAA) and poly[styrene–co–(maleic anhydride)] (SMA) are only miscible with PPE when the amount of comonomer is rather small. From calculated binary interaction densities it can be concluded that the strong repulsion between PPE and comonomer limits miscibility. In blends of PPE with SAN, as well as with ABS, the inter-facial tension between the blend components is significantly reduced upon addition of polystyrene–block–poly–(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers (PS–b–PMMA) and polystyrene–block–poly (ethylene–co–butylene)–block–poly–(methyl methacrylate) triblock copolymers (PS–b–PEB–b–PMMA). They show a profound influence on morphology, phase adhesion and mechanical blend properties.     

Polymerization of alkylene oxides with aluminum alkyl–strong phosphoric acid–lewis base catalyst

Polymerization of epichlorohydrin (ECH) and copolymerization of propylene oxide–allyl glycidyl ether were studied by using a catalyst consisting of aluminum alkyl–strong phosphoric acid–Lewis base. This system showed high polymerization activity for alkylene oxides, and it was elucidated by x-ray diffraction analysis that the resultant ECH polymer was completely amorphous. The polymerization was presumed to be of the coordinated anionic type. The physical properties of the vulcanized polymers were studied.     

Polymerization of aromatic nuclei. XIV. Polymerization of toluene with aluminum chloride–cupric chloride

The polymerization of toluene with aluminum chloride and cupric chloride was performed in carbon disulfide and in a neat system. The solvent reaction produced an insoluble, light-brown product which did not melt below 350°C. In the neat system, polymerization was much more vigorous, yielding a dark, purple-brown solid with mp ～250°C and molecular weight of 634. Infrared, NMR, and ultraviolet spectroscopy, along with elemental analysis and oxidative degradation, indicated that the backbone chain contains o-polyphenylene units with the methyl group situated in the 4-position. Some p-polyphenylene structures may also be present. Evidence for small amounts of benzyl and polynuclear moieties was obtained. The mechanistic aspects are discussed. Our principal conclusions concerning oligomer structure are in disagreement with those of Kuwata.     

γ Radiolysis of polyethylene grafted with styrene

γ Radiolysis of polyethylene grafted with styrene of 0–76 wt % was carried out at 30–100°C in vacuo with a dose rate of 6.35 × 10⁵ rad/hr. The formation of hydrogen and trans-vinylene unsaturation decreased as the content of styrene unit in polymer increased and the rate of formation was described by zero-order formation kinetics with respect to each concentration combined with first-order disappearance. The gel fraction changed with the content of styrene unit according to irradiation time and temperature. The gel data were evaluated by using the Charlesby–Pinner equation. Kinetic analysis showed that in γ radiolysis of polyethylene grafted with styrene the formation of hydrogen is somewhat retarded, the crosslinking and main chain scission are accelerated, and the disappearance of hydrogen and formation and disappearance of trans-vinylene unsaturation are almost entirely unaffected. On the basis of these results the reactions induced by γ rays in graft polymer were discussed in connection with the reaction mechanisms of the γ radiolyses of polyethylene and polystyrene.     

RAFT Miniemulsion Polymerization Kinetics, 1 – Polymerization Rate

The polymerization kinetics of a RAFT‐mediated radical polymerization inside submicron particles (30 < D_p < 300 nm) is considered. When the time fraction of active radical period, ϕ_A, is larger than ca. 1%, the polymerization rate increases with reducing particle size, as for the cases of conventional emulsion polymerization. The rate retardation by the addition of RAFT agent occurs with or without intermediate termination in zero‐one systems. For the particles with D_p < 100 nm, the statistical variation of monomer concentration among particles may not be neglected. It was found that this monomer‐concentration‐variation (MCV) effect may slow down the polymerization rate. An analytical expression describing the MCV effect is proposed, which is valid for both RAFT and conventional miniemulsion polymerizations.

     

Effect of valence state of vanadium on stereoblock polymerization of methyl methacrylate with VOCl3–AlEt2Br catalyst system

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate with the VOCL₃–ALEt₂Br catalyst system in n-hexane has been studied. The first-order dependence of rate of polymerization on catalyst and monomer concentrations, activation energy of 6.67 kcal/mole, and NMR spectra of polymer lend support to a coordinate anionic mechanism of polymerization. It has been shown that the vanadium in V⁺² oxidation state is less active than V⁺³ oxidation state of active complex.     

Polymerization of aromatic nuclei. XVIII. Polymerization of benzene to poly-p-phenylene by aluminum chloride–air–water

Although the reaction of benzene with aluminum chloride has been quite thoroughly examined by prior investigators, the present report is the first one on formation of poly-p-phenylene in this system. Optimum conditions, which gave low yields, involved 7 days at 49–51deg;C. The presence of oxygen (oxidant) and presumably water (cocatalyst) was necessary in order for polymerization to occur. Physical and chemical properties, e.g., behavior toward Br₂ and H₂O₂–CH₃CO₂H, indicate that the polymer structure is slightly different from that of the material from C₆H₆–AlCl₃–CuCl₂. The polymer from C₆H₆–AlCl₃ may possess a lower molecular weight and exhibits a greater degree of structural irregularity in the form of dihydrobenzene, p-quinoid, or polynuclear regions. In the chemical studies, various compounds were used as models (tetrahydroquaterphenyl, triphenylene, and lower p-polyphenyls).     

Thermal Polymerization of Styrene,Part 1 – Bulk Polymerization

The thermal bulk polymerization of styrene is critically reviewed. There is still no generally accepted kinetic model for the thermal radical formation process, but ideal second‐ or third‐order models are widely used for modeling bulk systems. Since initiation and chain transfer reactions cannot be treated independently from one another as long as the same species is considered to be involved, it is concluded that non‐ideal kinetics, possibly in form of a (micro‐)viscosity dependency of the Mayo mechanism, are likely to be present. A mathematical model is presented that keeps the predictive capabilities of the Hui‐Hamielec model, but allows facile implementation of reaction specific modifications. Part 2 of this paper will focus on the effect of compartmentalization on the thermal polymerization of styrene.

     

Polymerization of styrene oxide catalyzed by a diethylzinc/α-pinene oxide system

Styrene oxide (SO) was polymerized with a diethylzinc/α-pinene oxide (ZnEt₂/α-PiO) catalyst system under various conditions. Polystyrene oxide (PSO) thus obtained had a regular head-to-tail and isotactic structure. The number-average molecular weight reached 4.07 × 10⁴, and the molecular weight distribution was 5.7 (M_w/M_n). The glass-transition temperature of PSO was about 47 to 50 °C, depending on the molecular weight. The molar ratio of ZnEt₂ to α-PiO, 2 : 1, led to a high molecular weight of PSO in an 89.2% yield within 72 h. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4640–4645, 1999     

Polymerization of coordinated monomers. XII. Alternating copolymerization of γ-crotonolactone with styrene with the use of stannic chloride

γ-Crotonolactone and styrene copolymerize alternately in the presence of stannic chloride at -10°C under photoirradiation. The intrinsic viscosity of the resulting copolymer is in the range of 0.6–0.8 dl/g at 30°C in chloroform. The equilibrium constants for the complex formation between stannic chloride and γ-crotonolactone were determined in 1,2-dichloroethane-toluene solution at 0 and ?20°C by use of absorption band at 350 nm. Continuous variation plots based on the ¹H-chemical shift show a 1:1 interaction between styrene and the γ-crotonolactone coordinated to stannic chloride. The equilibrium constants for the ternary molecular complex formation between the coordinated γ-crotonolactone and styrene were determined in 1,2-dichloroethane in the temperature range from ?20 to 0°C. The equilibrium constants, derived independently from the measurements of the nonequivalent protons in γ-crotonolactone, are equal to each other within the experimental error. The mechanism of the alternating copolymerization of γ-crotonolactone and styrene in the presence of stannic chloride is discussed in terms of the homopolymerization of the ternary molecular complex.     

Polymerization of optically active β-substituted β-propiolactones. IV. β-1,1-dichloroalkyl β-propiolactones polymerized with aluminum triisopropoxide

The polymerization of three optically active β-1,1-dichloroalkyl β-propiolactones has been investigated in toluene, at 55°C, using aluminum triisopropoxide (Al(OiPr)₃) as initiator in a range of monomer/initiator molar ratios smaller than 150. β-1,1-dichloroethyl β-propiolactone polymerizes according to a living mechanism. However, the ability to polymerize decreases with an increase in the length of the alkyl substituent. For instance, β-1,1-dichloro-n-propyl β-propiolactone is obtained only in low yields, whereas β-1,1-dichloro-n-butyl β-propiolactone does not polymerize at all. Actually, each of the lactones investigated reacts with Al(OiPr)₃ in an initiation step that obeys a coordination-insertion mechanism. However, the size of the chloroalkyl substituent has a critical effect on the propagation: when the alkyl group contains more than two methylene units, the insertion of a second monomer becomes exceedingly slow.     

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.