Epoxide polymers: Synthesis,stereochemistry, structure,and mechanism

Epoxide polymerization studies have yielded technically important catalysts and polymers. The polymers were studied by cleaving them with Group IA organometallics to monomer, dimer, and trimer glycol fragments. The identification of these glycol fragments has established that the crystalline polymers from the cis- and trans-2,3-epoxybutanes are respectively racemic and meso-diisotactic and that the amorphous polymer from the cis-oxide is disyndiotactic. These studies also showed that the amorphous fraction from propylene oxide polymerization with coordination catalysts contains substantial head-to-head and tail-to-tail segments. This work has led to a much better understanding of the mechanism of epoxide polymerization. These facts were established: (1) epoxides polymerize with inversion of configuration of the ring-opening carbon atom; (2) monosubstituted epoxides polymerize largely by attack on the primary carbon with a coordination catalyst; and (3) two or more metal atoms must be involved in the coordination polymerization of epoxides.     

Di-isotacticity of poly(methyl propenyl ether) and double-bond opening of methyl propenyl ether in cationic polymerization

The di-isotacticity of poly(methylpropenyl ether) obtained by the cationic polymerization has been studied by NMR spectra. The NMR spectra of β-methyl protons of the polymer are decoupled from the β-methine proton spectra to determine the di-isotactic fraction in a polymer. The signals of β-methyl protons at 8.78 and 8.89 τ are estimated as spectra based on threo- and erythro-di-isotactic diads, respectively. With BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ as a catalyst, the trans monomer yields a crystalline polymer and its structure is threo-di-isotactic. Otherwise, cis monomer produces an amorphous polymer, and it is a mixture of threo- and erythro-di-isotactic structure. From these results, it is concluded that the double bond in trans monomer is opened exclusively in the cis type, and in cis monomer cis- and trans-openings take place at almost the same rate.     

Stereoelective cationic polymerization of propenyl ether by asymmetric catalysts

In order to elucidate the possibility of stereoelective cationic polymerization (asymmetric selective polymerization) of olefinic monomers, racemic cis- and trans-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether and racemic 1-methylpropyl vinyl ether were polymerized by asymmetric alkoxyaluminum dichlorides. In the polymerization of racemic cis-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether with (?)-menthoxyaluminum dichloride in toluene at ?78°C, the polymer obtained showed a positive optical activity, and the residual monomers were converted by BF₃OEt₂ into a polymer having a negative optical activity. Thus, the stereoelective polymerization of racemic cis-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether was beyond any doubt attained in homogeneous cationic polymerization. In the polymerization of the trans isomer by the same catalyst, an optically active polymer was hardly formed. In the polymerization of racemic 1-methylpropyl vinyl ether which has no β-methyl group, stereoelectivity was not observed at all. The cis-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether did not produce an optical active polymer in the polymerization catalyzed by (S)-1-methylpropoxyaluminum dichloride or (S)-2-methylbutoxyaluminum dichloride under the same polymerization conditions.     

Cationic photopolymerization of cis‐2,3‐tetramethylene‐1,4,6‐trioxaspiro[4,4]nonane

The spiro‐orthoester, cis‐2,3‐tetramethylene‐1,4,6‐trioxaspiro[4,4]nonane (cis‐TTN) ( I ), underwent rapid cationic photopolymerization when exposed to UV light using diphenyliodonium salts as a photoinitiator. The polymer, poly[(trans‐OCB)_x′‐(cis‐OCB)_x″‐(CHO)_y] thus formed consisted of poly(trans‐2‐oxycyclohexyl butanoate) (trans‐OCB)_x′ ( II ), poly(cis‐2‐oxycyclohexyl butanoate) (cis‐OCB)_x″ ( III ), and poly‐ (1,2‐cyclohexene oxide) (CHO)_y segments, and no expected pure poly(ether‐ester), that is, poly(2‐oxycyclohexyl butanoate), was isolated. The structure of the polymer was identified, and the mechanism of the reaction was deduced. The polymer thus formed exhibited expansion in volume during cationic photopolymerization when compared to that obtained by conventional cationic polymerization using a Lewis acid (e.g., BF₃OEt₂, CH₃OSO₂CF₃, or SnCl₄) as an initiator, which demonstrated volume shrinkage during polymerization. The volume expansion of the polymer during polymerization was due to (1) the lower content of the higher density (CHO)_y segment in the polymer chain and, more importantly, (2) the higher and optimal mole ratio of (trans‐OCB)_x′ and (cis‐OCB)_x″ segments that led the polymer in a more disordered, less dense, and higher volumetric state. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3680–3690, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of polymers of 1,4-hexadienes

The homopolymerization of trans-1,4-hexadiene, cis-1,4-hexadiene, and 5-methyl-1,4-hexadiene was investigated with a variety of catalysts. During polymerization, 1,4-hexadienes undergo concurrent isomerization reactions. The nature and extent of isomerization products are influenced by the monomer structure and polymerization conditions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) data show that poly(trans-1,4-hexadiene) and poly(cis-1,4-hexadiene) prepared with a Et₃Al/α-TiCl₃/hexamethylphosphoric triamide catalyst system consist mainly of 1,2-polymerization units arranged in a regular head-to-tail sequence. A 300-MHz proton NMR spectrum shows that the trans-hexadiene polymer is isotactic; it also may be the case for the cis-hexadiene polymer. These polymers are the first examples of uncrosslinked ozone-resistant rubbers containing pendant unsaturation on alternating carbon atoms of the saturated carbon-carbon backbone. Polymerization of the 1,4-hexadienes was also studied with VOCl₃- and β-TiCl₃-based catalysts. Microstructures of the resulting polymers are quite complicated due to significant loss of unsaturation, in contrast to those obtained with the α-TiCl₃-based catalyst. In agreement with the literature, there was no discernible monomer isomerization with the VOCl₃ catalyst system.     

Polymerization of acetylenic derivatives. XXX. Isomers of polyphenylacetylene

Cis-transoidal (orange, soluble, and of low crystallinity) and cis-cisoidal (red, insoluble, and highly crystalline) polyphenylacetylenes (PPA) were prepared by Ziegler-Natta catalysts and trans-cisoidal (yellow, soluble, and amorphous) polyphenylacetylenes were prepared by using phosphine complexes, TiCl₄ and by thermal initiation. The cis-transoidal and cis-cisoidal structures isomerize thermally in the solid state above 100°C. In solution the cis-transoidal structure isomerizes above 80°C. The polymers obtained by thermal isomerization are soluble, amorphous, and have a trans-cisoidal structure. At temperatures higher than 120°C the cis–trans isomerization is accompanied by cyclization and by scission of the polymer chain. A method was developed for determination of cis content of cis-transoidal and cis-cisoidal polyphenylacetylenes.     

Cationic polymerization of 1,3-pentadiene I. infrared, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR investigations on the microstructure of poly(1,3-pentadiene) synthesized with cationic catalysts

This study deals with cationic polymerization of the cis- and trans-isomers of 1,3-pentadiene. The microstructure of the polymer chains is studied by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and IR spectroscopies. It is shown that the trans-diene gives strictly trans-1,4 and trans-1,2 residual linear insaturations, whereas the cis-isomer yields also cis-1,4, cis-1,2 and 3,4-units whose overall content can reach 10 mol-%. According to the cyclization degree of the macromolecules, ranging from 30 to 70 mol-%, the number of trans-(1,2+1,4) units varies between 33 to 65 mol-% and that of trans-1,2 units between 4 and 20 mol-%. An analytical method is proposed to evaluate the average number of rings present in the polycyclic sequences. It is found that the cyclic fragments of the polymer chains consist of bi- or tri-cyclohexane fused rings containing α tetrasubstituted double bond.     

Cationic polymerization of cyclic dienes. X. Cationic polymerization of 1-vinylcyclohexene and 3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene

1-Vinylcyclohexene (VCH), which has one of the double bonds in the ring and the other outside the ring, was synthesized and polymerized by cationic catalysts. The reactivity of VCH was very large in the polymerizations catalyzed by boron trifluoride etherate (BF₃OEt₂) and stannic chloride–trichloroacetic acid complex. Similar to other cyclic dienes, the polymerization of VCH was a nonstationary reaction having a very fast initiation step. The polymerization proceeded by either a 1,2- or a 1,4-propagation mode in which vinyl group was always involved. Particularly when BF₃OEt₂ was used as a catalyst, an intramolecular proton or an intramolecular hydride ion transfer reaction took place, resulting in the formation of methyl groups in the polymer. The degree of polymerization of polymer formed was about 10. This indicates the preponderance of monomer transfer reaction. To investigate the reason for the high reactivity of cyclic dienes, cationic copolymerizations of VCH and 3-methyl-cis/trans-1,3-pentadiene (cis/trans-MPD) was carried out. The relative reactivity of monomers decreased in the order VCH > trans-MPD > cis-MPD. On the other hand, the resonance stabilization of monomers decreased in the order VCH > trans-MPD > cis-MPD. Therefore, it could be considered that the monomer reactivity is mainly determined by the stability of carbonium ion intermediate. The relative stability of carbonium ion must be VCH > trans-MPD > cis-MPD. Thus the influence of the conformation of ion on its stability was clearly demonstrated.     

Reversible Transformation between Amorphous and Crystalline States of Unsaturated Polyesters by Cis–Trans Isomerization

An aliphatic polyester has been prepared from ethylene oxide and maleic anhydride that undergoes reversible transformation between amorphous (T_g=18 °C) and crystalline (T_m=124 °C) states through cis–trans isomerization of the C=C bonds in the polymer backbone without any change in either the molecular weight or dispersity of the polymer. A similar transformation was also observed in chiral unsaturated polyesters formed from enantiopure terminal epoxides, such as epichlorohydrin, phenyl glycidyl ether, and (2,3‐epoxypropyl)benzene. These unsaturated polyesters with 100 % E‐configuration in the crystalline state were prepared by quantitative isomerization of their Z‐configuration analogues in the presence of a catalytic amount of diethylamine, while in the presence of benzophenone, irradiation with 365 nm UV light resulted in the transformation of about 30 % trans‐alkene to cis‐maleate form, thereby affording amorphous polyesters.     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. XV. Stereospecific polymerization of butenyl ethers by cationic catalysts

Methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl butenyl ethers, CH₃CH₂CH?CHOR, were polymerized with homogeneous catalysts at ?78°C. Toluene, methylene chloride, and nitroethane were used as solvents, and BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂ and SnCl₄·CCl₃CO₂H were used as catalysts. The stereoregularity of the polymers were compared by x-ray diagrams and infrared absorption ratios. The stereoregularity of polymers increased with increasing content of the trans isomer in the monomer and with increasing polarity of the solvent. In the polymerization of methyl and ethyl butenyl ethers, crystalline polymers were obtained from both the trans and cis isomers. The crystalline polymer prepared from the trans isomer and that from the cis isomer had the same steric structure. This behavior is quite different from that observed in the polymerization of propenyl ethers. It is concluded that the bulkiness of the group on the olefinic β-carbon plays an important role in the stereospecific polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins.     

Transformations of chloroethylenes in the presence of aprotonic acids

The cationic polymerization of vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and cis- and trans- 1,2-dichloroethylenes with the use of Lewis acid-type catalysts has been studied. Vinylidene chloride is smoothly polymerized in the presence of ZnCl₂ at 40°C to form the dimer, 1,1,3,3-tetrachlorobutene-1, and poly(vinylidene chloride) having somewhat increased crystallinity (45%). Vinyl chloride is polymerized very slowly in the presence of AlCl₃ and TiCl₄ to give dimeric, trimeric, tetrameric, and low molecular weight polymer products. The polymerization is followed by carbonium ion isomerization that leads to reaction products of branched structure. The cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylenes react in the presence of AlCl₃ only at 50–60°C, and their polymerization is terminated at the stage of dimer and cyclic trimer formation. A mechanism of carbonium ion-initiated polymerization of chloroethylenes is proposed, and the causes which lead to early termination of polymerization are discussed.     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. IV. Stereospecific polymerization of propenyl alkyl ethers catalyzed by BF3·O(C2H5)2 and Al2(SO4)3–H2SO4 complex

The cis- and trans-propenyl alkyl ethers were polymerized by a homogeneous catalyst [BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂] and a heterogeneous catalyst [Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex]. Methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and tert-butyl propenyl ethers were used as monomers. The steric structure of the polymers formed depended on the geometric structures of monomer and the polymerization conditions. In polymerizations with BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C., trans isomers produced crystalline polymers, but cis isomers formed amorphous ones except for tert-butyl propenyl ether. On the other hand, highly crystalline polymers were formed from cis isomers, but not from the trans isomers in the polymerization by Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex at 0°C. The x-ray diffraction patterns of the crystalline polymers obtained from the trans isomers were different from those produced from the cis isomers, except for poly(methyl propenyl ether). The reaction mechanism was discussed briefly on these basis of these results.     

Structure and reactivity α,β-unsaturated ethers. II. Cationic copolymerizations of propenyl isobutyl ether

cis- and trans-Propenyl isobutyl ethers were copolymerized with each other and each with vinyl isobutyl ether separately under various conditions. In homogeneous polymerizations a cis-β-methyl substitution on vinyl isobutyl ether apparently enhanced the reactivity, whereas the trans substitution tended to reduce it slightly. In heterogeneous catalysis, on the other hand, a β-methyl group on the vinyl ether, whether cis or trans, greatly reduced the reactivity, probably because of the steric hindrance toward the adsorption of monomers on the catalyst surface. The relative reactivities of cis- and trans-propenyl isobutyl ethers ranged from 2 to 20, depending on the polymerization conditions. The polymer end formed from the cis monomer exhibited special steric effects. It was concluded that even in homogeneous media the rotation of the polymer end around the terminal carbon–carbon bond is restricted.     

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF cis-,4-POLYBUTADIENE CONTAINING A FRACTION OF trans-1,4-POLYBUTADIENE

Polymerization of butadiene catalysed first with V(acac)_3-Al(i-Bu)_2Cl, then with Co(acac)_3-H_2O-Al(i-Bu)_2Cl has been studied. The polymer obtained was identified to be a new variety of cis-1,4-polybutadiene which contained a fraction of trans-1,4-polybutadiene chemically bonded to the cis-1,4-polybutadiene chains. Its molecular weight and trans-1,4 content can be regulated by varying the catalyst composition and concentration as well as other polymerization conditions. The trans-1,4 fraction, although it presents only in 9—16%, forms a crystalline phase in the matrix at room temperature and facilitates the crystallization of the polymer.     

Ring-opening polymerization of α,β-disubstituted oxiranes by α-methoxyphenylmethylium hexachloroantimonate

α-Methoxyphenylmethylium hexachloroantimonate was used as a novel initiator for the polymerization of α,β-disubstituted oxiranes such as cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and 2-butene oxide (trans and cis) (2-BO) at ?78°C with dichloromethane or dichloromethane-toluene mixtures as solvents. The CHO polymerization mixture became turbid and the polymer precipitated in dichloromethane. The CHO polymerization proceed quantitatively in dichloromethane–toluene mixtures. The molecular weight distribution of polyCHO obtained was bimodal regardless of the solvent used. The polymerization of trans-2-BO was heterogeneous in both dichloromethane and dichloromethane–toluene mixture. The polymerization mixtures of cis-2-BO were transparent but reached a limit yield which was less than the polymer yield of trans-2-BO. Furthermore, the microstructure of the poly2-BOs were analyzed by Vandenberg's method and the results confirmed Vandenberg's finding that inversion of configuration occurs in the propagation step.     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. VI. Steric structure of poly(methyl propenyl ether) obtained by cationic catalysts

The steric structure of poly(methyl propenyl ether) obtained by cationic polymerization was studied by NMR spectra. From the analysis of β-methyl and α-methoxyal spectra, it was found that the tacticities of the α-carbon were different from those of the β-carbon in all polymers obtained. In the crystalline polymers obtained from the trans isomer by homogeneous catalysts, BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ or Al(C₂H₅)Cl₂, and from the cis isomer by a heterogeneous catalyst, Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex, the structure of polymers was threo-di-isotactic. Though the configurations of all α-carbons were isotactic, a small amount of syndiotactic structure was observed in the β-carbon. On the other hand, in the amorphous polymer obtained from cis isomer by the homogeneous catalyst, the configuration of the α-carbon was isotactic, but that of the β-carbon was atactic. These facts suggest that the type of opening of a monomeric double bond is complicated, or that carbon–carbon double bond in an incoming monomer rotates in the transition state. From these experimental results, a probability treatment was proposed from the diad tacticity of α,β-disubstituted polymers. It shows that the tacticity is decided by a polymerization mechanism different from that proposed by Bovey.     

Polymerization of glycidol and its derivatives: A new rearrangement polymerization

Anionic (KOH) polymerization of glycidol, or its trimethylsilyl ether (TMSGE) followed by hydrolysis, gives a low molecular weight, largely amorphous polymer that is not the reported 1,3-polyglycidol but, based on ¹³C-NMR, largely a 1,4-poly(3-hydroxyoxetane) with much branching. This result is achieved by a simple rearrangement of the usual, propagating secondary oxyanion to a primary one. Substantial amounts of four dimers (5–10%), four trimers, and some tetramers were also found. One dimer was isolated and shown to be glycidyl glycerin, the usual thermal dimer from glycidol. Possible structures of the other dimers are proposed. The polymerization appears to begin with the rapid formation of the glycidoxy anion , formed by base abstraction of a proton from glycidol and by nucleophilic displacement of the SiMe₃ group from TMSGE. Other bases such as KOtert-Bu give similar 1,4 polymer for glycidol but, with TMSGE, there is considerable 1,3 polymerization. Detailed mechanisms are proposed. The polymer perpared from R-TMSGE with KOH was highly crystalline, high melting (166°C), H₂O soluble, isotactic poly(3-hydroxyoxetane). The cationic polymerization of tert-butyl glycidyl ether (TBGE) and TMSGE gave low molecular weight 1,3 polyethers. The TBGE polymer was all head-to-tail whereas the polyglycidol from TMSGE contained extensive head-to-head chain units with considerable branching. Mechanisms for these interesting differences are proposed.     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. Part 17. Effect of polymerization conditions on the reactivity of alkenyl ethers relative to vinyl ethers

In order to clarify the propagation reaction, vinyl ether was copolymerized with the corresponding alkenyl ether under various conditions. cis-Propenyl ether (cis-PE) was several times more reactive than trans-PE and the corresponding vinyl ether in the copolymerization catalyzed by BF₃ · O(C₂H₅)₂ in toluene. However, the reactivity of cis-PE relative to trans-PE and the vinyl ether was found to be greatly decreased with increasing polarity of the solvent and to be very close to unity in such polar solvents as nitroethane. On the other hand, the reactivity of trans-IBPE relative to IBVE was scarcely changed by polymerization conditions. Also, the nature of the initiator and polymerization temperature affect the reactivity of cis-PE relative to the vinyl ether. These phenomena were explained by the relative stability of the bridged and open car bonium ions based on the polarity of the solvent and steric hindrance due to substituents in the trans isomer.     

Regiospecific cationic polymerization of spiroorthoesters with different cyclic ether ring sizes

Spiroorthoesters (SOEs), cis‐2,3‐tetramethylene‐1,4,6‐trioxaspiro[4,5]decane ( I ) and cis‐2,3‐tetramethylene‐1,4,6‐trioxaspiro[4,6]undecane ( II ), with different cyclic ether ring sizes were synthesized, and their stereostructure and steric energy were determined. With steric‐hindrance‐sensitized 9‐phenyl‐9,10‐dihydro‐anthracen‐10‐ylium cation as an initiator, I and II underwent regiospecific polymerization to yield trans form of stereoregular poly(ether esters)—poly(trans‐2‐oxycyclohexyl pentanoate) (? [trans‐2‐OCHP]_n? ) ( III ) and poly(trans‐2‐oxycyclohexyl hexanoate) (? [trans‐2‐OCHH]_n? ) ( V ), respectively. With SnCl₄ as another initiator, I and II underwent regiospecific polymerization through different mechanisms to afford cis form poly(cis‐2‐oxycyclohexyl pentanoate) (? [cis‐2‐OCHP]_n? ) ( IV ) and trans form (? [trans‐2‐OCHH]_n? ) ( VI ) stereoregular poly(ether esters). The polymerization mechanisms of SOEs proceeded in the regiospecific manner were determined by the relationship among the sterostructures of SOEs and its subsequently formed polymers, the steric energy of monomers, and the free energy difference in the transition state of reaction. Owing to the conversion of cis substitution at C‐2 and C‐3 in I or II to the trans form during polymerization, polymers III , V , and VI exhibited a higher volume of expansion during polymerization than IV , which showed high volume shrinkage. Group contributions of divalent trans‐ and cis‐1.2‐cyclohexyl groups were derived and confirmed by measuring the densities of the corresponding stereoregular polymers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

13C NMR spectroscopic study of lupinine and epilupinine salts and amine oxides

The ¹³C NMR spectra of the isomeric alkaloids lupinine and epilupinine and their perchlorates, methiodides and N-oxides are discussed. Chemical shift changes due to protonation, quaternization and N-oxidation are analysed. The trans-quinolizidine ring fusion is proved for epilupinine salts and for the N-oxide. Lupinine also exists predominantly with the trans ring fusion, but the cis ring fusion is found in the methiodide. An equilibrium of two stereoisomers, one with trans- and the other with cis-ring fusion, has been established for lupinine perchlorate in D₂O solution. Lupinine N-oxides isolated in the crystalline state are shown to have both trans- and the cis-ring fusion.