Helix-sense-selective radical polymerization of bulky styrenic monomers: chiral induction and liquid crystallinity

Eight chiral vinylterphenyl monomers,(+)-2,5-bis{4′-[(S)-1″-methylpropyloxy]phenyl}styrene(Ia),(+)-2,5-bis{4′-[(S)-2″-methylbutyloxy]phenyl}styrene(Ib),(+)-2,5-bis{4′-[(S)-3″-methylpentyloxy]phenyl}styrene(Ic),(+)-2,5-bis{4′-[(S)-4″-methylhexyloxy]phenyl}styrene(Id),(?)-2,5-bis{4′-[(R)-1″-methylpropyloxy]phenyl}styrene(Ie),(+)-2-{4′-[(S)-1″-methylpropyloxy]phenyl}-5-{4′-[(R)-1″-methylpropyloxy]phenyl}styrene(IIa),(?)-2-{4′-[(R)-1″-methylpropyloxy]phenyl}-5-{4′-[(S)-1″-methylpropyloxy]phenyl}styrene(IIb),and(+)-2-{4′-[(S)-2′′-methylbutyloxy]phenyl}-5-{4′-[(S)-1″-methylpropyloxy]phenyl}styrene(III),were synthesized and radically polymerized.These molecules were designed to further understand long-range chirality transfer in radical polymerization and to possibly tune the chiroptical properties of the polymers by varying the spatial configuration,position,and various combination of the stereogenic centers at the ends of p-terphenyl pendants.The resultant polymers adopted helical conformations with a predominant screw sense.When the stereogenic centers ran away from the terphenyl group as in Ib?d,the corresponding polymers changed the direction of optical rotation in an alternative way and showed no obvious stereomutation upon annealing in tetrahydrofuran.The two stereogenic centers of IIa,IIb,and III acted concertedly in chiral induction,whereas those of Ia and Ie played a counteractive role.The five polymers derived from Ia,Ie,IIa,IIb,and III underwent stereomutation when annealed in tetrahydrofuran.The polymers PIa?e had good thermal stability and high glass transition temperatures(Tgs).They generated liquid crystalline phases at above Tgs that could be kept upon cooling,with the exception of PIe.This result was consistent with the extended helical structures.     

Synthesis and radical polymerization of spiro orthocarbonates bearing exomethylene groups

Synthesis and radical polymerization of spiro orthocarbonates (SOCs) bearing exomethylene groups at the α to the ether oxygen ( 1a–1e ) were studied. SOCs 1a–1e were prepared by the successive reactions of dichlorodiphenoxymethane with two different diols followed by dehydrochlorination. Radical polymerization of the SOCs was carried out in the presence of an appropriate initiator (3 mol % versus monomer) at 130 and 180°C. The obtained polymer insoluble in n-hexane contained both vinyl polymerization unit 13 and double ring-opening polymerization unit 14 (ketone-carbonates). The degree of ring-opening followed the order: 1a <1b < 1d, 1e . n-Hexane-insoluble polymer was not obtained in the polymerization of 1c . Both steric hindrance of methyl group and ring size affected the degree of ring-opening. The introduction of methyl group into SOC increased the degree of ring-opening ( 1a <1b ), whereas the degree of ring-opening of either 1d , consisting of six- and seven-membered rings, and 1e , consisting of two seven-membered rings, was higher than those of 1a and 1b , consisting of five and seven-membered rings. From the molecular orbital calculation (PM3, UHF method), it was concluded that if the first single ring-opening occurs, then the successive second ring-opening takes place more smoothly. The first ring-opening requires more energy than the vinyl polymerization does. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Optically active helical polymer from radical polymerization of menthyl vinyl ketone

Menthyl vinyl ketone (MVK) was radically polymerized to obtain a polymer with excess of one‐handed helical sense. Like as the anionically polymerized poly‐MVK, the radically polymerized poly‐MVK also kept stable one‐handed helical conformation in solvent. The optical rotation and the circular dichroism signal intensity of the radically polymerized poly‐MVK were larger than that of the anionically polymerized poly‐MVK. The molecular weight of the radically polymerized poly‐MVK was much larger than that of the THF‐soluble part of the anionically polymerized poly‐MVK. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Polymerization of free secondary amine bearing monomers by RAFT polymerization and other controlled radical techniques

This work describes the polymerization of the free secondary amine bearing monomer 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐4‐yl methacrylate (TMPMA) by means of different controlled radical polymerization techniques (ATRP, RAFT, NMP). In particular, reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization enabled a good control at high conversions and a polydispersity index below 1.3, thereby enabling the preparation of well‐defined polymers. Remarkably, the polymerization of the secondary amine bearing methacrylate monomer was not hindered by the presence of the free amine that commonly induces degradation of the RAFT reagent. Subsequent oxidation of the polymer yielded the polyradical poly(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxy‐4‐yl methacrylate), which represents a valuable material used in catalysis as well as for modern batteries. The obtained polymers having a molar mass (M_n) of 10,000–20,000 g/mol were used to fabricate well‐defined, radical‐bearing polymer films by inkjet‐ printing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Branched polymer via free radical polymerization of chain transfer monomer: A theoretical and experimental investigation

A simple mathematic model for the free radical polymerization of chain transfer monomers containing both polymerizable vinyl groups and telogen groups was proposed. The molecular architecture of the obtained polymer can be prognosticated according to the developed model, which was validated experimentally by homopolymerization of 4‐vinyl benzyl thiol (VBT) and its copolymerization with styrene. The chain transfer constant (C_T) of telogen group in a chain transfer monomer is considered to play an important role to determine the architecture of obtained polymer according to the proposed model, either in homopolymerization or copolymerization. A highly branched polymer will be formed when the C_T value is around unity, while a linear polymer with a certain extent of side chains will be obtained when the C_T value is much bigger or smaller than unity. The C_T of VBT was determined to be around 15 by using the developed model and ¹H NMR monitored experiments. The obtained poly(VBT) and its copolymers were substantiated to be mainly consisted of linear main chain with side branching chains, which is in agreement with the anticipation from the developed model. The glass transition temperature, number average molecular weight, and its distribution of those obtained polymer were primarily investigated. This model is hopefully to be used as a strategy to select appropriate chain transfer monomers for preparing hyperbranched polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1449–1459, 2008     

Quinone transfer radical polymerization of styrene: Synthesis of the actual initiator

ortho‐Quinones, such as phenanthrenequinone and 3,6‐dimethoxyphenanthrenequinone, added with a catalytic amount of metal complexes, impart control to styrene polymerization via the previously reported quinone transfer radical polymerization (QTRP) process. In this study, compounds that mimic the dormant species proposed in the QTRP mechanism have been synthesized and tested as initiators in the presence of cobalt(II) acetylacetonate. These compounds, and particularly 3,6‐dimethoxy‐10‐hydroxy‐10‐(1‐phenyl‐ethyl)‐phenanthren‐9‐one, are effective control agents for the radical polymerization of styrene, in agreement with the recently proposed mechanism. Moreover, the induction period, which has been systematically reported in the presence of ortho‐quinones, is no longer observed. The end capping of the polystyrene chains by the control agent has been confirmed by ¹H NMR analysis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1233–1244, 2006     

Synthesis of diblock copolymers by combining stable free radical polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

A stable nitroxyl radical functionalized with an initiating group for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), 4‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyloxy)‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (Br‐TEMPO), was synthesized by the reaction of 4‐hydroxyl‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide. Stable free radical polymerization of styrene was then carried out using a conventional thermal initiator, dibenzoyl peroxide, along with Br‐TEMPO. The obtained polystyrene had an active bromine atom for ATRP at the ω‐end of the chain and was used as the macroinitiator for ATRP of methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate to prepare block copolymers. The molecular weights of the resulting block copolymers at different monomer conversions shifted to higher molecular weights and increased with monomer conversion. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2468–2475, 2006     

Synthesis and radical ring-opening polymerization of vinylcyclopropanes bearing vinylsilane groups

Synthesis and radical polymerization of novel vinylcyclopropanes; 1-carboethoxy-2-trimethylsilyl-2-vinylcyclopropane ( 1a ) and 1-carboethoxy-2-(1-trimethylsilyl)-vinylcyclopropane ( 1b ), were examined. 1a and 1b were prepared by the coupling reaction of 2-trimethylsilylbutadiene with ethyl diazoacetate, which was prepared from glycine ethyl ester hydrochloride. The radical polymerization of 1a and 1b was carried out at 60°C in bulk for 40 h in the presence of 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (5 mol % vs. monomer). Poly( 1 ) consisted of a 1,5-ring-opened unit. Desilylation reaction of poly( 1 ) proceeded quantitatively in aqueous hydrochloric acid. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2037–2042, 1998     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of vinyl monomers in the presence of tetraethylthiuram disulfide

In situ ATRPs of MMA, St in the presence of TD catalyzed by FeCl₃/PPh₃ and CuBr₂/bpy have been studied, respectively. The results showed that the initiator Et₂NCS₂X (X = Cl or Br) and catalyst FeCl₂ or CuBr were formed in situ from the initiating components and the polymerization exhibited living radical polymerization characteristics. In the case of St polymerization with TD/CuBr/bpy initiating system, an inverse ATRP was observed.     

Preparation and characterization of optically active polystyrene via a chiral nitroxide‐mediated polymerization

2,2,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐4‐[d‐(+)‐10‐camphorsulfonyl]‐1‐piperidinyloxy was synthesized and used as a chiral nitroxide for the bulk polymerizations of styrene initiated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO), tetraethylthiuram disulfide (TETD), and thermal initiation. The results showed that the polymerizations proceeded in a controlled/living way; that is, the kinetics presented approximately first‐order plots, and the number‐average molecular weights of the polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight) increased with the monomer conversion linearly. The molecular weight distributions in the case of thermal initiation were narrower than those in the case of BPO and TETD, whereas the polymerization rate with BPO or TETD as an initiator was obviously faster than that with thermal initiation. In addition, successful chain‐extension reactions were carried out, and the structures of the obtained polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography and ¹H NMR. The specific rotations of the polymers were also measured by polarimetric analysis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1522–1528, 2006     

Graft polymerization of polysilsesquioxane containing chloromethylphenyl groups by atom transfer radical polymerization

Polysilsesquioxane with phenyl and chloromethylphenyl groups (PCPSQ) was prepared readily from phenyltrimethoxysilane and [2‐(chloromethylphenyl)ethyl]trimethoxysilane under acidic conditions. Polymerization with chloromethylphenyl groups on PCPSQ with methyl methacrylate (MMA) was conducted in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper(I) bromide and (−)‐sparteine. Atom transfer radical polymerization yielded a graft polymer (PCPSQ‐g‐MMA) efficiently, and no gelation was observed. The process was also applied to the preparation of graft block copolymers on PCPSQ with several methacrylate monomers. An advantage of the graft hybrid polymers was shown in improved thermal behavior. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4212–4221, 2004     

Synthesis of new hybrid monomers and oligomers containing cationic and radical polymerizable vinyl groups and their photoinitiated polymerization

New hybrid vinyl monomers with both cationic- and radical-polymerizable vinyl groups were synthesized by the reaction of bis[1(chloromethyl)-2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]terephthalate ( 3 ) with unsaturated carboxylic acids using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-undecene-7 (DBU) as a base. The reaction of 3 with methacrylic acid 4a was carried out using DBU in DMSO at 70°C for 24 h to give an 86% yield of the hybrid vinyl monomer ( 5a ). Polycondensation of 3 with unsaturated dicarboxylic acids was also performed using DBU to give hybrid vinyl oligomers with radical polymerizable C (DOUBLE BOND) C groups (V_R) in the main chain and cationic polymerizable vinyl ether moieties (V_C) on the side chain. The photopolymerization of these hybrid vinyl compounds proceeded smoothly in bulk using either a cationic photoinitiator such as a sulfonium salt or a radical photoinitiator such as acyl phosphine oxide under UV irradiation. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Demonstration of isospecific free radical polymerization of acrylate controlled by conformation and chirality of monomer

Radical polymerization of lactic acid‐based chiral and achiral methylene dioxolanones, a model for conformationally s‐cis locked acrylate, was carried out with AIBN to demonstrate an isospecific free radical polymerization controlled by chirality and conformation of monomer. Polymerization of the dioxolanones proceeded smoothly without ring opening to give a polymer with moderate molecular weight and 100% of maximum isotacticity. ESR spectrum indicated a twisted conformation of the growing poly(methylene dioxolanone) radical in contrast to an acyclic analogous radical, suggesting a restriction of the free rotation around main chain C_α? C_β bond of the growing radical center. Chirality as well as the polarity and bulkiness of monomer affected the polymer tacticity, and chiral alkyl substituent would afford a high isotactic polymer, in which higher the enantiomeric excess of the monomer was, higher the isotacticity of the polymer was. While, achiral or polar substituents including dibenzyl and trichloromethyl groups would afford an atactic polymer. In addition, glass transition temperature (T_g) of the resulting polymers was significantly high, ranging from 172.2 to 229.8 °C, and even for an isotactic polymer T_g was as high as 206.8 °C. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2007–2016     

Activity of the furfuryl ring in the free radical polymerization of acrylic monomers

The effect and the participation of the furfuryl ring, in particular the hydrogen at position C-5 in the free radical polymerization are analyzed following the polymerization of furfuryl acrylate (FA) and furfuryl methacrylate (FM) initiated by AIBN under photochemical activation. The results obtained indicate that the polymerization of FA deviates from the classical free radical kinetic scheme, giving rise to crosslinked polymers even at a degree of conversion lower than 7%. This behavior is well explained taking into consideration the participation of the furfuryl ring which acts as a degradative transfer agent. This was demonstrated by the kinetic analysis of the free radical polymerization of MMA initiated by the thermal decomposition of AIBN in the presence of different concentrations of furfuryl acetate. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High temperature resistant tailor‐made poly(meth)acrylates bearing adamantyl group via atom transfer radical polymerization

This investigation reports preparation of tailor‐made poly(meth)acrylates bearing adamantyl group using atom transfer radical homo and copolymerization via initiator as well as via monomer approach. The ATRP of methyl methacrylate was investigated using different initiators having adamantyl group (like AdMBr or AdBr) as well as conventional EBiB initiator and CuBr as catalyst in combination with PMDETA as ligand. It was observed that the incorporation of the bulky adamantyl group increased the rate of polymerization. The polymerization proceeded through first‐order kinetics and molecular weights increased linearly with conversion, close to the targeted molecular weights. The living nature of the end‐group was confirmed by MALDI‐TOF‐mass spectrometry and chain extension experiment. The homopolymerization of adamantyl methyl acrylate (AdMA) and its copolymerization with MA was successfully carried out using methylbromopropionate (MBrP) as initiator and CuBr/dNbpy as the catalyst. Interestingly, the resultant poly(meth)acrylates bearing the adamantyl group had excellent thermal stability and much better thermal stability than the similar polymers without adamantyl group as evidenced from thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and isothermal TGA studies. Importantly, incorporation of adamantyl group “adamantly” increases rate of polymerization, thermal stability, and glass transition temperature of the polymers. All the polymers were characterized by NMR, MALDI‐TOF‐MS, DSC, and TGA analysis. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7101–7113, 2008     

原子转移自由基聚合技术制备L-苯丙氨酸手性配体交换色谱固定相及其对手性化合物的拆分

在室温条件下,以甲基丙烯酸环氧丙酯(GMA)为单体,溴异丁酰溴为引发剂,CuCl/2,2′-联吡啶(Bpy)为催化剂,通过原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)反应,将甲基丙烯酸环氧丙酯聚合在硅胶表面。然后再将L-苯丙氨酸共价键合在硅胶表面的聚合物上,制备了新型手性配体交换色谱固定相,并用该固定相对DL-氨基酸进行分离。用元素分析对其进行了表征;详细考察了固定相的合成过程以及流动相pH值、流动相铜离子浓度、柱温等色谱条件对DL-氨基酸对映体拆分的影响。元素分析得出该固定相表面L-苯丙氨酸接枝密度达到4.32 mg/m2;在手性配体交换分离模式下,流动相为0.05 mol/L KH2PO4-0.1 mmol/L Cu(Ac)2水溶液、流速为1.0 mL/min、柱温为50 ℃和检测波长为223 nm条件下,该色谱固定相可以分离DL-天冬氨酸、DL-天冬酰胺等。同时,流动相pH值、铜离子浓度以及柱温对手性对映体的拆分有较大影响。与传统的在硅胶表面直接键合L-苯丙氨酸制得的固定相相比,所合成的固定相接枝密度高,分离效果好,对DL-天冬氨酸及DL-天冬酰胺实现了基线分离。结果表明,在手性配体交换分离模式下,固定相具有良好的拆分性能。     

Studies on the atom transfer radical polymerization of a maleimide AB* monomer and modification of the halogen end groups

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of an AB* monomer, N-(4-α-bromobutyryloxy phenyl)maleimide (BBPMI), was conducted using the complex of CuBr/2,2′-bipyridine as catalyst. The study of kinetics of polymerization and the growth behavior of macromolecules show that the polymerization proceeds rapidly in first 1 h and then slows down. The decrease in the rate of polymerization is ascribed to the poor reactivity of maleimide radicals from A* to initiate the polymerization of maleimide double bonds. The molecular weight of the resulting polymer also increases with the dosage of catalyst. The coincidence of molecular weight determined by hydrogen proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) proves that the resulting polymer is of linear structure, which is further verified by ¹³C NMR measurement and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the hydrolysate of the resulting polymer. The stabilization modification of the halogen end groups of the resulting polymer by free-radical chain transfer reaction was attempted under ATRP condition. Isopropyl benzene was employed as the chain transfer agent. Indeed, the modified polymer with carbon-bromine bonds conversion of 40.7% shows enhanced thermal stability. The initial weight loss temperature has been increased from 193 to 243 °C. On the other hand, the atom transfer radical copolymerization of BBPMI with styrene resulted in the formation of hyperbranched polymer.     

Radical polymerization of styrene derivatives bearing N‐free amino acid side chains,synergic effect of chirality,and hydrogen bonding for stereoselective polymerization

Radical polymerization of styrene derivatives having a series of amino acid, alanine, glycine, leucine, valine, Boc‐leucine, and Boc‐valine, in the side chain bound at the C‐terminal was conducted to regulate the stereoinduction system in the propagation step. Isotacticity increased in the polymer main chain, especially in the polymerization of monomers bearing N‐free L ‐leucyl and L ‐valyl esters in THF or DMF at 50 °C, by the synergic stereoregulation with chirality control and hydrogen bonding between the radical polymer terminal and the monomer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Enantiomer-selective radical cyclopolymerization of rac-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate using a ruthenium-mediated chiral atom transfer radical polymerization initiating system

The enantiomer-selective radical polymerization of rac-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate, an equimolar mixture of (2S,4S)-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate (SS- 1 ) and (2R,4R)-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate (RR- 1 ), was carried out with a chiral atom transfer radical polymerization initiating system consisting of methyl 2-bromoisobutyrate ( 3 ), dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃], and a chiral additive in anisole at 60 °C. When (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol ( a-3 ) was used as the chiral additive, the recovered monomer was enriched in SS- 1 , and the enantiomeric excess was 16.9% at a 22.6% monomer conversion. The specific rotation ([α]₄₃₅, c 0.3, CHCl₃) of the resulting polymer was +40.3° at a 22.6% monomer conversion. For the copolymerization of SS- 1 and RR- 1 with 3 /RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃/ a-3 in anisole at 60 °C, the monomer reactivity ratio for RR- 1 (r_R) was determined to be 4.94, and that for SS- 1 (r_S) was 0.27. For the homopolymerizations of SS- 1 and RR- 1 with 3 /RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃/ a-3 in anisole at 60 °C, the polymerization rate of RR- 1 was considerably faster than that of SS- 1 , and the rate constants for the homopolymerizations were determined to be k_SS = 2.0 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹ and k_RR = 8.2 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹, respectively. With the values of k_SS, k_RR, r_R, and r_S, the relative ratio k_SS/k_RR/k_SR/k_RS was determined to be 1.2:4.9:4.5:1, which indicated that both the growing end of SS- 1 and that of RR- 1 preferentially reacted with RR- 1 . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4563–4569, 2004