Organometallic mediated radical polymerization of vinyl acetate with Fe(acac)2

The radical polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) is moderated by iron(II) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)₂) by the organometallic route (OMRP), as well as by degenerative transfer polymerization (DTP) when in the presence of excess radicals, through the formation of thermally labile organometallic Fe^III dormant species. The poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)‐Fe^III(acac)₂ dormant species has been isolated in the form of an oligomer and characterized by ¹H NMR, EPR, and IR methods, and then used as a single‐component initiator for the OMRP of VAc. The degree of polymerization of this isolated oligomeric species demonstrates the limited ability of Fe(acac)₂, relative to the Co(acac)₂ congener, to rapidly trap the growing PVAc radical chain. Control under OMRP conditions is improved by the presence of Lewis bases, especially PMe₂Ph. On the other hand, iron(II) phthalocyanine inhibits the radical polymerization of VAc completely. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3494–3504     

有机金属配合物控制的活性自由基聚合研究进展

活性自由基聚合(Living radical polymerization,LRP)是高效可控地制备结构新颖的高分子材料的重要方法,近年来逐渐成为高分子合成领域的研究热点.本文综述了一类重要的活性自由基聚合方法,即有机金属配合物控制的自由基聚合(Organometallic mediated radical polymerization,OMRP)的最新研究进展,介绍了钛、钒、铬、钼、铁、锇、钴、铑、钯和铜等有机金属配合物为催化剂控制的OMRP,并简述了OMRP方法在光致LRP、嵌段共聚物的合成、与其他LRP方法联用及聚合物端基修饰和转化等方面的拓展.此外,本文还对有待进一步深入探索的领域和问题提出了建议和展望.     

ATRP/OMRP/CCT Interplay in Styrene Polymerization Mediated by Iron(II) Complexes: A DFT Study of the α‐Diimine System

A DFT study of various model systems has addressed the interference of catalytic chain transfer (CCT) as a function of the R² substituent in the atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene catalyzed by [FeCl₂(R¹N?C(R²)?C(R²)?NR¹)] complexes. All model systems used R¹=CH₃ in place of the experimental Cy and tBu substituents and 1‐phenylethyl in place of the polystyrene (PS) chain. A mechanistic investigation of 1) ATRP activation, 2) radical trapping in organometallic‐mediated radical polymerization (OMRP), and 3) pathways to the hydride CCT intermediate was conducted with a simplified system with R²=H. This study suggests that CCT could occur by direct hydrogen‐atom transfer without any activation barrier. Further analysis of more realistic models with R²=p‐C₆H₄F or p‐C₆H₄NMe₂ suggests that the electronic effect of the aryl para substituents significantly alters the ATRP activation barrier. Conversely, the hydrogen‐atom‐transfer barrier is essentially unaffected. Thus, the greater ATRP catalytic activity of the p‐NMe₂ system makes the background CCT process less significant. The DFT study also compares the [FeCl₂(R¹N?C(R²)?C(R²)?NR¹)] systems with a diaminobis(phenolato) derivative for which the CCT process shows even greater accessibility but has less incidence because of faster ATRP chain growth and interplay with a more efficient OMRP trapping. The difference between the two systems is attributed to destabilization of the Fe^II catalyst by the geometric constraints of the tetradentate diaminobis(phenolato) ligand.     

Organometallic‐Mediated Radical Polymerization of Vinylidene Fluoride

An unprecedented level of control for the radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), yielding well‐defined PVDF (at least up to 14 500 g mol^?1) with low dispersity (≤1.32), was achieved using organometallic‐mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) with an organocobalt compound as initiator. The high chain‐end fidelity was demonstrated by the synthesis of PVDF‐ and PVAc‐containing di‐and triblock copolymers. DFT calculations rationalize the efficient reactivation of both head and tail chain end dormant species.     

Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate with Bis(tetramethylheptadionato)cobalt(II): Coexistence of Three Different Mechanisms

Poly(vinyl acetate) by OMRP : Increasing the steric encumbrance of the β‐diketonate R substituents in vinyl acetate (VAc) polymerization mediator [Co{OC(R)CHC(R)O}₂] from Me to tBu sufficiently weakens the Co^III? PVAc bond of the polymer chain to allow it to operate by both associative (degenerative transfer) and dissociative (organometallic radical polymerization, OMRP) mechanisms (see scheme). The Co^III? PVAc species also acts as a transfer agent in the absence of Lewis bases, whereas the Co^II complex shows catalytic chain transfer (CCT) activity.

     

光调控的活性自由基聚合的研究新进展

从引发和催化两个方面概述了光辐照在活性自由基聚合(LRP)中的应用,从机理上详细地分析了光辐照对氮氧调控自由基聚合(NMP)、原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)、可逆加成-断裂链转移自由基聚合(RAFT)以及有机钴催化的可控自由基聚合反应(CMRP)的影响。与传统自由基聚合相比,光调控的活性自由基聚合方法可在温和的条件下生成自由基,能够克服传统LRP的一些缺陷,如降低催化反应活化能、提高聚合物末端官能度等。同时,本文对光调控反应的进一步应用以及新方法的产生也进行了展望。     

Living radical polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate to obtain block copolymers containing rigid poly(substituted methylene) and flexible polyacrylate segments

Living radical polymerizations of diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) are carried out to synthesize poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) as a rigid poly(substituted methylene) and its block copolymers combined with a flexible polyacrylate segment. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is suitable to obtain a high‐molecular‐weight PDiPF with well‐controlled molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chain‐end structures, while organotellurium‐mediated living radical polymerization (TERP) and reversible chain transfer catalyzed polymerization (RTCP) give PDiPF with controlled chain structures under limited polymerization conditions. In contrast, controlled polymerization for the production of high‐molecular‐weight and well‐defined PDiPF is not achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMP). The block copolymers consisting of rigid poly(substituted methylene) and flexible polyacrylate segments are synthesized by the RAFT polymerization. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2136–2147     

Relationship between one-electron transition-metal reactivity and radical polymerization processes

Controlled radical polymerization has come along in leaps and bounds following the development of efficient transition-metal catalysts for atom-transfer radical polymerization. Another type of controlled radical polymerization process, namely organometallic radical polymerization, uses the reversible formation of metal-carbon bonds. Metals are also implicated in catalytic chain transfer, a process that involves the abstraction of hydrogen atoms. This Minireview discusses the importance of one-electron transition-metal reactivity in metal-mediated controlled radical polymerization processes.     

Switchable Polymerization Triggered by Fast and Quantitative Insertion of Carbon Monoxide into Cobalt–Oxygen Bonds

A strategy that uses carbon monoxide (CO) as a molecular trigger to switch the polymerization mechanism of a cobalt Salen complex [salen=(R,R)‐N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine] from ring‐opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides/anhydrides to organometallic mediated controlled radical polymerization (OMRP) of acrylates is described. The key phenomenon is a rapid and quantitative insertion of CO into the Co?O bond, allowing for in situ transformation of the ROCOP active species (Salen)Co^III‐OR into the OMRP photoinitiator (Salen)Co^III‐CO₂R. The proposed mechanism, which involves CO coordination to (Salen)Co^III‐OR and subsequent intramolecular rearrangement via migratory insertion has been rationalized by DFT calculations. Regulated by both CO and visible light, on‐demand sequence control can be achieved for the one‐pot synthesis of polyester‐b‐polyacrylate diblock copolymers (?<1.15).     

How the interplay of different control mechanisms affects the initiator efficiency factor in controlled radical polymerization: An investigation using organometallic Mo-based catalysts

Compound CpMoI₂(iPr₂dad) (iPr₂dad = iPrNCHCHNiPr), obtained by halide exchange from CpMoCl₂(iPr₂dad) and NaI, has been isolated and characterized by EPR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. Its action as a catalyst in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and as a spin trap in organometallic radical polymerization (OMRP) of styrene and methyl acrylate (MA) monomers has been investigated and compared with that of the dichloro analogue. Compound CpMoCl₂(iPr₂dad) catalyzes the ATRP of styrene and MA with low efficiency factors f (as low as 0.37 for MA and ethyl 2-chloropropionate as initiator), while it irreversibly traps the corresponding growing radical chains under OMRP conditions. On the other hand, compound CpMoI₂(iPr₂dad) has a greater ATRP catalytic activity than the dichloro analogue and yields f = 1 for MA and ethyl 2-iodopropionate as initiator. Under OMRP conditions, it does not irreversibly trap the growing radical chains. This comparison serves to illustrate the general principle that low initiator efficiency factors, sometimes observed in ATRP, may result from the interplay of the ATRP and OMRP mechanisms, when the latter ones involves an irreversible radical trapping process.     

A copper‐based reverse atom‐transfer radical polymerization process for the living radical polymerization of polyacrylonitrile

The reverse atom‐transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) technique using CuCl₂/2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy) complex as a catalyst was applied to the living radical polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN). A hexasubstituted ethane thermal iniferter, diethyl 2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐diphenylsuccinate (DCDPS), was firstly used as the initiator in this copper‐based RATRP initiation system. A CuCl₂ to bipy ratio of 0.5 not only gives the best control of molecular weight and its distribution, but also provides rather rapid reaction rate. The rate of polymerization increases with increasing the polymerization temperature, and the apparent activation energy was calculated to be 57.4 kJ mol^?1. Because the polymers obtained were end‐functionalized by chlorine atoms, they were used as macroinitiators to proceed the chain extension polymerization in the presence of CuCl/bipy catalyst system via a conventional ATRP process. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 226–231, 2006     

Controlled/living heterogeneous radical polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly medium for radical polymerizations. ScCO₂ is suited for heterogeneous controlled/living radical polymerizations (CLRPs), since the monomer, initiator, and control reagents (nitroxide, etc.) are soluble, but the polymer formed is insoluble beyond a critical degree of polymerization (J_crit). The precipitated polymer can continue growing in (only) the particle phase giving living polymer of controlled well‐defined microstructure. The addition of a colloidal stabilizer gives a dispersion polymerization with well‐defined colloidal particles being formed. In recent years, nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization have all been conducted as heterogeneous polymerizations in scCO₂. This Highlight reviews this recent body of work, and describes the unique characteristics of scCO₂ that allows composite particle formation of unique morphology to be achieved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3711–3728, 2009     

醋酸乙烯酯的可控/活性自由基聚合

概述了醋酸乙烯酯单体可控/活性自由基聚合的现状.总结了氮氧化合物存在下的聚合、原子转移自由基聚合、可逆加成断裂链转移聚合以及含碘化合物的衰减链转移聚合这四种活性自由基聚合方法用于醋酸乙烯酯聚合的研究结果,并对这四种方法作了简要的比较.     

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     

Atom transfer coupling reactions performed with benign reducing agents and radical traps

Monobrominated polystyrene (PSBr) was prepared by ATRP, and the resulting chain ends were activated in the presence of radical traps to induce chain end‐coupling. In atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC) with radical trap assistance, to achieve significant coupling requires excess metal catalyst, ligand, and a reducing agent that is often additional metal. In this work, activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) and radical trap assistance are used in the ATRC sequence to successfully lead to chain‐end coupling without the need for the oxidatively unstable copper (I) and with environmentally friendlier agents in place of copper metal. High extents of coupling (Xc) were achieved using ascorbic acid (AA) as the reducing agent and copper(II) bromide as the oxidized version of the catalyst, and when combined with AGET ATRP to prepare the PSBr precursor, only a fraction of the total metal was required compared to traditional atom transfer reactions, while still retaining similar Xc values. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2113–2120     

New ligands for the Fe(III)‐mediated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate

A series of (di)picolinic acids and their derivates are investigated as novel complexing tridentate or bidentate ligands in the iron‐mediated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in N,N‐dimethylformamide at 100 °C with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrontrile as an initiator. The polymerization rates and polydispersity indices (1.32–1.8) of the resulting polymers are dependent on the structures of the ligands employed. Different iron complexes may be involved in iron‐mediated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization, depending on the type of acid used. ¹H NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the structure of the resulting polymers. Chain‐extension reactions have been performed to further confirm the living nature of this catalytic system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2912–2921, 2006     

非共轭单体的活性自由基聚合进展

活性自由基聚合经过十多年的发展,已成为一种有效的高分子设计手段.代表性的活性自由基聚合技术包括氮氧调控自由基聚合(NMP),原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)和可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)聚合或通过黄原酸酯交换法设计大分子(MADIX).这些技术已成功应用到多数共轭单体上,但对非共轭单体的聚合控制还不太成功.本文总结了几类适合非共轭单体的活性自由基(共)聚合方法,主要有RAFT/MADIX体系,某些ATRP体系,碘退化转移体系及近年新出现的有机碲调控自由基聚合(TERP)和有机锑调控自由基聚合(SBRP)体系,其中,TERP和SBRP的独特性值得关注.     

乳液原子转移自由基聚合*

原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)应用于乳液聚合体系的主要挑战在于如何同时保证乳液的稳定性和聚合反应的可控性。本文主要对乳液ATRP体系中影响聚合反应可控性和乳液稳定性的各种因素、乳液ATRP的机理和乳液ATRP的应用等方面进行了综述。表面活性剂亲水亲油性及其亲水亲油基团的化学性质、催化剂/配体在油/水两相之间的分配行为、引发剂的溶解性、反应温度以及各组分的浓度是影响反应可控性和乳液稳定性的主要因素。各组分在油/水两相中的分配行为使得乳液ATRP的机理比传统乳液聚合更加复杂。乳液原子转移自由基聚合结合了活性自由基聚合和乳液聚合的优点,在理论研究和工业生产上具有很大的应用前景。     

Ambient temperature rapid ATRP of methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and styrene in polar solvents with mixed transition metal catalyst system

Ambient temperature atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (Sty) in the presence of polar solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide: DMSO, dimethylformamide: DMF and acetonitrile: MeCN) with a mixed transition metal catalyst system (Fe(0) as initial activator and CuBr₂/Me₆TREN complex as deactivator) provides a rapid synthesis of polymers with very low polydispersity (PDI) values and predetermined molecular weights. The polymethylacrylate (PMA) prepared using this novel approach contains the Br-terminated chain ends (functionality ∼100%) and can be successfully used for block copolymer synthesis (as demonstrated on the chain extension experiment performed using the PMA–Br macroinitiator). The key elementary reactions involved in this novel ATRP system and some preliminary mechanistic aspects of the process are also discussed.     

Copper(0)‐mediated living radical polymerization of acrylonitrile: SET‐LRP or AGET‐ATRP

Cu(0)‐mediated living radical polymerization was first extended to acrylonitrile (AN) to synthesize polyacrylonitrile with a high molecular weight and a low polydispersity index. This was achieved by using Cu(0)/hexamethylated tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine (Me₆‐TREN) as the catalyst, 2‐bromopropionitrile as the initiator, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent. The reaction was performed under mild reaction conditions at ambient temperature and thus biradical termination reaction was low. The rapid and extensive disproportionation of Cu(I)Br/Me₆‐TREN in DMSO/AN supports a mechanism consistent with a single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) rather than activators generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP). ¹H NMR analysis and chain extension experiment confirm the high chain‐end functionality of the resultant polymer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010