Synthesis and characterization of polycyclic structures and linear polycarbonate copolymers from a bisphenol A dimer

An o,o′‐methylene‐bridged bisphenol A (BPA) dimer 2 was synthesized by a one‐step reaction between formalin and excess BPA in the presence of a cation exchange resin in a polar aprotic solvent. Novel oligomeric polycyclic structures were synthesized by the reaction of reactive difunctional halides, methyl phosphonic dichloride, phenyl phosphonic dichloride, and dimethyl dichlorosilane with the BPA dimer under high‐dilution conditions. The yields of the polycyclics were quite high. NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) were very useful in the characterization of the dimer and its oligomeric polycyclic analogs. These polycyclics can potentially be used as precursors for advanced thermosetting materials. A series of polycarbonate copolymers of BPA were synthesized by solution polycondensation of the methylene bridged dimer of BPA with triphosgene. Alternatively, the co‐polycarbonate containing crosslinkable moieties was synthesized by in‐situ polymerization of BPA and BPA dimer with triphosgene. The copolymers were characterized by GPC. TG/DTA and DSC were used to investigate the thermal properties of the co‐polycarbonates. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 927–935, 1999     

Photostabilizing of bisphenol A polycarbonate by using UV-absorbers and self protective block copolymers based on resorcinol polyarylate blocks

Bisphenol A polycarbonate degrades due to sunlight, humidity and oxygen. In this study two possible techniques to stabilize the polymer were compared, i.e. blending of UV-absorbers (UVAs) into the polymer or using block copolymers based on resorcinol polyarylates. Combination of different analysis techniques shows that the protection by UVAs is not as good as by the resorcinol polyarylate block copolymers. The block copolymer rearranges itself through a photo-Fries rearrangement within hours into a UV-absorbing top layer. Two different block compositions were studied, and the copolymer with the highest concentration of resorcinol polyarylate groups shows the best protection.     

Synthesis of polyoxyethylene block copolymers and their aggregation in water

The possibility of thermal degradation of polyoxyethylene in the course of high-temperature polycondensation was examined. Conditions were suggested for the low-temperature synthesis of ABA block copolymers whose molecules contain a polyoxyethylene central block and p-aromatic ester terminal blocks. The aggregation of the block copolymers in water was studied by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy.     

Synthesis of AB and ABA block copolymers as compatibilizers in nylon 6/polycarbonate blends

Nylon 6 (Ny6) and Bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) are immiscible and form biphasic blends. To improve the compatibility of Ny6 and PC several ABA and AB Ny6/PC block copolymers were synthesized, and their compatibilizing behavior on the blends were tested. Block copolymers were prepared by reacting monoamino- or diamino-terminated Ny6 homopolymers with high molecular weight PC at 130°C in anhydrous DMSO. The reaction of diamino- and monoamino-terminated Ny6 with polycarbonate produces block copolymers of the type PC-Ny6-PC (ABA) and PC-Ny6 (AB), respectively, plus a certain amount of unconverted PC degradated to lower molecular weights. To separate the block copolymer from the unconverted PC, a selective fractionation with tetrahydrofuran (THF) and trifluoroethanol (TFE) was carried out. Three different fractions were obtained: THF-soluble fraction, TFE-soluble fraction, and the TFE-insoluble fraction. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of a 75/25 (wt/wt) Ny6/PC blend added with 2% of ABA or AB block copolymers, showed the presence of smaller PC particles more adherent to the polyamide matrix, with respect to the same blend nonadded, which is clearly biphasic. The size of the PC particles decreases from ABA to AB compatibilized blends and the adhesion with the matrix is increases in the same way. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of new siloxane urethane block copolymers and their properties

Siloxane urethane block copolymers were prepared with siloxanes as the soft segment. Films were cast from a variety of solvents. Solvent has an effect on the segregation of soft and hard segments. Surface studies, including ESCA, EDS, and FT-IR, show well segregated block copolymers with enhanced siloxane on the surface. DSC studies show a low mp (-44°C) for the soft segment and a T_g for the hard segment above room temperature. These materials show higher thermal stability compared to polyether urethane block copolymers. These copolymers also show relatively good resistance to exposure to oxygen plasma and show improved flame retardancy compared to nonsiliconated, polyether polyurethane block copolymers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of polyurethane block copolymers and their compositions with plasticizers

The synthesis of polyurethane block based on oligoesterdiols 4,4′-methylene-bis(phenylisocyanate), and various chain elongating agents was studied. The properties of these copolymers were compared (using literature data) with selected properties of polyurethanes obtained by the reactions of oligoetherdiols, viz., oligo-3,3′-bis(azidomethyl)oxetanediol and oligo-3-azidomethyl-3′-methyloxetanediol with diisocyanates. The complex of rheological and physicomechanical properties of the initial and plasticized polyurethane block copolymers was studied. Regularities of their deformation behavior were established. The process of mutual solubility was studied by the microinterference method for a wide range of systems block copolymers—plasticizers. On the basis of the data obtained, the phase diagrams were constructed for limitedly compatible systems.     

Thermal degradation of bisphenol a polycarbonate

Bisphenol A polycarbonate (Makrolon 3000) has been purified and fractionated. Thin films of these samples have been degraded by heating at 200° under continuous evacuation (pressure less than 0- 1 Pa) for periods of several hours. The molecular weight is observed (by gel permeation chromatography) to increase with time at 200°. Eventually gel is formed. The variation of the number- and weight-average molecular weights with heating time and the effect of the initial molecular weights of the polycarbonate samples are consistent, in the main, with the Davis-Golden mechanism of thermal degradation of bisphenol A polycarbonate; i.e. the principal reactions are condensation and trifunctional branching. Chain scission due to hydrolysis of the carbonate linkage is absent under our conditions.     

Synthesis of azidourethane block copolymers

Methods of structuring thermoreversible urethane block copolymers on the basis 3,3-bis-(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) and 3-(azidomethyl)-3-methyloxetane (AMMO) were developed for the first time. Type (AB)_n copolymers of BAMO and AMMO have an amorphous crystalline structure but differ from the type B(AB)_n copolymers in that they contain less crystal phase and have a higher glass transition temperature and better physicomechanical properties.     

Synthesis and aggregation behaviour of amphiphilic block copolymers with random middle block

The effect of microstructure on the aggregation behaviour of symmetrical di- and triblock copolymers P(BMA)-b-P(MAA) and P(BMA)-b-P(BMA-co-MAA)-b-P(MAA) with a molecular weight of 40,000 g/mol was studied. The critical micelle concentration, hydrodynamic radius and morphology of the micelles were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and scanning force microscopy (SFM). Whereas no effect of the microstructure on the critical micelle concentration could be detected, the hydrodynamic radius decreased from di- to triblock copolymer from 53 to 36 nm. The decrease of about 32% corresponds to the length of the random middle block within the triblock copolymer so that the reduction in hydrodynamic radius was caused by a complete orientation of the random middle block at the core corona interface. Finally, the SFM investigation showed that dehydration of micelles on a substrate is accompanied by formation of a physisorbed monolayer with a thickness of 2 nm on which the micelles are deposited.     

Synthesis and biodegradability of amylose block copolymers

The synthesis of amylose block co-and terpolymers is described. Fully acetylated amylose triacetate was hydrolyzed by hydronium ions to give a hydroxy-terminated amylose triacetate oligomer (HATA), which was reacted with diisocyanates to produce block copolymers. Prepolymers of HATA and MDI or TDI were reacted with both hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene and polypropylene glycol to form block terpolymers. Block co- and terpolymer formation was demonstrated by intrinsic viscosity increases, gel permeation chromatographic results, and NMR and IR spectroscopy. The products were easily deacetylated by NaOMe in methanol to yield amylose block co- and terpolymers. These polymers were readily degraded by α-amylase. The enzymatic hydrolysis was monitored by intrinsic viscosity measurements. The rate of biodegradation was influenced by the DS of the amylose block and the composition of the block terpolymers.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic polystyrene-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers

A series of macrocyclic polystyrene (PS)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) block copolymers and similar block copolymers was synthesized by sequential polymerization of styrene and hexamethyl cyclotrisiloxane (D₃) initiated by a difunctional anionic initiator in THF at −78° followed by coupling with Cl₂SiMe₂ in very dilute (10⁻⁵ – 10⁻⁶ M) solutions. Total molecular weights ranged from about 2–85 × 10³. The formation of monodisperse macrocyclic block copolymers was indicated by the lower (15–30%) hydrodynamic volume of the rings compared to that of the linear block copolymers. Carbon-13 and ²⁹Si NMR likewise supported the absence of linear polymer in the macrocyclic block copolymer. The behavior of second virial coefficient A₂ of the rings and the linears versus temperature was examined by static light scattering in cyclohexane. Below 20° the A₂ for the linear polymer goes negative while that for the cycle remains positive. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) as a function of temperature also reflects that the cyclic polymers remain well solvated even down to 12°C. The DLS autocorrelation functions for the linear triblock however demonstrate the onset of aggregation and phase separation as the temperature is reduced below 20°C.     

Synthesis of conducting block and graft copolymers with polyether segments

Synthesis of block and graft copolymers containing polyether and conducting polypyrrole sequences were described. Pyrrole moieties were incorporated at the chain ends of polytetrahydrofuran and polysiloxane and at the side chains of polyethyl vinylether by ionic polymerization and appropriate chemical reactions. Subsequent electropolymerization with pyrrole through these moities yielded free standing films of the corresponding block and graft copolymers. The formation copolymers was evidenced by FTIR spectroscopy and extraction with solvent of the precursor homopolymers. The thermal and morphological properties were also characterized. The two surface of the copolymer films generally differ in appearance, the surface at the solution side being cauliflowerlike or wrinkled, whereas the surface at the electrode side smooth. Conductivies of the copolymers were comparable with that of the pure polypyrrole.     

Crystallization behavior of bisphenol A polycarbonate with a simple vacuum process

The crystallization behavior of an amorphous polymer, bisphenol A polycarbonate (BAPC), was evaluated. BAPC was crystallized by exposure to diphenylpropane, a component of BAPC, by vapor transportation methods. Furthermore, the surface of BAPC was also crystallized by this method. Crystallized BAPC was employed as a novel simple storage medium, and bit patterns were recorded on its surface by laser irradiation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2307–2313, 2005     

Synthesis of isocyanate-based brush block copolymers and their rapid self-assembly to infrared-reflecting photonic crystals

The synthesis of rigid-rod, helical isocyanate-based macromonomers was achieved through the polymerization of hexyl isocyanate and 4-phenylbutyl isocyanate, initiated by an exo-norbornene functionalized half-titanocene complex. Sequential ruthenium-mediated ring-opening metathesis polymerization of these macromonomers readily afforded well-defined brush block copolymers, with precisely tunable molecular weights ranging from high (1512 kDa) to ultrahigh (7119 kDa), while maintaining narrow molecular weight distributions (PDI = 1.08-1.39). The self-assembly of these brush block copolymers to solid thin-films and their photonic properties were investigated. Due to the rigid architecture of these novel polymeric materials, they rapidly self-assemble through simple controlled evaporation to photonic crystal materials that reflect light from the ultra-violet, through the visible, to the near-infrared. The wavelength of reflectance is linearly related to the brush block copolymer molecular weight, allowing for predictable tuning of the band gap through synthetic control of the polymer molecular weight. A combination of scanning electron microscopy and optical modeling was employed to explain the origin of reflectivity.     

Synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymers by a redox process and their spectral characterization

Novel block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with acrylamide (AAm) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were synthesized using a redox system consisting of ceric ions and PEG in aqueous acidic medium. The molecular weight of PEG in the redox system was varied to obtain a series of block copolymers with differing molecular weights of PEG segment. The polymerization proceeded via macroradical generation, which was substantiated by ESR spectroscopy. This macroradical acted as a redox macroinitiator for the block copolymerization of the vinyl monomers. The formation of the block copolymers was confirmed by fractional precipitation technique.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of reactive H-shaped block copolymers

The H-shaped block copolymers (PTMSPMA)₂-PEG(PMPSTMSPMA)₂ with two compositions, (EG)₉₁-b-(TMSPMA)₉₂ and (EG)₄₅₅-b-(TMSPMA)₁₇₆ have been successfully synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of tri(methoxylsilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPMA) at room temperature in methanol. The initiation system applied was composed of 2,2-bis(methylene α-bromoisobutyrate)propionyl terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (Br₂PEGBr₂) with M _n = 4000 or 2000, CuBr and 2,2′-bipyridine. The macroinitiator, Br₂PEGBr₂, was prepared by the reaction of two hydroxyl groups terminated PEG with 2,2-bis(methylene α-bromoisobutyrate)propionyl chloride. The NMR spectroscopy and GPC measurements were used to characterize the structure and molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the resultant copolymers. The H-shaped block copolymers Sam 1 and Sam 2 were self-assembled in DMF/water mixtures and then the trimethoxysilyl groups in PTMSPMA were cross-linked by condensation reaction in the presence of triethylamine. Stable large-compound vesicles with 10 nm diameter of cavities were formed for Sam 1 which contains a short PEG chain. However, the self-assembling of the Sam 2 in the selective solvents resulted in big vesicles aggregates. These two different morphologies of aggregates are attributed to their relative chain length of water soluble PEG. The vesicles formed from Sam1 with short PEG chains have big surface energy which will lead them to self-assemble further, forming large-compound vesicles. __________ Translated from Acta Polymerica Sinica, 2007, 10: 974–978 [译自: 高分子学报]     

Synthesis and solid-state organization of coil-ring-coil block copolymers

Shape-persistent macrocycles based on the phenyl-ethynyl-butadienyl backbone containing two extraannular hydroxyl groups were prepared by the oxidative coupling of the appropriate phenylethynyl oligomers. Carbodiimide-directed coupling with independently synthesized polystyrene carboxylic acid oligomers led to ABA coil-ring-coil block copolymers in which the central macrocycle serves as rigid and the polystyrene oligomers as flexible elements. Depending on the size of the coil blocks, these structures aggregate in cyclohexane into supramolecular hollow cylindrical brushes in which the rigid core is surrounded by the flexible matrix. However, in the solid state it is not possible to identify a morphology in which isolated channels based on aggregated macrocycles are embedded in a matrix of polystyrene. Detailed X-ray and electron diffraction studies on samples prepared from a solution in cyclohexane under equilibrium conditions show that the material adopts a lamellar morphology in the solid state in which columns of macrocycles are aggregated into layers which are separated by polystyrene.