Effects of metal salts on polymerization. Part II. Polymerization of vinylpyridine complexed with the group IIb metal salts

The following stoichiometric vinylpyridine complexes have been prepared: (4-VP)₂—Zn(SCN)₂, (2-VP)₂—Zn(SCN)₂, (MVP)₂—Zn(SCN)₂, (MVP)₂—ZnCl₂, (MVP)₂—ZnBr₂, (MVP)₂—ZnI₂, and (MVP)₂—HgCl₂, where 4-VP, 2-VP, and MVP denote 4-vinylpyridine, 2-vinylpyridine, and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine, respectively. Results of radical polymerization initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile indicate that the effect of complex formation between the monomers and the metal salts is to enhance the rate of polymerization with the exception of the 2-VP complex. The R_p for the solution polymerization in dimethylformamide increases in the following order: (1) (MVP)₂—Zn-(SCN)₂ > (MVP)₂-ZnCl₂ > (MVP)₂—ZnBr₂ > (MVP)₂—ZnI₂ > free MVP; (2) (4-VP)₂—Zn(SCN)₂ > (MVP)₂—Zn(SCN)₂ > free MVP > (2-VP)₂—Zn(SCN)₂; and (3) MVP + Zn(CH₃COO)₂ < MVP + Cd(CH₃COO)₂. When ethanol, acetone, or tetrahydrofuran is used as solvent, the change in R_p is more marked, partly due to insolubility of the PMVP complexed with the metal salts. The increase in R_p would be attributed to the change in k_p since the molecular weights of PMVP are nearly proportional to R_p when (MVP)₂—ZnX₂ where X is Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, or SCN^? is polymerized in DMF under fixed conditions. Copolymerizations of MVP—ZnX₂ complexes (where X is Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, or CH₃COO^?) with styrene indicate that the e values of complexed MVP are more positive than that of free vinylpyridine, and the amounts of the positive shift in e values increase with decreasing polarizability of the halide anions. These results are discussed in terms of the charge-transfer properties of anions, the nature of coordination bonds, and the structures of vinylpyridines. The complexed monomers are hardly polymerized by a cationic or an anionic mechanism. Radiation-induced solid-state polymerization gives polymers in low yields.     

Effects of metal salts on polymerization. Part III. Radical polymerizabilities and infrared spectra of vinylpyridines complexed with zinc and cadmium salts

Radical polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP), 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP), and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine (MVP) was studied in concentrated DMF solutions of ZnCl₂, ZnBr₂, ZnI₂, Zn(CH₃COO)₂, and Cd(CH₂COO)₂ at 50°C. Polymerization of 4-VP and MVP was accelerated by the addition of the metal salts, while the polymerization of 2-VP was greatly retarded. The sequence of the accelerating effect of metal salts for 4-VP was in the following order: Cd(CH₃COO)₂ > ZnCl₂ > Zn(CH₃COO)₂ > ZnBr₂ > ZnI₂. This sequence is almost the same as that reported in a previous report for MVP. However, the order was reversed for the retarding effect on the polymerization of 2-VP. At the intermediate concentration of metal salts, polymerization of 4-VP proceeded heterogeneously, which was explained by considering crosslinking of poly-4-VP by the metal ion. Since a linear correlation between the rate R_p and the degree of polymerization was observed for the 4-VP–Zn(CH₃COO)₂ system, the accelerating effect was postulated to be due to the enhancement in k_p. Results of copolymerization of VP with styrene as M₂ in a concentrated solution of Zn(CH₃COO)₂ indicated the strong activation of 4-VP by complex formation (r₁ = 2.7 ± 0.5, r₂ = 0.08 ± 0.03), whereas the change in the monomer reactivity of MVP is smaller (r₁ = 2.0 ± 0.2, r₂ = 0.35 ± 0.05). The behavior of 2-VP was abnormal (r₁ = 3.35 ± 0.3, r₂ = 0.55 ± 0.15, then r₁r₂ > 1), which was attributed to the steric effect by complex formation. Solid complexes formed between pyridine, 4-VP, 2-VP, or MVP and zinc salts were prepared as samples for infrared spectroscopy. The shifts in infrared absorption bands of these amines were studied by comparing the infrared spectra of the amines before and after the complex formation, and the results were interpreted in terms of electronic as well as steric interactions of metal salts with ligands. Conjugation of the metal salt with the ligand π-orbitals was necessary to explain both infrared spectra and polymerization results.     

Effect of metal salts on polymerization. Part I. Polymerization of vinylpyridine initiated with cupric acetate

The polymerization of vinylpyridine initiated by cupric acetate has been studied. The rate of polymerization was greatly affected by the nature of the solvent. In general polar solvents increased the rate of polymerization. Polymerization was particularly rapid in water, acetone, and methanol. The initial rate of polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) in a methanol–pyridine mixture at 50°C. is R_p = 6.95 × 10^?6[Cu¹¹]^1/2 [4-VP]² l./mole-sec. The activation energy of initiation by cupric acetate is 5.4 ± 1.6 kcal./mole. Polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine with the same initiator was much slower than that of 4-VP. Dependence of R_p on monomer structure and solvent is discussed. Kinetic and spectroscopic studies led to the conclusion that the polymerization of 4-VP is initiated by one electron transfer from the monomer to cupric acetate in a complex having the structure, (4-VP)₂Cu(CH₃COO)₂.     

Effects of metal salts on polymerization. VI. Photo and thermally catalyzed polymerization of N-vinylimidazole in the presence of metal salts

Polymerization of 2-methyl-1-vinylimidazole (MVI) and 2-ethyl-1-vinylimidazole (EVI) was found to be markedly photosensitized in the presence of oxidizing metal salts such as UO₂(NO₃)₂, Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆, Hg(CH₃COO)₂, AgNO₃; non-oxidizing metal salts such as Zn^II did not act as photosensitizers. The interaction of monomer with a metal salt is discussed on the basis of infrared and electronic spectroscopy. This photopolymerization is very specific with respect to the kind of monomer. The polymerization of noncomplexing monomer (styrene) is not photosensitized by these metal salts. Consequently, photosensitized electron transfer between monomer and metal salt via complex formation is considered to be the most probable initiation mechanism. Cupric acetate and sodium chlorolaurate, which have been reported as efficient initiators for the polymerization of vinylpyridine and N-vinylcarbazole, respectively, act as linear terminators of growing radicals. The radical polymerizability of the zinc complex of MVI was studied by means of copolymerization with styrene. The reduction of the reactivity of MVI on complexing was explained by correlating with the spectroscopic observations. Because the polymerization system is heterogeneous, a detailed discussion was not possible.     

Effects of metal salts on polymerization. Part IV. Polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole initiated by oxidizing metal nitrates

The polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole (VCZ) in ethylene dichloride, acetone, benzene, and dioxane with cupric nitrate, ferric nitrate, and ceric ammonium nitrate as catalyst was studied. In all cases the polymerization seemed to be of a cationic nature, judged by copolymerization with styrene. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was made for the polymerization system and also for a system containing N-ethylcarbazole instead of VCZ. Singlet ESR spectra were observed for all systems containing ceric salt and for some systems containing ferric salt but not for systems containing cupric salt. The ESR spectra indicated the formation of an ion radical by electron transfer between the oxidizing metal salt and the carbazole derivatives. Mechanisms of initiation other than electron transfer were less likely, and it was concluded that the initiation process was most likely to be of the electron transfer type.     

Radical polymerization in the presence of vinyl-substituted transition metal β-diketonates

The influence of vinyl-substituted cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II), and iron(II) β-diketonates on radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene was studied.     

Effects of metal salts on polymerization. Part V: Polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole initiated by sodium chloroaurate

The polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole (VCZ) initiated by sodium chloroaurate (NaAuCl₄·2H₂O) in nitrobenzene was studied at 30°C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) is proportional to [Au^III] [VCZ] after a short induction period. When reducing agents (ascorbic acid, ferrocene, or mercury metal) are added to the system, the rate of polymerization in the dark increases. The R_p is relatively unaffected by addition of water and N-ethylcarbazole, but the polymerization is completely inhibited in the presence of ammonia. Oxygen and DPPH act as neither inhibitors nor retarders. Kinetic treatments based on the assumption that the active initiating species is Au^II produced by reduction of Au^III by VCZ and other reducing agents explain the experimental results very well.     

Vinyl polymerization in the presence of copper salts

The radical polymerization of several vinyl monomers has been studied in the presence of cupric chloride. A termination reaction with Cu^II species leads to the formation of Cu^I species which can also participate significantly in termination with some, but not all, of the monomers studied. A theoretical treatment of the kinetics of such systems is presented which takes full account of initiator depletion during extended inhibition during extended inhibition periods. Specific velocity constants for reactions of polymer radicals with both Cu^II and Cu^I moieties are derived from observations on the nonstationary phase at the end of the inhibition period and from the subsequent steady state of polymerization. On the basis of the results presented here, together with the work of other authors, the patterns-of-reactivity approach gives α = ?5.4, β = 9.0 as the parameters for copper (II) chloride. The implications of the results in relation to the mechanisms of the reactions between polymer radicals and both copper(II) chloride and copper(I) chloride are discussed. The kinetic treatment also provides an improved method for the determination of the rate of initiator decomposition and the rate of initiation form studies of the inhibition period.     

Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of isotactic poly(methyl metacrylate). VII. Determination of the rate constants for template polymerization

The separate rate constants k_p and k_t for propagation and termination of radical template polymerization of methyl methacrylate along isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) as a polymer template have been determined. The polymerizations were carried out in the strongly complexing solvent dimethylformamide at 5°C. For the evaluation of k/k_t from stationary kinetic experiments, the rates of initiation were determined by employing a scavenger method. The nonstationary experiments yielding k_p/k_t were performed by means of the rotating sector technique. As the template rate effects increased with decreasing initiator concentration, the rotating sector curves were corrected for variation in light intensity. It appeared that the radical lifetime increases from 8.4 sec for normal or blank polymerization to 64 sec for template polymerization. The calculated values of k_p are 26.6 and 5.9 l./mole-sec and of k_t 140 × 10⁴ and 1.7 × 10⁴ l./mole-sec for blank and template polymerization, respectively. The changes in k_p and k_t, due to the presence of template polymer, are explained in terms of an extra loss of activation entropy in the stereoselective propagation step and a strong hindrance of segmental diffusion for the termination reaction of the chains growing along the polymer template.     

On acrylonitrile polymerization in the presence of zinc salts

Acrylonitrile polymerization photoinitiated at 365 nm by pyrene and/or azobisisobutyronitrile in the presence of zinc salts in N,N-dimethylformamide solution has been studied by the rotating sector method. It was found that the ratio of the rate constants for propagation and termination (k_p/k_t) increases on addition of zinc salts (chloride, nitrate, acetate). This increase was more pronounced for the azobisisobutyronitrile photoinitiated polymerization of acrylonitrile then for its pyrene photoinitiated polymerization. The results confirm the previously expressed view concerning the dual role of zinc chloride in initiation as well as in propagation steps of acrylonitrile polymerization photoinitiated by aromatic hydrocarbons.

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Radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of C60

Radical polymerizations of styrene in the presence of C₆₀ have been conducted at 90°C in benzene using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. The behaviors of C₆₀ are investigated by monitoring BPO concentration, C₆₀ content, and polymerization time. It is found that C₆₀ acts like a radical absorber which multiply absorbs primary radicals from BPO and propagating radicals. Therefore, in the presence of C the yield and molecular weight decrease significantly. However, the molecular weight distribution is narrowed down by its coupling characteristics. At the beginning of the reaction, owing to the radical-absorbing effect of C₆₀, it makes the chain-propagation restricted. However, the number of polystyrene chains added to C₆₀ increases with polymerization time. Direct dilatometric experiment proves that C₆₀ is mainly as inhibitor for radical polymerization of styrene by benzoyl peroxide. Besides, the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the copolymers increases with increasing content of C₆₀. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2969–2975, 1999     

Radical block polymerization of vinyl chloride. II. Synthesis and characterization of vinyl chloride block copolymers

Peroxidized polypropylene has been used as a heterofunctional initiator for a two-step emulsion polymerization of a vinyl monomer (M₁) and vinyl chloride with the production of vinyl chloride block copolymers. Styrene, methyl-, and n-butyl methacrylate and methyl-, ethyl-, n-butyl-, and 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate have been used as M₁ and polymerized at 30–40°C. In the second step vinyl chloride was polymerized at 50°C. The range of chemical composition of the block copolymers depends on the rate of the first-step polymerization of M₁ and the duration of the second step; e.g., with 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate block copolymers could be obtained with a vinyl chloride content of 25–90%. The block copolymers have been submitted to precipitation fractionation and GPC analysis. Noteworthy is the absence of any significant amount of homopolymers, as well as poly(M₁)n as PVC. The absence of homo-PVC was interpreted by an intra- and intermolecular tertiary hydrogen atom transfer from polypropylene residue to growing PVC sequences. The presence of saturated end groups on the PVC chains is responsible for the improved thermal stability of these block polymers, as well as their low rate of dehydrochlorination (180°C). Molecular aggregation in solution has been shown by molecular weight determination in benzene and tetrahydrofuran.     

Cationic polymerization of vinyl compounds in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium salts

The effects of salts were examined in cationic polymerization of vinyl compounds. Cationic polymerization of styrene was carried out at 0°C, with acetyl perchlorate, stannic chloride, stannic chloride–trichloroacetic acid and boron trifluoride etherate as catalysts. Tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate, fluoroborate and iodide were used as salts. The presence of small amounts of the salts changed both the polymerization rate and the molecular weight of polymer considerably. The consideration of various effects led to the conclusion that the results are explicable principally on the basis of counterion exchange. To confirm this, the copolymerization of 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether with γ-methylstyrene was investigated at ?78°C. The copolymer composition curve when stannic chloride was used as catalyst was changed and coincided with that of polymer obtained with acetyl perchlorate catalysis when the perchlorate salt was added. This supports the concept of counterion exchange.     

On suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride. Polymerization of vinyl chloride in the presence of epoxidized oil

A study has been made on the suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride in the presence of epoxidized cottonseed oil. Inclusion of the additive into the polymer chain was proved by i.r. spectrophotometry. The effects of epoxidized cottonseed oil on polymerization rate and K-value were slight, but plasticizer absorption by the polymer was reduced. Thermogravimetric curves of the product have been obtained, and show that epoxidized cottonseed oil improves the thermostability of the polymer.     

Sonolysis of chlorobenzene in the presence of transition metal salts

Sonolysis of aqueous solution of chlorobenzene at 200 kHz frequency in the presence of transition metals chlorides was investigated. Through analyzing the nature and distribution of the products detected in the reaction mixture, a new mechanism of sonodegradation is advanced. Depending on the metals used and their behavior during sonolysis, we were able to discriminate between inside and outside cavitation bubble mechanisms. Iron and cobalt chlorides, which could undergo redox reactions in the presence of HO radicals generated ultrasonically, give higher amounts of phenolic compounds compared with palladium chloride that undergoes a reduction to metal. Palladium reduction takes place in bulk solution and therefore all organic reactions that compete for hydrogen must occur also in bulk solution. Accordingly, palladium can be a useful tool in determining the reaction site and the decomposition mechanism of organic compounds under ultrasonic irradiation.     

Solubilities of the cyclodextrins in the presence of transition metal salts

The solubilities of -, -, and -cyclodextrin have been measured in the presence of the first row transition metals: Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺; chlorides, nitrates and sulphates (in this case Fe²⁺), and, for companson, with CaCl₂, the corresponding Group IIa salt. Where possible the measurements are reported as a function of the activity of the salts. In general, for the transition metals the sulphates all show a linear decrease in solubility with increasing salt activity: for the nitrates the solubility increases and then reaches a limiting value; and for the chlorides a small decrease in solubility is observed at low activity followed by an increase in solubility at higher salt activity. Circular dichroism measurements confirm that there is no direct complexation at non-basic pH.Presented at the Sixth International Seminar on Inclusion Compounds, Istanbul, Turkey, 27–31 August 1995.