Copolymerization of the macromonomer poly(ethylene oxide) with styryl end group and styrene in the presence of poly(ε‐caprolactone) with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy end group by controlled radical mechanism

A copolymerization of macromonomer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with a styryl end group (PEO_S) and styrene was successfully carried out in the presence of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy end group (PCL_T). The resulting copolymer showed a narrower molecular weight distribution and controlled molecular weight. The effect of the molecular weight and concentration of PCL_T and PEO_S on the copolymerization are discussed. The purity of PEO_S exerted a significant effect on the copolymerization; when the diol contents of PEO macromonomer were greater than 1%, the crosslinking product was found. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2093–2099, 2004     

A Systems Approach to a One-Pot Electrochemical Wittig Olefination Avoiding the Use of Chemical Reductant or Sacrificial Electrode

An unprecedented one-pot fully electrochemically driven Wittig olefination reaction system without employing a chemical reductant or sacrificial electrode material to regenerate triphenylphosphine (TPP) from triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) and base-free in situ formation of Wittig ylides, is reported. Starting from TPPO, the initial step of the phosphoryl P=O bond activation proceeds through alkylation with RX (R=Me, Et; X=OSO₂CF₃ (OTf)), affording the corresponding [Ph₃POR]⁺X⁻ salts which undergo efficient electroreduction to TPP in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of the Sc(OTf)₃ Lewis acid on a Ag-electrode. Subsequent alkylation of TPP affords Ph₃PR⁺ which enables a facile and efficient electrochemical in situ formation of the corresponding Wittig ylide under base-free condition and their direct use for the olefination of various carbonyl compounds. The mechanism and, in particular, the intriguing role of Sc³⁺ as mediator in the TPPO electroreduction been uncovered by density functional theory calculations.     

Styrene polymerization catalyzed by metal porphyrin complex/MAO for in situ synthesizing polystyrene containing air stable π cation radicals

A novel catalyst system based on nickel(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (Ni(II)TPP) and methylaluminoxane for styrene polymerization was developed. This catalyst system has a high thermal stability and show fairly good activity. The obtained polystyrene (PS) was isotactic‐rich atactic polymer by ¹³C NMR analysis, and its molecular weight distribution was rather narrow (M_w/M_n ≈ 1.6, by GPC analysis). ESR revealed that Ni(II)TPP π cation radicals were formed in the polymerization and could remain in the resulting PS stably. The mechanism of the polymerization was discussed and a special coordination mechanism was proposed. The PS product containing Ni(II)TPP π cation radicals can be used as a potential functional material. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1240–1248, 2008     

Polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols with a new tosyl chloride/triphenylphosphine oxide/pyridine condensing agent

A new condensing agent comprised of tosyl chloride (TsCl) and triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) in pyridine was very effective for the preparation of polyesters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols with higher molecular weight than those obtained from TsCl/dimethylformamide in pyridine. Among the phosphorus compounds examined TPPO was most effective, and the reaction using half an equivalent with respect to the carboxyl groups yielded the most favorable results at temperatures of more than 100°C.     

用甲基铝氧烷活化的氯化稀土催化剂合成高顺式窄分布聚丁二烯

以NdCl3.4L(配体L为膦酸三丁酯TBP、膦酸三苯酯TPP、膦酸二异辛酯P204)为主催化剂(简称[Nd])、甲基铝氧烷(MAO,简称[Al])为助催化剂和环己烷为溶剂,进行1,3-丁二烯聚合的研究.考察了配体对丁二烯聚合反应活性的规律及MAO用量、催化剂陈化时间、溶剂种类对聚合的影响;并对聚合物进行NMR,IR和GPC的表征.结果表明,3种配体的聚合活性顺序为TBP>P204>TPP;当[Al]/[Nd]为30时,聚合物的分子量分布指数达到1.20;30℃陈化时,聚丁二烯cis-1,4结构均大于97%;与正己烷、甲苯溶剂对比来看,环己烷体系所得聚合产物的分子量分布相对较窄、产率较高.     

Studies of degradation enhancement of polystyrene by flame retardant additives

Experimental methods as well as thermodynamic modeling techniques were utilized to explore potential gas and condensed-phase contributions of various flame retardant (FR) additives with polystyrene polymer. FR additives investigated include hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), triphenyl phosphine oxide (TPPO), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), triphenyl phosphine sulfide (TPPS), and sulfur. Flame studies of fundamental FR activity were also employed using molecular beam mass spectrometry analysis of FR active species directly in a flame system. The flame studies show direct evidence for active bromine (HBr, Br) species for HBCD and active phosphorous species (HPO₂, PO, PO₂ HPO₃) species for TPPO and TPP which provide high potential for gas-phase activity for these FR additives. Various experimental measurements were also done to assess the degradation species and the degree of degradation of polystyrene by the FR additives. These studies support enhanced degradation of the base polystyrene polymer by the FR additive as a major pathway for condensed FR activity for HBCD and sulfur FR additives. Phosphorous based structures appear to show little enhancement of polystyrene degradation.     

Radical polymerization of allylbiguanide

Monoallyl compounds are not readily homopolymerized by a conventional free‐radical mechanism. However, we successfully performed the radical polymerization of allylbiguanide hydrochloride in a concentrated acid solution (hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid) in the presence of a radical initiator at 50 °C. The polymer product was precipitated from the reaction solution through the addition of an excess amount of acetone. The precipitated crude polymer [polyallylbiguanide (PAB)] was then purified by dialysis. PAB was confirmed by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and ¹H NMR. The molecular weight range of PAB was 10,340–113,200, and PAB exhibited a low polydispersity (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight = 1.04–1.68) by multi‐angle laser light scattering. The polymerization of allylbiguanide was quite sensitive to the protonic concentration of the inorganic acid. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1707–1711, 2004     

Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene in the presence of cyclic olefins: A new approach for molecular weight,molecular weight distribution,and stereoregularity controls for syndiotactic polystyrene

A new approach for facilitating microstructural controls for syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS), in which, styrene polymerization is conducted in the presence of cyclic olefins and hydrogen, is proposed. Detailed structural analyses revealed that cyclic olefins are not incorporated into the polystyrene main chain; instead, they are capable of interrupting the chain propagation processes by binding onto the active catalyst to form a cyclic‐olefin‐coordinated active site. Thus, in the presence of hydrogen, chain transfer by hydrogen addition occurs selectively, which leads to the generation of drastically lower molecular weight sPS with a narrower range of molecular weight distribution. Chain end structural analyses of the resulting polymers revealed that styrene polymerization under theses conditions involves a selective chain transfer pathway for providing styrene polymers with uniform chain end structures. A unique method for inducing a selective chain transfer reaction by using non‐incorporated cyclic olefins to regulate the chain reaction mechanism is demonstrated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of PMMA‐b‐PBA block copolymer in homogeneous and miniemulsion systems by DPE controlled radical polymerization

In this research, poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(butyl acrylate) (PMMA‐b‐PBA) block copolymers were prepared by 1,1‐diphenylethene (DPE) controlled radical polymerization in homogeneous and miniemulsion systems. First, monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA), initiator 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and a control agent DPE were bulk polymerized to form the DPE‐containing PMMA macroinitiator. Then the DPE‐containing PMMA was heated in the presence of a second monomer BA, the block copolymer was synthesized successfully. The effects of solvent and polymerization methods (homogeneous polymerization or miniemulsion polymerization) on the reaction rate, controlled living character, molecular weight (M_n) and molecular weight distribution (PDI) of polymers throughout the polymerization were studied and discussed. The results showed that, increasing the amounts of solvent reduced the reaction rate and viscosity of the polymerization system. It allowed more activation–deactivation cycles to occur at a given conversion thus better controlled living character and narrower molecular weight distribution of polymers were demonstrated throughout the polymerization. Furthermore, the polymerization carried out in miniemulsion system exhibited higher reaction rate and better controlled living character than those in homogeneous system. It was attributed to the compartmentalization of growing radicals and the enhanced deactivation reaction of DPE controlled radical polymerization in miniemulsified droplets. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4435–4445, 2009     

Controlled ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide catalyzed by double metal‐cyanide complex

A double metal‐cyanide catalyst based on Zn₃[Co(CN)₆]₂ was prepared. This catalyst is very effective for the ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide. Polyether polyols of moderate molecular weight having low unsaturation (<0.015 meq/g) can be prepared under mild conditions. The molecular weight of polymer is entirely controlled by a reacted monomer‐to‐initiator ratio. The polymers prepared with stepwise addition of monomer exhibit a narrower molecular weight distribution as compared with those prepared with one‐step addition of monomer. Various compounds containing active hydrogen, except basic compounds and low‐carbon carboxylic acid, may be used as initiators. The reaction rate increases with increasing catalyst amount and decreases with rising initiator concentration. Polymerization involves a rapid exchange reaction between the active species and the dormant species. It was also proven that, to a certain extent, the chain termination of this catalytic system is reversible or temporary. ¹³C NMR analysis showed that the polymer has a random distribution of the configurational sequences and head‐to‐tail regiosequence. It is assumed that the polymerization proceeds via a cationic coordination mechanism. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1142–1150, 2002     

Catalytic phenomena in the electrochemical reduction of triphenylphosphine and triphenylphosphine oxide in non-aqueous solvents with tetraalkylammonium supporting electrolytes

Polarography, cyclic voltammetry and coulometry reveal that a catalytic reduction of the tetraalkylammonium cation, R₄N⁺, of the supporting electrolyte is involved in the electrochemical reduction of triphenylphosphine (TPP) and its oxide (TPPO) in aprotic solvents such as acetonitrile, dimethylformamide and hexamethylphosphoramide. There is however progressive consumption of TPP and TPPO resulting in the final formation of phenyl substitution products (RPØ₂ and ROPØ₂). Comparison with the reduction of the BuPØ₃⁺ cation allows to propose the following mechanism which involves a chemical type catalytic process:

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Redox type catalytic mechanisms are discussed and shown to be unlikely. Values of the alkylation rate constant are derived from the polarographic or the coulometric data or from cyclic voltammetry according to its magnitude which varies with the solvent. TPP anion radical appears as more readily alkylable than TPPO anion radical.     

Hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane with dendritic boron cores: Synthesis,characterization, and structure regulation

The synthesis, characterization, and structure regulation of hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane with dendritic boron cores were realized in this paper. First, dendritic boron core was synthesized via hydroboration with borane dimethylsulfide and bis(allyloxy)dimethylsilane. Then, the hyperbranched polycarbosiloxanes with dendritic boron cores were synthesized via hydrosilylation with AB₂ type monomer of bis(allyloxy)methylsilane and dendritic boron cores. The molecular structures of the dendritic boron core and resulting hyperbranched polymers were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Size exclusion chromatography/multiangle laser light scattering analysis reveals that the structures of hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane can be regulated effectively by incorporation of functional dendritic boron cores. Compared with hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane of the same molecular weight level, the hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane with dendritic boron cores presents narrower molecular weight distribution as well as much smaller hydrodynamic radius and intrinsic viscosity. Thermalgravimetric analyzer analysis indicates that both the decomposition temperature and ceramic yields are increased as the results of the incorporation of dendritic boron cores into hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3930–3941, 2006     

Melt drawing of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene: Comparison of Ziegler‐ and metallocene‐catalyzed reactor powders

The drawing behavior of the ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW‐PE) melts has been studied by comparing the stress/strain curves for two types of samples as polymerized using conventional Ziegler and newer metallocene catalyst systems. Two UHMW‐PE samples, having the same viscosity average molecular weight of 3.3 × 10⁶, but different molecular weight distribution, have been drawn from melt at special conditions. The sample films for drawing were prepared by compression molding of reactor powders at 180°C in the melt. Differences in the structural changes during drawing and resultant properties, ascribable to their broad or narrow molecular weight distribution, were estimated from tensile tests, SEM observations, X‐ray measurements and thermal analyses. The metallocene‐catalyzed sample having narrower molecular weight distribution, could be effectively drawn from the melt up to a maximum draw ratio (DR) of 20, significantly lower than that obtained for the Ziegler‐catalyzed sample, ∼ 50. The stress/strain curves on drawing were remarkably influenced by draw conditions, including draw temperature and rate. However, the most effective draw for both was achieved at 150°C and a strain rate of 5 min⁻¹, independent of sample molecular weight distribution. The efficiency of drawing, as evaluated by the resultant tensile properties as a function of DR, was higher for the metallocene‐catalyzed sample having narrower molecular weight distribution. Nevertheless, the maximum achieved tensile modulus and strength for the Ziegler sample, 50–55 and 0.90 GPa, respectively, were significantly higher than those for the metallocene sample, 20 and 0.65 GPa, respectively, reflecting the markedly higher drawability for the former than the latter. The stress/strain behavior indicated that the origin of differences during drawing from the melt could be attributed to the ease of chain relaxation for the lower molecular weight chains in the melt. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1921–1930, 1999     

Synthesis of polycarbonate from dimethyl carbonate and bisphenol-a through a non-phosgene process

A novel nonphosgene process for producing bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) was developed through a transesterification between bisphenol-A (BPA) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and a melt-polycondensation of the resulting bisphenol-A bismethylcarbonate (1). The transesterification was carried out by heating bisphenol A in dimethylcarbonate in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts, removing the by-producing methanol using molecular shieves 4A. Among various catalysts, a combination of (Bu₂SnCl)₂O and dimethylaminopyridine gave the best results to produce 1 in 22% yield for 48 h. Using a larger amount of the molecular sieves further improved the yield to 80% in 120 h. The resulting 1 was heated under reduced pressure in the presence of titanium catalysts to produce PC in good yields. The resulting PC had high weight average molecular weight (M_w) of 75,000. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2087–2093, 1999     

New acid/base salts as co‐catalysts for the organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization of lactide

(R)‐(+)‐binaphathyl‐diyl hydrogen phosphate (BNPH)/ diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) and (1R)‐(?)?10‐camphorsulfonic acid (CSA)/4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) acid–base salts were synthesized and assessed for the ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide. They were found to be inactive toward the polymerization in the presence of a protic initiator. When used in combination with a base such as DBU or DMAP and a protic initiator, these acid/base conjugates led to well‐controlled polymerization in mild conditions (D_M < 1.1 in all cases). With DBU, the presence of the salt was found to lead to narrower molecular weight distributions than those obtained using the base alone, and to prevent undesirable transesterification reactions occurring at the end of the reaction. An increase in activity was observed using the salts in combination with DMAP as compared with DMAP alone, together with an improvement of the control over the molecular weight. The results were discussed on the basis of ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance analyzes including acid/base equilibria involving the use of two different bases. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 659–664     

New developments in the synthesis and characterization of phosphate esters of linear (per)fluoropolyether monofunctional and difunctional macromonomers

The synthesis of (per)fluoropolyether phosphate esters prepared by the reaction of phosphorus pentoxide and fluorinated alcohols has been investigated. The reactivity strongly depends on the structure of the fluorinated alcohol, generally decreasing with increasing acidity. Moreover, the addition of a modulated amount of water to the starting fluorinated alcohol allows the fine‐tuning of the monoalkylester and dialkylester contents in the final products. Therefore, when difunctional perfluoropolyether macromonomers are considered, the polymerization degree can be varied, and phosphate oligoesters of different molecular weights can be obtained in high yields, even if, as in this study, the synthesis is focused on low‐molecular‐weight oligomers. This easy control of the oligoester composition in the final product makes it possible to address the synthesis of phosphate oligoesters having a well‐defined equivalent weight, which also depends on the average molecular weight of the starting alcohol. The full characterization of the products is made possible by the combination of different NMR techniques (¹H, ¹⁹F, ³¹P, ¹³C, and two‐dimensional NMR: ³¹P–¹H and ³¹P–¹³C). This synthetic route shows great potential and opens the way to a new family of interesting candidates for the treatment of different organic or inorganic substrates to impart phobic properties against both polar and apolar substances. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4790–4804, 2005     

In situ generation of nitroxide from alkoxyamines for controlled acrylate polymerization

A general strategy for the controlled nitroxide-mediated polymerization of acrylates from alkoxyamines without addition of excess free nitroxide is outlined. 2,2-Dimethyl-3-(1-phenylethoxy)-4-phenyl-3-azapentane ( 1 ), prepared in one pot by the addition of 1-phenylethyl radicals to 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane, is heated prior to the addition of monomer to afford a mixture of alkoxyamine 1 , free nitroxide, and 2,3-diphenylbutane. With a 30 min preheating period at temperatures up to 125 °C, the kinetics of the subsequent polymerization of n-butyl acrylate at 125 °C appear largely unaffected, though the ultimate molecular weight of the polymers is dependent upon the preheating temperature. The poly(n-butyl acrylate) samples, that result from this process, have much narrower molecular weight distributions than those which result in the absence of the preheating process. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5128–5136, 2006     

Synthesis of hyperbranched poly(ether nitrile)s by one‐step polycondensation of an AB2 monomer

Hyperbranched poly(ether nitrile)s were prepared from a novel AB₂ type monomer, 2‐chloro‐4‐(3,5‐dihydroxyphenoxy)benzonitrile, via nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Soluble and low‐viscous hyperbranched polymers with molecular weights upto 233,600 (M_w) were isolated. According to the ¹H NMR and GPC data, the unique polymerization behavior was observed, which implies that the weight average molecular weight increased after the number average molecular weight reached plateau region. Model compounds were prepared to characterize the branching structure. Spectroscopic measurements of the model compounds and the resulting polymers, such as ¹H, DEPT ¹³C NMR, and MS, strongly suggest that the ether exchange reaction and cyclization are involved in the propagation reaction. The side reactions would affect the unique polymerization behavior. The resulting polymers showed a good solubility in organic solvents similar to other hyperbranched aromatic polymers. The hydroxy‐terminated polymer was even soluble in basic water. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5835–5844, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐styrene)‐graft‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) by sequential controlled polymerization

A new graft copolymer, poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐styrene) ‐graft‐poly(?‐caprolactone), was prepared by combination of reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) with coordination‐insertion ring‐opening polymerization (ROP). The copolymerization of styrene (St) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was carried out at 60 °C in the presence of 2‐phenylprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate (PPDTB) using AIBN as initiator. The molecular weight of poly (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐styrene) [poly(HEMA‐co‐St)] increased with the monomer conversion, and the molecular weight distribution was in the range of 1.09 ～ 1.39. The ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ?‐caprolactone was then initiated by the hydroxyl groups of the poly(HEMA‐co‐St) precursors in the presence of stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)₂). GPC and ¹H‐NMR data demonstrated the polymerization courses are under control, and nearly all hydroxyl groups took part in the initiation. The efficiency of grafting was very high. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5523–5529, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined diblock and triblock copolymers of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and poly(ethylene oxide)

Well‐defined diblock and triblock copolymers composed of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were successfully synthesized through the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with PEO capped with one or two dithiobenzoyl groups as a macrotransfer agent. ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared, and gel permeation chromatography instruments were used to characterize the block copolymers obtained. The results showed that the diblock and triblock copolymers had well‐defined structures and narrow molecular weight distributions (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight < 1.2), and the molecular weight of the PNIPAM block in the diblock and triblock copolymers could be controlled by the initial molar ratio of NIPAM to dithiobenzoate‐terminated PEO and the NIPAM conversion. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4873–4881, 2004