Synthesis and characterization of carbamoylphosphonate monomer and its copolymer with styrene. II

A monomer, diethyl α,α-dimethyl-m-isopropenylbenzyl carbamoylphosphonate, has been prepared by the base-catalyzed reaction of the isocyanate m-TMI (α,α-dimethyl-m-isopropenylbenzylisocyanate) with diethyl phosphite. The structure of the carbamoylphosphonate monomer and its styrene copolymer was confirmed spectroscopically, and the nature of the hydrogen bondings in the  NHC(O)P(O)(OR)₂ unit in the monomer and copolymer is discussed in detail. A bulk polymerization of the carbamoylphosphonate is very slow and tends to yield a crosslinked product, but a solution polymerization produced the soluble copolymers. The T_g(midpoint) of the homo-polymer is low, 67°C, and its capacity to complex UO₂(NO₃)₂ is very high, 28 wt % (19 mol %). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 889–899, 1997     

Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate and styrene on non-isothermal crystallization behavior of polypropylene

Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of polypropylene (PP), m-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethyl-benzyl isocyanate grafted PP (PP-g-m-TMI), and styrene(St), as comonomer, together with m-TMI grafted PP (PP-g-(St-m-TMI)) was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under different cooling rates. The crystallization rates of all samples increased with increasing cooling rate. The relation of the half time of crystallization (t _1/2) of the three samples, t _{1/2(PP-g-(St-m-TMI))} < t _{1/2(PP-g-m-TMI)} < t _1/2(PP), implying the introduction of St could effectively improve the degree of grafting of m-TMI, resulting in crystallization temperature increased, and the crystallization rate was the fastest. Three methods, namely, the Avrami, the Ozawa, and the Mo, were used to describe the crystallization process of the three samples under non-isothermal conditions. The Avrami and Ozawa neglected the secondary crystallization that follows primary crystallization. The Mo method can successfully describe the overall non-isothermal crystallization process of all the samples. It has been found that the F(T)_{(PP-g-(St-m-TMI))} < F(T)_(PP-g-m-TMI) < F(T)_(PP), also meaning that the crystallization rate of PP-g-(St-m-TMI) and PP-g-m-TMI were faster than that of PP. The activation energy (ΔE) for non-isothermal crystallization of all samples was determined by using the Kissinger method. The result showed that the lower value of ΔE for crystallization obtained for PP-g-m -TMI and PP-g-(St-m-TMI) confirmed the nucleating effect of St and m-TMI on crystallization of PP.     

Hydrosilylation of m-TMI: New siloxane based aliphatic polyisocynates

Well-characterized polyfunctional aliphatic isocyanates were obtained in high purity and quantitative yield by the hydrosilylation of m-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate (m-TMI) with cyclic and acyclic hydrogementhylsiloxance. The products were characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, IR, and GPC, and all result exclusively from ß-addition to m-TMI. Polymers with SiH Groups are also effective hydrosilylating agents of m-TMI. The isocyanato siloxanes can be used as precursors for star and network polymers as well as other poly-functional reagents, and examples of reactions with methoxy polyethylene glycol and with amine-containing compounds are discussed.     

Preparation of a novel HALS polypropylene stabilizer

The radiation induced graft copolymerization of m-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethyl benzyl iso-cyanate (m-TMI) and styrene onto polypropylene was carried out. The extent of grafting increased with increasing amount of styrene and with increased radiation dose. A graft load of 180% was obtained by immersing a 50 kGy pre-irradiated film in a monomer solution containing 25 mol % m-TMI and 75 mol % styrene. The graft copolymer is suitable for covalently binding nonpolymerizable stabilizers with a suitable nucleophilic moiety. In this work the isocyanate moiety of the graft copolymer was allowed to react with 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine, a hindered amine light stabilizer. Fourier trans-formed infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of an urea moiety. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Glass transition temperatures of several fluorine-containing polymers

The glass transition temperatures T_g of several fluorine-containing polymers were determined by use of the differential scanning calorimeter. Values between ?3 and 230°C were obtained. In polymers of α-olefins, T_g increases with the fluorine content of the backbone and the length of the n-perfluoroalkyl branch. In styrene polymers T_g also is higher if the backbone contains fluorine but nearly the same T_g's are found for polymers with phenyl and pentafluorophenyl groups. Saturated polymers of perfluoro-α,ω-dienes have lower T_g's than polyperfluoro-α-olefins. The T_g's of chloroperfluoropolymers are higher than those of perfluoropolymers. Polyperfluoropentadiene-1,3 has the lowest T_g of the polymers examined. Polyperfluoropentadiene-1,3 forms by 1,4-addition.     

Thermoanalytical evaluation of readily available reference polymers

A commercial set of polymers has been characterized by TG-DTA, DSC, TMA, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Thermal and mechanical stability, as well as the polymer glass transition temperature,T _g, and melt temperature,T _m, have been documented. There is a good correlation between measuredT _g andT _m values and published data. The degree of polymer crystallinity for polyethylene has been verified by XRD. The credibility and stability of these reference polymers is based on a comparison of their thermal properties, over a wide range of temperatures from two versions of a reference set, published in 1979 (A) and 1994 (B). The thermal properties and crystallinity of these polymers have stood the test of time and are reliable, readily available and consistent.     

New soybean oil–styrene–divinylbenzene thermosetting copolymers. II. Dynamic mechanical properties

A variety of new polymeric materials ranging from soft rubbers to hard, tough, and brittle plastics were prepared from the cationic copolymerization of regular soybean oil, low saturation soybean oil (LoSatSoy oil), or conjugated LoSatSoy oil with styrene and divinylbenzene initiated by boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BF₃ · OEt₂) or related modified initiators. The relationship between the dynamic mechanical properties of the various polymers obtained and the stoichiometry, the types of soybean oils and crosslinking agents, and the different modified initiators was investigated. The room‐temperature storage moduli ranged from 6 × 10⁶ to 2 × 10⁹ Pa, whereas the single glass‐transition temperatures (T_g) varied from approximately 0 to 105 °C. These properties were comparable to those of commercially available rubbery materials and conventional plastics. The crosslinking densities of the new polymers were largely dependent on the concentration of the crosslinking agent and the type of soybean oil employed and varied from 74 to 4 × 10⁴ mol/m³. The T_g increased and the intensity of the loss factor decreased irregularly with an increase in the logarithmic crosslinking densities of the polymers. Empirical equations were established to describe the effect of crosslinking on the loss factor in these new polymeric materials. The polymers based on conjugated LoSatSoy oil, styrene, and divinylbenzene possessed the highest room‐temperature moduli and T_g 's. These new soybean oil polymers appear promising as replacements for petroleum‐based polymeric materials. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2721–2738, 2000     

New amorphous perfluoro polymers: perfluorodioxolane polymers for use as plastic optical fibers and gas separation membranes

To address the need for perfluoro polymers with higher T_g, we have prepared and characterized various perfluorodioxolane monomers via direct fluorination of the hydrocarbon precursors. These monomers were readily polymerized in bulk or in solution initiated by perfluorodibenzoyl peroxide. The polymers obtained have relatively high T_g(~160°C) and exhibited low material dispersion. These polymers are completely amorphous and soluble in fluorinated solvents. The polymers are also chemically and thermally stable (T_g > 300°C). Thus, these perfluorodioxolane polymers may be used as plastic optical fiber material where high T_g is required, such as in automobile and aircraft application. These perfluorodioxolane polymers were also investigated for use as gas separation membrane. Among these polymers, the copolymer of perfluoro (2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolane) and perfluoro (2‐methylene‐4,5‐dimethyl dioxolane) showed superior gas separation performance compared with the commercial perfluoro polymers for a number of gas pair, including CO₂/CH₄, H_e/CH₄, H₂/CH₄, and N₂/CH₄. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low surface energy polymers and surface-active block polymers. III. Adamantyl-containing polymers

Two adamantyl-containing oxazoline monomers. 2-(1-adamantyl)-2-oxazoline, A , and 2-(1-adamantylmethyl)-2-oxazoline, B , were synthesized, and polymerized in 1,2-dichlorobenzene to give polymers PA and PB respectively. Both polymers are highly crystalline and showed very high T_m's (269°C for PA and 320°C for PB ) and little solubility in common organic solvents. Annealed PA showed a critical surface tension of 23.6 dyne/cm. PB was not soluble in the many organic solvents tested at room temperature. Due to its high T_m and insolubility, contact angle measurements on PB were impossible. Diblock copolymers based on different weight ratios of A and 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline, E , showed relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) when methyl p-nitrobenzenesulfonate, I , was used as initiator. After annealing, diblock polymers with B/I = 7, 10, or 12 showed T_m's (200–281°C); after quenching the same samples showed T_c's (160–171°C), which were lower than that of pure PB , 215°C. The quenched diblocks showed single T_g's (63–82°C) which implies that these short blocks are compatible. Diblock polymer with B/I = 5 and E/I = 20 was amorphous and displayed inverse emulsifying ability in styrene + water emulsion polymerization. BEB type triblock polymers prepared using ethylene glycol dinosylate as initiator had broader MWD and higher T_m's compared to their diblock counterparts with the same B/E wt% and B/I ratios. These triblock polymers were not completely soluble in styrene and/or water and therefore could not be used as emulsifying agents.     

Properties of polyethylene modified with phosphonate side groups. II. Dynamic mechanical behavior

The viscoelastic behavior of phosphonate derivatives of phosphonylated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied by dynamic mechanical techniques. The polymers investigated contained from 0.2 to 9.1 phosphonate groups per 100 carbon atoms and included the dimethyl phosphonate derivative and two derivatives for which the phosphonate ester group was an oligomer of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The temperature dependences of the storage and loss moduli of the dimethyl phosphonate derivatives were qualitatively similar to those of LDPE. At low phosphonate concentrations, the α, β, and γ dispersion regions characteristic of PE were observed, while at concentrations greater than 0.5 pendent groups per 100 carbons atoms, only the β and α relaxations could be discerned. At low degrees of substitution, the temperature of the β relaxation T_β decreased from that of PE, but above a degree of substitution of 0.1, T_β increased. This behavior was attributed to the competing influences of steric effects which tend to decrease T_β and dipolar interactions between the phosphonate groups which increase T_β. For the phosphonate containing PEO, a new dispersion region designated as the β′ relaxation was observed as a low-temperature shoulder of the β relaxation. The temperature of the β′ loss was consistent with T_g(U) of the PEO oligomers as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and it is suggested that the β′-loss process results from the relaxation of PEO domains which constitute a discrete phase within the PE matrix.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylcyclohexane) derivatives

Six nearly monodisperse substituted poly(styrene) homopolymers, poly(styrene) (PS), poly(2-methylstyrene) (P2MS), poly(3-methylstyrene) (P3MS), poly(4-methylstyrene) (P4MS), poly(tertiary-butylstyrene) (PtBS), and poly(α-methylstyrene) (FαMS) were anionically polymerized and subsequently saturated using heterogeneous hydrogenation techniques to poly(vinylcyclohexane) (PVCH), poly(2-methylvinylcyclohexane) (P2MVCH), poly(3-methylvinylcyclohexane) (P3MVCH), poly(4-methylvinylcyclohexane) (P4MVCH), and poly(tertiary-butylvinylcyclohexane) (PtBVCH), respectively. In each case, except PαMS, the materials were saturated to > 99% conversion with no chain degradation. PS hydrogenations required the addition of small amounts of tetrahydrofuran to the reaction solvent cyclohexane to enhance miscibility and eliminate large-scale chain degradation. Density gradient and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were used to characterize the density and glass transition temperature, T_g, of the unsaturated and saturated polymers. Saturation reduces the density by 3% to 11% and changes T_g substantially. The greatest variation in T_g is obtained with the 3-methyl substituted species where a 63°C increase is observed, while the highest measured T_g is 186°C for P2MVCH. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments on binary mixtures of hydrogenous and deuterium labeled PVCH derivatives provided a determination of bulk chain statistics. The statistical segment length is relatively insensitive to vinylcyclohexane ring substitution, except with P3MVCH where a 20% greater value is obtained. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Theoretical and Predictive Modelling of Physical Properties of Polymers

The application of Boltzmann statistics to a complete distribution of molecular conformation energies of simplified homo‐ and copolymer models gives meaningful information about temperatures at which phase transitions take place in the bulk. We have calculated in the conformation statistical distribution (CSD) approximation Helmholtz free energy variation versus temperature δF = δU–TδS, where U and S are, respectively, the internal molecular energy and the Gibbs statistical entropy of the considered polymeric model. The deepest minima correspond to glass‐transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m) of modelled polymers, while the remaining peaks are related to some other transitions, the existence of which is also experimentally proven. The adopted method is able to give T_g and T_m as a function of the molecular weight of polymers. Some indications can also be achieved about the instability of polymers. The same procedure has been applied to copolymers and blends and has given acceptable results for T_g and T_m as functions of the material microstructure and composition. Other thermal and mechanical properties, such as moduli, mobilities, chemical resistance to oxidation, physical tendency to miscibility, have been directly or indirectly estimated.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly (styrene-co-vinyl phosphonate) ionomers

Poly(styrene-co-diethyl vinylphosphonate) copolymers were synthesized by free radical copolymerization. The ester groups of the copolymers were hydrolyzed to phosphonic acid groups, and the sodium and zinc salts ionomers were obtained by neutralization. The structure and the thermal and viscoelastic properties of the copolymers and ionomers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and small-angle X-ray scattering. The phosphonate ester lowered the glass transition temperature (T_g) of polystyrene. The free acid derivatives and metal phosphonates increased T_g and produced a rubbery plateau region in the viscoelastic properties due to the formation of a physical network. The acid and salt ionomers exhibited microphase-separated morphologies and were thermorheologically complex. The phosphonic acid derivatives absorbed relatively little water, even for materials with ion-exchange capacities greater than 1.0 mEq/g, and were not conductive, which made them unsuitable for application as proton exchange membranes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3628–3641, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of wholly aromatic polyesters derived from 1-phenyl-2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid and aromatic diols

A series of new wholly aromatic polyesters was synthesized by melt polycondensation of 1-phenyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (PNDA) and diacetates of various aromatic diols. The aromatic diols studied are hydroquinone (HQ), methylhydroquinone (MHQ), phenylhydroquinone (PHQ), (α-phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone (PIHQ), 2,6-naphthalenediol (2,6-ND), 1,4-naphthalenediol (1,4-ND), and 4,4′-biphenol (BP). These polyesters were characterized for their crystallinity, glass transition temperature (T_g), melting temperature (T_m), liquid crystallinity, and thermal stability. In general, crystallinity of the polyesters are very low and the T_g values of the polyesters range from 150 to 172°C depending on the structure of aromatic diols. All of the polymers formed nematic phases above their T_m or T_g. The polyesters derived from PHQ and PIHQ are soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. The initial decomposition temperatures of the polyesters are above 400°C under N₂ atmosphere. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Novel aromatic polymers from benzaldehyde and triphenylamine derivatives: Synthesis,electrochromic, and photochemical properties

A series of novel triphenylamine‐based polymers were synthesized from benzaldehyde and triphenylamine derivatives. All the polymers having high molecular weight are readily soluble in many organic solvents and could be solution‐cast into amorphous films. They had glass transition temperatures (T_gs) in the range of 193–217 °C, and 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 475 °C. Cyclic voltammograms of all polymers showed reversible oxidation redox peaks and E_onset around 0.42–0.90 V, indicating that the polymers are electrochemically active and stable. In addition, all these polymers revealed photochemical characteristics in conformity with their electrochromic characteristics. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2118–2131, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers based on 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene

A series of novel mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers, poly[2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)‐styrene] (P‐n, n = 1–11), were prepared via free‐radical polymerization of newly synthesized monomers, 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene (M‐n, n = 1–11). The influence of the alkoxy tail length on the liquid‐crystalline behaviors of the monomers and the polymers was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The monomers with n = 1–4, 9, and 11 were monotropic nematic liquid crystals. All other monomers exhibited enantiotropic nematic properties. Their melting points (T_m's) decreased first as n increased to 6, after which T_m increased slightly at longer spacer lengths. The isotropic–nematic transition temperatures decreased regularly with increasing n values in an odd–even way. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) of the polymers first decreased as the tail lengths increased and then leveled off when n ≥ 7. All polymers were thermally stable and entered the mesophase at a temperature above T_g. Upon further heating, no mesophase‐to‐isotropic melt transition was observed before the polymers decomposed. WAXD studies indicated that an irreversible order–order transition for the polymers with short tails (n ≤ 5) and a reversible order–order transition for those with elongated tails (n ≥ 6) occurred at a temperature much higher than T_g. However, such a transition could not be identified by POM and could be detected by DSC only on heating scans for the polymers with long tails (n ≥ 7). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1454–1464, 2003     

Synthesis of novel poly(thioether‐naphthalimide)s that utilize hydrazine as the diamine

A series of bis(4‐thio‐1,8‐naphthalic anhydride)s and the corresponding bis(N‐amino naphthalimide) derivatives were synthesized from readily available compounds in high yield. A series of novel poly(thioether‐naphthalimide)s, which utilized hydrazine as the diamine, were synthesized by a one‐step polymerization reaction in m‐cresol. Poly(thioether‐naphthalimide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.57–1.73 dL/g were obtained. The polymers were soluble in CHCl₃ and were determined to have high molecular weights by means of gel permeation chromatographic analysis. They were soluble in m‐cresol and could be cast into tough films from m‐cresol solution. The glass‐transition temperature (T_g) values of the polyimides ranged from 320 to 353 °C. Polyimides from the bisphenol dianhydride, derived from 9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, did not show a clear transition in the DSC analysis. Degradation temperatures for 5% weight loss all occurred above 430 °C in nitrogen. The series of monomers were successfully copolymerized with each other. Monomers 6a and 7a , containing the bisphenol A moiety, could also be copolymerized with perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride. These copolymers had high T_g's and were thermally stable. The UV–vis absorption properties of the polymers were also examined. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1040–1050, 2001     

A–B–A stereoblock copolymers of N‐isopropylacrylamide

A–B–A stereoblock polymers with atactic poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as a hydrophilic block (either A or B) and a non‐water‐soluble block consisting of isotactic PNIPAM were synthesized using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. Yttrium trifluoromethanesulfonate was used in the tacticity control, and bifunctional S,S′‐bis(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)‐trithiocarbonate (BDAT) was utilized as a RAFT agent. Chain structures of the A–B–A stereoblock copolymers were determined using ¹H NMR, SEC, and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. BDAT proved to be an efficient RAFT agent in the controlled synthesis of stereoregular PNIPAM, and both atactic and isotactic PNIPAM were successfully used as macro RAFT agents. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the resulting polymers were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. We found that the T_g of isotactic PNIPAM is molecular weight dependent and varies in the present case between 115 and 158 °C. Stereoblock copolymers show only one T_g, indicating the miscibility of the blocks. Correspondingly, the T_g may be varied by varying the mutual lengths of the A and B blocks. The phase separation of aqueous solutions upon increasing temperature is strongly affected by the isotactic blocks. At a fixed concentration (5 mg/mL), an increase of the isotacticity of the stereoblock copolymers decreases the demixing temperature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 38–46, 2008     

Influence of fluorinated substituent and terminal length on phase behavior of mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystalline polymers with a biphenyl mesogen

A series of mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystalline polymers, poly{2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl 4′‐hydroxy‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐carboxylate} (PF3Cm, where m is the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy groups, and m = 1, 4, 6, and 8), the side chain of which contains a biphenyl core with a fluorocarbon substituent at one end and an alkoxy unit of varying length on the other end, were designed and successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. For comparison, poly{butyl 4′‐hydroxy‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐carboxylate} (PC4Cm), similar to PF3Cm but with a butyl group instead of the fluorocarbon substituent, was also prepared. Differential scanning calorimetric results reveal that the glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of the two series of polymers decrease as m increases and T_gs of the fluorocarbon‐substituted polymers are higher than those of the corresponding butyl‐substituted polymers. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements show that the mesophase structures of these polymers are dependent on the number of the carbon atoms in the fluorocarbon substituent and the property of the other terminal substituent. Polymers with fluorocarbon substituents enter into columnar nematic phases when m ≥ 4, whereas the polymer PF3C1 exhibits no liquid crystallinity. For polymers with butyl substituents, columnar nematic phases form when the number of carbon atoms at both ends of the side chain is not equal at high temperatures and disappear after the polymers are cooled to ambient temperature. However, when the polymer has the same number of carbon atoms at both ends of the side chain, a hexagonal columnar phase develops, and this phase remains after the polymer is cooled. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Preparation and properties of novel soluble aromatic polyimides from 4,4′-diaminotriphenylamine and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

New aromatic polyimides containing triphenylamine unit were prepared by two different methods, i.e., a conventional two-step method starting from 4,4′-diaminotriphenylamine and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and the one-step thioanhydride method starting from the aromatic diamine and aromatic tetracarboxylic dithioanhydrides. Both procedures yielded high-molecular-weight polyimides with inherent viscosities of 0.47–1.17 dL/g. Some of these polymers were soluble in organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, m-cresol, and pyridine. All the polyimides afforded transparent, flexible, and tough films, and the color varied from pale yellow to dark red, depending markedly on the tetracarboxylic acid components. The glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of these polyimides were in the range of 287–331°C and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 520°C in air. The polyimides prepared by the one-step method exhibited better solubility in organic solvents and had somewhat lower T_gs than the polymers prepared by a conventional two-step method.