Rheological properties of multisticker associative polyelectrolytes in semidilute aqueous solutions

Multisticker associative polyelectrolytes of acrylamide (≈86 mol %) and sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate (≈12 mol %), hydrophobically modified with N,N‐dihexylacrylamide groups (≈2 mol %), were prepared with a micellar radical polymerization technique. This process led to multiblock polymers in which the length of the hydrophobic blocks could be controlled through variations in the surfactant‐to‐hydrophobe molar ratio, that is, the number of hydrophobes per micelle (N_H). The rheological behavior of aqueous solutions of polymers with the same molecular weight and the same composition but with two different hydrophobic block lengths (N_H = 7 or 3 monomer units per block) was investigated as a function of the polymer concentration with steady‐flow, creep, and oscillatory experiments. The critical concentration at the onset of the viscosity enhancement decreased as the length of the hydrophobic segments in the polymers increased. Also, an increase in the N_H value significantly enhanced the thickening ability of the polymers and affected the structure of the transient network. In the semidilute unentangled regime, the behavior of the polymer with long hydrophobic segments (N_H = 7) was studied in detail. The results were well explained by the sticky Rouse theory of associative polymer dynamics. Finally, the viscosity decreased with an increase in the temperature, mainly because of a lowering of the sample relaxation time. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1640–1655, 2004     

Synthesis and solution behavior of comb‐like terpolymers with poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomer

A novel macromonomer: p‐vinylbenzyl‐terminated octylphenoxy poly(ethylene oxide) (polymerization number: 18) (VBPEO) was synthesized. The comb‐like acrylamide‐based terpolymers (PVEA) were synthesized by aqueous free‐radical copolymerization technique using acrylamide (AM), VBPEO and sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulphonate (NaAMPS). The macromonomer and PVEA polymer were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). The polymers exhibited self‐assembly behavior in water and the brine solutions. The polymers could be employed in the oil reservoirs of either the high or medium to low permeability due to the low intrinsic viscosities. The optimum NaAMPS feed amount could not only increase the water solubility, but also facilitate the intermolecular associations. Implementing VBPEO into the polymer greatly increased the rigidity of molecular chains, resulting in a high apparent viscosity of the PVEA in water and the brine solutions. The PVEA brine solutions exhibited both excellent uni‐ and bi‐valent cation resistance, salt‐ and heat‐thickening twice, pseudoplastic behavior, and thixotropy. The SEM morphologies showed that the expanded polymer bundles as well as the associated structures with huge sizes were formed for PVEA in water and that the continuous network structures were still formed in the PVEA brine solutions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1241–1250, 2010     

Hydrophobically associating water‐soluble polymers; a dramatic growth of solution viscosity and the specificity of physical gel formation

The rheological properties of dilute and semidilute solutions (viscosity) and physical gels (elasticity modulus) of hydrophobically modified self‐associated binary polymers (formed by micellar polymerization of acrylamide and methyl methacrylate with side hydrophobic groups (HG) containing 9, 12 and 18 C‐atoms), and terpolymers (the same monomers and a charged component — sodium acrylate) are studied. The dependences of properties on the length, form (linear or branched) and the number of HG and charges is established. It is shown that a very small number of linear HG leads to a considerably higher solution viscosity, starting at a smaller concentration compared with the effects of a larger number of branched HG. Solutions of terpolymers of concentration 2–3 wt % form physical gels that are thixotropic. After dilution, the polymers suddenly form gels at certain concentrations without the preliminary stage of viscosity growth     

表活性单体NaAMCnS及其聚合物的合成及性能研究

针对疏水缔合聚合物水溶性不足的问题，本文合成了三种含烷基磺酸根的阴离子型表面活性单体2-丙烯酰胺基辛烷基磺酸钠（NaAMC₈S）、2-丙烯酰胺基十二烷基磺酸钠(NaAMC₁₂S)和2-丙烯酰胺基十八烷基磺酸钠(NaAMC₁₈S),通过氢谱、碳谱、高分辨质谱对其结构进行了表征。通过表面张力法和电导率法测定了NaAMC₈S和NaAMC₁₂S的临界胶束浓度；用荧光探针技术研究了其增溶作用；以偶氮二异丁脒盐酸盐（AIBA）为引发剂，在水溶液中研究了丙烯酰胺（AM）分别与NaAMC₈S、NaAMC₁₂S的二元共聚反应，通过控制AM与NaAMC₈S、NaAMC₁₂S的投料比制备得到两个系列聚合物P（AM/NaAMC₈S）、P(AM/NaAMC₁₂S),研究了表面活性单体含量对聚合物疏水缔合作用及耐温抗盐性能的影响。实验结果表明，NaAMC₈     

Molecular-mass characteristics and association behavior of weakly charged hydrophobically modified poly(acrylamides)

The evolution of compositional heterogeneity and molecular-mass distribution in the course of micellar polymerization of weakly charged hydrophobically modified poly(acrylamides) has been studied. The relationship between the molecular characteristics, association behavior, and rheological properties of aqueous solutions and gels of these copolymers has been examined. The molecular-mass distribution broadens with conversion owing to accumulation of a low-molecular-mass fraction depleted of the hydrophobic monomer. A change in the molecular-mass distribution has a strong effect on the viscoelastic behavior of the polymers. The properties of the copolymers are dependent on the pH of the reaction mixture: the copolymers prepared in the alkaline medium show a more pronounced ability to experience hydrophobic aggregation than the copolymers prepared in the acidic medium. The aqueous solutions and the gels of these polymers are characterized by higher viscosities and dynamic moduli. The rheological characteristics of the hydrophobically modified poly(acrylamides) are improved with an increase in both their molecular mass and the length of hydrophobic sequences with a constant molecular mass.     

Synthesis and aqueous solution properties of hydrophobically modified anionic acrylamide copolymers

In this investigation, hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide with low amounts of anionic long‐chain alkyl was synthesized by the free radical polymerization in deionized water. This water‐soluble copolymerization method is more convenient compared with the traditional micellar copolymerization methods. The copolymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and the molecular weight and polydispersity were determined using gel permeation chromatography. The solution behavior of the copolymers was studied as a function of composition, pH, and added electrolytes. As NaCl was added to solutions of AM/C₁₁AM copolymers or pH was lowered, the shielding or elimination of electrostatic repulsions between carboxylate groups of the C₁₁AM unit lead to coil shrinkage. The steady shear viscosity and dynamic shear viscoelastic properties in semidilute, salt‐free aqueous solutions were conducted to examine the concentration effects on copolymers. In addition, the shear superimposed oscillation technique was used to probe the structural changes of the network under various stresses or shear conditions. We prepared hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide with N‐alkyl groups in the aqueous medium. The advantage of this method is that the production is pure without surfactants. These results suggest that the unique aqueous solution behavior of the copolymers is different from conventional hydrophobically associating acrylamide. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2465–2474, 2008     

疏水缔合(丙烯酰胺十六烷基二甲基烯丙基氯化铵-2-丙烯酰胺基-2-甲基丙磺酸)三元共聚物的合成与性能研究

疏水缔合水溶性聚合物是指在聚合物亲水性大分子链上引入少量疏水基团的一类水溶性聚合物[1～5].在水溶液中,疏水基团之间由于憎水作用而发生聚集,使大分子链产生分子内与分子之间缔合.在临界缔合浓度以上,以分子间缔合为主,增大了流体力学体积,因此,具有较好的增粘作用.疏水基的加入可大幅度地改变聚合物的流变性能.在聚合物驱油中的流度控制,提高波及效率、以及调剖中起到非常重要的作用.     

孪尾疏水缔合水溶性共聚物聚(丙烯酰胺/丙烯酸钠/N,N-二己基丙烯酰胺)/十二烷基硫酸钠水溶液的粘度行为

水溶性三元共聚物;孪尾疏水缔合水溶性共聚物聚(丙烯酰胺/丙烯酸钠/N;N-二己基丙烯酰胺)/十二烷基硫酸钠水溶液的粘度行为     

Synthesis of alkyl‐modified poly(sodium glutamate)s for preparation of polymer‐protein nanoparticles in combination with N,N,N‐trimethyl chitosan

The negatively charged, water‐soluble, hydrophobically modified poly(sodium glutamate)s containing different amounts of alkyl grafts were synthesized. First, poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate) was prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of the corresponding N‐carboxyanhydride, which was in the next step aminolysed with octylamine. After removal of the remaining benzyl protective groups, the alkyl‐modified poly(sodium glutamate)s [P(Glu‐oa)] were obtained and, together with the oppositely charged N,N,N‐trimethyl chitosan (TMC), used for the preparation of nanoparticles (NPs) of a recombinant granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (GCSF) protein by polyelectrolyte complexation method. It is observed that, beside electrostatic interaction, the hydrophobic grafts on poly(sodium glutamate)s significantly contribute to association efficiency (AE) with GCSF protein. The addition of TMC solution to the dispersion of GCSF/P(Glu‐oa) complexes results in formation of much more defined NPs with high AE and final protein loading. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2976–2985     

SET-LRP法制备星型疏水缔合水溶性聚合物

采用丙烯酰胺(AM)、2-丙烯酰胺基-2-甲基丙磺酸钠(NaAMPS)以及N-叔丁基丙烯酰胺(NtBA)为共聚单体,以Cu~0粉/三(2-二甲氨基乙基)胺(Me_6-TREN)为催化体系,四氯化碳(CCl_4)为引发剂,利用单电子转移自由基聚合(SET-LRP)方法合成星型疏水缔合水溶性聚合物P(AM/NtBA/NaAMPS)。采用控制变量法分别考察了引发温度、疏水单体含量、AMPS含量、引发剂用量、催化剂铜、单体浓度等因素对聚合物相对分子质量的影响,确定了最佳聚合条件并考察了聚合物的耐温抗盐性能。结果表明,当单体浓度为35%,引发温度为25℃,AM、AMPS、NtBA分别占单体总量的93.6%、5%、1.4%(摩尔比),引发剂质量分数为0.4942%,催化剂铜的质量分数为0.0848%,钝化剂的质量分数为0.1192%时,所得星型疏水缔合水溶性聚合物P(AM/NtBA/NaAMPS)的相对分子质量出现最高值为267万,同时具有一定的耐温抗盐性,其溶液性能与线型化的P(AM/NtBA/NaAMPS)相似,且在相同浓度下CaCl_2对聚合物表观粘度的影响比NaCl大。     

Hydrophobicity of fluoro‐containing physical crosslinkage domains in hydrophobically modified poly(acrylic acid) gels

A series of hydrophobically modified poly(acrylic acid) gels were prepared by the radical copolymerization of acrylic acid and small amounts of hydrophobic comonomers, 2‐(N‐ethylperfluorooctane‐sulfoamido)ethyl methacrylate and lauryl acrylate, in tert‐butanol. The effects of the fractions and species of hydrophobes on hydrophobic association were determined. The hydrophobic association within the hydrophobically modified gels was proven with measurements of swelling and fluorescence as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fluorocarbon‐modified hydrogels showed stronger hydrophobicity than hydrocarbon‐modified hydrogels. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1236–1244, 2002     

Thickening and Associating Behavior in Aqueous Solutions of a Terpolymer with Poly(ethylene oxide) Side Chains

A water-soluble terpolymer (PAVA) was synthesized by aqueous free radical copolymerization technique using acrylamide(AM), sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonate (NaAMPS) and a macromonomer: p-vinylbenzyl-terminated octylphenoxy poly(ethylene oxide) (VPEO, degree of polymerization: 10). The remarkable intermolecular hydrophobic associations were formed in water and a brine solution for this polymer, which resulted in a good thickening effect, resistance to salt and salt-thickening. The hydrophobically associating microstructures of PAVA in aqueous solutions were measured by the fluorescent probe and scanning electron microscope. As polymer concentration was increased in water and brine solutions, the associating strength and non-polarity of hydrophobic microdomains increased remarkably. However, at the polymer concentrations higher than 0.20 g/dL, the non-polarity of hydrophobic microdomains tended to remain constant, and the I ₁/I ₃ value changed slightly in 0.5 g/dL NaCl. The continuous associating structures were formed by the expanded polymer chains in brine solutions, as well as in water. As the NaCl concentration increased, the non-polarity of associating microstructures increased slowly, but the compact degree of these microstructures increased.     

兼具有强阴离子性与疏水缔合性的丙烯酰胺三元共聚物

在微乳液介质中实施了丙烯酰胺 (AM)、苯乙烯 (St)、2 丙烯酰胺基 2 甲基丙磺酸钠 (NaAMPS)的共聚合 ,制备了既含有强阴离子性基团 (—SO3Na)又含有疏水基团 (St)的丙烯酰胺三元共聚物AM NaAMPS St;通过红外光谱法、紫外分光光度法及元素分析法对共聚物的结构及组成进行了表征 ;稀释外推粘度法测定了共聚物的特性粘数 ;测定了共聚物纯水溶液及盐水溶液的表观粘度 ;荧光探针法考察了三元共聚物的疏水缔合性以及离子基团对疏水缔合性的影响规律 .实验结果表明 ,在聚丙烯酰胺 (PAM )分子主链上同时引入强阴离子性基团与疏水基团后 ,阴离子的电粘效应与疏水基团的疏水缔合作用相互协同 ,会使共聚物水溶液的黏度显著提高 ;盐溶液对疏水缔合作用的增强效应与强阴离子基团对盐的较大容忍度相互结合 ,会使共聚物水溶液的抗盐性能明显得以提高 ;大分子链上的强阴离子基团磺酸根的存在 ,在一定程度上会削弱疏水基团之间的疏水缔合作用 ,即对疏水基团的疏水缔合行为会产生一定的负性影响 .     

Simultaneous dual end‐functionalization of peg via the passerini three‐component reaction for the synthesis of ABC miktoarm terpolymers

In this article, we demonstrate the Passerini three‐component reaction as a simple, effective method for the synthesis of polymers with double functional end groups, which are key precursors for the preparation of ABC miktoarm terpolymers. Thus, via the one‐step Passerini reaction of monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)–propionaldehyde (PEG‐CHO) with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionic acid and propargyl isocyanoacetamide, the PEG chain end was simultaneously functionalized with one atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiating site and one alkynyl group. The resulting PEG(‐alkynyl)‐Br was then used for the synthesis of three types of miktoarm ABC terpolymers via two approaches. First, we conducted ATRP of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), then click reaction with azido‐terminated polystyrene (PS‐N₃) or poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA‐N₃) and obtained two ABC miktoarm terpolymers PEG(‐b‐PNIPAM)‐b‐PS and PEG(‐b‐PNIPAM)‐b‐PtBA. Alternatively, we conducted single electron transfer living radical polymerization of tBA and click reaction with PS‐N₃ simultaneously to give PEG(‐b‐PtBA)‐b‐PS. All the polymer precursors and miktoarm terpolymers have been characterized by ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared, gel permeation chromatography, demonstrating that both approaches provided well‐defined ABC miktoarm terpolymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

ABC‐type hetero‐arm star terpolymers through “Click” chemistry

Hetero‐arm star ABC‐type terpolymers, poly(methyl methacrylate)‐polystyrene‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PMMA‐PS‐PtBA) and PMMA‐PS‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), were prepared by using “Click” chemistry strategy. For this, first, PMMA‐b‐PS with alkyne functional group at the junction point was obtained from successive atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMP) routes. Furthermore, PtBA obtained from ATRP of tBA and commercially available monohydroxyl PEG were efficiently converted to the azide end‐functionalized polymers. As a second step, the alkyne and azide functional polymers were reacted to give the hetero‐arm star polymers in the presence of CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine ( PMDETA) in DMF at room temperature for 24 h. The hetero‐arm star polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, GPC, and DSC. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5699–5707, 2006     

Association in Unsalted and Brine Solutions of a Water-Soluble Terpolymer with <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Vinylbenzyl-Terminated Octylphenoxy Poly(ethylene oxide)

An associating terpolymer (PAOE) of acrylamide (AM), sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulphonate (NaAMPS), and a novel macromonomer: p-vinylbenzyl-terminated octylphenoxy poly(ethylene oxide) (VOE, degree of polymerization: 4) was synthesized by aqueous free-radical copolymerization. The PAOE polymer exhibited excellent thickening properties in unsalted and brine solutions. The electrostatic shielding of repulsive interactions of the polymer was much weaker than that of the linear associating polymers with small hydrophobic monomers. This brine solution exhibited unexpected salt-thickening behaviors twice, and good resistance to salt and ageing. The intermolecular hydrophobic association in unsalted and brine PAOE solutions, as functions of polymer and NaCl concentration, were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy. With the addition of NaCl, the polymer chains were comparatively extended and continuous network structures were formed via the intermolecular hydrophobic association in brine solutions as well as in unsalted solutions at 0.15–0.25 g⋅dL⁻¹ PAOE, as observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM).     

Stimuli‐responsive ampholytic terpolymers of N‐acryloyl‐valine,acrylamide, and (3‐acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride: Synthesis,characterization, and solution properties

Low‐charge density ampholytic terpolymers composed of acrylamide (AM), (3‐acrylamidopropyl)trimethyl ammonium chloride (APTAC), and N‐acryloyl‐valine were prepared via free‐radical polymerization in 0.5 M NaCl to yield terpolymers with random charge distributions. Sodium formate (NaOOCH) was employed as a chain transfer agent during the polymerization to suppress gel effects and broadening of the molecular weight distribution (MWD). Terpolymer compositions were determined by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Terpolymer molecular weights (MWs) and polydispersity indices (PDIs) were obtained via size exclusion chromatography/multi‐angle laser light scattering (SEC‐MALLS). Intrinsic viscosity values determined from SEC‐MALLS data using the Flory–Fox relationship were compared with those determined by low‐shear dilute solution viscometry and found to be in good agreement. SEC‐MALLS experiments allowed examination of radius of gyration‐MW (R_g‐M) relationships and the Mark‐Houwink‐Sakurada intrinsic viscosity‐MW ([η]‐M) relationships for terpolymers. The R_g‐M and [η]‐M relationships indicated little or no excluded volume effects under SEC conditions indicating that the terpolymers were in near theta conditions in an aqueous buffer solution. Potentiometric titration experiments were performed in deionized (DI) water. These studies revealed that the apparent pK_a of the AMVALTAC terpolymers increases with increasing VAL content. The solution properties of low‐charge density ampholytic terpolymers have been studied as functions of solution pH, ionic strength, and polymer concentration. The charge‐balanced terpolymers exhibit polyampholyte behavior at pH values ≥ 6.5. As solution pH is decreased, these charge‐balanced terpolymers become increasingly cationic due to the protonation of the VAL repeat units. Charge‐imbalanced terpolymers generally exhibit polyelectrolyte behavior, although the effects of intramolecular electrostatic interactions (e.g., polyampholyte effects) on the hydrodynamic volume are evident at certain values of solution pH and salt concentration. The solution behavior of the terpolymers in the dilute regime correlates well with that predicted by various polyampholyte solution theories. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3125–3139, 2006     

Stimuli‐responsive cationic terpolymers by RAFT polymerization: Synthesis,characterization, and protein interaction studies

The controlled synthesis and characterization of a range of stimuli responsive cationic terpolymers containing varying amounts of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), 3‐(methylacryloylamino)propyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), and poly(ethylene glycol)monomethyl methacrylate (PEGMA) is presented. The terpolymers were synthesized using reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Compositions of the terpolymers determined using ¹H NMR were in close agreement to the theoretical values determined from the monomer feed ratios. GPC‐MALLS was used to analyze the molecular weight characteristics of the polymers, which were found to have low polydispersities (M_w/M_n 1.1–1.4). The phase transitions were studied as a function of PEGMA and NIPAM content using temperature controlled ¹H NMR and turbidity measurements (UV‐Vis). The relationship between thermal stability and the comonomer ratio of the polymers was measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Protein interaction studies were performed to determine the suitability of the polymers for biological applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4021–4029, 2008     

Molecular design of outermost surface functionalized thermoresponsive polymeric micelles with biodegradable cores

We prepared well‐defined diblock copolymers of thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) blocks and biodegradable poly(D ,L ‐lactide) blocks by combination of reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer radical (RAFT) polymerization and ring‐opening polymerization. α‐Hydroxyl, ω‐dithiobenzoate thermoresponsive polymers were synthesized by RAFT polymerization using hydroxyl RAFT agents. Biodegradable blocks were prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide initiated by α‐hydroxyl groups of thermoresponsive polymers, which inhibit the thermal decomposition of ω‐dithioester groups. Terminal dithiobenzoate (DTBz) groups of thermoresponsive blocks were easily reduced to thiol groups and reacted with maleimide (Mal). In aqueous media, diblock copolymer products formed surface‐functionalized thermoresponsive micelles. These polymeric micelles had a low critical micelle concentration of 22 μg/L. In thermoresponsive studies of the micelles, hydrophobic DTBz‐surface micelles demonstrated a significant shift in lower critical solution temperature (LCST) to a lower temperature of 30.7 °C than that for Mal‐surface micelles (40.0 °C). In addition, micellar LCST was controlled by changing bulk mixture ratios of respective heterogeneous end‐functional diblock copolymers. Micellar disruption at acidic condition (pH 5.0) was completed within 5 days due to hydrolytic degradation of PLA cores, regardless of showing a slow disruption rate at physiological condition. Furthermore, we successfully improved water‐solubility of hydrophobic drug, paclitaxel by incorporating into the micellar cores. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7127–7137, 2008     

Ambient‐temperature copper‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization of methacrylates in ethylene glycol solvents

The use of ethylene glycol solvents in the room‐temperature atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of various hydrophobic and hydrophilic methacrylates is demonstrated. Unlike many of the very polar solvents described in the literature for room‐temperature ATRP, these solvents have good solvency for a wide range of polymers and monomers and are cheap and relatively nontoxic. Ethylene glycols with one hydroxyl and one methoxy group, such as tri(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (TEGMME), provide optimal results. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate in TEGMME with CuBr/N,N,N′N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as the catalyst requires the addition of CuCl₂ at the beginning of the reaction to produce well‐controlled polymerizations. This leads to polymers with predictable molecular weights and relatively narrow polydispersities. Polymerization in solvents that are fully methoxy‐capped terminate prematurely because of catalyst precipitation. The electrochemical behavior of copper complexes in selected solvents is examined to determine why these solvents provide good rates at room temperature. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1588–1598, 2005