The Synthesis of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Grafted with Fluorinated Protic Ionic Liquids Containing Sulfo Functional Groups

There has been an ongoing need to develop polymer materials with increased performance as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for middle- and high-temperature fuel cells. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a highly hydrophilic and chemically stable polymer bearing hydroxyl groups, which can be further altered. Protic ionic liquids (proticILs) have been found to be an effective modifying polymer agent used as a proton carrier providing PEMs’ desirable proton conductivity at high temperatures and under anhydrous conditions. In this study, the novel synthesis route of PVA grafted with fluorinated protic ionic liquids bearing sulfo groups (–SO₃H) was elaborated. The polymer functionalization with fluorinated proticILs was achieved by the following approaches: (i) the PVA acylation and subsequent reaction with fluorinated sultones and (ii) free-radical polymerization reaction of vinyl acetate derivatives modified with 1-methylimidazole and sultones. These modifications resulted in the PVA being chemically modified with ionic liquids of protic character. The successfully grafted PVA has been characterized using ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ¹³C-NMR and FTIR-ATR. The presented synthesis route is a novel approach to PVA functionalization with imidazole-based fluorinated ionic liquids with sulfo groups.     

Solution polymerization of polybenzimidazole

Polybenzimidazoles (PBI) are an important class of heterocyclic polymers that exhibit high thermal and oxidative stabilities. The two dominant polymerization methods used for the synthesis of PBI are the melt/solid polymerization route and solution polymerization using polyphosphoric acid as the solvent. Both methods have been widely used to produce high‐molecular weight PBI, but also highlight the obvious absence of a practical organic solution‐based method of polymerization. This current work explores the synthesis of high‐molecular weight meta‐PBI in N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc). Initially, model compound studies examined the reactivity of small molecules with various chemical functionalities that could be used to produce 2‐phenyl‐benzimidazole in high yield with minimal side reactions. ¹H NMR and FTIR studies indicated that benzimidazoles could be efficiently synthesized in DMAc by reaction of an o‐diamine and the bisulfite adduct of an aromatic aldehyde. Polymerizations were conducted at various polymer concentrations (2‐26 wt % polymer) using difunctional monomers to optimize reaction conditions in DMAc which resulted in the preparation of high‐molecular weight m‐PBI (inherent viscosities up to 1.3 dL g^?1). TGA and DSC confirmed that m‐PBI produced via this route has comparable properties to that of commercial m‐PBI. This method is advantageous in that it not only allows for high‐polymer concentrations of m‐PBI to be synthesized directly and efficiently, but can be applied to the synthesis of many PBI derivatives. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1795–1802     

Synthesis and characterization of poly[2,5-bis(triethoxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene]

The synthesis of a highly soluble, 2,5-disubstituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene) with pendant side chains containing ether groups was accomplished by a dehydrochlorination route. Specific interactions of the oxygen-containing side chains with the solvent are presumably responsible for the high solubility of the polymer, especially in protogenic solvents. The polymer microstructure was characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. The polymer showed solvatochromic properties when dissolved in a variety of solvents. The relatively high molecular weight (M_n = 17,000) permitted the fabrication of free-standing films. The electrical conductivity of iodine-doped films was approximately 2 × 10^–2 S cm^–1. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

基于超支化聚合物的单分子胶束的研究进展

近年来,单分子胶束/粒子(Unimolecular micelle:UIM)引起了人们的极大兴趣,这是由于通过对核和壳的化学设计,粒子的溶解性、生物相容性、刺激响应性、与基质的相互作用等都可得到改进,粒子还可以包裹多种客体。相对于自组装法而言,超支化聚合物法在合成UIM方面具有某些独有的特征,主要表现在:(1)UIM的尺寸主要由超支化聚合物决定,从而具有相当的可预见性;(2)可以大规模、高浓度合成UIM;(3)对聚合物的亲水性没有要求,可以利用的聚合物非常广泛,核-壳结构更为丰富;(4)产品可以以任何形式存在。本文在简要比较以自组装法和超支化聚合物法合成UIM的基础上,主要介绍了以超支化聚合物(特别是超支化聚甘油醚(PG))为支架合成各种核-壳聚合物及其应用。以长链小分子或聚合物改性的PG可以用作纳米胶囊,也可以作为纳米模板来合成各种无机粒子,而后者显示出量子限制效应和模板效应。特别地,一种全亲水壳交联的、刺激响应的粒子的合成显示了超支化聚合物法在合成复杂UIM方面的优势。总之,超支化聚合物法提供了巨大的核-壳结构分子设计空间,为合成功能集成粒子提供了更多机会。     

An Ultrahigh Mobility in Isomorphic Fluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole‐Based Polymers

To understand the effects rendered on the relevant basic physical properties and device function by controlling the regiochemistry of the cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]dithiophene‐fluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole polymer (hereafter referred to as the CDT‐FBT polymer), two polymers, the regiorandom polymer (RA) and regioregular version (RR), respectively, are synthesized and characterized. In addition, an efficient route for synthesizing a key monomer for RR using various synthesis scope and optimizing the reaction conditions is discussed. Although RA exhibits optical, electrochemical, and morphological properties similar to RR, it shows better field‐effect transistor (FET) performance. Surprisingly, by employing a capillarity‐mediated sandwich‐casting process on a nanogrooved substrate, an unprecedented mobility of 17.8 cm² V^?1 s^?1 is obtained for RA‐based FETs; this mobility value is almost twofold greater than those of the corresponding RR‐based FETs. For the first time, this study challenges previously reported results in that high carrier mobility is related to the high degree of polymer order induced by the backbone regioregularity.     

A practical route for the preparation of poly(4‐hydroxystyrene), a useful photoresist material

The synthesis and characterization of poly(4‐hydroxystyrene) (PHS) and poly(4‐vinylphenol) (PVPh) by the polymer modification route are reported. Polystyrene prepared by free‐radical and anionic polymerization was acetylated quantitatively to poly(4‐acetylstyrene) (ACPS) with acetyl chloride and anhydrous aluminum trichloride in carbon disulfide. The acetylation worked equally well in a mixture of 1,2‐dichloroethane (DCE) and nitrobenzene containing largely DCE. The extent of the acetylation was estimated by ¹H NMR. The oxidation of ACPS was carried out with various oxidizing agents and reaction conditions. The peracetic acid oxidation in chloroform resulted in quantitative oxidation to poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) (APS) as estimated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The treatment of APS with hydrazine hydrate in dioxane resulted in the formation of PVPh. Deacetylation occurred with equal versatility in a mixture of aqueous sodium hydroxide and tetrahydrofuran. All the polymers were characterized via gel permeation chromatography, IR, UV, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. This is the first report on the synthesis of ACPS, APS, and PHS of reasonably narrow molecular weight distributions or otherwise by the polymer modification route. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 453–461, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of water‐soluble barbiturate‐ and thiobarbiturate‐functionalized polystyrene

The synthesis and characterization of barbiturate‐ and thiobarbiturate‐functionalized polystyrene from polystyrene homopolymer by polymer‐modification reactions is discussed. Polystyrene homopolymer quantitatively functionalized at the para postion with diethyl oxomalonate functionality was subjected to a condensation reaction with urea and thiourea in the presence of sodium methoxide in methanol. This reaction proceeded essentially to quantitative conversion to the barbiturate‐ (BAPS) and thiobarbiturate‐functionalized polystyrenes (TBAPS) as estimated by ¹H NMR, UV, and IR spectroscopies. Thus, several copolymers of styrene with barbiturate‐ and thiobarbiturate‐functionalized styrene were synthesized. The detailed characterizations of quantitatively functionalized polystyrene using gel permeation chromatographic, IR, UV, and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques as well as thermogravimetric analysis are discussed. An application of the newly synthesized polymer in removing Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution is demonstrated. This is the first report on the synthesis of BAPS and TBAPS by the polymer‐modification route or otherwise. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 731–737, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10154     

钨硅酸银纳米晶：形貌可控合成与表征

通过聚电解质(表面活性剂)作为导向剂的液相合成路线，合成了多种形貌的多金属氧酸盐纳米晶，包括纳米球，纳米带，纳米片，纳米立方体，六角纳米粒子，三角纳米粒子，雪花状纳米粒子。形状独特的六角形空心纳米粒子也通过相似的方法合成出来。在反应过程中，银离子通过配位作用吸附在聚电解质的组装结构上，通过与氮原子或氧原子的配位作用被定位在聚电解质上，从而导致规则形貌的多酸纳米粒子的形成。结果表明，产物的形貌极大地取决于表面活性剂的组装结构和它们与反应物间的配位作用。     

Facile Synthesis of Soluble Poly(aryl alkyl ketone)s and a Simple Route Toward Conjugated Polymers

A new route for the synthesis of soluble poly(aryl alkyl ketone)s was developed employing the cross‐coupling reaction of an aryl dihalide and a diketone in the presence of a palladium complex and a sterically bulky phosphane. The solubility of the polymer can be controlled via the α‐substituent next to the carbonyl group. The polyketone can be converted easily to a conjugated polymer upon treatment with a silylation agent.     

Determination of ceiling temperature and thermodynamic properties of low ceiling temperature polyaldehydes

Knowledge of the ceiling temperature and thermodynamic variables for low ceiling temperature polymers is critical to understanding the material's synthesis and use. Synthesis of the polymer below its ceiling temperature is the routine polymerization route. In situ ¹H NMR of the equilibrium polymerization reaction can provide critical information for determining the enthalpy and entropy of polymer formation. Three polyaldehydes were synthesized with in situ ¹H NMR, and their energies of formation were determined for the linear region of ceiling temperature. Insights into the mechanism of polymerization were also found using this method. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 221–228     

Biochemical synthesis of water soluble polyanilines: Poly(p-aminobenzoic acid)

This report describes the synthesis of a water soluble polyaniline through a biochemical synthetic route. The oxidative free radical coupling mechanism for the synthesis of poly(p-aminobenzoic acid) is catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The resulting polymer is electrochemically active and undergoes reversible redox reactions. The polymer as synthesized is self doped and undergoes undoping in alkaline or ammonia solutions.     

Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated poly(acrylene ether sulfones)

Ionic groups incorporated into a polymer have a decided effect on its physical properties. A number of ionomers and polyelectrolytes have been widely applied. In particular, sulfonated bisphenol-A polysulfone (SPSF) has been used as a composite or single-component membrane for the desalination of water. In this article, the synthesis and physical characteristics of sulfonated polysulfone are addressed. A detailed synthesis route is provided and methods that yield determinable levels of sulfonation are described. These ion-containing polymers retain an excessive amount of residual salts, which, of course, are impurities to the system. Therefore, before any analyses were made the polymers were subjected to a thorough soxhlet extraction process with boiling water, which appeared to be quite effective. The degree of sulfonation was assessed by several methods such as ¹H NMR and FT-IR. A new ¹H NMR method was derived because the method cited in the literature proved to be too inconsistent for our work. The new ¹H NMR method used a quaternary ammonium counterion [N(CH₃)₄]. These methyl protons are easily measured and may be ratioed against the isopropylidene protons in the polymer backbone that act as an internal standard. Characterization of the physical properties of SPSF consisted of water uptake, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and solubility studies. Its physical appearance and mechanical behavior were improved by the solution procedure. Also addressed were the effects of different counterions (Na⁺ & Mg⁺⁺) with SPSFs of low levels of sulfonation. The variation in physical properties between the divalent and monovalent counterions is dramatic, especially when observed by TMA in the rubber plateau above the apparent glass temperature.     

Selective Catalytic Dehydrogenative Oxidation of Bio-Polyols to Lactic Acid

The global demand for lactic acid (LA) is increasing due to its successful application as monomer for the manufacture of bioplastics. Although N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) iridium complexes are promising molecular catalysts for LA synthesis, their instabilities have hindered their utilization especially in commercial applications. Here, we report that a porous self-supported NHC-iridium coordination polymer can efficiently prevent the clusterization of corresponding NHC-Ir molecules and can function as a solid molecular recyclable catalyst for dehydrogenation of bio-polyols to form LA with excellent activity (97 %) and selectivity (>99 %). A turnover number of up to 5700 could be achieved in a single batch, due to the synergistic participation of the Ba²⁺ and hydroxide ions, as well as the blockage of unwanted pathways by adding methanol. Our findings demonstrate a potential route for the industrial production of LA from cheap and abundant bio-polyols, including sorbitol.     

Facilitating polymer conjugation via combination of RAFT polymerization and activated ester chemistry

The synthesis of block copolymers via polymer conjugation of well‐defined building blocks offers excellent control over the structures obtained, but often several coupling strategies need to be explored to find an efficient one depending on the building blocks. To facilitate the synthesis of polymers with adjustable functional end‐groups for polymer conjugation, we report on the combination of activated ester chemistry with RAFT polymerization using a chain transfer agent (CTA) with a pentafluorophenyl ester (PFP‐CTA), which allows for flexible functionalization of either the CTA prior to polymerization or the obtained polymer after polymerization. Different polymethacrylates, namely PMMA, P(t‐BuMA) and PDEGMEMA, were synthesized with an alkyne‐CTA obtained from the aminolysis of the PFP‐CTA with propargylamine, and the successful incorporation of the alkyne moiety could be shown via ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and MALDI TOF MS. Further, the reactive α‐end‐groups of polymers synthesized using the unmodified PFP‐CTA could be converted into azide and alkyne end‐groups after polymerization, and the high functionalization efficiencies could be demonstrated via successful coupling of the resulting polymers via CuAAC. Thus, the PFP‐CTA allows for high combinatory flexibility in polymer synthesis facilitating polymer conjugation as useful method for the synthesis of block copolymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Spatially Controlled Occlusion of Polymer‐Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles within ZnO

In principle, incorporating nanoparticles into growing crystals offers an attractive and highly convenient route for the production of a wide range of novel nanocomposites. Herein we describe an efficient aqueous route that enables the spatially controlled occlusion of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within ZnO crystals at up to 20 % by mass. Depending on the precise synthesis protocol, these AuNPs can be (i) solely located within a central region, (ii) uniformly distributed throughout the ZnO host crystal or (iii) confined to a surface layer. Remarkably, such efficient occlusion is mediated by a non‐ionic water‐soluble polymer, poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)₇₀ (G₇₀), which is chemically grafted to the AuNPs; pendent cis‐diol side groups on this steric stabilizer bind Zn²⁺ cations, which promotes nanoparticle interaction with the growing ZnO crystals. Finally, uniform occlusion of G₇₀‐AuNPs within this inorganic host leads to faster UV‐induced photodegradation of a model dye.     

A general approach to precursors for poly(arylene vinylene) derivatives: Mechanism,scope and modifications

A new precursor route for poly(arylene vinylene) derivatives will be presented. In this way non-ionic precursor polymers are obtained which show an enhanced thermal stability and are soluble in organic solvents. This enables a thorough structural characterization and the study of the mechanism. Experiments have been performed to differentiate between a radical or an ionic polymerization mechanism. Furthermore possibilities to tune solubility characteristics and to introduce defects in the polymer backbone will be discussed. Also the scope for this new route was explored. The first results indicate that the versatility exceeds that of the Wessling route, e.g. the synthesis of precursors for poly(p-biphenylene vinylene) and poly(2,6-naphthylene vinylene) could be accomplished in our case, whereas it failed in the case of the Wessling route.     

An alternative route to tethered Ru(II) transfer hydrogenation catalysts

A new route towards a series of tethered η⁶-arene/Ru(II) catalysts for use in the transfer and pressure hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes to alcohols is reported. The route proceeds through the formation of an amide from the diamine precursor, followed by reduction, rather than the direct alkylation of the diamine. This has the advantage that dialkylation of the amine is avoided during the synthesis. Through this new route, both racemic and enantiomerically-pure η⁶-arene/Ru(II) tethered catalysts can be prepared in high yield.     

Synthesis of Stimuli-responsive Nanoparticles by Solution Polymerization

In this study, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles were prepared by solution polymerization. Two synthesis routes are proposed to synthesize the particles, the monomer route and the polymer/monomer route. For the monomer route, pH and thermal sensitive nanoparticles were synthesized from acrylic acid and N-isopropylacrylamide. For the polymer/monomer route, the pH sensitive nanoparticles were synthesized from chitosan and acrylic acid. The effect of reaction time, initiator concentration and agitation rate on the particle size and the size distribution were investigated. The stimuli-responsive nanoparticles could be directly blended with other polymers to prepare stimuli-responsive functional membranes.     

Highly Selective Route to Unsymmetrically Substituted 1‐{2‐[(Butylsulfanyl)methyl]‐5‐(chloromethyl)‐4‐methoxyphenoxy}‐3,7‐dimethyloctane and Isomers toward Synthesis of Conjugated Polymer OC1C10 Used in LEDs: Synthesis and Optimization

A new and convenient route to an unsymmetrically substituted sulfinyl monomer of precursor polymer toward poly[2‐methyl‐5‐(3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy)‐p‐phenylenevinylene] (OC1C10) is described. OC1C10 is a commercial polymer used as the active layer in LEDs. Therefore, the optimization of the reaction conditions of the monomer synthesis was of some importance for a possible commercialization of this new process. It was possible to increase the overall yield by a factor of 1.5, as compared to the route previously used to obtain these compounds.     

Synthesis of multidentate functional monomer for ion imprinting

In this work, N,N,N‐tri(2‐carboxyethyl)‐3‐(2‐aminoethylamino)propyl‐trimethoxysilane was prepared as a multidentate functional monomer. The 3D model of the monomer coordinating with Cu²⁺ indicated that the monomer is able to provide five ligating atoms like ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid‐Cu²⁺ to complex with Cu²⁺. When Cu²⁺ was used as a template ion, the synthesis conditions of Cu²⁺‐imprinted polymers were optimized upon orthogonal design. It is interesting to find that Cu²⁺‐imprinted polymer offers a selectivity coefficient of 192.2 when the molar ratio of Cu²⁺ to monomer was exactly 1:1. That means there is no excess ligating atom in the ion‐imprinted polymer and therefore, the nonspecific adsorption could be avoided. Benefiting from the excellent selectivity of Cu²⁺‐imprinted polymer, even if the concentration of Zn²⁺ was 25 times that of Cu²⁺, Cu²⁺‐imprinted polymer still affords a high selectivity coefficient. Finally, the optimal synthesis conditions for Cu²⁺‐imprinted polymer, except the pH, were adopted to prepare Ni²⁺‐imprinted polymer, and Ni²⁺‐imprinted polymer also offered satisfying selectivity to Ni²⁺. That implies this multidentate monomer is adaptable in ion imprinting and, the optimal synthesis conditions of Cu²⁺‐imprinted polymer except pH are likely suitable for the imprinting of other ions besides Cu²⁺.