Optically active copolyamides by interfacial condensation polymerization

The polymerization of d-camphoryl dichloride with polymethylenediamines (n = 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9) and copolymerization of hexamethylenediamine with d-camphoryl dichloride and adipyl dichloride were carried out by the interfacial condensation method, and optically active copolyamides were obtained. The specific rotation of poly(hexamethylene camphoramide) obtained increased markedly with increasing intrinsic viscosity over the range of 0.05–0.10. The specific rotation for the copoyamides increased linearly with increasing content of d-camphoryl units in the polymers. The optical rotatory dispersion of the polyamides and copolyamides had a negative curve which fit the simple Drude equation. The λ_c values of the polyamides and the copolymers obtained were 265 and 273–285 mμ, respectively. In order to investigate the conformation of the polyamides, the effects of solvent on the specific rotation of the polymers were studied.     

Cationic and free-radical polymerization of optically active 1-olefins

The AlCl₃-initiated cationic polymerization of optically active 1-olefins yields polymers of varying optical rotatory power. Polymers of (+)-3-methyl-1-pentene and (?)-4-methyl-1-hexene prepared between ?78 and ?55°C. in CH₂Cl₂ or n-heptane are almost completely optically inactive. Under identical reaction conditions (+)-5-methyl-1-heptene gives polymers of significant optical rotatory power. Alternating SO₂copolymers of the same olefins, formed in reactions which proceed through free-radical intermediates, yield optically active products with specific rotations similar to those of low molecular weight analogs. These results are consistent with a cationic polymerization mechanism in which the growing chain undergoes intramolecular hydride shift and the asymmetric carbon atoms are converted into carbonium ions. The data also provide evidence for the lack of rearrangement in free-radical polymerization. By comparing the specific rotations of the cationic and free-radical polymers, the extent of rearrangement during cationic polymerization can be estimated. The calculations show that the 1,2-polymer in cationic poly-3-methyl-1-pentene is less than 2%, the sum of 1,2- and 1,3-polymer in cationic poly-4-methyl-1-hexene is less than 4%, and the sum of 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-polymer in cationic poly-5-methyl-1-heptene is 14–20%.     

Multifunctional coupling agents for living cationic polymerization. I. Sodiomalonate anions for vinyl ethers

A series of multifunctional malonate anions, [Na^⊕?C(COOEt)₂CH₂]_mC₆H_6?m(I; m = 2–4), were examined as polymer coupling agents for the living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers initiated with the hydrogen iodide/zinc iodide (HI/ZnI₂) initiating system. The bifunctional anion ( 2 ;I, m = 2), 1,4-[Na^⊕?C(COOEt)₂CH₂]₂C₆H₄, terminated living polymers of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) (DP _n = 10) almost quantitatively in toluene at ?15°C to give coupled living polymers with doubled molecular weights in 96% yield; the dianion 2 was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran containing 18-crown-6 for maintaining the solution homogeneous. The yield of the coupled polymers was increased with shorter living chains or in less polar solvents. Also by coupling via 2 , ABA block copolymers were obtained from living AB block polymers of IBVE and an ester-functionalized vinyl ether (CH₂?CHOCH₂CH₂OCOCH₃). Coupling of living poly(IBVE) with the trifunctional anion ( 3 ; I, m = 3) led to tri-armed polymers in 56% yield, whereas with the tetrafunctional version ( 4 ; I, m = 4), only three out of the four anions reacted to give another tri-armed polymer in 85% yield. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

15N-NMR spectroscopy. III. Neighboring residue effects in sequence polymers containing glycylglycine units

The tripeptides Phe-Gly-Gly, β-Ala-Gly-Gly, and ?-Aca-Gly-Gly as well as the peptide derivatives δ-isothiocyanatovaleroyl-Gly-Gly and ?-isothiocyanatocaproyl-Gly-Gly were synthesized by using known methods so that the peptide nitrogen between the two glycyl residues was isotopically enriched in ¹⁵N to a level of 0.8–0.9%. These monomer units were then used to produce the sequence polymers (Phe-Gly-Gly)_n, (β-Ala-Gly-Gly)_n, (δ-Ava-Gly-Gly)_n, and (?-Aca-Gly-Gly)_n. The 18.24 MHz ¹⁵N-NMR spectra of the oligo- and polypeptides were obtained by using trifluoroacetic acid as solvent, since the solutions have relatively low viscosity and exhibit a strong negative nuclear Overhauser enhancement of the ¹⁵N signals. For comparison, ¹⁵N-NMR spectra of the homopolymers (Gly)_n, (β-Ala)_n, (γ-Abu)_n, (δ-Ava)_n, and (?-Aca)_n were also recorded. The ¹⁵N signals from the ω-aminoacyl residues in the sequence polymers appear up to 11 ppm upfield of the signals observed for the homopolyamides. The ¹⁵N signals from the two glycyl residues are separated by 3–7 ppm. Comparison with the ¹³C-NMR spectra of the same polymers indicates that ¹⁵N-NMR is better suited for the characterization and sequence analysis of these types of polymers.     

Synthesis and polymerization of racemic and optically active substituted β-propiolactones. VI. α-Phenyl β-propiolactone

The synthesis and optical resolution of α-phenyl β-amino-ethylpropionate led to the preparation of optically active α-phenyl β-propiolactones (PhPL) of different optical purities. The enantiomeric excess of PhPL was determined using 200 MHz ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, after complexation with tris[3-(trifluoromethyl hydroxymethylene)-d-camphorato]europium III. It was then polymerized, in bulk and in solution, using a potassium acetate/crown ether complex as initiator. The optically active poly(PhPL)s thus obtained are insoluble in most organic solvents, whereas atactic poly(PhPL)s are soluble in CCl₄, CHCl₃, and dichloroethane. Several differences are observed between the physical properties of optically active and atactic poly(PhPL)s. However, atactic poly(PhPL)s are semi-crystalline polymers, similar to poly(α-disubstituted β-propiolactone)s, but in contrast with poly(α-methyl β-propiolactone). Melting (T_f) and glass transition temperatures, as well as enthalpy of fusion (ΔH), vary with the optical purity of the polymers. For example, atactic poly(PhPL) exhibits a T_f = 94°C and ΔH = 9 J/g as compared to T_f = 119°C and ΔH = 37 J/g for a poly(PhPL) having an enatiomeric excess of 50%.     

New hydrocarbon side chain liquid crystalline polysiloxane polymers: Synthesis,characterization, and thermotropic behavior

A series of new and high-purity hydrocarbon liquid crystal monomers were synthesized through the acylation reaction, deoxygenation reaction, and Grignard reaction. ¹H-NMR spectra and elemental analyses were used to examine their purity. The liquid crystalline polysiloxane polymers were obtained by grafting the monomers onto poly(methylhydrosiloxane). The thermal transition temperature, mesomorphic properties, and mesophase textures of the monomers and the polymers were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (dsc), polarized optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, we observed the even–odd effect of the smectic/isotropic transition temperature with the length variation of the substituents. In this study, we found by X-ray diffraction that the liquid crystalline polysiloxane polymers undergo a transition from smectic B to smectic E mesophase. However, dsc has difficulty detecting the phase transition process. By considering the spin–lattice relaxation time (T₁), we can systematically explain the relation between the flexibility of the substituent with the smectic/isotropic transition temperature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2849–2863, 1998     

Direct Resolution of Secondary Tert-Butylphenylphosphine Oxide

Abstract

Secondary phosphine oxides constitute an important class of organophosphorus compounds and are higly useful as versatile phosphinoylating agents and as ligands ^[1,2] They are however not readily available in the optically active form.^[3–5] We wish to demonstrate that P-chiral secondary teri-butylphenylphosphine oxide (I) can be promptly resolved into enantiomers by means of its diastereoisomeric complexes with L-O,O-dibenzoyltanaric acid (L-DBTA) Dissolution of equimolar amounts of racemic I and L-DBTA in the 4 I benzene acetone mixture yields crystalline II complex containing exclusively the R-enantiomer of the starting phosphine oxide The complexed S-enantiomer is obtained from the mother liquor by crystallization from benzene The enantiomers of I are freed from their L-DBTA complexes by simple washing with aqueous NaOH Both enantiomers of 1 of very high optical purity are thus obtained from a single batch These enantiomers have subsequently been tested for their configurational stability in selected synthetic applications.     

Dilute solution properties of styrene–acrylonitrile and styrene–methyl methacrylate copolymers. II. Short-range and long-range interactions from intrinsic viscosity data

Experimental data on styrene–acrylonitrile (St–AN), and styrene–methyl methacrylate (St–MMA) copolymers reported in Part I of this series are tested by “two-parameter” theoretical relations. The Fox–Flory (F–F) parameter K is estimated using the F–F, Stockmayer–Fixman (S–F), and Inagaki–Ptitsyn (I–P) equations. In general, the K values obtained by the F–F equation are low for the three St–AN copolymer samples in the systems studied while the values obtained from S–F and I–P equations agree within the limits of experimental error. Values of K obtained from Kurata–Stockmayer (K–S) equation for sample SA₁ agree with values obtained by the S–F and I–P equations. The specific solvent effect on the K values is discussed. Values of the unperturbed dimension r?0²/M?_w, calculated from the K values estimated from the S–F equation and from the homopolymer data are compared. Except in one case, the calculated r?0²/M?_w values from homopolymer data are low in comparison with the values obtained from experimental data, which shows that the presence of the repulsive interactions between unlike monomer units brings about an expansion of copolymer molecule. The effect of composition on the steric factor σ values is discussed. The long-range interaction parameter B, the excess interaction parameters ΔB_AB, and χAB are calculated. The effects of composition and solvent on these parameters are discussed.     

Optically active copolyamides by melt and solution condensation polymerization

The melt and solution condensation copolymerization of nylon salts which were prepared from d-camphoric acid and adipic acid with hexamethylenediamine were carried out, and optically active copolyamides were obtained. The copolyamides obtained had a positive specific rotation. The specific rotations for the copolyamides increased with increasing content of d-camphoryl units in the copolymers. The optical rotatory dispersion of the copolyamides had positive curves and were found to fit the simple Drude equation. The λ_c values of the polymers obtained by the melt and solution condensation polymerization were 241 mμ and 245 mμ, respectively.     

Highly reactive polyisobutylenes via AlCl3OBu2‐coinitiated cationic polymerization of isobutylene: Effect of solvent polarity,temperature, and initiator

The cationic polymerization of isobutylene using 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol (CumOH)/AlCl₃OBu₂ and H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating systems in nonpolar solvents (toluene, n‐hexane) at elevated temperatures (?20 to 30 °C) is reported. With CumOH/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system, the reaction proceeded by controlled initiation via CumOH, followed by β‐H abstraction and then irreversible termination, thus, affording polymers (M_n = 1000–2000 g mol^?1) with high content of vinylidene end groups (85–91%), although the monomer conversion was low (≤35%) and polymers exhibited relatively broad molecular weight distribution (MWD; M_w/M_n = 2.3–3.5). H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system induced chain‐transfer dominated cationic polymerization of isobutylene via a selective β‐H abstraction by free base (Bu₂O). Under these conditions, polymers with very high content of desired exo‐olefin terminal groups (89–94%) in high yield (>85%) were obtained in 10 min. It was shown that the molecular weight of polyisobutylenes obtained with H₂O/AlCl₃OBu₂ initiating system could be easily controlled in a range 1000–10,000 g mol^?1 by changing the reaction temperature from ?40 to 30 °C. The MWD was rather broad (M_w/M_n = 2.5–3.5) at low reaction temperatures (from ?40 to 10 °C), but became narrower (M_w/M_n ≤ 2.1) at temperatures higher than 10 °C. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis and polymerization of racemic and optically active substituted ß-propiolactones. V. α-methyl ß-propiolactone

R(+) and S(?) enantiomers of α-methyl β-propiolactone (MPL) have been synthesized from the corresponding α-methyl β-hydroxymethylpropionates and racemic MPL from methyl methacrylate. The optical purity and absolute configuration of these lactones were determined using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy after complexation with a chiral compound: 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)-ethanol. Optical purities of 100% were obtained for both the S(?) ([α₀] = ?10.4°, c = 1.3 g/dL in CHCl₃) and the R(+) ([α₀] = +10.5°, c = 1.0 g/dL in CHCl₃) enantiomers. The corresponding racemic and optically active polylactones [poly(MPL)] were prepared by anionic polymerization, in bulk and in solution, as well as poly(MPL)s of intermediate optical purities. The polymers thus obtained are optically active ([α₀] = 16.2° in CHCl₃ for the optically pure polymer, S configuration) and exhibit significant differences. For example, the racemic poly(MPL) is soluble in several organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, benzene, CCl₄, CH₂Cl₂, hexafluoroisopropanol, and CHCl₃, whereas the optically active poly(MPL)s are soluble in CHCl₃ and hexafluoroisopropanol only. Moreover, racemic poly(MPL) is amorphous whereas optically active poly(MPL)s are semicrystalline for optical purities larger than 51%. Melting temperatures and enthalpies of fusion of the semicrystalline polylactones vary with optical purity whereas glass transition temperatures remain invariant for all polymers, at about ?28°C. The poly(MPL) of highest optical purity exhibits a melting temperature of 95°C and an enthalpy of fusion of 61 J/g.     

Synthesis and characterization of highly fluorinated poly(phthalazinone ether)s based on AB‐type monomers

Four different fluorinated methyl‐ and phenyl‐substituted 4‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐(pentafluorophenyl)‐phthalazin‐1(2H)‐ones, AB‐type phthalazinone monomers, have been successfully synthesized by nucleophilic addition–elimination reactions of methyl‐ and phenyl‐substituted 2‐((4‐hydroxy)benzoyl)benzoic acid with 1‐(pentafluorophenyl)hydrazine. Under mild reaction conditions, the AB‐type monomers underwent self‐condensation polymerization reactions successfully and gave fluorinated poly(phthalazinone ether)s with high molecular weights. Detailed structural characterization of the AB‐type monomers and fluorinated polymers was determined by ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, FTIR, and GPC. The solubility, thermal properties, mechanical properties, water contact angles, and optical absorption of the polymers were evaluated. The polymers had high T_gs varying from 337 to 349 °C and decomposition temperatures (T_{d, 25} wt %) above 409 °C. Tough, flexible films were cast from THF and chloroform solutions. The films showed excellent tensile strengths ranging from 70 to 85 MPa with good hydrophobicities with water contact angles higher than 95.5 °C. The polymers had absorption edges below 340 nm and very low absorbance per cm at higher wavelengths 500–2500 nm. These results indicate that the polymers are promising as high performance materials, for example, membranes and hydrophobic materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1761–1770     

Guanidine–Copper Complex Catalyzed Allylic Borylation for the Enantioconvergent Synthesis of Tertiary Cyclic Allylboronates

An enantioconvergent synthesis of chiral cyclic allylboronates from racemic allylic bromides was achieved by using a guanidine–copper catalyst. The allylboronates were obtained with high γ/α regioselectivities (up to 99:1) and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee), and could be further transformed into diverse functionalized allylic compounds without erosion of optical purity. Experimental and DFT mechanistic studies support an S_N2′ borylation process catalyzed by a monodentate guanidine–copper(I) complex that proceeds through a special direct enantioconvergent transformation mechanism.     

Low band‐gap diketopyrrolopyrrole‐containing polymers for near infrared electrochromic and photovoltaic applications

Donor–acceptor type polymers bearing diketopyrrolopyrrole and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene units are reported. The polymers are green and exhibit very low band‐gaps (1.19 eV) with strong and broad absorption (maxima of about 830 nm) in the near infrared (NIR) region in their neutral film states. The polymers display color changes between dark green and light blue with exceptional optical contrasts in the NIR regions of up to 78 and 63% as thin films and single‐layer electrochromic devices, respectively. Fast switching, good stabilities as well as high coloration efficiencies (743–901 cm² C^?1) were also observed. The polymers could also be potentially used as photovoltaic material, with a power conversion efficiency of up to 1.68%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1287–1295     

Free‐volume and crystallinity in low molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide)

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and polarized light optical microscopy were used to study six low molar mass poly(ethylene oxide) samples with average molar masses ranging from 1 × 10³ to 10 × 10³ g mol^?1. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine molar mass and polydispersity rigorously. Polymer samples with 70–95% crystallinity, which is an unusual range in PALS studies, were prepared by molten material quenching. The ortho‐positronium pick‐off lifetime (τ₃) and relative fractional free volume (f_v), determined by the free volume model, correlated well with the average molar mass and crystallinity of the polymers. X‐ray diffraction and polarized light optical data support the interpretation of positron annihilation results. PALS parameter, I₃, which is associated with high cavity content, remained approximately constant at 20–22% for all samples. The cavities are present as crystallite defects in the spherulitic open texture and the amorphous phase for the low crystallinity sample (e.g., for M_w = 1390) and at the interfaces and in interlamellar spherulite regions of the more crystalline materials. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2400–2409, 2007     

Synthesis,characterization, and photovoltaic properties of novel conjugated copolymers derived from phenothiazines

Two novel series of soluble alternating conjugated copolymers comprising 10‐alkylphenothiazine and bithiophene or 3‐pentylthieno[3,2‐b]thiophene moieties were synthesized using palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction. The structures of the polymers and their thermal, photophysical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties were characterized and investigated. The polymers exhibited good thermal stability with decomposition temperature in the region of 342–390 °C and their glass transition temperatures (T_g) ranging from 126 to 150 °C. All polymers demonstrate broad optical absorption in the region of 300–500 nm with efficient blue‐green light emission. They showed ambipolar redox properties with low HOMO levels around ?5.13 eV. Polymer solar cells were fabricated using blends of the copolymers and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in a 1:1 weight ratio. The maximum power conversion efficiency (η = 0.24%) was measured for the poly[3,7‐ (10‐hexylphenothiazine)‐alt‐bithiophene] as donor under simulated sun light (1000 W/m²). Open circuit voltages of up to 0.8 V have been obtained. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5266–5276, 2007     

Synthesis and spectral properties of new N-substituted naphthalimide luminophores for structural coloration of polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene

Two new unsaturated acryloxide derivatives of 4-amino-substituted-1,8-naphthalimide luminophores were synthesized. Their absorption and fluorescent properties were determined in both CHCl₃ and C₂H₅OH. The luminophores display a broad absorption band in the visible spectral region (halfband-width up to 4433 cm⁻¹) and a fluorescence in the yellow-green region (526–530 nm). The compounds are yellow colored, with a high brightness (from 2.92 up to 6.75) and a purity of color. The possibility of including naphthalimide luminophores in copolymerization process with ST and MMA resulting in the formation of colored polymers was investigated. It was found that no changes in the chemical structure of the chromophore group occurred during copolymerization. More than 92% of the initial luminophores were bound to the polymer chain. The influence of the luminophores on the kinetics of polymerization was studied, and the average viscosimetric molecular weight, M_v, of the obtained colored polymers estimated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1069–1076, 1997     

A new approach to the synthesis of ‘chiral’ glycine

The stereospecific coordination of N-benzylglycinate ion in ΔR-(N-benzylglycinato)bis(ethylene-diamine) cobalt(III) chloride has been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, rotatory dispersion and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The chiral glycinato-N and Co centres influence the relative rates of exchange of the diastereotopic glycine methylene protons in basic solution (pH 10·5 with Na₃PO₄inD₂O) and a synthesis supposedly of S-(N-benzyl)- 2-²H glycinate ion ≈ 80% optical purity) has been achieved.     

Solution processable polyamides containing thiazole units and thioether linkages with high optical transparency,high refractive index,and low birefringence

A series of new organic‐soluble polyamides (PAs) bearing flexible thioether linkages and heteroaromatic thiazole units were synthesized from a novel thioether‐bridged diamine monomer (DA) and various commercially available aromatic dicarboxylic acids (1–5) via a direct polycondensation method. The resulting polymers were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.41–0.80 dL g^?1. All of the polymers were amorphous in nature, exhibited good solubility and could be easily dissolved in amide‐type polar aprotic solvents and even dissolved in less polar solvents (e.g., tetrahydrofuran, pyridine, and acetone). They showed excellent thermal stability with glass transition temperatures between 207 and 239 °C and 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 424 °C in nitrogen and 469 °C in air atmosphere. The optical transmittances of the PA films at 450 nm were higher than 85% for the thickness of ～10 μm. The combination of the thiazole moieties and flexible thioether linkages provided PAs with high average refractive indices (n_av) of 1.7414–1.7542 and low birefringences (Δn) of 0.0061–0.0087 at 632.8 nm. In particular, the n_av of PA‐5 derived from DA and 2,2′‐dithiodibenzoic acid exhibited the highest refractive index (1.7542) in the high refractive index PAs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3505–3515     

Synthesis of linear and starlike polymers from poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate using controlled radical polymerization

The copper‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate (PPGM) in solution to produce linear and starlike polymers is reported, using methylethyl ketone as the solvent and a temperature of 80 °C. The ATRP system used was efficient for polymerization of the functionalized monomer without protecting hydroxyl end groups of monomer. The polymerizations were consistent with “living” or controlled processes, as revealed by the linear evolution of molecular weight with conversion. Increasing the [M]₀:[I]₀ ratio resulted in increasing molecular weights, whereas the polydispersity indices remained low (M_w/M_n < 1.4) even at high conversion. Decreasing the [CuBr]₀:[I]₀ ratio resulted in lower conversions, slightly larger polydispersities, and decreased molecular weights, likely resulting from a lower initiation efficiency. Polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR; molecular weights of polymers with low degrees of polymerization were estimated by end‐group analysis from ¹³C NMR spectra obtained using distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer and the gated decoupling techniques. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 334–343, 2002