Synthesis of aromatic polyethers containing 2,6(7)-dihydroxy [1,3,5(6),7(8)-tetramethylanthracene] units

Friedel–Crafts copolymerization of 4,4′ bis(2,6-dimethylphenoxy-4-Phenyl)sulfone with methylene chloride used both as comonomer and solvent leads to linear and soluble aromatic polyethers containing 2,6(7)-dihydroxy[1,3,5(6),7(8)-tetramethylanthracene] units. The polymerization proceeds by multiple electrophilic substitutions that lead first to diphenylmethane and then to dihydroanthrylene units, followed by dihydrogenation.     

Physical, thermal, dielectric and chemical properties of a hyperbranched polyether and its linear analog

The hyperbranched and the linear polyethers were prepared by one-pot nucleophilic displacement polymerization technique using cyanuric chloride and aromatic diol as reported earlier. The physical, thermal, dielectric and chemical properties of the hyperbranched polyether and its linear analog have been studied. The amorphous character of both the polyethers was observed in XRD study. The solubility studies showed that the hyperbranched polyether has relatively higher solubility in different solvents compared to its linear analog. The thermal properties of both polymers have been studied by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses. The chemical resistance tests indicated that both polyethers are very good chemical resistances except in dilute aqueous alkali solution. The dielectric properties such as dielectric constant and loss factor for both polyethers have also been studied with respect to changes of frequency (50-500 kHz) and temperature (303-343 K).     

Enantioselective epoxide polymerization using a bimetallic cobalt catalyst

A highly active enantiopure bimetallic cobalt complex was explored for the enantioselective polymerization of a variety of monosubstituted epoxides. The polymerizations were optimized for high rates and stereoselectivity, with s-factors (k(fast)/k(slow)) for most epoxides exceeding 50 and some exceeding 300, well above the threshold for preparative utility of enantiopure epoxides and isotactic polyethers. Values for mm triads of the resulting polymers are typically greater than 95%, with some even surpassing 98%. In addition, the use of a racemic catalyst allowed the preparation of isotactic polyethers in quantitative yields. The thermal properties of these isotactic polyethers are presented, with many polymers exhibiting high T(m) values. This is the first report of the rapid synthesis of a broad range of highly isotactic polyethers via the enantioselective polymerization of racemic epoxides.     

Manganese‐Corrole Complexes as Versatile Catalysts for the Ring‐Opening Homo‐ and Co‐Polymerization of Epoxide

Manganese‐corrole complexes in combination with a co‐catalyst [PPN]X ([PPN]⁺=bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)iminium) were found to be new versatile catalysts for the polymerization of epoxides, copolymerization of epoxides with CO₂, and copolymerization of epoxides with cyclic anhydrides affording a wide range of polymeric materials. This work should allow the synthesis of new types of improved innovative (co)polymers with original properties and would clearly increase the number of applications for polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyethers.     

Synthesis and properties of fluorine‐containing polyethers with pendant hydroxyl groups by the polyaddition of bis(epoxide)s with diols

Fluorine‐containing polyethers with pendant hydroxyl groups were synthesized by the polyaddition of fluorine‐containing bis(epoxide)s with certain fluorine‐containing diols with quaternary onium salts as catalysts. When the polyaddition was performed with 2,2′,6,6′‐tetrafluoro‐4,4′‐biphenol diglycidiyl ether and 2,2′,6,6′‐tetrafluoro‐4,4′‐biphenol, the corresponding polyether with pendant hydroxyl groups was successfully obtained in good yield. The polyaddition of certain fluorine‐containing bis(epoxide)s with diols also proceeded in bulk to provide the corresponding fluorine‐containing polyethers with high molecular weights. These polyethers were highly transparent at 157 nm for 0.1 μm thickness, with their transmittance of 14–75% at 157 nm. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2543–2550, 2004     

Bis(porphyrin)-3,4:9,10-perylenetetracarboxydiimide triads as new building blocks for the synthesis of aromatic polyethers

It was shown that aromatic polyethers (APs) containing in the main chain bis(porphyrin) perylenediimide triads as new building blocks can be obtained. Thermal properties of the prepared APs showing high glass transition temperature were studied. Negative photoresists based on the final unsaturated polymer and anthrylsulfonium salt were designed.     

Synthesis of multihydroxyl branched polyethers by cationic copolymerization of 3,3‐bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane and 3‐ethyl‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)oxetane

The cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 3,3‐bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane (BHMO) and the copolymerization of BHMO with 3‐ethyl‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)oxetane (EOX) were studied. Medium molecular weight polymers (number‐average molecular weight ≈ 2 × 10³) were obtained in bulk polymerization. Poly[3,3‐bis(hydroxymethyl)oxetane], as highly insoluble, was only characterized by gel permeation chromatography and NMR methods in the esterified form. Copolymers of BHMO and EOX that were slightly soluble in organic solvents were characterized in more detail. In a copolymerization from a 1:1 mixture, the comonomers were consumed at equal rates. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight analysis confirmed that a random 1:1 copolymer was formed. ¹³C NMR analysis indicated that in contrast to previously described homopolymers of EOX in which the degree of branching was limited, the homopolymers of BHMO were highly branched. This pattern was preserved in the copolymers; EOX units were predominantly linear, whereas BHMO units were predominantly branched. The copolymerization of BHMO with EOX provides, therefore, a route to multihydroxyl branched‐polyethers with various degrees of branching containing ? OH groups exclusively as ≡C? CH₂? OH units. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1991–2002, 2002     

Amphiphilic building blocks as head groups in linear polymers

Starting with asymmetric A,A′-carbonate couplers A1–A4 via substitution reaction with primary amines at low temperatures (0–25 °C) followed by addition reaction with primary amines at higher temperatures (60–80 °C), bis(functional) compounds with a free hydroxyl group were prepared. These compounds were used: (i) as initiators for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone; (ii) as substrate for the preparation of an ATRP initiator for MMA polymerization; (iii) as substrate for the preparation of an activated carbonate for grafting of an amine end-functionalized linear polymer (Jeffamine® M1000). Via modifications (i)–(iii), amphiphilic end-functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone)s, poly(methyl methacrylate)s, and polyethers were prepared, respectively.     

Organolithium cleavage of aliphatic polyethers,polysulfides and polyimines

Organolithium compounds and other Group IA organometallics cleave high molecular weight poly(alkylene oxides) very rapidly at room temperature in dilute benzene solution. This reaction also works on a dimeric polyepoxide such as bis(2-n-butoxyethyl)ether and much less readily on a monomeric one as 1,2-dimethoxyethane. On the other hand, a simple aliphatic monoether such as di-n-butyl ether is not cleaved under conditions several orders of magnitude more drastic than were effective on the polyethers. The mechanism for this facile polyether cleavage is proposed as a β-elimination in which the organolithium is greatly activated by chelation with the main-chain oxygen atoms of the polyether. This cleavage method has been used broadly on high molecular weight polyethers to obtain quantitative yields of hydroxyl-ended, amorphous, and crystalline polyethers (M_n = 500–10,000), many of which cannot be made by direct polymerization. Aliphatic polysulfides and an N-substituted aliphatic polyamine cleave by this same method to, respectively, mercapto-ended and secondary amine-ended polymers. The mechanism aspects of these results are discussed.     

Soluble rigid–flexible polyethers containing bis(biphenyl)anthracene or bis(styryl)anthracene units in the main chain for light-emitting applications

New rigid–flexible polyethers containing bis(biphenyl)anthracene or bis(styryl)anthracene units in the main chain were synthesized and characterized by viscosimetry, thermal and mechanical analysis, NMR, UV-vis, and luminescence spectroscopy. The polyethers containing bis(styryl)anthracene units in the main chain form free-standing films either from solution casting or after melt pressing at temperatures where they are thermally stable. The length of the flexible spacer influences the thermal and mechanical behavior of these polymers. The isotropization temperature as well as the glass transition temperature show an odd–even effect depending on the spacer segment length. Films with high modulus at room temperature and glass transition temperatures in the range 74–103°C were obtained using dynamic mechanical analysis. These polymers show bright-yellow photoluminescence with maximum at 580 nm in solution. In the solid state, the luminescence maximum is either red or blue shifted depending on the number of the methylene units in the aliphatic segment. The polyethers containing bis(biphenyl)anthracene units in the main chain are blue-light-emitting polymers with photoluminescence maxima at 435 and 455 nm in solution. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3826–3837, 1999     

A simple method to estimate relative stabilities of polyethers cationized by alkali metal ions

Dissociation of doubly cationized polyethers, namely [P + 2X]²⁺ into [P + X]⁺ and X⁺, where P = polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG) and polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) and X = Na, K and Cs, was studied by means of energy‐dependent collision‐induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry. It was observed that the collision voltage necessary to obtain 50% fragmentation (CV₅₀) determined for the doubly cationized polyethers of higher degree of polymerization varied linearly with the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) values. This observation allowed us to correlate these slopes with the corresponding relative gas‐phase dissociation energies for binding of alkali ions to polyethers. The relative dissociation energies determined from the corresponding slopes were found to decrease in the order Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cs⁺ for each polyether studied, and an order PPG ≈ PEG > PTHF can be established for each alkali metal ion. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The use of platinum and rhodium catalysts for the preparation and cationic ring-opening polymerization of silicon-containing epoxides

Regioselective platinum and rhodium catalysts were employed for the preparation of novel silicon-containing polyethers. First, silicon-containing monomers bearing cycloaliphatic epoxy groups were prepared by a rhodium-catalyzed regioselective hydrosilation. Then these monomers were polymerized using a platinum-catalyzed, cationic, ring-opening polymerization to give the linear polyethers. The obtained polyethers were compared with polymers prepared by photoinitiated cationic ring-opening polymerization using onium salt photoinitiators and found to be identical. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of block polyethers with various structures and their application in dispersing single-walled carbon nanotubes

The block polyethers with different structure and composition were synthesized by anionic polymerization and used to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The block polyethers with the structure of branch or benzene ring had better dispersion ability than the commercial Pluronic block polyethers (L64 and F127). In order to compare the parameters, dispersion limit and efficiency of polyethers for SWNTs were defined. UV?Cvis?Cnear infrared absorbance spectra showed that eight-branch polyether AE82 had much larger dispersion limit and efficiency than five-branch AE52. BPE containing benzene rings in the molecule had a slightly lower dispersion limit but larger dispersion efficiency than AE82. The defect density of SWNTs dispersed in polyether aqueous solutions was investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The polyethers AE83 and BEP with the structure of poly(ethylene oxide)?Cpoly(propylene oxide) dispersed less defective SWNTs than AE82 and BPE, indicating that the variation of polyether structure and composition could influence the defect density of SWNTs besides dispersion limit and efficiency.     

由聚丙二醇二缩水甘油醚和甘油制备温敏性超支化聚合物

由聚丙二醇二缩水甘油醚和甘油通过质子转移聚合(proton transfer polymerization)一步法制备了端羟基的温敏性超支化聚醚.聚合产物的分子量(Mn)在1.76×104~2.43×104之间,玻璃化转变温度(Tg)在-31.5~-26.7℃之间,热分解温度(Td)在367~376℃之间.通过控制聚丙二醇二缩水甘油醚和甘油的投料比,实现了对温敏性超支化聚醚最低临界溶解温度(LCST)的调节,LCST可控制在28.3~39.6℃之间.     

Novel synthesis of polyethers by the polyaddition of bis(epoxide)s with bis(phosphinate)s

The polyaddition of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether with bis[4‐(P,P‐diphenylphosphinyloxy)phenyl] sulfone catalyzed by quaternary onium salt, such as tetrabutylammonium chloride afforded a new phosphorus‐containing polyether with good solubility in common organic solvents. Having studied various factors affecting the reaction, such as temperature, catalyst concentration, reaction time, etc., an appropriate polyaddition condition was suggested as using 5 mol % of suitable quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salt in polar solvent at 150°C within 25 h in an ampule for producing high molecular weight polymer. A number of polyethers bearing pendent phosphinate ester groups from the polyaddition of certain bis(epoxide)s and bis(phosphinate)s were synthesized under the above condition and characterized by GPC, IR, and NMR. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1009–1016, 1999     

Equimolar “a2 + b4” polycondensations—Cyclic polyethers derived from 1,4‐dicyanotetrafluorobenzene and various diphenols

Dicyanotetrafluorobenzene was polycondensed with bisphenol‐P, bisphenol‐M, or 1,4‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenoxy)butane in DMF. Either K₂CO₃ and ethyldiisopropylamine (EDPA) or tetramethyl piperidine (TMPD) was used as catalysts and HF acceptors. Regardless of base and concentration, all polycondensations of bisphenol‐P or 1,4‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenoxy)butane yielded more or less crosslinked polyethers. In the case of bisphenol‐M, all polycondensations conducted with K₂CO₃ and 0.4, 0.2, or 0.1 M monomer concentrations resulted again in gelation. Gels were also obtained when polycondensations of 0.4 M monomer solutions were catalyzed with EDPA or TMPD. Yet, at a concentration of 0.2 M, the amines yielded completely soluble polyethers, which were characterized by elemental analyses, inherent viscosities, MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and DSC measurements. The mass spectra revealed that the soluble polyethers mainly consisted of cycles containing two C? F bonds per repeat unit. Nearly quantitative substitution of the C? F groups with 4‐chlorothiophenol, 4‐bromophenol, 4‐aminophenol, and 4‐phenyl azophenol proved successful, so that a broad variety of multifunctional polyethers was obtained, but in the case of 4‐chloro thiophenol cleavage of the polyether chain also occurred. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 543–551, 2008     

Polyethers with Reactive Side Chains—Hydroxy Polyethers

The author' work on preparing polyethers with reactive side chains is reviewed with emphasis on hydroxy polyethers. High molecular weight hydroxy polyethers were prepared by polymerizing epoxides containing a hydroxyl group protected with an appropriate group such as SiMe₃ and then removing it by hydrolysis.

Atactic and isotactic polyglycidol were made in this way using coordination catalysts. The isotactic polymer was found to be unusual since it did not crystallize readily from the melt and was relatively low melting (60°C). Poly(cis-1,4-dihydroxy-2,3-epoxybutane), PDHEB, was prepared, preferably from the cyclic acetone ketal which polymerized with i-Bu₃Al-0.7H₂o cationic catalyst at ?78°C to a moderate molecular weight (η_inh up to 0.7) atactic polymer. This polymer is readily hydrolyzed with aqueous HCl treatment to atactic, amorphous, water-soluble PDHEB with a T_g of 80°C. PDHEB is melt stable to 200°C and can be molded to give brittle, clear films which readily pick up 5–10% H₂O from the atmosphere to give properties like plasticized poly(vinyl chloride). The bis(trimethylsilyl) ether of cis-1,4-dihydroxy-2,3-epoxybutane was polymerized cationically with the i-Bu₃ Al-0. 7H₂O catalyst at ?78°C to a fairly tactic, presumably racemic diisotactic, amorphous polymer, with η_inh of 0.16. A mechanism is proposed for this stereoregular polymerization based on a complexation of the Si side group of the last chain unit with the propagating oxonium ion. Hydroxy polyethers, in general, merit extensive future study since they are analogues of the biochemically important polysaccharides.     

Lewis Pair Polymerization of Epoxides via Zwitterionic Species as a Route to High‐Molar‐Mass Polyethers

A dual catalytic setup based on N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) and magnesium bis(hexamethyldisilazide) (Mg(HMDS)₂) was used to prepare poly(propylene oxide) with a molar mass (M_n) >500 000 g mol^?1, in some cases even >10⁶ g mol^?1, as determined by GPC/light scattering. This is achieved by combining the rapid polymerization characteristics of a zwitterionic, Lewis pair type mechanism with the efficient epoxide activation by the Mg^II species. Transfer‐to‐monomer, traditionally frustrating attempts at synthesizing polyethers with a high degree of polymerization, is practically removed as a limiting factor by this approach. NMR and MALDI‐ToF MS experiments reveal key aspects of the proposed mechanism, whereby the polymerization is initiated via nucleophilic attack by the NHO on the activated monomer, generating a zwitterionic species. This strategy can also be extended to other epoxides, including functionalized monomers.     

Ion-selective electrode studies on novel organic molecule sensors.

Researches on prospects for novel ion-selective electrodes, based on organic molecule sensors, are described. The organic molecules are large crown ethers extending from bis(metaphenylene)-26-crown-8 to bis(metaphenylene)-38-crown-12, small crown ethers, bis-crown ethers, and acyclic polyethers consisting of diphenyl ethers of tetraethylene glycol and receptor molecules of planar and tetrahedral tripodal types.     

Synthesis and properties of amorphous blue‐light‐emitting polymers with high glass‐transition temperatures

A series of soluble poly(arylene ether)s containing the phenylphosphine oxide moiety were synthesized by the polymerization of substituted oligophenylene diols with bis(fluorophenyl)phenylphosphine oxide. These amorphous polyethers had well‐defined structures and showed blue photoluminescence combined with good thermal stability, especially when phenyl or ethoxy side groups were used. The glass‐transition temperatures increased when the size of the oligophenylene segment increased from three to five rings or when the length of the alkoxy substituents decreased. Polymers with glass‐transition temperatures up to 270 °C were obtained. The absorption and photoluminescent spectra shifted to longer wavelengths with an increase in the oligophenylene block. A redshift was also observed on photoluminescent spectra in the transition from solution to the solid state. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3168–3179, 2001