Catalytic Effect of Dimethylsulfoxide Complexes of Rh(III) and Ru(II) on the Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers Initiated by 2,2′-Azobisisobutyronitrile

Transition metal salts and complexes catalyze the polymerization of vinyl monomers in the presence or absence of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). In this article the effect of some dimethyl sulfoxide complexes of Rh(III) and Ru(II) on the polymerization of vinyl monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl acrylate (MA) initiated by AIBN is reported. The percentage conversion and the rate of polymerization of MMA and MA are found to increase rapidly with time. At the critical concentrations of the complexes, the percentage conversion and the rates of reaction are found to be higher than those with AIBN alone, which significantly proves their accelerating effect. At concentrations above and below that of the critical value, the percentage conversion and the rates of polymerization of MMA and MA are found to decrease from those with AIBN alone. The trend of the increase and decrease of the percentage conversion and the rate of reaction with both types of complexes are similar. The solvent used in the polymerization of MMA and MA is dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and the temperature of the reaction is 60°C. A precise mechanism for the catalytic reaction is suggested.     

Kinetic study of RuIII‐catalyzed polymerization of methylmethacrylate initiated with n‐butylamine in the presence of carbon tetrachloride by a charge‐transfer mechanism

Ruthenium trichloride (RuCl₃ or Ru^III) catalyzed polymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) initiated with n‐butylamine (BA) in the presence of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) by a charge‐transfer mechanism has been investigated in a dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) medium by employing a dilatometric technique at 60°C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) has been obtained under the conditions [CCl₄]/[BA] ? 1 and [CCl₄]/[BA] ? 1. The kinetic data indicate the possible participation of the charge‐transfer complex formed between the amine–Ru^III complex and CCl₄ in the polymerization of MMA. In the absence of either CCl₄ or BA, no polymerization of MMA is observed under the present experimental conditions. The rate of polymerization is inhibited by hydroquinone, suggesting a free‐radical initiation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 70–77, 2011     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by charge-transfer complex using n-butyl amine and carbon tetrachloride in dimethylsulphoxide

The charge-transfer complex formed by the interaction of an aliphatic amine, such as n-butylamine (nBA), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) initiates polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at 30°. The rate of polymerization is given by R_p = k[MMA]^0.83 [nBA]^0.5 [CCl₄]^0.5 when [CCl₄]/[nBA] is ? 1. When [CCl₄]/[nBA] > 1, R_p is independent of [CCl₄] and R_p = k[MMA]^1.46 [nBA]^0.5. The average rate constants are (1.42 ± 0.05) × 10^?6 1 mol^?1 sec^?1 in terms of MMA and (2.20 ± 0.06) × 10^?6 sec^?1 at 30° for higher and lower concentration of carbon tetrachloride respectively. A charge-transfer mechanism for polymerization is suggested.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by charge-transfer mechanism with aliphatic primary amines and carbon tetrachloride

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with aliphatic primary amines and carbon tetrachloride has been investigated in th dimethylsulfoxide medium by employing a dilatometric technique at 60°C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) has been evaluated under the conditions, [CCl₄]/[amine] < 1 and > 1. The kinetic data indicate possible participation of the charge transfer complexes formed between the amine + CCl₄ and the amine + MMA in the polymerization of MMA. In the absence of CCl₄ or amine, no polymerization of MMA was observed under the present experimental conditions. The polymerization of MMA was inhibited by hydroquinone, indicating a free radical initiation. The energy of activation varied from 32 to 58 kJ mol^?1.     

Copolymerization of n‐butylacrylate with methylmethacrylate by a novel photoinitiator, 1‐(bromoacetyl)pyrene

The photopolymerization efficiency of pyrene (Py), 1‐acetylpyrene (AP), and 1‐(bromoacetyl)pyrene (BP) for copolymerization of n‐butylacrylate (BA) with methylmethacrylate (MMA) was compared. A kinetic study of solution copolymerization in DMSO at 30 ± 0.2°C showed that the Py could not initiate copolymerization even after 20 h, whereas with AP as initiator, less than 1% conversion was observed. However, introduction of a Br in α‐methyl group of AP significantly enhanced the percent conversion. The kinetics and mechanism of copolymerization of BA with MMA using BP as photoinitiator have been studied in detail. The system follows nonideal kinetics (R_p α [BP]^0.67[BA]¹[MMA]^0.98), and degradative solvent transfer reasonably explains these kinetic nonidealities. The monomer reactivity ratios (MRRs) of MMA and BA have been estimated by the Finemann–Ross and Kelen–Tudos methods, by analyzing copolymer compositions determined by ¹H‐NMR spectra. The values of r₁ (MMA) and r₂ (BA) were found to be 2.17 and 0.44, respectively, which suggested the high concentration of alternating sequences in the random copolymers obtained. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 261–267, 2007     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by a charge transfer mechanism with urea and iron (III) complex

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) can be polymerized by a charge transfer complex formed by the interaction of urea, methyl methacrylate, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in a nonaqueous solvent like dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The rate of polymerization can be accelerated by Lewis acids like Fe³⁺. This article reports the polymerization of MMA initiated by urea and CCl₄ and accelerated with hexakisdimethylsulfoxide iron (III) perchlorate, [Fe(DMSO)₆](ClO₄)₃, and A at 60°C. Definite induction periods were observed for the polymerization reaction initiated by urea and CCl₄ alone, but the induction period completely vanished when the molar ratio of urea to A reached 6:1. The molecular weights of the polymers with 6:1 molar ratio of urea to A were higher than with urea alone. The rate constant for the polymerization of MMA in the presence of [Fe(urea)₆]³⁺ was 1.03 × 10^?5 1 mol^?1 s^?1 at 60°C. The transfer constant for CCl₄ for polymerization with urea alone is 2.43 × 10^?3 at 60°C.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with aminoalcohols and carbon tetrachloride initiated by charge-transfer mechanism

Polymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) with aminoalcohols, namely ethanolamine (EA), diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) in the presence of carbontetrachloride (CCl₄) has been investigated in the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) medium by employing a dilatometric technique. The rate of polymerization (R _p) has been evaluated under the conditions and > 1. The kinetic data reveal the possible participation of a charge-transfer complex in the polymerization reaction. In the absence of either CCl₄ or amine, no polymerization of MMA was observed under the present experimental conditions. The polymerization of MMA was inhibited by hydroquinone, indicating a free radical initiation.     

Kinetics of PdII‐catalyzed polymerization of methyl methacrylate by triethanolamine in the presence of CCl4

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with triethanolamine (TEA) and carbon tetrachloride has been investigated in the presence of PdCl₂ and in a dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) medium by employing a dilatometric technique at 60°C. The rate of polymerization has been obtained under the conditions [CCl₄]/[TEA] ≤ 1. The kinetic date indicate the possible participation of the charge‐transfer complex formed between the {amine–Pd^II} complex and CCl₄ in the polymerization of MMA. In the absence of either CCl₄ or amine, no polymerization of MMA was observed under the present experimental conditions. The rate of polymerization was inhibited by hydroquinone, suggesting a free‐radical initiation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 171–177, 2000     

Charge transfer polymerization of 2-vinyl pyridine initiated by n-butyl amine and carbon tetrachloride

2-Vinyl pyridine (2-VP) can be initiated by a charge-transfer complex formed by the interaction of aliphatic amines such as n-butylamine (nBA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in a solvent like NN-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). This article describes the polymerization of 2-VP by n-butylamine (nBA) in the presence of carbon tetrachloride in DMSO at 60°C. The rate of polymerization R_p increases rapidly with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) up to a concentration of 3.93 mol/L, but for a higher concentration it is almost independent of the carbon tetrachloride concentration; R_p is proportional to [nBA]^0.5 and [2-VP]^1.5 when [CCl₄]>[nBA]. The average rate constant k is 1.03 × 10^?5 L/mol s. When [CCl₄] < [nBA] the rate constant in terms of [2-VP] was 1.06 × 10^?5 s^?1 at 60°C and the overall rate constant was 1.035 × 10^?5 L/mol s at 60°C.     

Bulk Free‐Radical Co‐ and Terpolymerization of n‐Butyl Acrylate/2‐Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate

n‐Butyl acrylate (BA), 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), and methyl methacrylate (MMA) are commonly used monomers in pressure‐sensitive adhesive formulations. The bulk free‐radical copolymerizations of BA/EHA, MMA/EHA, and BA/MMA are studied at 60 °C to demonstrate the use of copolymer reactivity ratios for the prediction of BA/MMA/EHA terpolymer composition. The reactivity ratios for BA/EHA and MMA/EHA copolymer systems are determined using low conversion experiments; BA/MMA reactivity ratios are already known from the literature. The reactivity ratio estimates for the BA/EHA system are r _BA = 0.994 and r _EHA = 1.621 and the estimates for MMA/EHA are r _MMA = 1.496 and r _EHA = 0.315. High conversion experiments are conducted to validate the reactivity ratios. The copolymer reactivity ratios are shown to predict terpolymer composition of high conversion BA/MMA/EHA experiments.     

Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate by Charge-Transfer Mechanism with Amines and Carbon Tetrachloride

The charge-transfer complex formed between an amine and carbon tetrachloride can initiate the polymerization of vinyl monomers in a nonaqueous solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide. Here we use cyclopentylamine (CPA) and heptylamine (HA) as the donor compounds for charge-transfer initiation of the polymerization of methl methacrylate (MMA). The rate of polymerization R_p = k[MMA]¹ [amine]^0.5 [CCl₄]^0.5 when [CCl₄] [amine] ≤ 1; when [CCl₄] [amine] < 1, R_p becomes independent of [CCl₄] and R_p = k[MMA]^1.5 [amine]^0.5. The average constant at 60°C for the polymerization of MMA in terms of monomer were (1.66 ± 0.03) × 10^?5 and (1.46 ± 0.04) × 10^?5 s^?1 with CPA and HA, respectively, when [CCl₄] [amine] ≤ 1, and (1.16 ± 0.04) × 10^?5 and (1.39 ± 0.08) × 10^?1 L/mol·s when [CCl₄]/[amine] < 1.     

Charge transfer initiation of methylmethacrylate by isopropylamine

Methylmethacrylate (MMA) can be initiated by charge transfer complexes (i) formed by the interaction of aliphatic amines and MMA and (ii) formed by the interaction of aliphatic amines and carbon tetrachloride in a solvent like N-N dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) or chloroform. This paper reports the polymerization of MMA by isopropylamine (IPA) in the presence of CCl₄ in DMSO at 30. The rate of polymerization, R_p increases rapidly with CCl₄ up to a concentration of 0.25 mol l^?1 but, for a higher concentration, it is practically independent of the CCl₄ concentration. R_p is proportional to (IPA concentration)^{1 2} and to power of (MMA concentration)^1.30 when [CCl₄] ? [IPA]. The average rate constant, k, is 2.1 × 10^?6 l mol^{· 1} sec^{? 1}.     

Modeling the free radical polymerization of acrylates

Acrylates have gained importance because of their ease of conversion to high‐molecular‐weight polymers and their broad industrial use. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a well‐known monomer for free radical polymerization, but its α‐methyl substituent restricts the chemical modification of the monomer and therefore the properties of the resulting polymer. The presence of a heteroatom in the methyl group is known to increase the polymerizability of MMA. Methyl α‐hydroxymethylacrylate (MHMA), methyl α‐methoxymethylacrylate (MC₁MA), methyl α‐acetoxymethylacrylate (MAcMA) show even better conversions to high‐molecular‐weight polymers than MMA. In contrast, the polymerization rate is known to decrease as the methyl group is replaced by ethyl in ethyl α‐hydroxymethylacrylate (EHMA) and t‐butyl in t‐butyl α‐hydroxymethylacrylate (TBHMA). In this study, quantum mechanical tools (B3LYP/6‐31G*) have been used in order to understand the mechanistic behavior of the free radical polymerization reactions of acrylates. The polymerization rates of MMA, MHMA, MC₁MA, MAcMA, EHMA, TBHMA, MC₁AN (α‐methoxymethyl acrylonitrile), and MC₁AA (α‐methoxymethyl acrylic acid) have been evaluated and rationalized. Simple monomers such as allyl alcohol (AA) and allyl chloride (AC) have also been modeled for comparative purposes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Grafting onto Wool. XV. Graft Copolymerization of MA and MM A by Use of Mn(acac)3 as Initiator

Graft copolymerization of acceptor monomers MA and MMA onto Himachali wool fiber in an aqueous medium was studied by using Mn(acac)s as initiator. Nitric acid was found to catalyze the graft copolymerization. Percentage of grafting and percent efficiency have been determined as functions of the concentration of chelate, nitric acid, monomer, time, and temperature, Under optimum conditions, MMA produced a maximum grafting of 82.5% while MA afforded maximum grafting to the extent of 27.5%. Relative reactivities of MA and MMA toward grafting have been compared with those of EA, BA, and VAc reported earlier from this laboratory. Different vinyl monomers were found to follow the following reactivity order toward grafting onto wool fiber in the presence of Mn(acac)₃: MMA > EA > BA > MA > VAc. An attempt has been made to explain the observed reactivity pattern shown by different vinyl monomers in graft copolymerization reactions.     

Synthesis of poly(β‐pinene)‐g‐poly(meth)acrylate by the combination of living cationic polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

New graft copolymers of β‐pinene with methyl methacrylate (MMA) or butyl acrylate (BA) were synthesized by the combination of living cationic polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). β‐Pinene polymers with predetermined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs) were prepared by living cationic polymerization with the 1‐phenylethyl chloride/TiCl₄/Ti(OiPr)₄/nBu₄NCl initiating system, and the resultant polymers were brominated quantitatively by N‐bromosuccinamide in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile, yielding poly(β‐pinene) macroinitiators with different bromine contents (Br/β‐pinene unit molar ratio = 1.0 and 0.5 for macroinitiators a and b , respectively). The macroinitiators, in conjunction with CuBr and 2,2′‐bipyridine, were used to initiate ATRP of BA or MMA. With macroinitiator a or b , the bulk polymerization of BA induced a linear first‐order kinetic plot and gave graft copolymers with controlled molecular weights and MWDs; this indicated the living nature of these polymerizations. The bulk polymerization of MMA initiated with macroinitiator a was completed instantaneously and induced insoluble gel products. However, the controlled polymerization of MMA was achieved with macroinitiator b in toluene and resulted in the desired graft copolymers with controlled molecular weights and MWDs. The structures of the obtained graft copolymers of β‐pinene with (methyl)methacrylate were confirmed by ¹H NMR spectra. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1237–1242, 2003     

Terpolymerization of Triisopropylsilyl Acrylate,Methyl Methacrylate,and Butyl Acrylate: Reactivity Ratio Estimation

Ternary monomer reactivity ratios of triisopropylsilyl acrylate (SiA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and n‐butyl acrylate (BA), as common monomers in self‐polishing coatings (SPCs) binders are obtained using experimental data collected from free radical bulk polymerization at 70 °C. Different terpolymerizations at low and medium‐high conversions are performed at optimized feed compositions. Estimations are made using the error‐in‐variables model (EVM) framework, applying the recast form of the Alfrey–Goldfinger (AG) model and a direct numerical integration (DNI) approach to the collected data. Estimations from individual low and medium‐high conversion data are compared to those found with the combined data (full conversion range data). The highest certainty in point estimates are obtained with analysis of the full conversion range data. Furthermore, the reactivity ratios determined from the combined data fall between those found with analysis of individual low and medium‐high conversion data, another corroboration of reliable data collection. Reactivity ratios determined from analysis of the combined data (r_SiA/MMA = 0.4185, r_MMA/SiA = 1.3754, r_SiA/BA = 0.8739, r_BA/SiA = 0.5736, r_BA/MMA = 0.3692, r_MMA/BA = 1.7919) are used in the recast AG model to predict cumulative terpolymer composition as a function of conversion. The experimental data and model prediction show satisfactory agreement.     

Well‐Defined Iron Complexes as Efficient Catalysts for “Green” Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization of Styrene,Methyl Methacrylate,and Butyl Acrylate with Low Catalyst Loadings and Catalyst Recycling

Environmentally friendly iron(II) catalysts for atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were synthesized by careful selection of the nitrogen substituents of N,N,N‐trialkylated‐1,4,9‐triazacyclononane (R₃TACN) ligands. Two types of structures were confirmed by crystallography: “[(R₃TACN)FeX₂]” complexes with relatively small R groups have ionic and dinuclear structures including a [(R₃TACN)Fe(μ‐X)₃Fe(R₃TACN)]⁺ moiety, whereas those with more bulky R groups are neutral and mononuclear. The twelve [(R₃TACN)FeX₂]_n complexes that were synthesized were subjected to bulk ATRP of styrene, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and butyl acrylate (BA). Among the iron complexes examined, [{(cyclopentyl)₃TACN}FeBr₂] ( 4 b ) was the best catalyst for the well‐controlled ATRP of all three monomers. This species allowed easy catalyst separation and recycling, a lowering of the catalyst concentration needed for the reaction, and the absence of additional reducing reagents. The lowest catalyst loading was accomplished in the ATRP of MMA with 4 b (59 ppm of Fe based on the charged monomer). Catalyst recycling in ATRP with low catalyst loadings was also successful. The ATRP of styrene with 4 b (117 ppm Fe atom) was followed by precipitation from methanol to give polystyrene that contained residual iron below the calculated detection limit (0.28 ppm). Mechanisms that involve equilibria between the multinuclear and mononuclear species were also examined.     

Polymerizabilities of Several Polar Vinyl Monomers by Imidazole

Polymerizabilities of several polar vinyl monomers in the presence of imidazole (Im) have been studied in CDC1₃ and CD₃OD by NMR spectra. Acrylic acid formed a bimolecular adduct with Im as the initial adduct, while methacrylic acid was not obtained, On the other hand, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylamide (AAm), and acrylonitrile formed the initial adduct between Im and monomer, respectively. In these monomers, AAm and MMA gave each polymer in tetrahydrofuranat room temperature. The number-average molecular weight ([Mbar]_n) of AAm polymers was determined to be in the range of 1000 to 1500, and the [Mbar]_n of MMA polymers was found to be in the range of 2500 to 4500, The rate of polymerization R_p was expressed by the equations R_p = k[Im][AAm] and R_p = k[Im] [MMA]², respectively. The activation energy E_R was obtained by Arrheniuss's plots as E_R(AAm) = 9.6 kcal/mol and E_R(MMA) = 3.8 kcal/mol. These polymerization mechanisms are discussed on the basis of these results.     

Polymerization of complex systems. A study of the system methyl methacrylate–vinyl isobutyl ether–maleic anhydride by means of an NMR technique

It has been shown that the rates of polymerization of individual monomers in a mixture of monomers can be followed by means of an NMR technique. The technique is rapid and simple and requires very little sample. The system MMA–MA–VIBE was investigated by the technique. From the data obtained it was concluded that the polymer formed in a mixture of the three monomers is a block copolymer made up of (MMA)_m and (MA–VIBE)_n units, the lengths of which depend on the monomer concentrations.     

Simple and effective one‐pot synthesis of (meth)acrylic block copolymers through atom transfer radical polymerization

The synthesis of di‐ and triblock copolymers using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of n‐butyl acrylate (BA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) is reported. In particular, synthetic procedures that allow for an easy and convenient synthesis of such block copolymers were developed by using CuBr and CuCl salts complexed with linear amines. Polymerizations were successfully conducted where the monomers were added to the reactor in a sequential manner. Poor cross‐propagation between poly(n‐butyl acrylate) (PBA) macroinitiators and MMA was minimized, and therefore control of molecular weights and distributions was realized, by using halogen exchange—a technique involving the addition of CuCl to the MMA during the chain extension of the PBA macroinitiator. High molecular weight (M_n ∼ 90,000) and low polydispersity (M_w /M_n < 1.35) ABA triblock copolymers were also prepared and their structure and properties in bulk have been preliminary characterized indicating the potential of ATRP for the production of all‐acrylic thermoplastic elastomers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2023–2031, 2000