Reactivity of double bonds of substituted <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-(methacryloyloxy)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-phenylmaleimides in free-radical polymerization

The thermoinduced free-radical polymerization of model systems, namely, methyl methacrylate and N-phenylmaleimide derivatives, has been studied. It has been shown that, in the polymerization of p-(methacryloyloxy)-N-phenylmaleimides, the yield of the polymer and its molecular-mass distribution (mono-or bimodal) and polydispersity depend on the degree of substitution and the nature of a substituent in a double bond of a maleimide fragment. The structure of the maleimide fragment, in turn, determines its capability to copolymerize with the methacryloyl group of a bifunctional monomer as well as the occurrence of chain-transfer and termination reactions.     

Studies on the atom transfer radical polymerization of a maleimide AB* monomer and modification of the halogen end groups

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of an AB* monomer, N-(4-α-bromobutyryloxy phenyl)maleimide (BBPMI), was conducted using the complex of CuBr/2,2′-bipyridine as catalyst. The study of kinetics of polymerization and the growth behavior of macromolecules show that the polymerization proceeds rapidly in first 1 h and then slows down. The decrease in the rate of polymerization is ascribed to the poor reactivity of maleimide radicals from A* to initiate the polymerization of maleimide double bonds. The molecular weight of the resulting polymer also increases with the dosage of catalyst. The coincidence of molecular weight determined by hydrogen proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) proves that the resulting polymer is of linear structure, which is further verified by ¹³C NMR measurement and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the hydrolysate of the resulting polymer. The stabilization modification of the halogen end groups of the resulting polymer by free-radical chain transfer reaction was attempted under ATRP condition. Isopropyl benzene was employed as the chain transfer agent. Indeed, the modified polymer with carbon-bromine bonds conversion of 40.7% shows enhanced thermal stability. The initial weight loss temperature has been increased from 193 to 243 °C. On the other hand, the atom transfer radical copolymerization of BBPMI with styrene resulted in the formation of hyperbranched polymer.     

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization for the preparation of norbornene-based weak cation-exchange monolithic capillary columns

Functionalized monolithic columns were prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) within silanized fused silica capillaries with an internal diameter of 200 μm by in situ grafting. This procedure is conducted in two steps, the first of which is the formation of the basic monolithic structure by polymerization of norborn-2-ene (NBE) and 1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4,5,8-exo,endo-dimethanonaphthalene (DMN-H6) in a porogenic system (toluene and 2-propanol) using RuCl₂(PCy₃)₂(CHPh) as ROMP initiator. In the second step the still active initiator sites located on the surface of the structure-forming microglobules were used as receptor groups for the attachment (“grafting”) of functional groups onto the monolithic backbone by flushing the monolith with 7-oxanorborn-2-ene-5,6-carboxylic anhydride (ONDCA). Functionalization conditions were first defined that did not damage the backbone of low polymer content (20%) monoliths allowing high-throughput chromatographic separations. Variation of the functionalization conditions was then shown to provide a means of controlling the degree of functionalization and resulting ion-exchange capacity. The maximum level of in situ ONDCA grafting was obtained by a 3 h polymerization in toluene at 40 °C. The weak cation-exchange monoliths obtained provided good separation of a standard peptide mixture comprising four synthetic peptides designed specifically for the evaluation of cation-exchange columns. An equivalent separation was also achieved using the lowest capacity column studied, indicative of a high degree of robustness of the functionalization procedure. As well as demonstrably bearing ionic functional groups enabling analyte separation in the cation-exchange mode, the columns exhibited additional hydrophobic characteristics which influenced the separation process. The functionalized monoliths thus represent useful tools for mixed-mode separations.     

Highly transparent nancomposite films based on polybutylmethacrylate and functionalized cellulose nanocrystals

Efficient surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with hydroxyl butyl acrylate monomer (HBA) was carried on under mild condition using N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole as an activator. The grafting of the acrylic monomer was shown to bring about the high yield grafting of polymer chains on the functionalized CNC during in situ polymerization process. Surface functionalization of CNC with HBA and the polymer grafting on the modified CNC were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Nanocomposite film prepared from in situ polybutylmethacrylate polymerization process using HBA functionalized nanocrystals exhibited high transparency degree here assigned to improved dispersion. DMA analysis proved that the best mechanical/rheological performance is obtained for HBA–CNC contents of 4 %.     

Ibrational spectra of maleimide, N-deuterated maleimide and maleic anhydride in low-temperature matrices

Infrared and Raman spectra are reported for maleimide, N-deuterated maleimide and maleic anhydride in argon and nitrogen matrices and in the solid phase at 20 K. The data enabled a revised vibrational assignment to be made for the monomers of maleimide and N-deuterated maleimide, while the assignment for the dimers was mainly in agreement with previous work. The interaction of maleimide with nitrogen, water and hydrogen chloride was also investigated. Water and hydrogen chloride form hydrogen-bonded complexes with a carbonyl group of the maleimide, whereas nitrogen interacts with the NH group.     

Maleimide functionalized silicon surfaces for biosensing investigated by in-situ IRSE and EQCM

A quantitative study of the electrodeposition of nominal 3–5 monolayers of p-maleimidophenyl (p-MP) with current transients, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and in-situ infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (IRSE) is presented. In particular maleimide functionalized interfaces are of high interest for specific biosensing. Such surfaces are prepared electrochemically on Au-QCM, micro-crystalline silicon (μc-Si)-coated Au-QCM (μc-Si-Au-QCM) and crystalline silicon (c-Si(111)) surfaces. The electrodeposition of p-MP on μc-Si-Au-QCM is developed and is shown to be similar to that of Au-QCM sensors with a grafting efficiency of 0.5 after the first potential cycle. For subsequent deposition on silicon, the oligomer formation and thickness is limited due to a steric hindrance effect and the molecules size. The combination of used methods enabled the verification of grafted p-MP, evaluation of optical constants and thicknesses, and grafting efficiencies. The presented cooperative multi-method characterization gives a new analytical possibility for in-situ studies of electrochemically functionalized surfaces towards biosensing.     

Optimization strategies for radiation induced grafting of 4-vinylpyridine onto poly(ethylene-co-tetraflouroethene) film using Box-Behnken design

The radiation induced grafting of 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) onto poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethene) (ETFE) was optimized using the Box-Behnken factorial design available in the response surface method (RSM). The optimized grafting parameters; absorbed dose, monomer concentration, grafting time and reaction temperature were varied in four levels to quantify their effect on the grafting yield (GY). The validity of the statistical model was supported by the small deviation between the predicted (GY=61%) and experimental (GY=57%) values. The optimum conditions for enhancing GY were determined at the following values: monomer concentration of 48 vol%, absorbed dose of 64 kGy, reaction time of 4 h and temperature of 68 °C. A comparison was made between the optimization model developed for the present grafting system and that for grafting of 1-vinylimidazole (1-VIm) onto ETFE to confirm the validly and reliability of the Box-Behnken for the optimization of various radiation induced grafting reactions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the properties of the obtained films and provide evidence for grafting.     

Thermo- and pH-sensitive comb-type grafted poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels with rapid response behaviors

Poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) with a terminal hydroxyl end group (PDEA-OH) was synthesized by radical telomerization of N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEA) monomer using 2-hydroxyethanethiol as a chain transfer agent. Macromonomer of thermo-sensitive PDEA was synthesized by condensation reaction of PDEA-OH with acryloyl chloride. The macromonomer was characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR, and the molecular weight was determined by GPC. Thermo- and pH-sensitive comb-type grafted poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PDEA-co-AA) hydrogels (GHs) were successfully prepared by grafting PDEA chains with freely mobile ends onto the backbone of a cross-linked (PDEA-co-AA) network. The results showed that the deswelling behavior of the hydrogels was dependent on the test temperature. At 45 °C (beneath the VPTT of the hydrogels), both the normal-type hydrogels (NHs) and comb-type grafted P(DEA-co-AA) hydrogels had lower deswelling rates. While at 60 °C (far beyond the VPTT of the hydrogels), the deswelling rates of the GHs were faster than that of the NHs. Furthermore, pulsatile stimuli-responsive studies indicated that the GHs had excellent thermo-reversibility and were superior to the NHs in the magnitude of their swelling ratios to temperature changes. However, the reversibility to pH changes was poor for both the NHs and the GHs.     

Polymerization of N-(fluoro phenyl) maleimides

Poly(N-aryl maleimide)s of characteristic structures have been synthesized and some of their physical properties studied. These include N-(2-fluoro phenyl), N-(3-fluoro phenyl), N-(4-fluoro phenyl), N-(2,4-difluoro phenyl), N-(2,5-difluoro phenyl), N-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro phenyl), and N-(pentafluoro phenyl). The polymerization of N-(fluoro phenyl) maleimides by free-radical initiation in bulk or in solution and by anionic catalyst have been studied to compare the characteristics of polymerization by γ-ray irradiation with that by free-radical initiation. The polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, intrinsic viscosity, spectroscopy (IR and NMR), programmed thermogravimetric analysis, and x-ray diffraction. Spectra of polymers prepared by radiation and anionic polymerization were nearly identical with those of polymers prepared by free-radical polymerization initiated by AIBN in bulk or in solution and by the self-initiated thermal polymerization. A variety of reaction conditions were tried, but all attempts to change the molecular structure of the polymers were unsuccessful. Rates of thermal degradation for poly[N-(fluoro phenyl) maleimide]s have been analyzed by using a multiple-heating-rate procedure. Overall activation energy, order of reaction, and frequency factor have been evaluated. On the basis of the comparison between the overall activation energy of the thermal degradation of poly[N-(fluoro phenyl) maleimide]s and NMR spectra of their corresponding monomers, it can be concluded that the ¹H shifts due to ethylenic protons are so characteristic in sign and magnitude as to be useful in thermal stability elucidation. Some qualitative explanations were given on the stability of these polymers as affected by the type and size of the substituent. The x-ray diffractograms of all samples show two rather broad peaks indicative of noncrystalline structures. The location of the peaks does not depend upon preparation conditions and temperature. Poly(N-maleimide)s of fluoroanilines have not been hitherto described.     

Controlled “Grafting-from” of poly[styrene-co-maleic anhydride] onto polydienes using nitroxide chemistry

High-throughput experimentation was used for the functionalization of polybutadiene and polyisoprene with several kinds of nitroxide moieties at 135 °C, as well as for kinetic investigations of the controlled free radical grafting of styrene and maleic anhydride onto the functionalized polydienes at 125 °C. The functionalized polymers were analyzed by GPC, ¹H NMR and FT-IR and the control of the grafting process was assessed by kinetic measurements and GPC analysis. The best control in the molecular weight of the grafts was observed for the polydienes functionalized with 4-oxo-TEMPO. TEMPO functionalization did not render sufficient nitroxide moieties to achieve controlled grafting, while polydienes functionalized with other 4-hydroxy TEMPO derivatives exhibited some level of grafting control at early reaction times, which was lost in later stages of the polymerization reaction. SG1 apparently decomposed at the tested reaction temperatures, as polydienes functionalized with SG1 did not show any level of control during the grafting process.     

Study on thermal cure and heat-resistant properties of N-(3-acetylenephenyl)maleimide monomer

N-(3-acetylenephenyl)maleimide (3-APMI), was synthesized by reacting 3-aminophenylacetylene (3-APA) with maleic anhydride by the usual two-step procedure that included ring-opening addition to give maleamic acid, followed by cyclodehydration to maleimide. Structure of the monomer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), elemental analysis (EA) and mass spectrum (MS). Thermal cure of the monomer was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FTIR, then processing parameters and cure kinetics parameters were determined. The results showed that the monomer possesses excellent reactivity, whose cure peak temperature was 197.9 °C and cure reaction was almost complete after 4 h cure at 200 °C. Thermal properties of the cured monomer were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and the results show that glass transition temperature (represented by onset temperature of storage modulus) is high up to 460 °C. The results of thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) reveal that the cured monomer possessed excellent thermal stability, whose 10% weight loss temperature (T_10%) is 515.6 °C and char yield at 800 °C is 59.1%. All these characteristics make the 3-APMI monomer be an ideal candidate for matrix of thermo-resistant composites.     

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan grafted poly(N,N-dimethyl-N-methacryloxyethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium) initiated by ceric (IV) ion

Grafting of N,N-dimethyl-N-methacryloxyethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium (DMMSA) onto chitosan using ceric ammonium nitrate as an initiator was studied under nitrogen atmosphere in 2% wt. acetic acid solution. The grafted polymer was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The extent of grafting could be adjusted by controlling the appropriate reaction conditions. The maximum percentage of grafting about 50% was obtained under optimum condition. A representative grafted copolymer was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and chitosan was used as reference.     

New Grafted Copolymers Carrying Betaine Units Based on Gellan and N-Vinylimidazole as Precursors for Design of Drug Delivery Systems

New grafted copolymers possessing structural units of 1-vinyl-3-(1-carboxymethyl) imidazolium betaine were obtained by graft copolymerization of N-vinylimidazole onto gellan gum followed by the polymer-analogous reactions on grafted polymer with the highest grafting percentage using sodium chloroacetate as the betainization agent. The grafted copolymers were prepared using ammonium persulfate/N,N,N′,N′ tetramethylethylenediamine in a nitrogen atmosphere. The grafting reaction conditions were optimized by changing one of the following reaction parameters: initiator concentration, monomer concentration, polymer concentration, reaction time or temperature, while the other parameters remained constant. The highest grafting yield was obtained under the following reaction conditions: c_i = 0.08 mol/L, c_m = 0.8 mol/L, c_p = 8 g/L, t_r = 4 h and T = 50 °C. The kinetics of the graft copolymerization of N-vinylimidazole onto gellan was discussed and a suitable reaction mechanism was proposed. The evidence of the grafting reaction was confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The grafted copolymer with betaine structure was obtained by a nucleophilic substitution reaction where the betainization agent was sodium chloroacetate. Preliminary results prove the ability of the grafted copolymers to bind amphoteric drugs (cefotaxime) and, therefore, the possibility of developing the new sustained drug release systems.     

Graft copolymerisation of acrylamide onto cashew gum

The synthesis of cashew gum-g-polyacrylamide was carried out at 60 °C by a radical polymerisation using potassium persulphate as the redox initiator under N₂ atmosphere. A series of graft copolymers, varying in acrylamide concentration and keeping the concentration of the initiator and polysaccharide constant, was prepared. These graft copolymers were characterised by elemental analysis, infrared and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, rheological studies, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Comparisons amongst grafting parameters of the reaction of various natural polysaccharides with polyacrylamide (PAM) were carried out. High percentages of acrylamide conversion (%C) and grafting efficiency (%E) were obtained for cashew gum (CG), even with a low acrylamide/gum ratio. All copolymers had intrinsic viscosity and thus the hydrodynamic volume much higher than the CG value and closer to the PAM. The CG-g-PAM solution had an absolute viscosity at 2.5% concentration (wt./vol.) up to 33 and 3.3 times the CG and PAM values, respectively. Grafting of PAM chains onto the polysaccharide enhances its thermal stability.     

Peroxide-initiated grafting of maleimides onto hydrocarbon substrates

The grafting of N-phenethyl-maleimide (1) onto squalane and eicosane was investigated. As reference substances for spectroscopical investigations homopolymer, N-phenethyl-succinimide (2), t-butyl-(4) and cyclohexyl-N-phenethyl-succinimide (6) were synthesized. The grafting reactions were carried out at 150 °C in 1,2-dichlorobenzene with Luperox 130 as initiator (molar ratio hydrocarbon substrate:1:initiator = 10:1:0.2). Two fractions of graft products were isolated and analysed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR and UV spectroscopy, SEC and MALDI-TOF MS to determine the average number of grafted residues per substrate molecule and to elucidate the structure of the grafts and the grafting sites. Overall grafting yields were found to be >90%. Only a small percentage of the total amount of substrate was grafted (2-3%). First fraction of both oligomers (approx. 25 wt%) showed to be a mixture of homopolymers (average degree of polymerization 6) and graft products (approx. 1:3), the latter containing mainly long-chain grafts with an average chain length of 7. The major fraction of graft products contained predominantly single units. As an average number of units per substrate molecule very similar results were obtained for eicosane and squalane (n = ∼ 3). In the case of squalane single units were found to be linked mainly to tertiary carbon atoms, long chain grafts mainly to secondary C-atoms. Apart from the homopolymers resulting from radical transfer, homopolymers terminated with methyl groups resulting from secondary radicals formed by the decomposition of Luperox were also observed. Homopolymers as well as graft products were found to contain small amounts of maleimide groups. The results suggest that as in the mechanism proposed for maleic anhydride, both inter- and intramolecular hydrogen abstraction occurs as part of the chain process. Termination proceeds mainly by hydrogen transfer and also by disproportionation, to a lesser extent. The formation of long chain grafts on tertiary carbons seems to be sterically hindered.     

Copolymerization of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride and vinyl acetate

The free-radical copolymerization of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride with vinyl acetate in DMSO, methanol, and a methanol-water (70: 30, mol %) mixture proceeds to yield statistical copolymers. The nature of solvents significantly affects the reactivity ratios of the comonomers. N,N-Diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride shows a higher reactivity than vinyl acetate. The kinetic features of the processes have been investigated, and the structure and properties of the copolymers have been studied.     

Preparation and characterization of monolithic column by grafting pH-responsive polymer

A novel modified monolithic column with pH-responsive polymer chains was prepared by grafting methacrylic acid onto the poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith. The grafting polymerization was achieved in an in situ manner which was performed by pumping methacrylic acid directly through an acidic hydrolysis monolithic column using potassium peroxydisulfate initiated free-radical polymerization. The grafted monolithic column was demonstrated to be the pH-responsive to the pore structure and the chromatographic characterization. The permeability of the column and the retention factors of five benzene homologues decreased due to the conformational changes of the polymer chains when the pH of mobile phase increased from 4.5 to 7.5. Furthermore, the modified monolithic column was used as the pH-responsive stationary phase and exhibited an excellent separation of four basic proteins.     

Development of Thiol-Functionalized Mesoporous Silicate MCM-41 as a Modified Sorbent and Its Use in Chromatographic Separation of Metal Ions from Aqueous Nuclear Waste

Surface modified adsorbent mesoporous silicate MCM-41 has been prepared by grafting thiol containing functional group onto mesoporous silicate MCM-41. XRD, N₂ adsorption/desorption measurements, SEM, FT-IR, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis have been made to confirm the ordered mesoporous framework and the functionalization of the thiol groups. Sorption of 18 metal ions on this sorbent have been studied and discussed. Chromatographic separation of Rb(I)–U(VI)–Sr(II)–Zr(IV), has been achieved on column of this sorbent.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Amino-functionalized Meso-porous Silicate MCM-41 for Removal of Toxic Metal Ions

Amino-functionalized MCM-41 has been prepared by grafting amino containing functional groups onto mesoporous silicate MCM-41 and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption/desorption measurement, SEM, FT-IR, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis to confirm the ordered mesoporous structure and the functionalization of the amino groups. Sorption behavior for 18 metal ions on this sorbent has been studied and discussed.     

H, C, and F NMR studies of phencyclone adducts of N-(polyhalophenyl)maleimides: evidence for dynamic NMR in maleamic acids: Ab initio calculations for optimized structures

NMR methods, including one- and two-dimensional techniques (at 7.05 T) for ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F, have been applied to studies of hindered rotations and magnetic anisotropy in some crowded Diels-Alder adducts of phencyclone (1). Symmetrically substituted N-aryl maleimides (2) bearing numerous halogens on the N-aryl ring, were employed as dienophiles to form the target adducts (3). The maleimides included: N-(4-bromo-2,6-difluorophenyl)maleimide (2a); N-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)maleimide (2b); N-(4-bromo-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)maleimide (2c); N-(2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenyl)maleimide (2d); and N-(2,4,6-tribromophenyl)maleimide (2e). Maleimides (2a-2c) were prepared from the precursor N-aryl maleamic acids (5a-5c). Ambient temperature fluorine-19 NMR of these maleamic acids in d₆-acetone showed substantial unusual peak broadening consistent with intermediate exchange rate processes, which may correspond to the N-aryl rotation process. Maleimides (2d) and (2e) were produced in one step from pentachloroaniline or 2,4,6-tribromoaniline, respectively, and maleic anhydride with anhydrous ZnCl₂ at ca. 200 °C. For the adducts (3), we observed slow exchange limit spectra on the ¹H, ¹³C, [and ¹⁹F, for (3a-3c)] NMR timescales for the rotation of the unsubstituted bridgehead phenyls about the C(sp³)C(sp²) bonds, and for the rotations of the N-aryl rings about the N(sp²)C(aryl sp²) bonds. Ab initio calculations for geometry optimizations at the Hartree-Fock level with 6-31G* (or LACVP*) basis sets were performed for the adducts. We believe that this is the first report of detailed ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F NMR data for a substantial collection of N-aryl maleamic acids, maleimides and their phencyclone adducts bearing multiple fluorines or other halogens directly on the N-aryl ring, together with complementary quantitative geometric parameters from high-level HF/6-31G* (or LACVP*) calculations.