Organocatalyzed Step‐Growth Polymerization through Desymmetrization of Cyclic Anhydrides: Synthesis of Chiral Polyesters

The polymerization of prochiral bis‐anhydrides with diols catalyzed by a cinchona alkaloid was shown to provide chiral polyesters in good yields and with high levels of stereocontrol. The structures of the polyesters were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses, whereas their size was estimated by both size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, which indicated that moderate degrees of polymerization were attained through this step‐growth polymerization. The enantioselectivity of the process was evaluated by using chiral HPLC analysis of the bis‐lactones resulting from a controlled chemoselective degradation of the polyesters. The best stereocontrol was reached for oligomers formed from bis‐anhydride and diol monomers bearing rigid aromatic spacers between the reactive functional groups. In this case, average enantioselectivities were comparable to those observed during ring‐opening of simple anhydrides with similar alcohols. In contrast, the use of more flexible spacers between reactive entities generally led to lower levels of stereocontrol.     

Polycondensation of Sebacic Acid with Primary and Secondary Hydroxyl Groups Containing Diols Catalyzed by Candida antarctica Lipase B

Abstract

The aliphatic polyesters are normally synthesized by ester interchange reactions or direct esterification of hydroxyacids or diacid/diol combinations. Biotransformation, utilizing the enzymes as catalysts, was accepted as an alternative route for the synthesis of aliphatic polyesters and offers various advantages compared with the conventional, metal-catalyzed polymerization reactions. Previous studies indicated that lipase-catalyzed polycondensation reactions between diols and diacids occurred preferentially at primary hydroxyl groups of diols, when diols contained both primary and secondary hydroxyl groups. In this work, we investigated lipase-catalyzed polycondensation of diacids and secondary hydroxyl group–containing diols, and successfully synthesized polyesters by polycondensation with secondary hydroxyl groups as well as primary hydroxyl groups. Various diols, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, and 2,4-pentanediol were tested for the polycondensation. The polymerization was achieved by heating a mixture of lipase B, sebacic acid, and the diols in anhydrous toluene at 100 °C for 72 h. The resulting polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, Fourier transform–infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and gel permeation chromatography.     

Click Polyester: Synthesis of Polyesters Containing Triazole Units in the Main Chain by Click Chemistry and Improved Thermal Property

A “click” polymerization of dialkynes that contain an ester linkages and diazides to has been performed to synthesize various polyesters, termed “click polyesters” with a high of 1.0 × 10⁴ to 7.0 × 10⁴ in an excellent yield. This polymerization accompanied a formation of 1,4‐disubstituted triazoles in the polyester main chain by a Cu^I catalyst. The triazole ring formation in the polyester main chain leads to improved thermal properties and enhancement of the even–odd effect of methylene chain length of the produced click polyesters. This report is the first report of the application of click chemistry to synthesize a series of polyesters under mild conditions.

     

An Efficient N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Ruthenium Complex: Application Towards the Synthesis of Polyesters and Polyamides

The ruthenium benzimidazolylidene‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex 4 catalyzes the direct dehydrogenative condensation of primary alcohols into esters and primary alcohols in the presence of amines to the corresponding amides in high yields. This efficient new catalytic system shows a high selectivity towards the conversion of diols to polyesters and of a mixture of diols and diamines to polyamides. The only side product formed in this reaction is molecular hydrogen. Remarkable is the conversion of hydroxytelechelic polytetrahydrofuran ( = 1000 g mol⁻¹)—a polydispers starting material—into a hydrolytically degradable polyether with ester linkages ( = 32 600 g mol⁻¹) and, in the presence of aliphatic diamines, into a polyether with amide linkages in the back bone ( = 16 000 g mol⁻¹).

     

Synthesis and characterization of sulfone-containing polyesters derived from 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl sulfone by direct polycondensation

Several sulfone-containing polyesters having inherent viscosities 0.43-0.19 dL g^?1 were prepared by direct polycondensation of 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) with various aromatic and aliphatic diols, by p-toluenesulfonyl chloride and N,N′-dimethylformamide in pyridine solution. The polyesters were examined by elementary analysis, IR spectra, inherent viscosity, x-ray diffraction, solubility, DSC, and TGA. The diffraction diagram showed that all polyesters were crystalline except that obtained from bisphenol-A. All polymers were soluble in sulfonic acid (18M), phenol and p-chlorophenol, but not in acetone and toluene. These polymers obtained from aromatic bisphenols lost no mass below 325°C, but 10% loss of mass was recorded above 396°C in nitrogen. DCDPS copolymerized with isophthalic acid (IPA) and bisphenol-A had inherent viscosity up to 0.49 dL g^?1, with relatively narrow distribution of molar mass . © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Lactone Polymerization and Polymer Properties

Abstract

The polymerization of lactones provides a facile route to polyesters that is unimpeded by the long reaction cycles and elevated temperatures inherent in the condensation of hydroxyl and acid functional groups. Depending on the structure of the lactone monomer, catalyst/initiator systems are known which allow preparation of extremely high molecular weight polyesters of low polydispersity. In addition to obtaining high molecular weight polyesters in relatively short reaction cycles and at moderate temperature, lactone polymerization allows careful control of polymer end groups through proper selection of the initiating species. The type of end group plays an important role in both the thermal stability and hydrolytic stability of the resulting polyester. This study reviews and updates the field of lactone polymerization with specific emphasis on the chemistry and Theological     

Computational mechanistic studies of acceptorless dehydrogenation reactions catalyzed by transition metal complexes

Acceptorless dehydrogenation (AD) that uses non-toxic reagents and produces no waste is a type of catalytic reactions toward green chemistry. Acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation (AAD) can serve as a key step in constructing new bonds such as C-C and C-N bonds in which alcohols need to be activated into more reactive ketones or aldehydes. AD reactions also can be utilized for hydrogen production from biomass or its fermentation products (mainly alcohols). Reversible hydrogenation/ dehy-drogenation with hydrogen uptake/release is crucial to realization of the potential organic hydride hydrogen storage. In this article, we review the recent computational mechanistic studies of the AD reactions catalyzed by various transition metal complexes as well as the experimental developments. These reactions include acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenations, reversible dehydrogenation/hydrogenation of nitrogen heterocycles, dehydrogenative coupling reactions of alcohols and amines to construct C-N bonds, and dehydrogenative coupling reactions of alcohols and unsaturated substrates to form C-C bonds. For the catalysts possessing metal-ligand bifunctional active sites (such as 28, 45, 86, 87, and 106 in the paper), the dehydrogenations prefer the "bifunctional double hydrogen transfer" mechanism rather than the generally accepted-H elimination mechanism. However, methanol dehydrogenation involved in the C-C coupling reaction of methanol and allene, catalyzed by the iridium complex 121, takes place via the-H elimination mechanism, because the Lewis basicity of either the-allyl moiety or the carboxyl group of the ligand is too weak to exert high Lewis basic reactivity. Unveiling the catalytic mechanisms of AD reactions could help to develop new catalysts.     

Iterative tandem catalysis of secondary diols and diesters to chiral polyesters

The well-known dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols and esters was extended to secondary diols and diesters to afford chiral polyesters. This process is an example of iterative tandem catalysis (ITC), a polymerization method where the concurrent action of two fundamentally different catalysts is required to achieve chain growth. In order to procure chiral polyesters of high enantiomeric excess value (ee) and good molecular weight, the catalysts employed need to be complementary and compatible during the polymerization reaction. We here show that Shvo's catalyst and Novozym 435 fulfil these requirements. The optimal polymerization conditions of 1,1'-(1,3-phenylene) diethanol (1,3-diol) and diisopropyl adipate required 2 mol% Shvo's catalyst and 12 mg Novozym 435 per mmol alcohol group in the presence of 0.5 M 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol as the hydrogen donor. With these conditions, chiral polyesters were obtained with peak molecular weights up to 15 kDa, an ee value up to 99% and with 1-3 % ketone end groups. Also with the structural isomer, 1,4-diol, a chiral polyester was obtained, albeit with lower molecular weight (8.3 kDa) and slightly lower ee (94%). Aliphatic secondary diols also resulted in enantio-enriched polymers but at most an ee of 46 % was obtained with molecular weights in the range of 3.3-3.7 kDa. This low ee originates from the intrinsic low enantioselectivity of Novozym 435 for this type of secondary aliphatic diols. The results presented here show that ITC can be applied to procure chiral polyesters with good molecular weight and high ee from optically inactive AA-BB type monomers.     

Preparation, characterization and application of polymeric diols with comb-branched structure and their nanocomposites containing montmorillonites

The polymeric diols with comb-branched structure (CPD) and their nanocomposites containing montmorillonites (MMT) were prepared through three-step reaction on basis of molecular design. The effect of experimental parameters, such as molar mass of oligomer polyols, catalysts and MMT on conversion of -NCO group during polymerization was investigated by utilizing FTIR to measure content of -NCO group varied as reaction time. In addition, the structure of comb-branched polymeric diols was characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR. The results show that the comb-branched chains contain reactive CC double bonds in CPD. The nature of dispersion of montmorillonites in CPD was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The results show that Na⁺-MMT is exfoliated and organo-MMT is intercalated in CPD via in-situ polymerization. Finally, the properties of water-borne polyurethane modified with CPD or CPD/2T-MMT nanocomposite were compared with those of common water-borne polyurethane, and the comb-branched chains and 2T-MMT improve the properties of water-borne polyurethane.     

Enzymatic syntheses of unsaturated polyesters based on isosorbide and isomannide

The search for materials produced from renewable sources aiming at the substitution of petroleum‐based derivates is an area of intense investigation. In this work, the enzymatic copolymerization of isosorbide or isomannide with diethyl adipate and fractions of different unsaturated diesters (diethyl itaconate, diethyl fumarate, diethyl glutaconate, and diethyl hydromuconate) were examined using CAL‐B as catalyst. The polyesters prepared using one‐step syntheses were characterized by SEC, NMR, and MALDI‐TOF MS. In addition, syntheses with linear diols were carried out in bulk to evaluate the reactivity of cyclic diols in producing unsaturated polyesters using enzymatic catalysis, as well as to evaluate the occurrence of addition side reactions on the double bonds. Isosorbide and isomannide yielded unsaturated polymers with values in the order of 4,000‐16,000 when fumarate or glutaconate esters were added in 5 mol % ratio against adipate. In all cases MALDI‐TOF confirmed the presence of unsaturated units. Although these polyesters have unreacted double bonds they are prone to crosslinking and ready to further functionalization, like anchoring bioactive molecules. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3881–3891     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyesters derived from 4-aryl-2,6-bis(4-chlorocarbonyl phenyl) pyridines and various aromatic diols

A new class of aromatic polyesters containing pyridine heterocyclic rings (PE_1-15) was prepared via reactions of 4-aryl-2,6-bis(4-chlorocarbonyl phenyl) pyridines (DAC_1-3) and commercial diols by high temperature solution polymerization method in o-dichlorobenzene and catalytic amount of triethylamine hydrochloride. The optimum condition of polymerization was obtained via study of a model compound prepared from reaction of 4-phenyl-2,6-bis(4-chlorocarbonylphenyl) pyridine (DAC₁) and phenol. All polymers were characterized by FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies, and their physical properties including solution viscosity, solubility properties, thermal stability and thermal behavior were studied. The prepared polyesters showed excellent thermal stability and good solubility in polar aprotic solvents.     

Poly(meth)acrylates Obtained by Cascade Reaction

Preparation, purification, and stabilization of functional (meth)acrylates with a high dipole moment are complex, laborious, and expensive processes. In order to avoid purification and stabilization of the highly reactive functional monomers, a concept of cascade reactions was developed comprising enzymatic monomer synthesis and radical polymerization. Transacylation of methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with different functional alcohols, diols, and triols (1,2,6‐hexanetriol and glycerol) in the presence of Novozyme 435 led to functional (meth)acrylates. After the removal of the enzyme by means of filtration, removal of excess (meth)acrylate and/or addition of a new monomer, e.g., 2‐hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate the (co)polymerization via free radical (FRP) or nitroxide mediated radical polymerization (NMP) resulted in poly[(meth)acrylate]s with predefined functionalities. Hydrophilic, hydrophobic as well as ionic repeating units were assembled within the copolymer. The transacylation of MA and MMA with diols and triols carried out under mild conditions is an easy and rapid process and is suitable for the preparation of sensitive monomers.

     

Precision Aliphatic Polyesters with Alternating Microstructures via Cross‐Metathesis Polymerization: An Event of Sequence Control

Sequence‐regulated polymerization is realized upon sequential cross‐metathesis polymerization (CMP) and exhaustive hydrogenation to afford precision aliphatic polyesters with alternating sequences. This strategy is particularly suitable for the arrangement of well‐known monomer units including glycolic acid, lactic acid, and caprolactic acid on polymer chain in a predetermined sequence. First of all, structurally asymmetric monomers bearing acrylate and α‐olefin terminuses are generated in an efficient and straightforward fashion. Subsequently, cross‐metathesis (co)polymerization of M1 and M2 using the Hoveyda–Grubbs second‐generation catalyst (HG‐II) furnishes P1 – P3 , respectively. Finally, hydrogenation yields the desired saturated polyesters HP1 – HP3 . It is noteworthy that the ε‐caprolactone‐derived unit is generated in situ rather than introduced to tailor‐made monomers prior to CMP. NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) results verify the microstructural periodicity of these precision polyesters. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results reflect that polyesters without methyl side groups exhibit crystallinity, and unsaturated polyester samples show higher glass transition temperatures than their hydrogenated counterparts owing to structural rigidity.

     

The preparation,characterization, and selected charge transfer properties of some anthracene functionalized polyesters

Novel anthracene backboned polyesters were successfully prepared by the melt condensation polymerization of anthracene 9,10-diacetic acid dimethyl ester using titanium (IV) n-butoxide as catalyst. Monomer and polymer structures were identified by a variety of methods. The melt polymerizations were carefully controlled to give low molecular weight polyesters soluble in chloroform. ¹H-NMR was used to determine the degree of polymerization and number-average molecular weight for each of the polyesters. Analysis of the 3-5 ppm spectral region contained the necessary resonances for the interpretation. Spectral results show . Higher molecular weight polymers can also be prepared but chloroform solubility is lost. Thermal studies reveal the T_g of these materials varies from 50–60°C depending upon the aliphatic segment of the polymer. Decomposition temperatures in the range of 400–500°C were observed. Charge transfer complexes of these polymers were also studied. Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy indicates these polyesters are good electron donating systems. Complexation with tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranil) have absorption maxima at approximately 662 nm. Absorption studies also reveal perturbations do exist in the polymer complexes suggesting the possibility of polymer effects. The emission spectra of these materials also confirms that fact.     

Ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone initiated with different ruthenium derivatives: Kinetics and mechanism studies

End‐functionalized polyesters have been synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ?‐caprolactone (CL) initiated with five different ruthenium derivatives in the presence of a series of alcohols as transfer agents. Mechanistic studies were performed for ROP of CL with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ ( I ), TpRuCl(PPh₃)₂ ( II ), and TpRuCl(PHPh₂)(PPh₃) ( III ) as catalysts in the presence or absence of benzyl alcohol (BzOH). Obtained molecular weights are proportional to CL/BzOH ratio, but there is not a direct relationship with CL/ruthenium complex ratios. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy revealed the existence of benzyl ester end‐groups. Catalysis involves (a) dissociation of ruthenium complexes, (b) coordination of the lactone CL, (c) coordination of the BzOH with the formation of a metal alkoxide, (d) transfer from the alkoxyl ligand to the coordinated lactone, and (e) ring‐opening of CL by oxygen‐acyl bond cleavage. The proposed mechanism is supported by ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and MALDI‐TOF analysis of the polymers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6926–6942, 2006     

Studying and Suppressing Olefin Isomerization Side Reactions During ADMET Polymerizations

Olefin isomerization side reactions that occur during ADMET polymerizations were studied by preparing polyesters via ADMET and subsequently degrading these polyesters via transesterification with methanol. The resulting diesters, representing the repeating units of the previously prepared polyesters, were then analyzed by GC‐MS. This strategy allowed quantification of the amount of olefin isomerization that took place during ADMET polymerization with second generation ruthenium metathesis catalysts. In a second step, it was shown that the addition of benzoquinone to the polymerization mixture prevented the olefin isomerization. Therefore, second generation ruthenium metathesis catalysts may now be used for the preparation of well‐defined polymers via ADMET with very little isomerization, which was not possible before.

     

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro antimicrobial study of bioactive polyesters derived from new biobased flame retardant aromatic diacid monomer containing taurine moiety

5-(2-tetrachlorophthalimidoethanesulfonamido) isophthalic acid (6), based on taurine, was simply prepared in three steps. Also a series of novel biologically active polyesters (PEs) were synthesized by the reaction of this monomer with several aromatic diols by step growth polymerization using tosyl chloride (TsCl)/dimethylformamide (DMF)/pyridine (Py) system as a condensing agent. The resulting new polymers were obtained in good to high yields with moderate inherent viscosities. All of the PEs were characterized by FT-IR and some of them were also characterized by ¹H NMR and elemental analyses methods. The thermal stability of PEs was evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques under a nitrogen atmosphere and it was found that, they have moderate stability. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the polymers confirmed that the synthesized compounds have flame retardant properties. Soil bioactivity behavior of the diacid 6 and all of PEs derived from this diacid was investigated in culture media and it was found that synthesized diacid monomer 6 and all PEs have possibility of biodegradation under natural microbial environmental.     

Synthesis and properties of thermally stable and optically active novel wholly aromatic polyesters containing a chiral pendent group

5-(2-Phthalimidyl-3-methyl butanoylamino)isophthalic acid (5), as a novel diacid monomer containing phthalimide and flexible chiral groups, was prepared by the reaction of 2-phthalimidyl-3-methyl butyric acid chloride (4) with 5-aminoisophthalic acid (5AIPA) in dry N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). A series of novel polyesters (PE)s containing phthalimide group was prepared by the reaction of diacid monomer 5 with several aromatic diols via direct polyesterification with the tosyl chloride/pyridine/dimethylformamide (DMF) system as a condensing agent. The resulting new polymers were obtained in good yields with inherent viscosities ranging between 0.37 and 0.61 dL g⁻¹ and were characterized with FT-IR, ¹H NMR, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. These polymers are readily soluble in amide type solvents such as DMAc, DMF, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, hexamethyl triaminophosphine, dimethyl sulfoxide and protic solvents such as sulfuric acid. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the 10% weight loss temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere was more than 345 °C, which indicates that the resulting PEs have a good thermal stability as well as excellent solubility.     

Acetonitrile Adduct Formation as a Sensitive Means for Simple Alcohol Detection by LC-MS

Simple alcohols formed protonated acetonitrile adducts containing up to two acetonitrile molecules when analyzed by ESI or APCI in the presence of acetonitrile in the solvent. These acetonitrile adducts underwent dissociation to form a nitrilium ion, also referred to as the substitution ion. Diols and triols behaved differently. In ESI, they formed only one acetonitrile adduct containing one acetonitrile. The S ion was not observed in ESI and was only weakly observed from the dissociation of the (M?+?ACN?+?H)⁺ ion. On the other hand, the S ion was abundantly formed from the diols in APCI. This formation of acetonitrile adducts and substitution ion from simple alcohols/diols offers an opportunity to detect simple alcohols/diols sensitively by LC-MS interfaced by ESI or APCI. The utility of this chemistry was demonstrated in a method developed for the quantification of cyclohexanol in rat plasma by monitoring the CID-induced fragmentation from the S ion to a fragment ion. Graphical Abstract

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PMLABe Diol Synthesized by Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Racemic Benzyl β‐Malolactonate Initiated by Rare‐Earth Trisborohydride Complexes: An Experimental and DFT Study

Polymer diols are a class of polymeric building blocks of high interest for the synthesis of complex macromolecular edifices. Rare‐earth borohydride complexes are known as efficient initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters, directly affording α,ω‐dihydroxy‐telechelic polyesters. Here, were report the direct synthesis of poly(benzyl β‐malolactonate) (PMLABe) diols, from the ROP of racemic (benzyl β‐malolactonate) (rac‐MLABe), a valuable and renewable monomer, initiated by the homoleptic [Ln(BH₄)₃(thf)₃] (Ln=La, Nd, and Sm) complexes. These initiators enabled the controlled ROP of this β‐lactone, affording well‐defined syndiotactic‐enriched (P_r≈0.83) PMLABes (M_n up to 21 300 g mol^?1, Ð_M≈1.5) as evidenced by size exclusion chromatography, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI‐ToF mass spectrometry analyses. The first and second insertions of rac‐MLABe, as assessed by DFT calculations, revealed more favorable stationary front‐side than migratory back‐side insertions, the thermodynamically and kinetically competitive ROP on two distinct arms with that on a one arm‐only, and the thermodynamically slightly favored formation of syndiotactic‐enriched PMLABes.