Molecular Weight Distribution of Living Radical Polymers

Summary: The molecular weight distribution formed in an ideal living radical polymerization is considered theoretically. It was found that the hypergeometric function that combines the most probable and the Poisson distribution represents a fundamental distribution of the living radical polymers. The number‐ and weight‐average molecular weights are derived for this fundamental distribution, together with those for polymerizations in a batch and in a continuous stirred tank reactor. These average molecular weight functions are obtained based on the arithmetic calculations without deriving the distribution functions. The effect of the monomer transfer reactions on the formed MWD is also considered. The present study clarifies the relationship between the reaction mechanism and the formed molecular weight distribution as well as the fundamental characteristics of living radical polymers.

Calculated number fraction distribution N(r) development with (dashed) and without (solid) the monomer transfer reactions.     

乳液原子转移自由基聚合*

原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)应用于乳液聚合体系的主要挑战在于如何同时保证乳液的稳定性和聚合反应的可控性。本文主要对乳液ATRP体系中影响聚合反应可控性和乳液稳定性的各种因素、乳液ATRP的机理和乳液ATRP的应用等方面进行了综述。表面活性剂亲水亲油性及其亲水亲油基团的化学性质、催化剂/配体在油/水两相之间的分配行为、引发剂的溶解性、反应温度以及各组分的浓度是影响反应可控性和乳液稳定性的主要因素。各组分在油/水两相中的分配行为使得乳液ATRP的机理比传统乳液聚合更加复杂。乳液原子转移自由基聚合结合了活性自由基聚合和乳液聚合的优点,在理论研究和工业生产上具有很大的应用前景。     

Fundamental Molecular Weight Distribution of RAFT Polymers

The molecular weight distribution formed in an ideal reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)‐mediated radical polymerization is considered theoretically. In this polymerization, the addition to the RAFT agent is reversible, and the active period on the same chain could be repeated, via the two‐armed intermediate, with probability 1/2. This possible repetition is accounted for by introducing a new concept, the overall active/dormant periods. With this method, the apparent functional form of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) reduces to that proposed for the ideal living radical polymers (Tobita, Macromol. Theory Simul. 2006 , 15, 12). The repetition results in a broader MWD than without the repetition. The formulae for the average molecular weights formed in batch and a continuous stirred tank reactor are also presented.

     

Uniform PEO Star Polymers Synthesized in Water via Free Radical Polymerization or Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Amphiphilic star shaped polymers with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) arms and cross‐linked hydrophobic core were synthesized in water via either conventional free radical polymerization (FRP) or atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques using a simple “arm‐first” method. In FRP, PEO based macromonomers (MM) were used as arm precursors, which were then cross‐linked by divinylbenzene (DVB) using 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN). Uniform star polymers ( < 1.2) were achieved through adjustment of the ratio of PEO MM, DVB, and AIBN. While in case of ATRP, both PEO MM, and PEO based macroinitiator (MI) were used as arm precursors with ethylene glycol diacrylate as cross‐linker. Even more uniform star polymers with less contamination by low MW polymers were obtained, as compared to the products synthesized by FRP.

     

Kinetics and Molecular Weight Development of Dithiolactone‐Mediated Radical Polymerization of Styrene

Calculations of polymerization kinetics and molecular weight development in the dithiolactone‐mediated polymerization of styrene at 60 °C, using 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and γ‐phenyl‐γ‐butirodithiolactone (DTL1) as controller, are presented. The calculations were based on a polymerization mechanism based on the persistent radical effect, considering reverse addition only, implemented in the PREDICI® commercial software. Kinetic rate constants for the reverse addition step were estimated. The equilibrium constant (K = k_add/k_‐add) fell into the range of 10⁵–10⁶ L · mol^?1. Fairly good agreement between model calculations and experimental data was obtained.

     

活性开环聚合与可控自由基聚合机理转换合成精细结构共聚物

可控自由基聚合和活性开环聚合可以通过机理转换有效结合, 制备出多种结构新颖的共聚物, 因此得到广泛关注. 本文主要综述三种常见的可控自由基聚合, 即原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP), 可逆加成-断裂链转移聚合(RAFT)和稳定自由基聚合(SFRP)与活性开环聚合之间进行机理转换, 进而制备精细结构共聚物的研究进展     

胺存在下自由基聚合与活性自由基聚合

综述了胺存在下自由基聚合,包括含胺的过氧化二酰与芳叔胺氧化还原体系、有机过氧化氢物与芳叔胺或脂肪叔胺氧化还原体系、过硫酸盐与脂肪胺氧化还啄体系和极性单体的胺光诱导电荷转移引发自由基聚合,以及活性／控制自由基聚合,主要为原子转移自由基研究的成果。     

Radical and cationic photopolymerization: New pyrylium and thiopyrylium salt‐based photoinitiating systems

New thiopyrylium and pyrylium salt‐based photoinitiating systems for visible light induced free radical polymerization (FRP) or free radical promoted cationic polymerization (FRPCP) under visible lights are presented. The reaction mechanisms are investigated by laser flash photolysis and the structure/reactivity trend is discussed. The abilities of two different classes of coinitiators are investigated (thiols/disulfides and silanes). In FRP, upon irradiation with a xenon lamp (λ > 390 nm), the (thio)pyrylium salts in combination with thiols or disulfides lead to very high polymerization rates, compared to the reference eosin Y/methyldiethanolamine system. In FRPCP, silanes are found much better coinitiators: a high efficiency of the photopolymerization under air is noted. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7369–7375, 2008     

Using Kinetic Modeling and Experimental Data to Evaluate Mechanisms in PET-RAFT

Reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques have become important tools for polymer chemists because they control the structure and are tolerant to functionality. Photoinduced polymerizations have seen a growing interest due to their mild conditions, as well as spatial and temporal control over the polymerization. Among these techniques, photoinduced electron/energy transfer reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (PET-RAFT) is one of the most widely investigated. While PET-RAFT is seen as an increasingly useful tool, there is still much to understand about the mechanism of this process. In particular, there are ongoing questions regarding the kinetic contribution of electron versus energy transfer. In order to better understand the mechanism, this work aims to use kinetic modeling along with experimental data to help determine the likelihood of the proposed mechanisms for the PET-RAFT process using the trithiocarbonate-mediated polymerization of methyl acrylate with fac-tris[2-phenylpyridinato-C²,N]iridium(III) as a photocatalyst. Simulation data show that electron transfer without a corresponding reduction pathway cannot explain the experimental kinetics, while energy transfer offers a good fit to experimental data. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 58, 139–144     

On the Termination Mechanism in the Radical Polymerization of Acrylates

In a recent publication, Nakamura and co‐workers studied the termination mechanism in the radical polymerization of acrylates. Contrary to conventional thinking, their conclusion is that termination is overwhelmingly by disproportionation. This finding impacts on a large body of the previous work in the polymerization of acrylic monomers which this work seeks to address. Analysis of the molecular weight distribution of acrylic polymers obtained under different polymerization conditions shows that termination by combination is the more probable mechanism for mutual termination of secondary radicals. It is proposed that in the experiments conducted by Nakamura and co‐workers, backbiting plays a key role and their experimental data are reinterpreted, showing that they are more revealing with respect to the mode of termination of the midchain radical produced by backbiting, than to bimolecular termination of secondary radicals.

     

Quasiliving Carbocationic Polymerization. X. Molecular Weight Averages and Polydispersity

In quasiliving polymerizations with reversible chain transfer (QL_0R systems), polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution can be obtained, It has been shown that while in true living systems (L₀₀) R = 1, and in quasiliving systems with irreversible chain transfer (QL₀₁) R = 2 is the limiting value of polydispersity, in QL_0R systems r = 4/3 is the polydispersity to which the distribution of the polymer tends with increasing polymerization time. This limit is independent of the rate of reinitiation; the course of the R vs t curves is, however, determined by the various rate constants.     

原子转移自由基聚合及可控自由基聚合

以作者在原子转移自由基聚合领域的研究成果为主导,结合国内外文献,对近年来出现的颇具影响的可控自由基聚合体系与进行了评述与展望。     

Photoinduced Controlled Radical Polymerization

Well‐controlled radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate can be achieved by in situ photochemical generation of copper (I) complex from air‐stable copper (II) species without using any reducing agent at room temperature. The living character of this polymerization was confirmed by both the linear tendency of molecular weight evolution with conversion and a chain extension experiment.

     

Nanosheet-Assembled Zirconium-Porphyrin Frameworks Enabling Surface-Confined,Initiator-Free Photosynthesis of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polymers

Metal–organic frameworks with well-organized low-dimensional architectures provide significant thermodynamic and/or kinetic benefits for diverse applications. We present here the controlled synthesis of a novel class of hierarchical zirconium-porphyrin frameworks ( ZrPHPs ) with nanosheet-assembled hexagonal prism morphology. The crystal growth behaviors and structural evolution of ZrPHPs in an additive-modulated solvothermal synthesis are examined, showing an “assembly-hydrolysis-reassembly” mechanism towards the formation of 2D nanosheets with ordered arrangement. Because of the highly-accessible active sites harvesting broadband photons, ZrPHPs serve as adaptable photocatalysts to regulate macromolecular synthesis under full-range visible light and natural sunlight. An initiator-free, oxygen-tolerant photopolymerization system is established, following a distinctive mechanism involving direct photo-induced electron transfer to dormant species and hole-mediated reversible deactivation. Specifically, ZrPHPs provide a surface-confined effect towards the propagating chains which inhibits their recombination termination, enabling the highly-efficient synthesis of ultrahigh molecular weight polymers (M_n >1,500,000) with relatively low dispersity (Đ≈1.5).     

Flash Latex Production in a Continuous Helical Photoreactor: Releasing the Brake Pedal on Acrylate Chain Radical Polymerization

The continuous photopolymerization of acrylate and methacrylate monomer miniemulsions (25% solids content) is investigated at room temperature in a compact helix minireactor. Using n‐butyl acrylate, the process yields 95% conversion after only 27 s residence time, and gel‐free high‐molecular‐weight products. Under optimized conditions, a 25‐fold increase in efficiency is obtained when compared to a batch photopolymerization. The reaction set‐up offers a frugal process because of moderate irradiance (2.6 mW cm^?2), photoinitiator concentration (0.75 wt%), and low‐power UV‐A fluorescent lamp.

     

Phenacyl Ethyl Carbazolium as a Long Wavelength Photoinitiator for Free Radical Polymerization

A new phenacyl‐type photoinitiator based on ethyl carbazole as a long wavelength photo­initiator is developed for free radical polymerization. Phenacyl ethyl carbazolium hexafluoroantimonate (PECH) photoinitiator is synthesized in a two‐step, one‐pot manner by quaternizing ethyl carbazole with phenacyl bromide and subsequent ion exchange reaction with potassium hexafluoroantimonate. Under irradiation, PECH tends to undergo homolytic bond cleavage bringing about initiating free radicals. However, as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry and real‐time photobleaching studies, formation of initiating cationic species is highly unlikely as the photochemically formed charged carbazole units tend to couple.

     

Molecular Radical Chain Initiators for Ambient‐ to Low‐Temperature Applications

An overview of methods for the initiation of radical chain reactions by specific initiator compounds, which generate radicals, is given. These can be utilized to initiate any kind of radical chain reaction by transforming substrates into the desired radical intermediates. Azo initiators, peroxides, nitroxides, trialkylboranes, dialkyl zinc compounds, and type I photoinitiators are discussed, as well as methods of redox‐ and sonochemical initiation. Methods of direct radical formation from the substrates, such as photoredox catalysis or high‐energy irradiation, are not included. The focus of this review lies on rather “low” temperatures in the range of 50 °C down to ?78 °C, which can be useful to achieve more selective reactions. Illustrative applications of such radical chain initiators in a variety of reactions are discussed, including stereoselective ones and polymerizations.     

Compartmentalization in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) in Dispersed Systems

Summary: Compartmentalization in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in dispersed systems at low conversion (<10%) has been investigated by means of a modified Smith–Ewart equation focusing on the system n‐butyl acrylate/CuBr/4,4′‐dinonyl‐2,2′‐dipyridyl at 110 °C. Compartmentalization of both propagating radicals and deactivator was accounted for in the simulations. As the particle diameter (d) decreases below 70 nm, the polymerization rate (R_p) at 10% conversion increases relative to the corresponding bulk system, goes through a maximum at 60 nm, and thereafter decreases dramatically as d decreases further. This behavior is caused by the separate effects of compartmentalization (segregation and confined space effects) on bimolecular termination and deactivation. The very low R_p for small particles (d < 30 nm) is due to the pseudo first‐order deactivation rate coefficient being proportional to d⁻³.

Simulated propagating radical concentration ([P•]) as a function of particle diameter (d) at 10% conversion for ATRP of n‐butyl acrylate ([nBA]₀ = 7.1 M , [PBr]₀ = [CuBr/dNbpy]₀ = 35.5 mM ) in a dispersed system at 110 °C. The dotted line indicates the simulated [P•] in bulk at 10% conversion.