Durable and refreshable polymeric N‐halamine biocides containing 3‐(4′‐vinylbenzyl)‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin

A novel vinyl‐hydantoin monomer, 3‐(4′‐vinylbenzyl)‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin, was synthesized in a good yield and was fully characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ¹H NMR spectra. Its homopolymer and copolymers with several common acrylic and vinyl monomers, such as vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate, were readily prepared under mild conditions. The polymers were characterized with FTIR and ¹H NMR, and their thermal properties were analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry studies. The halogenated products of the corresponding copolymers exhibited potent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial properties were durable and regenerable. The structure–property relationships of the polymers were further discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3348–3355, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic cyclolinear phosphazene polyetherketones containing bis‐Spiro‐substituted cyclotriphosphazene unit

A novel monomer, 2,2‐bis‐(4′‐fluorobenzoylphenoxy)‐4,4,6,6‐bis[spiro‐(2′,2″‐dioxy‐1′, 1′‐biphenylyl)] cyclotriphosphazene, was synthesized and polymerized with 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone as a comonomer and 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol or 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphenol in N,N‐dimethylacetamide at 162 °C for 4 h to give two series of aromatic cyclolinear phosphazene polyetherketones containing bis‐spiro‐substituted cyclotriphosphazene groups. The structure of the monomer was confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR. The effect of the incorporation of the bis‐spiro‐substituted cyclotriphosphazene group on the thermal properties of these polymers was investigated by DSC and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2993–2997, 2001     

Synthesis of head‐to‐tail polyurethanes from nonsymmetric diisocyanate and ethylene glycol with organotin catalysts

An ordered head‐to‐tail (HT) polyurethane was successfully prepared by the polyaddition reaction of p‐isocyanatobenzyl isocyanate with ethylene glycol with dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst. Furthermore, the HT regularity of polyurethane was improved to 83% with 1,1,3,3‐tetraphenyl‐1,3‐dichlorodistannoxane. The polymerization was conducted in N,N‐dimethylformamide at 30 °C with both monomers mixed at once. The microstructure of the polymer was investigated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and the polymer obtained by the polyaddition reaction had the expected HT linkages. The constitutional regularity of the polymers influenced the thermal properties and crystallinity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 416–429, 2001     

Synthesis and properties of vinyl‐terminated and silicon‐containing polysulfones and polyketones

4‐Fluorophenylsulfonylphenyl‐terminated polysulfone and 4‐fluorobenzoylphenyl ketone were prepared with bisphenol A and an excess of bis‐(4‐fluorophenyl)sulfone or 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone, respectively, at 160 °C using potassium carbonate in N,N‐dimethylacetamide. The resulting polymers were reacted with 4‐hydroxystyrene to synthesize vinyl‐terminated polysulfones and ketones. The silicon‐containing polysulfones and ketones were prepared from the vinyl‐terminated polymer precursor and various H‐functional silanes or siloxanes. The synthesis of silicon‐containing polymers was achieved by hydrosilation with a rhodium catalyst. It was shown that the hydrosilation reaction proceeds with 55:45 chemoselectivity. The resulting polymers were investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, DSC, and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2937–2942, 2001     

Synthesis,characterization and release profiles of nanoparticles self‐assembled from poly (PEGMA‐co‐MMA‐co‐acryloyl‐β‐CD) copolymers

A novel amphiphilic copolymer was synthesized from poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA950), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acryloyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (acryloyl‐β‐CD) using the composites of (NH₄)₂S₂O₈/NaHSO₃ as the oxidation–reduction initiators. The successful fabrication of poly(PEGMA‐co‐MMA‐co‐acryloyl‐β‐CD) copolymers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectra. The amphiphilic copolymer could self‐assemble into nanoparticles (NPs), and their morphology and particle size distribution were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods. Ibuprofen (IBU) was encapsulated in the novel NPs, and the release profiles of IBU were investigated. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra illustrated that the poly(PEGMA‐co‐MMA‐co‐acryloyl‐β‐CD) copolymers were synthesized without any residual monomers and initiators. TEM and AFM photographs suggested that the obtained NPs were spherical, and the DLS results indicated that the diameter of blank NPs was 157.3 ± 32.7 nm. The IBU release profile showed that the IBU‐loaded NPs had certain pH responsibility. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photocurable and thermally stable polymers based on 1,4‐pentadien‐3‐one‐1‐p‐hydroxyphenyl‐5‐p‐phenyl methacrylate: Copolymerization with ethyl acrylate

1,4‐Pentadien‐3‐one‐1,5‐bis(p‐hydroxyphenyl) (PBHP) was prepared by reacting p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and acetone in the presence of an acid catalyst. 1,4‐Pentadiene‐3‐one‐1‐p‐hydroxyphenyl‐5‐p‐phenyl methacrylate (PHPPMA) monomer was prepared by reacting PBHP dissolved in ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. A free‐radical solution polymerization technique was used for synthesizing homo‐ and copolymers of different feed compositions of PHPPMA and ethyl acrylate (EA) in EMK as a solvent with benzoyl peroxide as a free‐radical initiator at 70 ± 1 °C. All the polymers were characterized with IR and ¹H NMR techniques. The compositions of the copolymers were determined with the ¹H NMR technique. The copolymer reactivity ratios were evolved with Kelen–Tudos (EA = 1.25 and PHPPMA = 0.09) and extended Kelen–Tudos (EA = 1.30 and PHPPMA = 0.09) methods. Q (0.48) and e (1.68) values for the new monomer (PHPPMA) were calculated with the Alfrey–Price method. UV absorption spectra for poly(PHPPMA) showed two absorption bands at 302 and 315 nm. The photocrosslinking properties of the polymer samples were examined with the solvent method. Thermal analyses of the polymers were performed with the thermogravimetric‐differential thermogravimetric technique. First, the decomposition temperatures started for poly(PHPPMA), copoly(EA‐PHPPMA) (62:38), and copoly(EA‐PHPPMA) (41:59) were at 350, 410, and 417 °C, respectively. A gel permeation chromatographic method was used for determining the polymer molecular weights (weight‐average molecular weight: 2.67 × 10⁴ and number‐average molecular weight: 1.41 × 10⁴) and polydispersity index (1.89). The solubility of the monomer and the copolymers occurred at 30 °C with solvents having different polarities. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1632–1640, 2003     

Theoretical study of one‐carbon unit transfer between methyl‐AICA and N1‐methyl‐N1‐acryloyl‐formamide

The mechanism of one‐carbon unit transfer between 1‐methyl‐5‐amino‐4‐carboxamide imidazole (M‐AICA) and N¹‐methyl‐N¹‐acryloyl‐formamide (the model molecule of 10‐f‐H4F) is investigated by the Hartree–Fock and DFT methods, respectively, at the 6‐31G* basis level. There are two different channels for the proton transfer, resulting in two reaction pathways with different properties. The results indicate that both channels can complete the reaction, but path a is slightly favored due to its lower active energy barrier. Furthermore, the influence of 4‐carboxamindde in M‐AICA is also discussed. This group can stabilize the reactant and intermediates, and reduce the active energy barrier through the intermolecular hydrogen bond. The intermolecular hydrogen bond results in an enlarged conjugation system and makes the transition states more stable. Our results are in agreement with experiments. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Atom transfer radical polymerization through N‐chlorosulfonamides

Controlled polymerizations of vinyl monomers such as methyl methacrylate and styrene are achieved using N‐chloro,N‐propyl‐p‐toluenesulfonamide (NCPT) together with a cuprous bromide/hexahexyl triethylenetetramine (CuBr/H‐TETA) complex. Although N‐halosulfonamides are known to decompose radically to give free chlorine, NCPT alone (without a cuprous complex) does not initiate any polymerization even in prolonged reaction times. Instead these add to the double bonds to give 2‐chloroethylsulfonamides. In the present polymerization system a good chlorine donator (NCPT) is combined with an organic soluble complex (CuBr/H‐TETA) to perform atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRPs) in homogenous conditions. The linear proportionality of the molecular weights to the conversions and straight lines observed in ln(M₀/M) (where M₀ and M are the monomer contents at the beginning and at any time, respectively) versus time plots indicate typical controlled polymerization characteristics. The use of freshly prepared NCPT is advisable due to its slow and spontaneous decomposition when standing at room temperatures. Because of their easy preparation, N‐chlorosulfonamides can be used and are preferred instead of special halogen compounds commonly used in copper mediated ATRP. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2691–2695, 2001     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrical properties of nanostructural polyaniline doped with novel sulfonic acids (4‐{n‐[4‐(4‐nitrophenylazo)phenyloxy]alkyl}aminobenzene sulfonic acid)

4‐{n‐[4‐(4‐Nitrophenylazo)phenyloxy]alkyl}aminobenzene sulfonic acid (Cn‐ABSA, where n = 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10) as a novel dopant for conducting polymers of polyaniline (PANI) was designed and synthesized. The molecular structure of Cn‐ABSA was characterized with ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared, and secondary‐ion mass spectrometry. Nanostructures (nanotubes or nanorods) of PANI–(Cn‐ABSA) were successfully synthesized with a self‐assembly process in the presence of Cn‐ABSA as the dopant. The morphology (shape and size) and conductivity of the resulting nanostructures strongly depended on the number of alkyl groups (n) and, in particular, the addition of water before polymerization. The formed micelles of aniline/Cn‐ABSA/water were proposed to be templatelike in forming PANI–(Cn‐ABSA) nanostructures on the basis of the emulsion properties measured by dynamic light scattering. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3485–3497, 2001     

One‐ and two‐dimensional NMR characterization of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/methyl acrylate copolymers

N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/methyl acrylate (V/M) copolymers were prepared by free‐radical bulk polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The copolymer composition of these copolymers was calculated from ¹H NMR spectra. The radical reactivity ratios for N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (V) and methyl acrylate (M) were r_V = 0.09, r_M = 0.44. These reactivity ratios for the copolymerization of V and M were determined using the Kelen–Tudos and nonlinear least‐squares error‐in‐variable methods. The ¹³C{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectra of these copolymers overlapped and were complex. The complete spectral assignment of the ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectra were done with distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer and two dimensional ¹³C‐¹H heteronuclear single quantum correlation spectroscopic experiments. The two‐dimensional ¹H‐¹H homonuclear total correlation spectroscopic NMR spectrum showed the various bond interactions, thus inferring the possible structure of the copolymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2225–2236, 2002     

One‐ and two‐dimensional NMR characterization of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/methyl acrylate copolymers

N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/methyl acrylate (V/M) copolymers were prepared by free‐radical bulk polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The copolymer composition of these copolymers was calculated from ¹H NMR spectra. The radical reactivity ratios for N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (V) and methyl acrylate (M) were r_V = 0.09, r_M = 0.44. These reactivity ratios for the copolymerization of V and M were determined using the Kelen–Tudos and nonlinear least‐squares error‐in‐variable methods. The ¹³C{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectra of these copolymers overlapped and were complex. The complete spectral assignment of the ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectra were done with distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer and two dimensional ¹³C‐¹H heteronuclear single quantum correlation spectroscopic experiments. The two‐dimensional ¹H‐¹H homonuclear total correlation spectroscopic NMR spectrum showed the various bond interactions, thus inferring the possible structure of the copolymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2225–2236, 2002     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of 4‐(1‐benzyl‐5‐methyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐6‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)pyrimidin‐2‐amine: A Potential Antibacterial Agent

The title compound ( 1 ), 4‐(1‐benzyl‐5‐methyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐6‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)pyrimidin‐2‐amine (C₂₀H₁₆Cl₂N₆), was synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes as a colourless needle shaped in the triclinic system, space group P‐1 with cell constants: a = 10.7557(11) Å, b = 12.7078(17) Å, c = 15.511(2) Å, α = 68.029(4)0, β = 86.637(5)0, γ = 87.869(4)0; V = 1962.4 (4) ų, Z = 4. There are two structurally similar but crystallographically independent molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, which is linked via N‐H…Cl hydrogen bond. An intramolecular C‐H…N hydrogen also occurs in each molecule. In the crystal, each of independent molecules forms a centrosymmetric dimer with an R²₂(8) ring motifs through a pair of N‐H…N hydrogen bonds. These dimers are further connected by intermolecular N‐H…Cl and C‐H…Cl hydrogen bonds, forming an infinite two dimensional supramolecular network lying parallel to the [010] plane. The molecular geometry was also optimized using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with the 6‐311G (d, p) basis set and compared with the experimental data. Mulliken population analyses on atomic charges, HOMO‐LUMO energy levels, Molecular electrostatic potential and chemical reactivity of the title compound were investigated by theoretical calculations. The thermo dynamical properties of the title compound at different temperature have been calculated and corresponding relations between the properties and temperature have also been obtained. The in vitro antibacterial activity has been screened against Gram‐positive (Bacillus cerus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram‐Negative (Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii and Proteus vulgaris). The results revealed that the compound exhibited good to moderate antibacterial activity.     

Hydrogen‐transfer polymerization of vinyl monomers derived from 4‐methylbenzoyl isocyanate and acrylamide derivatives

The anionic polymerization of N‐acryloyl‐N′‐(4‐methylbenzoyl)urea (1) was carried out at 80°C for 24 h in DMF, DMSO, acetonitrile, or toluene by t‐BuOK or DBU (3 mol %) as an initiator to obtain polymer 3 in a good yield. The structure of 3 was dependent upon the initiator used, in which t‐BuOK selectively conducted the hydrogen‐transfer polymerization, while DBU partially induced the vinyl polymerization (16–20%). Likewise, N‐acryloyl‐N‐methyl‐N′‐(4‐methylbenzoyl)urea (2, i.e., an N‐methylated derivative of 1) was subjected to the hydrogen‐transfer polymerization. Although the yield of the polymer was lower in comparison with 1, the structure of the obtained polymer 4 was similarly governed by the initiator. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 465–472, 1999     

Synthesis,characterization, and thermal properties of a novel pentaerythritol‐initiated star‐shaped poly(p‐dioxanone)

A novel star‐shaped poly(p‐dioxanone) was synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization of p‐dioxanone initiated by pentaerythritol with stannous octoate as a catalyst in bulk. The effect of the molar ratio of the monomer to the initiator on the polymerization was studied. The polymers were characterized with ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the polymers were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The novel star‐shaped poly(p‐dioxanone) has a potential use in biomedical materials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1245–1251, 2006     

Polyampholyte terpolymers of amphoteric,amino acid‐based monomers with acrylamide and (3‐acrylamidopropyl)trimethyl ammonium chloride

Low‐charge‐density amphoteric copolymers and terpolymers composed of acrylamide, (3‐acrylamidopropyl)trimethyl ammonium chloride, and the amino acid derived monomers (e.g., N‐acryloyl valine, N‐acryloyl alanine, and N‐acryloyl aspartate) were prepared via free‐radical polymerization in aqueous media to yield terpolymers with random charge distributions and homogeneous compositions. Sodium formate (NaOOCH) was employed as a chain transfer agent during the polymerization to suppress gel effects and broadening of the molecular weight distribution. Terpolymer compositions were determined by ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Terpolymer molecular weights and polydispersity indices were obtained via size exclusion chromatography/multi‐angle laser light scattering, and hydrodynamic diameter values were obtained via dynamic light scattering. The solution properties of low‐charge‐density amphoteric copolymers and terpolymers have been studied as a function of solution pH, ionic strength, and polymer concentration. The low‐charge‐density terpolymers display excellent solubility in deionized (DI) water with no phase separation. The charge‐balanced terpolymers exhibit antipolyelectrolyte behavior at pH values ≥(6.5 ± 0.2). As solution pH is decreased, these charge‐balanced terpolymers become increasingly cationic because of the protonation of the anionic repeat units. Charge‐imbalanced terpolymers generally demonstrate polyelectrolyte behavior, although the effects of intramolecular electrostatic interactions (e.g., polyampholyte effects) on the hydrodynamic volume are evident at certain values of solution pH and salt concentration. The aqueous solution behavior (i.e., globule‐to‐coil transition at the isoelectric point in the presence of salt and globule elongation with increasing charge asymmetry) of the terpolymers in the dilute regime correlates well with that predicted by the polyampholyte solution theories of Dobrynin and Rubinstein as well as Kantor and Kardar. Examination of comonomer charge density, hydrogen‐bonding ability, and spacer group (e.g., the moiety separating the ionic group from the polymer chain) indicates that conformational restrictions of the amino acid comonomers result in increased chain stiffness and higher solution viscosities in DI water and brine solutions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4479–4493, 2006     

Solvent effect on the free‐radical copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with t‐butyl acrylate

The free‐radical copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with t‐butyl acrylate was carried out at 50 °C in bulk and in 3 mol · L^?1 1,4‐dioxane and N,N′‐dimethylformamide solutions. Differences between the apparent reactivity ratios determined in this work indicated a noticeable solvent effect. This is explained with a qualitative bootstrap effect. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2043–2048, 2001     

New biodegradable polymers from renewable sources: Polyester‐carbonates based on 1,3‐propylene‐co‐1,4‐cyclohexanedimethylene succinate

α,ω‐Dihydroxy‐terminated copolymeric oligomers of a 1,3‐propylene/1,4‐cyclohexanedimethylene succinate structure were obtained by the thermal polycondensation of 1,3‐propanediol/1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol/succinic acid mixtures. They were subsequently chain‐extended via phosgene synthesis to high molecular weight aliphatic/alicyclic copolyester‐carbonates. These new polymers, besides having a biodegradable backbone, originate from two monomers, namely, 1,3‐propanediol and succinic acid, which can be obtained by renewable sources. Therefore, they have a potential as environmentally friendly materials. All synthesized materials were characterized in reference to their molecular structure by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Their molecular weights and molecular weight distributions were determined by size exclusion chromatography, and their main thermal properties were measured by DSC. Spectroscopic characterizations were in full agreement with the proposed structures. 1,4‐Cyclohexanedimethanol was used as a diol comonomer to improve the overall thermal properties of poly(1,3‐propylene succinate). The results of the characterization performed show that the initial expectations were only partially satisfied. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2508–2519, 2001     

One‐pot double click reactions for the preparation of H‐shaped ABCDE‐type quintopolymer

We employed for the first time double click reactions: Cu(I) catalyzed azide‐alkyne 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and Diels–Alder (4 + 2) reactions for the preparation of H‐shaped polymer possessing pentablocks with different chemical nature (H‐shaped quintopolymer) using one‐pot technique. H‐shaped quintopolymer consists of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐polystyrene (PS) blocks as side chains and poly (tert‐butylacrylate) (PtBA) as a main chain. For the preparation of H‐shaped quintopolymer, PEG‐b‐PMMA and PCL‐b‐PS copolymers with maleimide and alkyne functional groups at their centers, respectively, were synthesized and simply reacted in one‐pot with PtBA with α‐anthracene‐ω‐azide end functionalities in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) using CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as catalyst at 120 °C for 48 h. The precursors and the target H‐shaped quintopolymer were characterized comprehensively by ¹H NMR, UV, FTIR, GPC, and triple detection GPC. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3409–3418, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers and study of their role in the crystallization of high‐density polyethylene

Side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers (SCLCPs) as nucleating agents for high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) were investigated. For this purpose, the molecular architectures of four different vinyl monomers with liquid‐crystalline properties were designed and prepared with 1‐butanol, 1‐pentanol, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroquinone, and acryloyl chloride as the starting materials through alkylation and acylation reactions. The corresponding polymers were synthesized by homopolymerization in 1,4‐dioxane with benzoyl peroxide as the initiator at 60 °C. Both the monomers and the synthesized polymers were characterized with elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and ¹H NMR measurements. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and hot stage polarized optical microscopy were employed to study the phase‐transition temperature, mesophase texture, and thermal stability of the liquid‐crystalline polymers. The results showed that all the polymers had thermotropic liquid‐crystalline features. Being used as nucleating agents, SCLCPs effectively increased both the crystallization temperature and rate and, at the same time, raised the crystallinity for HDPE. In comparison with common small‐molecule nucleating agents, such as 1,3:2,4‐dibenzylidenesorbitol, SCLCPs are more efficient and are indeed excellent nucleating agents for HDPE. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3067–3078, 2005     

Synthesis of transition‐metal‐ion‐selective poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels by the incorporation of an Aza crown ether

A functionalized cyclam was synthesized by the attachment of a polymerizable acryloyl group to one of the four nitrogens on the cyclam molecule. The polymerization of the functionalized cyclam was performed with N‐isopropylacrylamide and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide, and the gels obtained were studied in the presence of different transition‐metal‐ion solutions. There was a drastic difference in the phase‐transition temperature (T_c) of the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)/cyclam gel in comparison with the pure PNIPAAm gel. For the described system, a T_c shift of 15 °C was obtained. The presence of functionalized cyclam increased the hydrophilicity and T_c of the aforementioned polymer gels in deionized water (at pH 6) because of the presence of protonated amino moieties. The PNIPAAm/cyclam gels showed a dependence of the swelling behavior on pH. T_c of the pure PNIPAAm gel was weakly influenced by the presence of any transition‐metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺. The addition of Cu²⁺ or Ni²⁺ to the PNIPAAm/cyclam gel reduced T_c of the polymer gel, and a shift of approximately 12 °C was observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1594–1602, 2003