Hindered lithium dialkylamide initiators for the living anionic polymerization of methacrylic esters

Lithium diisopropylamide is an efficient initiator for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate in polar solvents at –78°C. Predictable molecular weights based on the initiator concentration were obtained, yields were quantitative, and molecular weight distributions were relatively narrow (<1.30). The presence of an amino end group and confirmation of the initiation mechanism were confirmed by potentiometric titration using HClO₄. Number-average molecular weights determined by titration agreed well with values determined by SEC. Other lithium dialkylamides that contain larger alkyl groups such as lithium diisobutylamide were less efficient initiators. This was attributed to the more nucleophilic anion due to less steric hindrance near the nitrogen atom. Molecular weight distributions were significantly broadened (>2.0), and molecular weight control was not achieved. However, polymer yields were quantitative. In all cases, PMMA stereochemistry was indicative of a solvent-separated lithium counterion, and triad compositions were identical to organolithium initiated homopolymers, i.e., 78% syndiotactic, 20% heterotactic, and 2% isotactic. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electronic excitation in anionic polymerization of butadiene: Nonempirical calculations of reaction complexes

A new mechanism of anionic polymerization of butadiene is proposed. In the elementary chemical act, the “living” polymer–monomer complex is excited into the low‐lying triplet state. This state has the character of charge (electron) and cation (Li⁺ or Na⁺) transfer from the terminal unit of the active center to the monomer molecule. In the framework of this concept, the probability of chemical bond formation is determined by spin density on radical centers of reagent molecules. Semiempirical and ab initio 6‐31G** quantum‐chemical calculations showed stable interaction between components of the complex in the ground electronic state (9–11 kcal/mol) and low energy levels of triplet excited states (<14 kcal/mol). This new approach is shown to be useful in the analysis of polymerization kinetics and the microstructure of polybutadiene depending on the cation type and the ion pair state. The mechanism of cis‐trans isomerization in the terminal unit of the living polymer consists in concerted rotation about the C_β? C_γ bond and the migration of Li between C_α and C_γ atoms. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

Anionic polymerization of methacrylate monomers initiated by lithium dialkylamides

The anionic polymerization of methacrylate monomers has been investigated with lithium dialkylamides as initiators in THF and toluene, respectively. Theoretical arguments and previous studies of mixed aggregates of lithiated organic compounds support the complexity of these systems. Lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) shows the highest initiation efficiency (e.g., f = 75% in THF at −78°C). Interestingly enough, lithium chloride has a remarkable beneficial effect on the methacrylates polymerization in THF at −78°C, due to the formation of 1 : 1 mixed dimer with LDA, which promotes a well-controlled anionic polymerization (M_w/M_n = 1.05) with a high initiation efficiency (94%). The less bulky lithium–diethylamide (LDEA) is much less efficient (f = 26%), essentially as a result of some associated “dormant” species and side reactions on the carbonyl group of MMA. Although various types of ligands have been screened, no remarkable improvement of LDEA efficiency has been observed. Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LTMSA) has also been used to increase the steric hindrance of the initiator. This compound is, however, unable to initiate the methacrylates polymerization, more likely because of a too low basicity and a too strong Li—N bond. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3637–3644, 1997     

Anionic ring-opening polymerization behavior of trans-cyclohexene carbonate using metal tert-butoxides: Construction of living anionic ring-opening polymerization by lithium tert-butoxide

Anionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) behavior of trans-cyclohexene carbonate (CHC) using metal alkoxides as initiators was investigated. As a result, lithium tert-butoxide-initiated ROP of CHC with a high-monomer concentration (10 M) at low temperature (−15 to −10°C) proceeded to afford a poly(trans-cyclohexene carbonate) (PCHC) without undesired side reactions such as mainly backbiting. The suppression of side reactions enables the control of the molecular weight (M_n = 2400–6100) of PCHC with low molar-mass dispersity values (M_w/M_n = 1.16–1.22). Furthermore, by increasing the feed ratio of the monomer to the initiator, the molecular weight increases proportionally, indicating a controllable polymerization. The results of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis, a kinetic study, and a chain extension experiment suggested a living nature of this ROP using lithium tert-butoxide.     

Comments on the determination of absolute rate constants in anionic polymerization

Claims have recently been made that absolute rate constants for chain propagation of the unassociated active centers can be made in systems where a high degree of association is present. Anionic polymerization of styrene in nonpolar solvents with lithium as counterion is a typical case. The conditions required to obtain these constants (and the associated aggregate dissociation constants) are described using data from styrene polymerization with lithium and potassium as counterions and data from o-methoxystyrene polymerization. The conclusion reached must be that the k_p and K_ds values obtained for styrene with counterion lithium cannot be obtained from existing literature data and are simply artifacts of the computer analysis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1065–1068, 1998     

提高聚环氧丙烷分子量的研究

本文采用丙二醇—钾、丙二醇引发环氧丙烷（PO）的阴离子聚合，同时加入络合剂，发现聚合反应速度加快，同时能有效提高聚环氧丙烷（PPO）的分子量。通过探索合成工艺条件，得到了■为4，000的线型聚环氧丙烷。     

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated with lithium diphenylamide (Ph2NLi) in the presence of divalent transition metal halide

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of divalent transition metal halide (MX₂ = FeBr₂, MnCl₂, CoCl₂, NiBr₂) was investigated. Initiating systems with various combinations of MX₂, lithium diphenylamide (Ph₂NLi), and organolithium (RLi, where R = nBu, Me) were effective to giving a high yield of poly(methyl methacrylate)s (PMMAs) at ?78 °C in toluene. The tacticity of the resulting PMMAs was highly dependent on the combination of the reagents used for the generation of the initiating systems within a syndiotactic (rr = 59%) to isotactic (mm = 65%) range. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 31–37, 2004     

Asymmetric polymerization of aromatic isocyanates with optically active anionic initiators

The asymmetric anionic polymerization of o-, m-, and p-methylphenyl isocyanates, p-methoxyphenyl isocyanate, p-chlorophenyl isocyanate, 2,6- and 3,4-dimethylphenyl isocyanates, and 1-naphthyl isocyanate was carried out using chiral anionic initiators such as the lithium salts of (?) -menthol, (?) -(2-methoxymethyl) pyrrolidine, and (+) -1-(2-pyrrolidinylmethyl) pyrrolidine. Although o-methylphenyl isocyanate gave an insoluble polymer and 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanate afforded no polymer, the other monomers gave soluble polymers, which showed optical activity due to the prevailing helicity of the polymer chain induced by chiral initiator residues attached to the α-end of the polymer chain. The molecular mechanics conformational calculation for a tetramer of m-methylphenyl isocyanate supported the helical conformation of the main chain. The optical rotation of the polymers depended significantly on temperature. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Coordinate anionic ring-opening polymerization of oxetanes with aluminum benzyl alcoholate bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate)

Aluminum benzyl alcoholate bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (BnOAD), which was prepared through the mixing of equimolar amounts of benzyl alcohol and methylaluminum bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (MAD), successfully polymerized four-membered cyclic ethers in a coordinate anionic ring-opening manner. The polymerization of 3-(4-bromobutoxymethyl)-3-methyloxetane (OxBr) with 5 mol % BnOAD proceeded slowly in toluene at 25 °C and produced sufficiently high-molecular-weight poly(OxBr) in a moderate yield in 24 h. The polymerization was greatly accelerated by the addition of a sterically hindered Lewis acid such as MAD, and this resulted in a nearly quantitative polymer yield within 24 h. In sharp contrast, conventional cationic polymerization with boron trifluoride etherate as a typical Lewis acid initiator produced low-molecular-weight poly(OxBr) along with a substantial amount of the cyclic tetramer. The polymerization of the simplest unsubstituted oxetane with BnOAD resulted in failure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4570–4579, 2004     

Preparation of polymethyl methacrylate with well-controlled stereoregularity by anionic polymerization in an ionic liquid solvent

This study investigates the effect of ionic liquids (ILs) on the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an isotactic polymer, is prepared by anionic polymerization at a high reaction temperature with an IL that acts as both solvent and additive. The most plausible reaction mechanism is determined using ¹H NMR and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrostatic interaction between MMA and the IL increases the apparent steric hindrance in MMA, resulting in the isotactic PMMA.     

Anionic polymerization of primary acrylates as promoted by lithium 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethoxide

Some primary acrylates, such as methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, and n-nonyl acrylate (MA, EA, nBuA and nNonA, respectively) have been anionically polymerized by using diphenylmethyl lithium (DPMLi) as an initiator, in the presence of a chelating μ-σ dual ligand, i.e., a polydentate lithium alkoxide, at low temperature. It has been found that lithium 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethoxide (LiOEEM) is a very efficient ligand in preventing the anionic polymerization of these monomers from being disturbed by significant secondary transfer and termination reactions. Even for the difficult cases of ethyl and methylacrylate, that approach provides high polymerization yields and low polydispersity, allowing the molecular weight to be predetermined. LiOEEM/initiator molar ratio, solvent polarity, temperature and monomer concentration have proved to be key parameters in the control of the polymerization process. The efficiency of that control is however dependent on the monomer structure and improves with the length of the n-alkyl substituent, i.e., MA < EA < nBuA < nNonA. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Single-electron and two-electron transfer in the anionic polymerization of vinyl monomers and the ring-opening polymerization of lactones*

Single-electron-transfer (SET) and two-electron-transfer reactions and their mechanisms were examined in the anionic polymerization of vinyl monomers and in the ring-opening polymerization of lactones. SET resulted in the formation of radical anions or enolates at the initiation step of styrene or lactone polymerization with naphthalene sodium as a catalyst. However, alkali-metal supramolecular complexes such as M⁺crown–M⁻ (M = Na or K) were able to transfer two electrons to both these monomers to form carbanions as reactive intermediates. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2158–2165, 2002     

Synthesis of networked polystyrene endowed with nucleophilic reaction sites by the living anionic polymerization technique

The living anionic copolymerization of styrene with 1,2‐bis(4′‐ethenylphenyl)ethane (1) or p‐divinylbenzene (PDVB) with sec‐butyllithium in benzene was carried out. The copolymerizations of styrene with more than 20 mol % of 1 gave insoluble polymers in quantitative yields, whereas the yield showed the maximum (97%) for PDVB at 15 mol %. The content of unreacted double bonds of the network polymer formed by the copolymerization with PDVB was four times as large as that formed with 1. Gas chromatographic analyses of the copolymerization suggested close reactivities of the double bonds between styrene and 1, whereas a rapid consumption of PDVB compared with styrene was observed in their copolymerization. The r₁, r₂,and r₁r₂ values for the copolymerization of styrene with 1 were determined to be 1.00, 1.09, and 1.09, respectively, which suggests that a more homogeneous network structure can be attained with 1. The living chain end of the produced living gel initiated the polymerization of tert‐butyl methacrylate to give an insoluble block copolymer in a good yield. The hydrolysis of the ester group of the block copolymer led to an amphiphilic copolymer that exhibited a characteristic property of a hydrogel. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2543–2547, 2000     

Mechanism of the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by tetramethylammonium–triphenylmethide in tetrahydrofuran

A tetramethylammonium (TMA)–triphenylmethide (TPM) initiator generated in situ by the reaction of trimethyltriphenylmethylsilane with tetramethylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran was found to have greater stability than the corresponding tetrabutylammonium or tetrahexylammonium derivatives. The predominant mode of degradation of TMA–TPM was found to be the TMA‐mediated methylation of TPM anions. The initiation of methyl methacrylate by TMA–TPM in tetrahydrofuran at ?78 °C was demonstrated to produce quantitative yields of poly(methyl methacrylate) with polydispersities of less than 1.1. Although the initiator efficiencies were low (9–40%) because of relatively slow initiation on the polymerization timescale, the initiation appeared to be rapid enough to give relatively narrow molecular weight distributions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 237–244, 2004     

Triallylstannyllithium-allyllithium as an initiator for the anionic reversible chain transfer polymerization of 1,3-butadiene

The anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene using a novel metalloidal anion initiator, triallylstannyllithium (TALi)-allyllithium (ALi), was studied. The TALi-ALi initiated anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene gave the star polymer along with the linear polybutadiene (PBD). The star polymer consisted of three PBD branches and a central tin atom. What is striking is a fact that the number-average molecular weights (M_n) and molecular weight distribution of three PBD branches and linear PBD were almost identical. A reversible chain transfer polymerization mechanism, which includes the equilibrium between tri(macroallyl)-stannyllithium and macroallylic anion, is proposed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Recent advances in the anionic synthesis of chain-end functionalized polymers

Recent results for the preparation of chain-end functionalized polymers using alkyllithium-initiated anionic polymerization are described. Termination with 4-chloro-1,1,1-trimethoxybutane has been used to prepare trimethoxy ortho ester (carboxyl)-functionalized polymers. Functionalization with the oxiranes, glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3,4-epoxy-1-butene and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-epoxypropane, has been investigated to prepare trimethoxysilyl-functionalized polymers, 1,3-diene-functionalized macro monomers and trifluoromethyl-functionalized polymers, respectively. Secondary amine-functionalized polymers have been prepared by termination with N-(benzylidene)methylamine and also using an N-benzyl tertiary amine-functionalized alkyllithium initiator followed by hydrogenolysis of the benzyl group.     

Effect of the solvent polarity on the living ligated anionic polymerization of tert-butyl methacrylate and copolymerization with methyl methacrylate

An anionic polymerization of t-butyl methacrylate and a copolymerization with methyl methacrylate were initiated with an organolithium ligated with 10 equiv of LiCl. As a rule, the complexation of the active species by LiCl masked the effect that the polarity of the solvent might have on the molecular structure of the chains. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1774–1785, 2001     

Dual influence of lithium chloride on the anionic propagation of polystyryllithium in ethereal solvents

The addition of lithium chloride (LiCl) to a solution of polystyryllithium (PStLi) in tetrahydropyran (THP) reduces the rate of propagation of PStLi at a low concentration of the latter but accelerates it at higher concentrations of PStLi. Moreover, the addition of LiCl, which is dimeric in ethereal solutions, increases the conductance of PStLi solutions in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and THP to a much greater extent than expected from the separate conductances of PStLi and LiCl, which is itself even less dissociated than PStLi. These phenomena are fully explained by the dual action of LiCl. Below a certain concentration of PStLi, the dissociation, not of LiCl as such, as claimed before, but of its solvated dimer into free Li⁺ ions and ClLiCl⁻ triple ions provides Li⁺ ions that repress the ionic dissociation of PStLi by a common ion effect. This, in turn, diminishes the concentration of free polystyryl anions, which are the dominating species responsible for the propagation of PStLi, resulting in retardation. However, at higher concentrations of PStLi, Li⁺ ions produced by its dissociation are scavenged by the scavenging action of LiCl dimers, producing quintuple cations. This reduces the concentration of free Li⁺ ions and, therefore, increases the concentration of the reactive free polystyryl anions, resulting in an acceleration of the propagation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2148–2157, 2002     

Synthesis of asymmetric star-branched polymers consisting of three or four different segments in composition by means of living anionic polymerization with a new dual-functionalized 1,1-bis(3-chloromethylphenyl)ethylene

A series of four-armed A₂BC, AB₂C, and ABC₂ asymmetric star-branched polymers with a three-component system, the A, B, and C segments of which are polystyrene, polyisoprene, and poly(4-trimethylsilylstyrene), respectively, have been successfully synthesized with a methodology based on living anionic polymerization with dual-functionalized 1,1-bis(3-chloromethylphenyl)ethylene ( 1 ). These star-branched polymers have well-defined architectures and precisely controlled chain lengths, as confirmed by size exclusion chromatography, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, vapor pressure osmometry, and static light scattering analyses. A simple and convenient one-pot process for star-branched polymer synthesis is an additional advantage of this methodology. One problem to be solved is that the synthetic route is limited in some cases by the inherently low reactivity of polyisoprenyllithium toward the 1,1-diphenylethylene functionality of in-chain-functionalized polymers. A new four-armed ABCD star-branched polymer, the A, B, C, and D segments of which are polyisoprene, poly(4-methoxystyrene), polystyrene, and poly(4-trimethylsilylstyrene), could also be synthesized through the extension of the methodology using 1 to a four-component system. The successful results strongly demonstrate the synthetic versatility and potential of this methodology for a wide variety of well-defined asymmetric star-branched polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4535–4547, 2004