Polymerization of α-Hydroxyacetylenes by Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract

α-Hydroxyacetylenes (2-propyn-1-ol, DL-3-butyn-2-ol, 1-octyn-3-ol, 2-phenyl-3-butyn-2-ol) with a hydroxy functional group were polymerized by various Mo- and W-based catalysts. In general, the catalytic activities of Mo-based catalysts were greater than those of W-based catalysts for these polymerizations. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol, MoCl₅ alone and the MoCl₅-EtAlCl₂ catalyst system gave a quantitative yield of polymer. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol and its homologues by Mo-based catalysts, the polymer yield decreased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased. On the other hand, the polymer yield increased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased in WCl₆-EtAlCl₂-catalyzed polymerization. Polymers with a bulkier substituent showed better solubility in organic solvents than those without a substituent [e.g., poly (2-propyn-l-ol)]. The structures of the resulting polymers were characterized by various instrumental methods such as ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectroscopies. Thermogravimetric analyses and thermal transitions of the resulting polymers were also studied.     

Polymerization of 1-Ethynyl-1-Cyclohexanol by Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract

The polymerization of 1-ethynyl-l-cyclohexanol (ECHO) was carried out by various transition metal catalysts. The Mo- and W-based catalysts gave a relatively low yield of polymer (≤32%). The catalytic activity of Mo-based catalysts was greater than that of W-based catalysts. PdCl₂ was a very effective catalyst for the present polymerization and gave a high yield of polymer. (Ph₃P)₂PdCl₂ and PtCl₂ were also found to be effective catalysts. The structure of the resulting poly(ECHO) was identified by various instrumental methods as a conjugated polyene structure having an α-hydroxycyclohexyl substituent. The poly(ECHO)s were mostly light-brown powders and completely soluble in various organic solvents such as chloroform, chlorobenzene, benzene, DMSO, and THF. Thermal and morphological properties were also studied.     

Polymerization of 1-methoxy-1-ethynylcyclohexane by transition metal catalysts

The polymerization of 1-methoxy-1-ethynylcyclohexane (MEC) was carried out by various transition metal catalysts. The catalysts MoCl₅, MoCl₄, and WCl₆ gave a relatively low yield of polymer (≤ 16%). The catalytic activity of Mo-based chloride catalyst was greater than that of W-based chloride catalyst. However, catalyst tungsten carbene complex (I) gave a larger molar mass and higher yield in the presence of a Lewis acid such as AlCl₃ than in the absence of a Lewis acid. The activity of the tungsten carbene complex was obviously affected by Lewis acidity. The catalyst PdCl₂ was a very effective catalyst for the present polymerization and gave polymers in a high yield. The structure of the resulting poly(MEC) was identified by various instrumental methods as a conjugated polyene structure having an α-methoxycyclohexyl substituent. The poly(MEC)s were mostly light-brown powders and completely soluble in various organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform (CHCl₃), ethylacetate, n-butylacetate, dimethylformamide, benzene, xylene, dimethylacetamide, 1,4-dioxane, pyridine, and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the polymer started to lose mass at 125°C and that maximum decomposition occurred at 418°C. The x-ray diffraction diagram shows that poly(MEC) has an amorphous structure. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymerization of acenaphthylene by transition metal catalysts

The polymerization of acenaphthylene (ACN) was examined in the presence of the group V and VI transition metal salts such as WCl₆, MoCl₅, TaCl₅, and NbCl₅, as catalysts under various reaction conditions. These transition metal salts were found to be effective catalysts for the polymerization of ACN. The polymerization of ACN by WCl₆ in chlorobenzene proceeded at a high initial rate when the monomer to catalyst mole ratio was 200. In addition, it was observed that aromatic solvents generally were found to be superior to aliphatic solvents for both conversion and molecular weight. The structure of the resulting polymers was characterized by means of NMR, IR, UV, and x-ray diffraction. Emission properties were also investigated. Fluorescence emission spectra of the polymers obtained by WCl₆ as a catalyst varied strongly depending on the polymerization solvent. Thus, it appears that the polyacenaphthylene produced by WCl₆ was a different configuration dependent on the polymerization solvents used.     

Ring-opening polymerization of 2-azabicyclo-[2,2,1]-hept-5-en-3-one using metathesis catalysts

The ring-opening polymerization of an unsaturated bicyclic lactam, 2-azabicyclo-[2,2,1]-hept-5-en-3-one (ABHEO), was carried out using metathesis catalysts under various reaction conditions. It is observed that the best results (34% conversion and η_inh: 0.18 dL/g) were obtained when the mole ratios of ABHEO to WCl₆ as a catalyst and WCl₆ to AlEt₃ as a cocatalyst were 200 and 4, respectively. The infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H- and ¹³C-NMR) spectra of the polymer obtained indicated that the ABHEO was transformed to the ring-opened polymer, poly(2-pyrrolidone-3,5-diylvinylene) [poly(ABHEO)]. The resulting polymer was amorphous as determined by DSC analysis, which showed only secondary transition at 100°C.     

A new class of multifunctional poly(1, 6-heptadiyne)-based materials by metathesis polymerization

A new class of multifunctional polymers based on poly(1, 6-heptadiyne) derivatives with various functional groups such as carbazole unit for photoconductive polymers and nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores for NLO polymers were synthesized by metathesis polymerization. The polymerizations were carried out with MoCl₅- and WCl₆-based catalysts. The catalytic activity of MoCl₅ was found to be greater than that of WCl₆. The resulting polymers exhibited photoconductivity and large optical nonlinearity. These conjugated polymers have good solubility in common organic solvents, long-term stability toward air oxidation, and high electrical conductivity.     

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(1,6-HEPTADIYNE) HAVING A BULKY AND RIGID t-BUTYLBENZOYL GROUP

The polymerization of 4,4-bis(t-butylbenzoylmethyl)-1,6-hepta-diyne (BTBH) was carried out by group 5,6-transition metal catalysts. MoCl₅- as well as WCl₆-based catalysts were effective for the cyclopolymerization of BTBH. The polymer structure was analyzed to have conjugated backbone and recurring 5-membered ring by various spectroscopes. The polymer showed good solubility in common organic solvents. The polymer had good thermal stability and mechanical property. The oxygen permeability coefficient (PO₂) and permselectivity of oxygen to nitrogen (PO₂/PN₂) of poly(BTBH) with bulky and rigid t-butyl benzoyl group were 23.2 barrer and 4.63, respectively.     

The kinetics of polymerization of cyclopentene by WCl6/AliBu3 catalyst

The kinetics of the polymerization of cyclopentene by WCl₆/AliBu₃ catalysts have been studied and the factors controlling the reproducibility of the rate of polymerization have been ascertained. A significant dependence of the rate of polymerization on the time between the additions of WCl₆ and AliBu₃ was observed. The dependence of the catalyst activity r,i this time delay suggested that WCl₆ reacted with cyclopentene to produce an unstable species (W₁) that could react with AliBu₃ to produce a catalytically active species (W₁¹) or that could react further with cyclopentene to produce another species W₂ that in turn would react with AliBu₃ to produce a much less active catalyst W₂¹. The detailed study of the kinetics of polymerization under controlled conditions suggested a kinetic chain mechanism initiated by two catalyst species; mechanism of polymerization based on the carbene system is suggested.     

Living polymerization of aryl substituted acetylenes by MoCl5 and WCl6 based initiators: The ortho phenyl substituent effect

The polymerization of phenylacetylene initiated by MoCl₅ and WCl₆ based initiators was monitored directly in the NMR sample tube and demonstrated the presence of backbiting and intramolecular cyclization reactions. It was shown that the ratio of cis to trans structural units obtained by isomerization prior to double bond formation dictates the degree of backbiting and intramolecular cyclization reactions. This cis–trans ratio determines the length of cis–transoidal sequences present in the polymer backbone which are available for both backbiting and intrachain cyclization reactions. The cyclic trimers obtained in the metathesis polymerization of phenylacetylene are formed only through the cis–cisoidal-induced backbiting and/or intramolecular reactions. The o-trimethylsilylphenylacetylene follows a living mechanism of polymerization. This is due to the fact that the size of the ortho substituent suppresses the cis–transoidal to cis–cisoidal isomerization reactions and therefore eliminates the backbiting reactions. The steric hindrance provided by the size of the ortho substituent also eliminates interchain and intrachain reactions.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(1‐naphthylacetylene) and poly(9‐anthrylacetylene)

Polymerizations of 1‐naphthylacetylene (1‐NA) and 9‐anthrylacetylene (9‐AA) by various transition metal catalysts were studied, and properties of the polymers were clarified. 1‐NA polymerized with WCl₆‐based catalysts to offer dark purple polymers in good yield. Especially, a binary catalyst composed of WCl₆ and Ph₃Bi gave a polymer with high molecular weight (M_w = 140×10³) and sufficient solubility in common solvents. The use of Mo and Rh catalysts, in contrast, resulted in the formation of insoluble red poly(1‐NA)s. 9‐AA gave insoluble polymers by both WCl₆‐ and MoCl₅‐based catalysts in moderate to good yields. Copolymerization of 9‐AA with 1‐NA by WCl₆–Ph₃Bi provided a soluble copolymer which exhibited the largest third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibilities (χ⁽³⁾(−3ω; ω, ω, ω) = 40×10⁻¹²) among all the substituted polyacetylenes synthesized so far. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 277–282, 1999     

Polymerization of 5-Substituted Cyclooctenes with Tungsten and Molybdenum Catalysts

Polymerizations of cyclooctene, 5-methyl, 5-chloro-, and 5-methoxycyclooctenes were studied. Cyclooctene (CO) and 5-methylcyclooctene (MCO) provided high polymers in 80% yield with the use of WCl₆/AlEti._B Cl_u5 or WCl₆/AlEtCl₂ catalyst. 5-Chlorocyclooctene gave oligomer in 50% yield with WCl₆/AlEt₂Cl catalyst. Neither polymer nor oligomer was produced from 5-methoxycyclooctene. These polymers were found to be produced through a ring-opening mechanism. The ratio of cis to trans structure in poly(CO) and poly(MCO) was determined by measurements of the decoupled ′H-NMR spectrum. Poly(CO) containing more than 50% trans structure was a crystalline solid at room temperature, while the polymer containing 30% of trans structure did not crystallize at room temperature. Poly(MCO) was amorphous, regardless of the content of trans structure. Poly(CO) and poly(MCO) obtained with MoCU/AlEtaCl or MoCU/AlEtCb catalyst contained no carbon-carbon double bond, and a vinyl polymerization mechanism was expected for this system.     

Polymerization of trimethylsilylacetylene by WCl6-based catalysts

The polymerization of trimethylsilylacetylene was investigated by using W and Mo catalysts. Mixtures of WCl₆ with appropriate organometallic cocatalysts such as n-Bu₄Sn and Et₃SiH at 1:1 molar ratio provided poly(trimethylsilylacetylene) in high yields. On the other hand, MoCI₅ gave mainly methanol-soluble oligomers even in the presence of these cocatalysts. The polymer formed was a partly insoluble yellow powder, and the molecular weight of the soluble fraction was about 7000. The IR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR spectra supported the polymer structure, (CH = CSiMe₃)_n. Protodesilylation of poly(trimethylsilylacetylene) afforded a new polymer containing both acetylene and trimethylsilylacetylene units.     

Synthesis and Properties of Poly(Phenyl Propargyl Ether) and Its Homologues

Abstract

Various para-substituted phenyl propargyl ethers (substitutent = H, OMe, and CN) were synthesized and polymerized by transition metal catalyst systems including MoCl₅, WC1₆, and PdCl₂. The catalytic activity of MoCl₅-based catalysts was greater than that of WCl₆-based catalysts for the present polymerization. The polymer yield increased in the following order: H > OMe > CN, according to substitutents. The [poly-(pheny] propargyl ether) [poly(PPE)] and poly(methoxy phenyl propargyl ether) [poly(OMe-PPE)] obtained are completely soluble in various organic solvents such as chloroform, methylene chloride, THF, and 1,4-dioxane. However, poly(cyanophenyl propargyl ether) [poly(CN-PPE)] is partially soluble in various organic solvents such as those mentioned above. The electrical conductivities of the undoped and iodine-doped polymers and found to be about 10^?13 and 10^?4-10^?5 S/cm, respectively. The solubilities, thermal properties, and morphologies of the resulting polymers were also studied.     

Polymerization of phenylacetylenes. VI. Chain-transfer reaction in the polymerizations of phenylacetylene and styrene by WCl6

Chain-transfer reactions to alkylbenzenes were investigated in the polymerizations of phenylacetylene and styrene by WCl₆ in benzene at 30°C. In the polymerization of phenylacetylene, alkylbenzenes did not work as chain-transfer agents, and further ethyl iodide was not a terminating agent. These findings suggest that the polymerization of phenylacetylene by WCl₆ differs from the conventional cationic or anionic mechanisms. On the other hand, the ability of alkylbenzenes as chain-transfer agents in the polymerization of styrene by WCl₆ increased in the following order: toluene < p-xylene < m-xylene < o-xylene. This order is similar to that in the polymerization by SnCl₄. These results indicate that the polymerization of styrene by WCl₆ proceeds by a conventional cationic mechanism.     

Structure and reactivity in cationic polymerization of butadiene derivatives. III. 2-phenylbutadiene

Cationic polymerization of 2-phenylbutadiene (2-PBD) has been investigated. Polymerization were performed by SnCl₄·TCA, WCl₆, and BF₃·OEt₂ as catalysts in methylene chloride. 2-PBD polymerized easily and gave low molecular weight polymers. The polymerization proceeded to give a polymer having 1,4-structure without 1,2- or 3,4-structure. The double bonds of the polymer were partially consumed, probably owing to cyclization and chain-transfer reactions. 2-PBD was 0.66 times as reactive as styrene and 1.2 times as reactive as isoprene in the copolymerization at ?78°C by SnCl₄·TCA in methylene chloride. Reactivities of ring-substituted 2-PBD obeyed the Hammett relation with ρ⁺ = ?2.04. The ¹³C chemical shift of ring-substituted 2-PBD was measured. Chemical shift values for C₁ and C₃ were correlated with Hammett σ, but those for C₂ and C₄ were almost unaffected by the substituents. On the basis of experimental results, the transition state of the cationic polymerization of 2-PBD was depicted as a benzylic cation rather than a phenylallylic one.     

New Aspects of the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cycloolefins

The reaction of cycloolefins with the components of the catalytic system WCl₆/epichlorohydrin/Al(iBu)₃, active in the ring-opening polymerization of cycloolefins, was investigated in order to get additional information on the mechanism of polymerization. The study led to the following conclusions. 1) Olefin complexation with the transition metal has a decisive influence on active center formation. 2) Trivalent tungsten species resulting from fast reduction of the cycloolef in/transition metal complex by aluminum alkyl or from a slow reduction process d W(VI) in the presence of cycloolef in alone, show a particularly high activity in ring-opening polymerization. 3) In the case of tricomponent systems (e.g., WCl₆/Al(iBu)₃/ epichlorohydrin or WCl6/Al(iBu)₃/chloranil), the nature of the third component has a decisive effect on both polymerization kinetics and the molecular weight and structure of the resulting polymer. The data are discussed in the context of a reaction mechanism based on carbene complexes as active centers.     

Polymerization of propargylamine and 1,1-diethylpropargylamine by transition metal catalysts

Some polyacetylene derivatives containing an amine functional group were prepared by the polymerization of propargylamine (PA) and 1,1-diethylpropargylamine (DEPA) with various transition metal catalysts. In the polymerization of PA, Mo-based catalysts were more effective than that of W-based catalysts, and organoaluminum compounds, especially EtAlCl₂, were found to be very effective cocatalysts. In the polymerization of DEPA, Mo-and W-based catalyst systems showed a similar catalytic activity. The polymerization easily proceeded in polar solvents such as nitrobenzene and DMF as well as nonpolar aromatic solvents such as chlorobenzene, toluene, etc. The resulting poly(PA) and poly(DEPA) were insoluble in organic solvents regardless of polymerization catalysts but the polymers were found to be stable to air oxidation. Thermogravimetric analyses and thermal transitions of poly(PA) and poly(DEPA) were also studied. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(cyclohexane 2,2-dipropargyl-1,3-propylene ketal) containing double spiro structure

The Polymerization was carried out by MoCl₅ and WCl₆ associated with various organo-metallic cocatalysts. MoCl₅-based catalysts were found to be more effective. Polymerization of monomer containing a spiro structure proceeded rapidly to reach 80% yield within 2 h at 30°C. Polymerization of monomer led to a soluble, purple colored polymer with number average molecular weight (M_n) of 50000. Elemental analysis, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectra of the resulting polymer indicated that the polymer contains alternating double and single bonds along the polymer backbone and a cyclic recurring unit with a double spiro structure. In addition, the polymer had good oxidative and thermal stability and good solubility in common organic solvents. © 1995 John wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymerization of acetylene and its monosubstitutes in the presence of halides and oxohalides of molybdenum and tungsten

MoCl₅, WCl₆, and OMoCl₄ were found to be effective initiators for the polymerization of acetylene and its monosubstituted derivatives RC?CH. The polymerization proceeded in homogeneous and heterogeneous media and was carried out in nonpolar (chloroalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons) and polar (THF, acetone, dioxane, carboxylic acids) solvents to give a high yield of polymers.     

Production of Mixed Alcohols from Bio-syngas over Mo-based Catalyst

A series of Mo-based catalysts prepared by sol-gel method using citric acid as complexant were successfully applied in the high effcient production of mixed alcohols from bio-syngas, derived from the biomass gasification. The Cu₁Co₁Fe₁Mo₁Zn_0.5-6%K catalyst exhibited a higher activity on the space-time yield of mixed alcohols, compared with the other Mo-based catalysts. The carbon conversion significantly increases with rising temperature below 340 oC, but the alcohol selectivity has an opposite trend. The maximum mixed alcohols yield derived from biomass gasification is 494.8 g/(kg_catal·h) with the C2⁺ (C2-C6 higher alcohols) alcohols of 80.4% under the tested conditions. The alcohol distributions are con-sistent with the Schulz-Flory plots, except methanol. In the alcohols products, the C2⁺ alcohols (higher alcohols) dominate with a weight ratio of 70%-85%. The Mo-based cata-lysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and N2 adsorption/desorption. The clean bio-fules of mixed alcohols derived from bio-syngas with higher octane values could be used as transportation fuels or petrol additives.