Photoinitiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate with 14C-labeled benzoin methyl ethers

Three ¹⁴C-labeled benzoin methyl ether (α-methoxy-α-phenylacetophenone) derivatives were utilized as photoinitiators in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl acrylate (MA). The results of polymer end-group analysis are in accord with a mechanism of benzoin ether photocleavage into initiator radicals and dispute earlier labeling studies which were interpreted as evidence for copolymerization of excited-state benzoin ethers with reactive monomers. In MMA polymerization, the results indicate a preference for termination by disproportionation (～60%) and provide evidence for primary radical termination at 0.041M photoinitiator (optically dense solutions) in neat MMA. Evidence for chain branching by initiator radical hydrogen abstraction from poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) is also presented. The benzoyl and α-methoxybenzyl radicals, produced on photolysis of benzoin methyl ether, appear to be equally effective in both initiation and hydrogen-abstraction processes. Quantum yields at 366 and 313 nm indicate the absence of a wavelength effect.     

Hydrogen abstraction by hydrocarbon radicals. I. Interactions between 1-phenyl ethyl radicals and 1-phenyl ethanol as well as benzyl alcohol

Hydrogen abstraction by 1-phenylethyl radicals (?H) from phenylmethyl-carbinol (HROH) and benzyl alcohol (H₂R′OH) has been studied in the liquid phase at 120°C. 1-Phenylethyl radicals have been generated by thermal decomposition of azo-bis-1-phenyl ethane and the formation of ethylbenzene (RH₂), acetophenone (RO), and 2,3-di-phenyl butane (R₂H₂) has been monitored during the reaction. In order to optimize the experimental conditions, a mechanism has been assumed for the various pathways of the disappearance of ?H and by using estimated rate parameters a presimulation was performed. The relative rate constants obtained are: and where k_H refers to the hydrogen abstraction while k_t is the combination rate coefficient of the radicals ?H.     

The effect of solvents on asymmetric induction cationic copolymerization of l-menthyl vinyl ether with indene

Cationic copolymerization of l-menthyl vinyl ether (l-MVE) with indene (IN) was carried out in several solvents with BF₃OEt₂ as catalyst at 0°C. The solvents used in this study were selected toluene (Tol), chloroform (CHCl₃), chlorobenzene (BzCl), 1,2-dichloroethane (EtCl₂), and nitrobenzene; (BzNO₂)/Tol = 65/35 mixture solvent. l-Methyl residue, which is an optically active side chain of copolymer produced by cationic copolymerization, was removed with dry hydrogen bromide gas by ether cleavage reaction. The copolymer [vinyl alcohol(VA)–lN], produced by the ether cleavage reaction, also showed optical rotation. From this result, therefore, it was concluded that asymmetric induction takes place in the copolymer main chain. The efficiency of asymmetric induction was determined by the measurement of optical rotation of VA–IN copolymer after the ether cleavage reaction. The efficiency of asymmetric induction in the copolymer main chain developed from the variation on polymerization solvents; the order was Tol > EtCl₂ > BzCl > CHCl₃ > BzNO₂/Tol (65/35) mixture solvent.     

Polymerization of novel trifluorovinyl ethers: Insight into the mechanisms of termination and chain transfer

New trifluorovinyl ether polymers were synthesized with the view toward overcoming the high chemical and thermal stabilities commonly associated with fluoropolymers. Trifluorovinyl ether copolymers, with fluorinated pendant groups, have previously been prepared to overcome limitations in processibility. To further enhance solubility in common organic solvents and to improve processibility, we prepared three new trifluorovinyl ether monomers, having hydrocarbon ether pendant groups, for polymerization: 1-[2-(2-ethoxy ethoxy)ethoxy]-1,2,2-trifluoroethene (Et-TFVE), 1-[2-(2-t-butoxy ethoxy)ethoxy]-1,2,2-trifluoroethene (t-Bu-TFVE), and 1-(2-phenoxy ethoxy)-1,2,2-trifluoroethene (Ph-TFVE). Homopolymers of these three monomers were prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization with the use of a redox initiator. Poly(Et-TFVE) and poly(Ph-TFVE) were prepared with a range of molar masses, the highest of which had weight average molar masses of 33,800 g mol⁻¹ and 59,000 g mol⁻¹, respectively. As a result of monomer reactivity and structure, the polymerization mechanism was complicated, resulting in β-scission termination/chain transfer for all three polymers and hydrogen abstraction chain transfer for poly(Et-TFVE) and poly(t-Bu-TFVE). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of hydrogen abstraction from the pendant group of the trifluorovinyl ether itself. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3301–3308, 1999     

Photo-initiated base-formation in a polymer matrix

It was found that amines were formed efficiently by the photolysis of O-acyloximes followed by hydrolysis in polystyrene films and the relationship between structures of O-acyloximes and yields of amines were investigated. O-phenylacetyl acetophenone oxime (PaApO), O-pivaloyl acetophenone oxime (PApO), and O-benzoyl acetophenone oxime (BApO) as monofunctional O-acyloximes and O,O′-succinyl diacetophenone oxime (SDApO) and O,O′-glutaryl diacetophenone oxime (GDApO) as bifunctional O-acyloximes were examined. The yields of amines for PaApO and SDApO under N₂ were ca. 70%, which was the highest among O-acyloximes examined in this experiment. On the other hand, the yields for PApO, BApO, and GDApO were less than 15% and it was verified that the hydrogen abstraction by imino radicals via 6-membered cyclic intermediates resulted in the lowering of yields. Although the effect of oxygen under photolysis on the yields of amine for PaApO was negligible under 50% conversion of PaApO, the yield decreased with further increase in the conversion and was 50% at 90% conversion. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An indirect measurement of the absolute rate constant of the self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals

No reliable rate constant is available for the self-reaction of tert-;butoxy radicals. We have set up a competition between hydrogen abstraction and self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals in a flash photolysis electron spin resonance study to extract this information. Experimental values of hydrogen abstraction product radical concentrations under various hydrogen donor concentrations were then compared with theoretically calculated values with different values of 2k₄ to obtain the best fit. Hydrogen donors such as cyclopentane, anisole, methyl tert-butyl ether, and methanol were chosen for the study. A value of (1.3 ± 0.5) × 10⁹M^?1 sec^?1 for the rate constant of the self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals has been determined at 293°K.     

Initiation mechanisms in copolymerization: Reaction of t-butoxyl radicals with co-monomers ethyl vinyl ether and methyl methacrylate

The radical trapping technique employing 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-2-yloxyl as a scavenger has been used to investigate the reaction of t-butoxyl radicals with mixtures of ethyl vinyl ether and methyl methacrylate. The range of identified products includes those from both addition and hydrogen abstraction with both monomers, head addition with ethyl vinyl ether, and some second monomer addition products. Relative rate constants have been obtained for various pairs of constituent reactions. t-Butoxyl radicals add to ethyl vinyl ether one to two times faster than to methyl methacrylate, depending on which monomer is in excess. The ratio is less than 1 in nonolefinic solvents and as high as 6 in t-butanol. This solvent effect is thought to be due to the radicals complexing to either methyl methacrylate or t-butanol (H-bonding), thereby increasing its electrophilic character. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Enhanced Reactivities of Iron(IV)‐Oxo Porphyrin π‐Cation Radicals in Oxygenation Reactions by Electron‐Donating Axial Ligands

The proximal axial ligand in heme iron enzymes plays an important role in tuning the reactivities of iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals in oxidation reactions. The present study reports the effects of axial ligands in olefin epoxidation, aromatic hydroxylation, alcohol oxidation, and alkane hydroxylation, by [(tmp)^+. Fe^IV(O)(p‐Y‐PyO)]⁺ ( 1 ‐Y) (tmp=meso‐tetramesitylporphyrin, p‐Y‐PyO=para‐substituted pyridine N‐oxides, and Y=OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl). In all of the oxidation reactions, the reactivities of 1 ‐Y are found to follow the order 1 ‐OCH₃ > 1 ‐CH₃ > 1 ‐H > 1 ‐Cl; negative Hammett ρ values of ?1.4 to ?2.7 were obtained by plotting the reaction rates against the σ_p values of the substituents of p‐Y‐PyO. These results, as well as previous ones on the effect of anionic nucleophiles, show that iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals bearing electron‐donating axial ligands are more reactive in oxo‐transfer and hydrogen‐atom abstraction reactions. These results are counterintuitive since iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals are electrophilic species. Theoretical calculations of anionic and neutral ligands reproduced the counterintuitive experimental findings and elucidated the root cause of the axial ligand effects. Thus, in the case of anionic ligands, as the ligand becomes a better electron donor, it strengthens the FeO? H bond and thereby enhances its H‐abstraction activity. In addition, it weakens the Fe?O bond and encourages oxo‐transfer reactivity. Both are Bell–Evans–Polanyi effects, however, in a series of neutral ligands like p‐Y‐PyO, there is a relatively weak trend that appears to originate in two‐state reactivity (TSR). This combination of experiment and theory enabled us to elucidate the factors that control the reactivity patterns of iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals in oxidation reactions and to resolve an enigmatic and fundamental problem.     

Grafting of maleic anhydride to hydrocarbons below the ceiling temperature

Maleic anhydride has been grafted to eicosane and squalane at 60–80°C using 1,2-dichlorobenzene as solvent and benzoyl peroxide as initiator. These hydrocarbons are low molecular weight models for hydrocarbon polymers containing secondary and tertiary hydrogen atoms. In the absence of the hydrocarbon and with monomer concentrations of the order of 1M, low molecular weight poly(maleic anhydride) is formed. On addition of the hydrocarbon, the main product is grafted material and very little homopolymer is formed. The grafts consist primarily of single succinic anhydride units but some of them are short poly(maleic anhydride) chains. Ceiling temperature considerations control the formation of homopolymer in the absence of hydrocarbon substrate. In the presence of eicosane or squalane, initiation of grafting proceeds by hydrogen abstraction from the hydrocarbon. The main factor controlling graft length is then the ratio of the rates of intramolecular hydrogen abstraction and of monomer addition to succinic anhydride radicals © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Radical copolymerization of novel trifluorovinyl ethers with ethyl vinyl ether and vinyl acetate: Estimating reactivity ratios and understanding reactivity behavior of the propagating radical

Two novel trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) monomers were copolymerized with either ethyl vinyl ether (EVE) or vinyl acetate (VAc) in a redox‐initiated aqueous emulsion: 1‐(2‐phenoxyethoxy)‐1,2,2‐trifluoroethene (Ph‐TFVE) and 1‐[2‐(2‐ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy]‐1,2,2‐trifluoroethene (Et‐TFVE). Previous studies demonstrated a propensity for radical hydrogen abstraction from the oligoether pendant group during the homopolymerization of Et‐TFVE with continued propagation of the resulting radical, thereby providing the rationale to investigate the copolymerization of our new TFVEs with EVE or VAc. Reactivity ratios were estimated using the error‐in‐variables model from a series of bulk free radical copolymerizations of Ph‐TFVE with EVE or VAc. The reactivity ratios were r_Ph‐TFVE = 0.25 ± 0.07, r_EVE = 0.016 ± 0.04; r_Ph‐TFVE = 0.034 ± 0.04, r_VAc =0.89 ±0.08. Partial hydrolysis of polymers containing VAc to vinyl alcohol (VA) resulted in two terpolymers: poly(Ph‐TFVE‐co‐VAc‐co‐VA) and poly(Et‐TFVE‐co‐VAc‐co‐VA), respectively. We investigated the possibility of hydrogen abstraction from VAc during polymerization by comparing the molar mass before and after hydrolysis. Abstraction from VAc was not apparent during polymerization; however, abstraction from the oligoether pendant group of Et‐TFVE was again evident and was more significant for those copolymers having a greater fraction of Et‐TFVE in the monomer feed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1344–1354, 2000     

Radiolysis of aqueous DCH18C6 solutions at 77 K

Low-temperature (77 K) γ- and X-ray radiolysis of aqueous DCH18C6 solutions was studied by ESR-spectroscopy. OH radicals, trapped electrons and macrocyclic radicals -CH₂-CH-O- resulting from H-atom abstraction from methylene groups of polyether ring were identified as predominant radiolysis products. Increasing the crown ether concentration in aqueous solution leads to the growth of relative yields of the trapped electron and macrocyclic radicals as well as the decrease of that of hydroxyl radical. Neither radical products of macrocycle rupture nor H-atom abstraction from cyclohexane rings were observed.     

Direct ether formation of semibenzopinacol moieties in a photopolymerization system featured constant intensity of absorbed light

In a special photopolymerization reaction system, the reactivity of semibenzopinacol moieties was examined. Structural analysis by 1D/2D NMR showed that the hydroxyl groups of the semibenzopinacol moieties after hydrogen abstraction reaction have reacted directly to form a new ether structure instead of the cleavage of a C-C bond in a photopolymerization system featured constant intensity of absorbed light when there is only vinyl acetate added. In order to clarify this new reaction, comparative experiments and several characterization methods were applied. Results revealed that poly(vinyl acetate) radicals initiated by UV irradiation or benzophenone/triethanolamine system, and UV irradiation under or above 300 nm, were two necessary factors for the formation of the new ether structure from hydroxyl groups of semibenzopinacol moieties.     

Introduction of peroxide groups onto carbon black surface by radical trapping and radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by the surface peroxide groups

The introduction of peroxide groups onto carbon black surface was achieved through the trapping of the peroxide radicals formed by the decomposition of polymeric peroxide, such as poly(tetraethylene glycol peroxyadipate) (ATPPO), and bis-peroxide, such as 1,1′-bis (t-butyldioxy)cyclohexane (Perhexa-C), by the surface: the amount of peroxide groups introduced onto carbon black surface by the treatment with ATPPO and Perhexa-C were determined to be 0.07 mmol/g and 0.12 mmol/g, respectively. The polymerization of vinyl monomers with positive e-value, such as methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethy methacrylate, was successfully initiated by the peroxide groups introduced onto carbon black surface. During the polymerization, the corresponding polymers were effectively grafted onto the surface as a result of the propagation of polymer from the surface radicals formed by decomposition of the peroxide groups. The polymerization of vinyl monomers with negative e-value, such as styrene and vinyl acetate, however, was scarcely initiated by the peroxide groups on carbon black. This may be due to the fact that surface active radicals, which were formed by the hydrogen abstraction from carbon black by fragment radicals, inhibit the polymerization of vinyl monomers with negative e-value. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Hydrogen atom abstraction reactions of the sugar moiety of 2′‐deoxyguanosine with an OH radical: A quantum chemical study

Mechanisms of hydrogen atom abstraction reactions of the sugar moiety of 2′‐deoxyguanosine with an OH radical were investigated using the B3LYP and BHandHLYP functionals of density functional theory and the second order Møller–Plesset Perturbation (MP2) theory in gas phase and aqueous media. The 6‐31+G* and AUG‐cc‐pVDZ basis sets were used. Gibbs free barrier energies and rate constants of the reactions in aqueous media suggest that an OH radical would abstract the hydrogen atoms of the sugar moiety of 2′‐deoxyguanosine in the following order of preference: H5′ ≈ H5″ > H3′ > H4′ > H1′ ≈ H2′ > H2″, the rate constant for H5′ abstraction being 10³–10⁵ times greater than that for H2″ at the different levels of theory. Relative stabilities of the different deoxyribose radicals are also discussed. The most and least favored hydrogen abstraction reactions found here are in agreement with experimental observation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

ESR studies of methallyl monomers with redox systems

The effects of three types of free radical initiators (HO·, H₂N·, and H₃C·) from redox systems, have been studied for four types of methallyl monomers, by use of ESR with a flow system. The structure, the relative concentrations, and the steric conformations of the monomer radical intermediates have been derived from the ESR spectra. In the case of H₂N · and HO · addition to methallyl alcohol (MAA), methallyl amine (MAAm), and sodium methallyl sulfonate (SMAS), the ESR spectra of the reacting species are interpreted as monomer head radicals only (H₂N · and HO · are added to the monomer tail). Methallyl acetate (MAAc) with HO ·, is an exception, giving hydrogen abstraction to form an allyl type radical. This reaction may influence the polymerization behavior of MAAc. The methallyl monomers behave differently from the allyl monomers, where appreciable amounts of monomer tail radicals were found in addition to the head radicals which were the main species. For methallyl monomers, this may be due to steric hindrance caused by the two substituents on the α carbon. The CH₃ radicals add only to positively polarized reactive double bonds, i.e., in SMAS in this study, and allyl alcohol in a previous study. The coupling constants of β CH₂ protons vary considerably with the substituents. For β₁ protons, the coupling constants decrease in the order OH > CH₃ > NH₂. For β₂ protons (allyl hydrogen), the coupling constants decrease in the order CH₂OH > CH₂NH₂ > CH₂OCOCH₃Na, i.e., the constants decrease in the order of increased bulkiness of the groups. Some exceptions are interpreted as due to complex formation with Ti⁴⁺. The effects of pH of the reaction medium are largely those expected.     

Incorporation of nonionic emulsifier inside methacrylic polymer particles in emulsion polymerization

The incorporations of polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Emulgen 109P) and polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether (Emulgen 911) nonionic emulsifiers inside poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA), and poly(iso-butyl methacrylate) (Pi-BMA) particles prepared by emulsifier-present emulsion polymerizations were examined. To measure the amounts of the incorporated nonionic emulsifiers, optimum compositions of 2-propanol aqueous solutions to remove the nonionic emulsifier from the particle surfaces without removal from the insides were determined. The amount of the incorporation measured by gel permeation chromatography was increased in the order of PMMA > PEMA > Pi-BMA, which accorded with the order of miscibility between each polymer and the emulsifier.     

Effect of initiators on grafting in the initial stage of the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate using poly(vinyl alcohol) as a protective colloid

 To make clear the reason of unsuitability of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) protective colloid for the emulsion polymerization of conjugated monomers, a model experiment of emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out with ammonium persulfate (APS) or azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) initiators, where a small amount of MMA (1/100th of the concentration compared with ordinary emulsion polymerization) was employed. This corresponds to the initial stage of the emulsion polymerization. Grafting of MMA onto PVA took place remarkably irrespective of the kind of the initiators. Formation of homo-poly(MMA) was observed to a small extent. The formation of new emulsion particles smaller than 100 nm continued to increase to almost the end of the polymerization. PVA molecules in the grafted polymer are supposed to act as stabilizers of newly formed particles. From kinetic treatment using the experimental data, the important issues were derived as follows. Firstly, the sulfate anion radical from APS is much more reactive than the isobutyronitrile radical from AIBN in terms of hydrogen abstraction from PVA. Secondly, high grafting ability of the latter initiator system, notwithstanding the much lower reactivity in the hydrogen abstraction compared with the APS system, is attributed to the relative reactivity of the primary radicals, i.e., hydrogen abstraction reaction from PVA to initiation reaction with MMA. The much slower rate of addition of the isobutyronitrile radical to the monomer compared with that of hydrogen abstraction from PVA facilitates the grafting, although the rate constant of hydrogen abstraction is far smaller than that with the sulfate anion radical by 10⁻⁴ times. Received: 26 April 2001 Accepted: 6 September 2001     

The reactivity of ketyl and alkyl radicals in reactions with carbonyl compounds

A parabolic model of bimolecular radical reactions was used for analysis of the hydrogen transfer reactions of ketyl radicals: >C·OH+R¹COR²→>C=O+R¹R²C·OH. The parameters describing the reactivity of the reagents were calculated from the experimental data. The parameters that characterize the reactions of ketyl and alkyl radicals as hydrogen donors with olefins and with carbonyl compounds were obtained: >C·OH+R¹CH=CH₂→>C=O+R¹C·HCH₃; >R¹CH=CH₂+R²C·HCH₂R³→R²C·HCH₃+R²CH=CHR³. These parameters were used to calculate the activation energies of these transformations. The kinetic parameters of reactions of hydrogen abstraction by free radicals and molecules (adelhydes, ketones, and quinones) from the C−H and O−H bonds were compared. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2178–2184, November, 1998.     

Strength of hydrogen bonding in the novolak-type phenolic resin blends

The specific interaction strength of novolak-type phenolic resin blended with three similar polymers [i.e., poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)] were characterized by means of glass transition temperature behavior and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The interassociation formed within phenolic blends with the addition of a modifier not only overcomes the effect of self-association of the phenolic upon blending, but also increases the strength of phenolic blend. The strength of interassociation within the phenolic blend is the function of the hydrogen bonding group of a modifier, in increasing order, is phenolic/PVA, phenolic/PEG, and phenolic/PEO blend, corresponding to the result of “q” value in the Kwei equation. The FTIR result is in agreement with the inference of T_g behavior. In addition, the fact that the specific strength of hydrogen bonding of hydroxyl–hydroxyl is stronger than that of hydroxyl–ether can also be concluded. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1721–1729, 1998     

Reactions of free radicals with polymers—II: Abstraction reactions of methyl and acetyl radicals with poly(vinyl acetophenone)

The kinetics of H abstraction by methyl and acetyl radicals from poly(vinyl acetophenone) (PVAP) films (4 × 10³ mm thick) have been investigated, both radicals being derived from the polymer by photolysis (λ ≥ 300 nm) under high vacuum conditions (pressure < 10^?4 Pa). Differential equations have been obtained to describe the simultaneous diffusion and reaction of each of the radicals, and the solutions (both steady and non-steady state conditions) have been used in conjunction with experimental data (including yields of methane and acetaldehyde) to obtain values of rate constants for abstraction. which it is argued is likely to occur predominantly at the α-carbon atoms in the polymer. Both steady and non-steady state calculations yield the same values of rate constants. Values of these constants have been compared with each other and that for methyl radical abstraction is compared with data obtained for abstraction from other styrene polymers. PVAP is less reactive than polystyrene towards methyl radicals. Factors accounting for these differences, including diffusant volume, polymer free volume and the energetics of formation of the transition state for abstraction in the various polymers, are considered. Theoretical rates of product formation, based on the solutions of the equations, are compared with the experimental yields of methane and acetaldehyde; a good correspondence is observed for approx. 3 hr reaction time. Subsequent discrepancies between the two sets of data are attributed to the radiation modified diffusion and optical characteristics of the polymer.