Cationic copolymerization of 2-methylene-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane with 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane

Copolymers of the cyclic ketene acetals, 2-methylene-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane, 3 , (M₁) with 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 4 , (M₂) or 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 5 , (M₂), were synthesized by cationic copolymerization. An experimental method was designed to study the reactivity of these very reactive and extremely acid sensitive cyclic ketene acetal monomers. The reactivity ratios, calculated using a computer program based on a nonlinear minimization algorithm, were r₁ = 6.36 and r₂ = 1.25 for the copolymerization of 3 with 4 , and r₁ = 1.56 and r₂ = 1.42 for the copolymerization of 3 with 5. FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectra when combined with the values of r₁ and r₂ showed that these copolymers were formed by a cationic 1,2-polymerization (ring-retained) route. Furthermore the tendency existed to form very short blocks of M₁ or M₂ within the copolymers. Cationic copolymerization of cyclic ketene acetals have the potential to be used for synthesis of novel polymers. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Copolymerization of 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione with p-chlorostyrene and vinylidene chloride

The copolymerization of 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione (M₂) with p-chlorostyrene and vinylidene chloride is reported. The copolymers were prepared in sealed tubes under nitrogen with azobisisobutyronitrile initiator. Infrared absorption bands at 1580 cm.^?1 revealed the presence of a highly enolic β-diketone and indicated that copolymerization had occurred. The copolymer compositions were determined from the chlorine analyses and the reactivity ratios were evaluated. The copolymerization with p-chlorostyrene (M₁) was highly alternating and provided the reactivity ratios r₁ = 0.32 ± 0.06, r₂ = 0.02 ± 0.01. Copolymerization with vinylidene chloride (M₁) afforded the reactivity ratios r₁ = 2.4 ± 0.6, r₂ = 0.15 ± 0.05. The Q and e values for the dione (Q = 0.13, e = 1.37), as evaluated from the results of the vinylidene chloride case, agree closely with the previously reported results of copolymerization with methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile and confirm the general low reactivity of 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione in nonalternating systems.     

Novel amorphous perfluorocopolymeric system: Copolymers of perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolane derivatives

Perfluorotetrahydro‐2‐methylene‐furo[3,4‐d][1,3]dioxole (monomer I ) and perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐4‐methoxymethyl‐1,3‐dioxolane (monomer II ) are soluble in perfluorinated or partially fluorinated solvents and readily polymerize in solution or in bulk when initiated by a free‐radical initiator, perfluorodibenzoyl peroxide. The copolymerization parameters have been determined with in situ ¹⁹F NMR measurements. The copolymerization reactivity ratios are r _I = 1.80 and r _II = 0.80 in 1,1,2‐trichlorotrifluoroethane at 41 °C and r _I = 0.97 and r _II = 0.85 for the bulk polymerization. These data show that this copolymerization pair has a good copolymerization tendency and yields nearly ideal random copolymers. The copolymers have only one glass‐transition temperature from 101 to 168 °C, depending on the copolymer compositions. Melting endotherms have not been observed in their differential scanning calorimetry traces, and this indicates that all the copolymers with different compositions are completely amorphous. These copolymers are thermally stable (the initial decomposition temperatures are higher than 350 °C under an N₂ atmosphere) and have low refractive indices and high optical transparency from UV to near‐infrared. Copolymer films prepared by casting were flexible and tough. These properties make the copolymers ideal candidates as optical and electrical materials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1613–1618, 2006     

The structure of copolymers of vinyl cyclohexane with styrene

Copolymerization of vinyl cyclohexane (monomer-1) with styrene was investigated in the presence of the stereospecific complex catalyst TiCl₃ + Al(iso-C₄H₉)₃. Monomer reactivity ratios were r₁ = 0·177 ± 0·051 and r₂ = 2·117 ± 0·370. The monomer unit distributions in the copolymers were estimated by comparison of the i.r.-spectra of copolymers and the isotactic homopolymers using absorption bands at 565 and 1084 cm^?1 which correspond to the vibrations of styrene blocks containing ? 5 styrene units and the band at 985 cm^?1 characterizing polystyrene crystallinity. The data indicate the tendency towards alternation in the copolymerization. Analysis of the experimental and literature data led to the conclusion that distribution of the units in copolymers of vinyl cyclohexane with α-olefins is determined by the nature of the α-olefin. The following activity series is proposed for α-olefins in their copolymerization with vinyl cyclohexane in the presence of catalytic systems based on titanium salts and organo-aluminium compounds: propylene >; 4-methylpentene-1 >; styrene >; 3-methylbutene-1 ～ vinyl cyclohexane.     

Thermal stability of poly(vinyl bromide) and copolymers of vinyl bromide with methyl vinyl ketone

Thermal stability and degradation behaviour have been studied for PVB and VB-MVK copolymers spanning the whole composition range, using thermogravimetric analysis. The reactivity ratios in the radial copolymerization were determined by using an NMR technique, leading to r_i(VB) = 3.6 ± 0.2 and r₂(MVK) = 0.2 ± 0.1. The introduction of MVK units into the VB chain leads to an interaction with release of methyl bromide. The stability of the copolymers increases with increasing MVK concentration.     

Homo- and copolymerization of N-(2-thiazolyl)methacrylamide with different vinyl monomers: Synthesis,characterization, determination of monomer reactivity ratios and biological activity

N-(2-thiazolyl)methacrylamide (TMA) monomer was synthesized from 2-aminothiazole by two different methods. The homo- and copolymerization of this monomer with methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St), acrylonitrile (AN), and vinyl acetate (VA) were performed in dimethyl formamide using 1 mol% AIBN at 70°C. The copolymerization behavior was studied in a wide composition interval with the mole fractions of TMA ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 in the feed. Characterization using FTIR and 1HNMR techniques confirmed the structure of the monomer and the prepared homo- and copolymers, but the copolymers compositions were determined from sulphur analysis. The monomer reactivity ratios were computed using Fineman and Ross and Kelen and Tüdös methods for the systems TMA-MMA, TMA-St, TMA-AN and TMA-VA and were found to be r ₁ = 0.59 ± 0.05, r ₂ = 2.72 ± 0.03; r ₁ = 0.39 ± 0.02, r ₂ = 0.90 ± 0.01; r ₁ = 0.77 ± 0.06, r ₂ = 1.99 ± 0.04 and r ₁ = 0.80 ± 0.08, r ₂ = 0.40 ± 0.05 respectively (r ₁ corresponds to monomer reactivity ratio of TMA). The Q and e values for TMA monomer were found to be 1.079 and ?0.054. The synthesized monomer and polymers were tested in vitro for biological activity against some microorganisms, using the disk diffusion technique. Generally, all the polymers were effective against the tested microorganisms, but their growth-inhibition effects varied.     

Synthesis and characterization of copolymers of limonene with styrene initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile

The radical copolymerization of limonene with styrene by azobisisobutyronitrile in xylene at 80 ± 0.1 °C for 2 h, under inert atmosphere of N₂, yields alternating copolymers. The kinetic expression is R_p∝[I]^0.5[Sty]^1.0[Lim]^−1.0. The overall activation energy is calculated as 41 kJ/mol. The FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectra of copolymers show bands at 3000 and 1715 cm⁻¹ and peaks at 6.8 δ and 5.3 δ due to phenyl protons of styrene and trisubstituted olefinic protons of limonene, respectively. The values of reactivity ratios r₁(Sty)=0.0625 and r₂(Lim)=0.014, calculated by Kelen-Tüdos method. The Alfrey-Price Q-e parameters for limonene are 0.438 and −0.748, respectively. The penultimate unit effect is favoured in the present system and the value of φ is 38.49.     

Copolymerization of Allilidene Diacetate with Vinyl Acetate

Abstract

The monomer reactivity ratios for vinyl acetate (VAc)-allilidene diacetate (ADA) copolymerization have never been obtained. The composition of VAc-ADA copolymers was determined by NMR spectroscopy, measuring CH protons corresponding to ADA at 3.1τ and VAc at 5.1τ. The monomer reactivity ratios were evaluated; r₁ = 1.34 ± 0.05 and r₂ = 0.48 ± 0.03, where M₁ = ADA and M₂ = VAc. From these values the Q and e values for ADA were calculated: Q = 0.047 and e = 0.44 by taking Q = 0.026 and e = ?0.22 for VAc. The H value [1] for copolymerization of ADA, VAc, and vinyl chloride (VC) is 0.87.     

Controlled Free-Radical Copolymerization of N-vinyl succinimide and n-Butyl acrylate via a Reversible Addition–Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Technique

Summary : Copolymerization of N-vinyl succinimide and n-butyl acrylate in the presence of dibenzyl trithiocarbonate as a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer agent was investigated. The linear dependence of molecular mass on conversion and low values of polydispersity index confirmed pseudo-living mechanism of the process. For the first time the soluble copolymers of N-vinyl succinimide and n-butyl acrylate with high composition homogeneity have been synthesized by copolymerization in bulk. The copolymerization kinetics was studied by NMR ¹H spectroscopy; the reactivity ratios were determined: r_VSI = 0.11, r_BA = 2.54. The copolymer microstructure was estimated; it was shown that in conditions of RAFT polymerization gradient copolymers enriched with BA on the tails of the macromolecule and with VSI in the middle can be obtained. The method of elimination of trithiocarbonate fragment by the reaction with an excess of AIBN was proposed leading to formation of the simplest gradient structure of N-vinyl succinimide – n-butyl acrylate copolymer.     

Homo‐ and copolymerization of norbornene with styrene catalyzed by a series of copper(II) complexes in the presence of methylaluminoxane

Vinyl‐type polymerization of norbornene as well as random copolymerization of norbornene with styrene was studied using a series of copper complexes‐MAO. The precatalysts used here are copper complexes with β‐ketoamine ligands based on pyrazolone derivatives and the molecular structure of complex 4 was determined using X‐ray analysis. All of these catalyst systems are moderately active for the vinyl‐type polymerization of norbornene and random copolymerization of norbornene with styrene. The random copolymers obtained suggest that only one type of active species is present. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and NMR indicate that the copolymers are ‘true’ copolymers. The copolymerization reactivity ratios (r_NBE = 20.11 and r_Sty = 0.035) indicate a much higher reactivity of norbornene, which suggests a coordination polymerization mechanism. The solubility and processability of the copolymers are improved relative to polynorbornene and the thermostability of the copolymers is improved relative to polystyrene. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Initiator effect on the cationic ring‐opening copolymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline

The aim of this research was to study the effect of the initiator on the resulting monomer distribution for the cationic ring‐opening copolymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline (EtOx) and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline (PhOx). At first, kinetic studies were performed for the homopolymerizations of both monomers at 160 °C under microwave irradiation using four initiators. These initiators have the same benzyl‐initiating group but different leaving groups, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, and OTs^?. The basicity of the leaving group affects the ratio of covalent and cationic propagating species and, thus, the polymerization rate. The observed differences in polymerization rates could be correlated to the concentration of cationic species in the polymerization mixture as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In a next‐step, polymerization kinetics were determined for the copolymerizations of EtOx and PhOx with these four initiators. The reactivity ratios for these copolymerizations were calculated from the polymerization rates obtained for the copolymerizations. This approach allows more accurate determination of the copolymerization parameters compared to conventional methods using the composition of single polymers. When benzyl chloride (BCl) was used as an initiator, no copolymers could be obtained because its reactivity is too low for the polymerization of PhOx. With decreasing basicity of the used counterions (Br^? > I^? > OTs^?), the reactivity ratios gradually changed from r_EtOx = 10.1 and r_PhOx = 0.30 to r_EtOx = 7.9 and r_PhOx = 0.18. However, the large difference in reactivity ratios will lead to the formation of quasi‐diblock copolymers in all cases. In conclusion, the used initiator does influence the monomer distribution in the copolymers, but for the investigated system the differences were so small that no difference in the resulting polymer properties is expected. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4804–4816, 2008     

Copolymerization of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride with ethylene glycol vinyl ether in aqueous medium

The radical copolymerization of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride (AMAC) (M₁) with ethylene glycol vinyl ether (M₂) in an aqueous medium proceeds at a high rate to afford random copolymers. The reactivity ratios equal to r ₁ = 2.18 and r ₂ = 0.01 indicate that AMAC is a more active comonomer. The overall reaction order in comonomers is 2.4, and the effective activation energy is 97.4 ± 2 kJ/mol. The monomer M₁ enters into copolymerization by both of the double bonds with the formation of pyrrolidinium structures in the chain through the cyclization stage.     

A simple method of determining copolymerization reactivity ratios by means of a computer

A Fortran IV program for determining copolymerization reactivity ratios is proposed. The program is based on the curve-fitting method and has the advantage of delivering values free of personal judgement. To check its validity the system benzylacrylate (BeA)/methylmethacrylate (MMA) was investigated. The reactivity ratios obtained from the Fineman-Ross plots (r₁ = 0 · 34 ± 10 per cent and r₂ = 1 · 7 ± 10 per cent) are in good agreement with values obtained by using the proposed method (r₁ = 0 · 36 and r₂ = 1 · 78).     

Reactivity ratios and microstructure determination of vinyl acetate–alkyl acrylate copolymers by NMR spectroscopy

(Vinyl acetate)/(ethyl acrylate) (V/E) and (vinyl acetate)/(butyl acrylate) (V/B) copolymers were prepared by free radical solution polymerization. ¹H-NMR spectra of copolymers were used for calculation of copolymer composition. The copolymer composition data were used for determining reactivity ratios for the copolymerization of vinyl acetate with ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate by Kelen-Tudos (KT) and nonlinear Error in Variables methods (EVM). The reactivity ratios obtained are r_v = 0.03 ± 0.03, r_E = 4.68 ± 1.70 (KT method); r_v = 0.03 ± 0.01, r_E = 4.60 ± 0.65 (EV method) for (V/E) copolymers and r_v ? 0.03 ± 0.01, r_B ? 6.67 ± 2.17 (KT method); r_v = 0.03 ± 0.01, r_B = 7.43 ± 0.71 (EV method) for (V/B) copolymers. Microstructure was obtained in terms of the distribution of V- and E-centered triads and V- and B-centered triads for (V/E) and (V/B) copolymers respectively. Homonuclear ¹H 2D-COSY NMR spectra were also recorded to ascertain the existence of coupling between protons in (V/E) as well as (V/B) copolymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Determination of the sequence distribution and stereoregularity of ethyl α-benzoyloxymethylacrylate–methyl methacrylate copolymers by means of proton and carbon-13 NMR

Proton and Carbon-13 NMR spectra of ethyl α-benzoyloxymethylacrylate (E)–methyl methacrylate (M) copolymers were analyzed in terms of sequence distribution and stereoregularity of monomer units. The copolymers were prepared by free radical polymerization in benzene at 50°C. The methoxy region of the M proton signal resonance was found to be sensitive to the copolymer composition for M-centred sequences. The carbon-13 NMR spectra of the EM copolymers, in particular the carbonyl signal resonances of carbomethoxy and carboethoxy groups, are discussed in terms of M- and E-centred configurational sequences. The experimental values were in excellent agreement with those calculated taken into account the terminal copolymerization model and Bernoullian distribution of stereoregularity with the statistical parameters determined from reactivity ratios r_E = 0.32 and r_M = 1.34 and the coisotacticity parameters σ_MM = 0.22, σ_EE = 0.70, and σ_ME = σ_EM = σ = 0.30. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 3483–3493, 1997     

Intramolecular charge transfer complexes. VIII. Poly[N-(2-hydroxyethyl) carbazolyl acrylate-co-2,4-dinitrophenyl methacrylate]

Radical copolymerization of N-(2-hydroxyethyl) carbazolyl acrylate (HECA, M₁) with 2,4-dinitrophenyl methacrylate (DNPM, M₂) can be described by a simple terminal mechanism having the relative reactivities r₁ = 0.14, r₂ = 1.10 (at 60°C); 0.28, 0.96 (80°C); and 0.41, 0.79 (100°C), respectively. The dependence of the reactivity ratio values on copolymerization temperature, analyzed by Arrhenius equation, takes place mainly through the frequency factor. The copolymers obtained are intramolecular charge transfer complexes. The intramolecular interaction is evidenced by the shift of the aromatic protons from the DNPM structural unit in the copolymers' ¹H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra. This shift depends on sequence distribution and chain conformation, but is not affected by the copolymerization temperature.     

Radical copolymerization of acrylonitrile with 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl acrylate for dielectric materials: Structure and characterization

Radical copolymerization based on acrylonitrile (AN) and 2,2,2‐Trifluoroethyl acrylate (ATRIF) initited by AIBN was investigated in acetonitrile solution. The resulting poly(AN‐co‐ATRIF) copolymers were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F NMR and IR spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Their compositions were assessed by ¹H NMR. The kinetics of radical copolymerization of AN with ATRIF was investigated from sereval experiments achieved at 70 °C from initial [AN]₀/[ATRIF]₀ molar ratios ranging between 20/80 and 80/20 and was enabled to determine the reactivity ratios of both comonomers. From the monomer—polymer copolymerization curve, the Fineman–Ross and Kelen–Tüdos laws enabled to assess the reactivity ratios (r_AN= r₁ = 1.25 ± 0.04 and r_ATRIF = r₂ = 0.93 ± 0.05 at 70 °C) while the revised patterns scheme led to r₁₂ = r_AN = 1.03, and r₂₁ = r_ATRIF = 0.78 at 70 °C. In all cases, r_AN x r_ATRIF product was close to unity, which indicates that poly(AN‐co‐ATRIF) copolymers exhibit a random structure. This was also confirmed by the Igarashi's and Pyun's laws which revealed the presence of AN‐ATRIF, AN‐AN, and ATRIF‐ATRIF dyads. The Q and e values for ATRIF were also assessed (Q₂ = 0.62 and e₂ = 0.93). The glass transition temperature values, T_g, of these copolymers increased from 17 to 61 °C as the molar percentage of ATRIF decreased from 77 to 16% in the copolymer. Thermogravimetry analysis of poly(AN‐co‐ATRIF) copolymers showed a good thermal stability compared to that of poly(ATRIF) homopolymer due to incorporation of AN comonomer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3856–3866     

Copolymerization of 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate

Copolymers of 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate, (SEM) were prepared with ethyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, vinylidene chloride, and styrene in 1,2-dimethoxyethane solution with N,N′-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The monomer reactivity ratios with SEM (M₁) were: vinylidene chloride, r₁ = 3.6 ± 0.5, r₂ = 0.22 ± 0.03; ethyl acrylate, r₁ = 3.2 ± 0.6, r₂ = 0.30 ± 0.05; ethyl methacrylate, r₁ = 2.0 ± 0.4, r₂ = 1.0 ± 0.1; styrene, r₁ = 0.6 ± 0.2, r₂ = 0.37 ± 0.03. The values of the copolymerization parameters calculated from the monomer reactivity ratios were e = +0.6 and Q = 1.4. Comparison of the monomer reactivities indicates that SEM is similar to ethyl methacrylate with regard to copolymerization reactivity in 1,2-dimethoxyethane solution. The sodium salt of 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate, SEM^?Na^⊕, was copolymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (M₂) in water solution. Reactivity ratios of r₁ = 0.7 ± 0.1 and r₂ = 1.6 ± 0.1 were obtained, indicating a lower reactivity of SEM^?Na^⊕ in water as compared to SEM in 1,2-dimethoxyethane. This decreased reactivity was attributed to greater ionic repulsion between reacting species in the aqueous medium.     

Copolymers from Castor Oil Prepolymers (COP). 4. Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate with COP

The copolymerization of castor oil prepolymer (COP) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been accomplished at 75°C using a free radical initiator. The monomer reactivity ratios of MMA (r₁) and COP (r₂) were determined to be r₁ = 3.04 and r₂ = 0.605. With an increasing concentration of COP in the binary mixture, copolymers with decreasing molecular weight were obtained. The copolymers obtained were powdery substances soluble in many organic solvents.     

Synthesis and properties of epoxy-containing poly(cyclopropylstyrenes)

New epoxy-containing cyclopropylstyrenes were synthesized and their copolymerization with styrene in benzene in the presence of AIBN was studied. The reactivity ratios of cyclopropylstyrenes (r ₁) and styrene (r ₂) range from 1.15 to 1.18 and from 0.55 to 0.58, respectively, and the parameters Q ₁ and e ₁ vary over 2.86–3.07 and 1.43–1.45, respectively. The photosensitivity and some mechanical properties of the synthesized copolymers were estimated.