Stereocontrol in radical polymerization

The stereospecific radical polymerization of vinyl esters, methacrylates, and alpha-substituted acrylates was studied. Fluoroalcohols, as a solvent, have remarkable effects on the stereoregularity of the radical polymerizations of vinyl acetate, vinyl pivalate, and vinyl benzoate, affording polymers rich in syndiotacticity, heterotacticity, and isotacticity, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the polymerization of methacrylates to give syndiotactic polymers. The steric repulsion between the entering monomer and the chain-end monomeric unit bound by the solvent through hydrogen bonding is important for the stereochemical control in these systems. Lewis acid catalysts, such as lanthanide trifluoromethanesulfonates and zinc salts, were also effective for the stereocontrol during the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate, to reduce the syndiotacticity and alpha-(alkoxymethyl)acrylates to synthesize isotactic and syndiotactic polymers. Radical polymerization of the methacrylates bearing a bulky ester group, such as the triphenylmethyl methacrylate derivatives, gave highly isotactic polymers, as in the case of anionic polymerization. In addition, the control of one-handed helical conformation was attained in the radical polymerization of 1-phenyldibenzosuberyl methacrylate using chiral neomenthanethiol or cobalt(II) complexes as an additive.     

Mechanism of initiation of methyl methacrylate with lithium tert-alkoxides

An investigation of the solution polymerization of methyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl methacrylates and the polymerization of methyl and butyl methacrylates in the presence of methyl, butyl, and tert-butyl isobutyrate and methyl pivalate showed that the complex order of the initiation reaction with respect to the monomer (about 2) has its cause in the ability of the ester group in the monomer and of methyl or butyl isobutyrate to activate lithium tert-alkoxide. Owing to conjugation, the ester group in the monomer is less active than the ester group in isobutyrate. Steric hindrances of the formation of a complex between lithium tert-alkoxide and ester were also investigated, because this complex is intermediate product necessary for the formation of an activated lithium tert-alkoxide, capable of initiating the polymerization of alkyl methacrylates of the type CH₂?(CH₃)COOCH₂R.     

Interchain exchange in the anionic polymerization of hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylates

The kinetics of chain propagation and interchain exchange reactions in the anionic polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate initiated by lithium tert-butylate were compared. The kinetic parameters of the reactions under consideration were determined. An abnormal ratio between the activation energies of chain propagation and interchain exchange was revealed and explained by the involvement of hydroxyl groups in changes of reactivities of double bonds and ester groups of the initial monomer, the resulting polymer, and the growing active centers of polymerization. The effect of self-inhibition of polymerization was observed and attributed to the fact that ethylene glycol and its alkoxy alcoholate occurring as H-bonded cyclic complexes form at the beginning of the reaction.     

Asymmetric polymerization of methacrylates

The syntheses of optically active polymers having helical conformation from bulky methacrylates are reviewed focusing on selected topics. The monomers include triphenylmethyl methacrylate and its analogues. Asymmetric anionic polymerization of the monomers gives isotactic, optically active polymers having a helical structure with excess helicity. The isotactic content and the extent of helical‐sense excess depend on the monomer structure and the reaction conditions. In the case of methacrylates, completely isotactic and single‐handed helical polymers can be produced by asymmetric anionic polymerization (helix‐sense‐selective polymerization). Asymmetric radical polymerization is also possible for this class of monomer. Some of the helical polymers show chiral recognition ability toward a wide range of racemic compounds. Polymers having main‐chain configurational chirality are also discussed.     

The role of association/complexation equilibria in the anionic polymerization of (meth)acrylates

The kinetics of the anionic polymerization of methacrylates and acrylates in THF as well as the MWD of the polymers formed depend on the concentration of active centres and of additives, such as lithium halides and lithium alkoxides. These results are discussed on basis of multiple equilibria between non-associated, associated, and complexed ion pairs which are supported by viscosity measurements. The position of these equilibria determines the rate of polymerization, whereas the dynamics of interconversion determine the polydispersity. In the absence of additives the rate of monomer addition to non-associated ion pairs competes with the rate of association. Addition of lithium chloride mainly affects the rate of interconversion between dormant and active species, whereas lithium tert-butoxide forms adducts which stabilize the active centre.     

A second transition state for chain transfer to monomer in olefin polymerization promoted by group 4 metal catalysts

beta-Hydrogen transfer (BHT) to monomer is the dominant chain termination pathway for olefin polymerization promoted by group 4 metal catalysts. The transition state (TSA) for BHT studied in earlier work is characterized by a strong metal-hydrogen interaction. Our theoretical study of a series of homogeneous single-site polymerization catalysts reveals the existence of a second transition state (TSC), competitive with TSA, which has no direct metal-hydrogen interaction and strongly resembles that for the main-group metal aluminum. The balance between the two reaction paths is sensitive to choice of metal and ligand structure.     

Group transfer and anionic polymerization: A critical comparison

The mechanism of group transfer polymerization (GTP) of methacrylates in THF is investigated by using data on kinetics of homo- and copolymerization, polymer microstructure and molecular weight distribution. By comparison with corresponding data on anionic polymerization it is concluded that the mechanisms of monomer addition to the active chain end is very similar for both anionic and group transfer polymerization and that GTP is ionic in character. On the other hand, GTP uniquely is characterized by the existence of a catalyst exchange equilibrium. The position of this equilibrium determines the rates of polymerization, and the dynamics determine the molecular weight distribution.     

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 polymerization of N-ethyl-2-vinylcarbazole and N-ethyl-3-vinylcarbazole

The polymerization of N-ethyl-2-vinylcarbazole and N-ethyl-3-vinylcarbazole by an anionic mechanism has been demonstrated. Polymerization reactions were monitored by ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and λ_max and ε values for the propagating carbanions determined. The 2-vinyl monomer exhibits all the features of a standard “living” polymer; the carbanion is stable at ambient temperatures and high molecular weight, M?_n ? 10⁶, narrow distribution polymers and block copolymers with styrene have been prepared. The carbanion from the 3-vinyl monomer is much less stable and a clean polymerization can only be conducted at temperatures below -60°C. A comparison of the anionic polymerization characteristics of the N-, 2-, and 3-vinyl carbazole monomer series is presented.     

Topology Controlled All-(Meth)acrylic Thermoplastic Elastomers by Multi-Functional Lewis Pairs-Mediated Polymerization

It remains challenging to synthesize all-(meth)acrylic triblock thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), due to the drastically different reactivities between the acrylates and methacrylates and inevitable occurrence of side reactions during polymerization of acrylates. By taking advantage of the easy structural modulation features of N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs), we design and synthesize strong nucleophilic tetraphenylethylene-based NHOs varying in the number (i.e. mono-, dual- and tetra−) of initiating functional groups. Its combination with bulky organoaluminum [ⁱBuAl(BHT)₂] (BHT=bis(2,6-di-^tBu-4-methylphenoxy)) constructs Lewis pair (LP) to realize the living polymerization of both acrylates and methacrylates, furnishing polyacrylates with ultrahigh molecular weight (M_n up to 2174 kg ⋅ mol⁻¹) within 4 min. Moreover, these NHO-based LPs enable us to not only realize the control over the polymers’ topology (i.e. linear and star), but also achieve triblock star copolymers in one-step manner. Mechanical studies reveal that the star triblock TPEs exhibit better mechanical properties (elongation at break up to 1863 % and tensile strength up to 19.1 MPa) in comparison with the linear analogs. Moreover, the presence of tetraphenylethylene group in the NHOs entitled the triblock TPEs with excellent AIE properties in both solution and solid state.     

Remarkable Lewis acid effects on polymerization of functionalized alkenes by metallocene and lithium ester enolates

Drastic effects of Lewis acids E(C₆F₅)₃ (E = Al, B) on polymerization of functionalized alkenes such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N,N-dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA) mediated by metallocene and lithium ester enolates, Cp₂Zr[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂]₂ (1) and Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OLi, are documented as well as elucidated. In the case of metallocene bis(ester enolate) 1, when combined with 2 equiv. of Al(C₆F₅)₃, it effects highly active ion-pairing polymerization of MMA and DMAA; the living nature of this polymerization system allows for the synthesis of well-defined diblock and triblock copolymers of MMA with longer-chain alkyl methacrylates. In sharp contrast, the 1/2B(C₆F₅)₃ combination exhibits low to negligible polymerization activity due to the formation of ineffective adduct Cp₂Zr[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂]⁺[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (2). Such a profound Al vs. B Lewis acid effect has also been observed for the lithium ester enolate; while the Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OLi/2Al(C₆F₅)₃ system is highly active for MMA polymerization, the seemingly analogous Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OLi/2B(C₆F₅)₃ system is inactive. Structure analyses of the resulting lithium enolaluminate and enolborate adducts, Li⁺[Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (3) and Li⁺[Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (4), coupled with polymerization studies, show that the remarkable differences observed for Al vs. B are due to the inability of the lithium enolborate/borane pair to effect the bimolecular, activated-monomer anionic polymerization as does the lithium enolaluminate/alane pair.     

Asymmetric polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole with optically active anionic initiators

The anionic polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole(NVC) by using optically active anionic initiators such as the lithium salts of(S)-1-(9H-fluoren-2-yl)-4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole((S)-1-FIDH) and(S)-2-(9H-fluoren-2-yl)-4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole((S)-2-FIDH) and complexes of(-)-Sparteine with n-butylithium(n-Bu Li-(-)-Sp) or fluorenyl lithium(FILi-(-)-Sp) was achieved. The yield and specific rotation of poly(N-vinylcarbazole)s(poly(NVC)s) were considerably affected by the molar ratio of(S)-FIDH to NVC. The highest yield and specific rotation were obtained with Li-(S)-1-FIDH as an initiator, with a molar ratio of monomer and initiator [M]/[I] = 10/1. The effects of the chiral initiators, type of solvent and the polymerization temperature were investigated. The obtained optical activity of polymers was attributed to asymmetric induction of the chiral initiators.     

Organoaluminum‐mediated polymerization of diazoketones

Polymerization of diazoketones mediated by organoaluminum compounds was investigated. Trialkylaluminum R₃Al (R = iBu, Et, Me) and diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL) polymerized (E)‐1‐diazo‐3‐nonen‐2‐one ( 1 ) to give polymers with M_n = 2000–3500, which contained nearly 33 mol % of azo group (? N?N? ) along with the dominant acylmethylene unit in the main chain. On the other hand, when (E)‐1‐diazo‐4‐phenyl‐3‐buten‐2‐one ( 2 ) was used as a monomer for the organoaluminum‐mediated polymerization, the resulting polymers had ethylidene (? CH[CH₃]? ) units in the main chain along with acylmethylene and azo group, as a result of reductive cleavage of the acyl group during the polymerization. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5209–5214, 2007     

Anionic polymerization of N,N‐dialkylacrylamides containing alkoxysilyl groups in the presence of Lewis acids

With Ph₂CHK as an initiator, the anionic polymerization of N‐propyl‐N‐(3‐triisopropoxysilylpropyl)acrylamide ( 4 ) and N‐propyl‐N‐(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl)acryl‐amide generated polymers with predicted molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs) in the presence of Et₂Zn or Et₃B; however, the resulting polymers obtained in the absence of such Lewis acids had very broad MWDs. The results were ascribed to the coordination of the propagating anionic end to a relatively weak Lewis acid, in which the activity of the end anion was appropriately controlled for moderate polymerization without side reactions. A well‐defined diblock copolymer of 4 and N,N‐diethylacrylamide was also prepared with the binary initiating system of Ph₂CHK and Et₂Zn, whereas no such block copolymer was prepared by polymerization initiated with 1,1‐diphenyl‐3‐methylpentyllithium, as the propagating anion together with the lithium ion reacted with alkoxysilyl side groups on the poly( 4 ) backbone to produce grafted polymers with high molecular weights. The hydrolysis of the alkoxysilyl side groups of poly( 4 ) in acidic water yielded an insoluble gel. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2754‐2764, 2005     

Miniemulsion polymerization of styrene using alkyl methacrylates as the reactive cosurfactant

 Stable styrene miniemulsions were prepared by using alkyl methacrylates as the reactive cosurfactant. Like conventional cosurfactants (e.g., cetyl alcohol (CA) and hexadecane (HD)), alkyl methacrylates (e.g., dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) and stearyl methacrylate (SMA)) may act as a cosurfactant in stabilizing the homogenized miniemulsions. Furthermore, the methacrylate group may be chemically incorporated into latex particles in subsequent miniemulsion polymerization. The data of the monomer droplet size, creaming rate and phase separation of monomer as a function of time were used to evaluate the shelf-life of miniemulsions stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate in combination with various cosurfactants. Polystyrene latex particles were produced via both monomer droplet nucleation and homogeneous nucleation in the miniemulsion polymerization using CA or DMA as the cosurfactant, with the result of a quite broad particle size distribution. On the other hand, the miniemulsion polymerization with HD or SMA showed a predominant monomer droplet nucleation. The resultant particle size distribution was relatively narrow. In miniemulsion polymerization, the less hydrophobic DMA is similar to CA, whereas the more hydrophobic SMA is similar to HD. Received: 19 November 1996 Accepted: 20 February 1997     

Synthesis of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyacrylonitrile by anionic polymerization

The anionic polymerization of acrylonitrile in DMF initiated by lithium 1,2-bis(diethylamino)-2-oxoethanolate in the range ?60 to 0°C has been studied. The initiator efficiency at low temperatures (?60 to ?40°C) is 2–6%; it remains nearly invariable with conversion owing to the associated state of the initiator. The low concentration of growing active centers is constant throughout the process; as a result, polymers with M > 3 × 10⁵ are produced. The polymers are characterized by a narrow molecular-mass distribution, M _w/M _n = 1.3–1.6, and contain insignificant amounts of low-molecular-mass fractions. It has been shown that controlled polymerization processes can be carried outat moderately low temperatures (?30 to 0°C), and experimental conditions for freezing of polymerization and its recommencement have been ascertained. Optimum conditions for the synthesis of a high-molecular-mass polyacrylonitrile with M > 3 × 10⁵ have been established, and the method for preparing polymers with M = (6.50–8.5) × 10⁵ on an enlarged scale using high concentrations of the monomer has been developed.     

Novel initiating systems for the living polymerization of acrylates and methacrylates

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate with lithiated initiators in the presence of aluminium alkyls in toluene has living character but it deviates from conventional first-order kinetics and the polymers have fairly broad molecular weight distributions. This results from the formation and precipitation of a coordinative polymer network in which the lithium ions of the living chain ends are coordinated to the in-chain ester carbonyl groups. Thus, the network formation can be prevented by adding Lewis bases like methyl pivalate which coordinate to the living chain ends instead of the polymer. Alternatively, one can introduce tetraalkylammonium salts aiming at an exchange of the lithium ion by a less electropositive cation. Both approaches lead to linear first-order time conversion plots for the polymerization of methacrylates and acrylates and to narrow molecular weight distributions, i.e., to a living and controlled polymerization. With these new initiating systems, various block and graft copolymers can be synthesized.     

Anionic polymerization initiated by lithium diethylamide in organic solvents. II. Investigation of the polymerization of isoprene

The polymerization of isoprene, initiated by lithium diethylamide has been investigated in the presence of a number of additives. Kinetic results are interpreted on the basis of simultaneous initiation and propagation reactions. The effect of additives, particularly diethyl either, has a profound effect on both the rate of initiation and propagation. The active centers are believed to be ion-pairs with the lithium counterions solvated by both ether and monomer molecules, and the actual propagation reaction is believed to involve a rearrangement of the monomer, complexed to the lithium, and the growing polymeric chain.     

Anionic polymerization of acrylates. I. Polymerization of 2-ethylhexylacrylate in nonpolar solvents

Initiation with a combined initiator n-butyllithium/lithium tert-butoxide in the ratio 1:6 brings the anionic polymerization of 2-ethylhexylacrylate (EtHA) in toluene and n-heptane at temperatures between ?78 and ?20°C up to a quantitative conversion. In the initial stages of the process the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the products is polymodal as a result of the stablizing function of the alkoxide; MWD of the final product after a complete consumption of the monomer is medium, being visibly dependent on the reaction temperature and without any distinct content of low-molecular weight components, which suggests a sufficient activity of all growth centers, and thus an essential restriction of side termination reactions.     

Electron spin resonance studies of propagating radicals in polymerization. I. Methacrylate propagating radicals

Ferric chloride-photosensitized free-radical initiation was used to generate propagating radicals in polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA), allyl methacrylate (AMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), 1,3-butylene dimethacrylate (1,3-BDMA), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA), lauryl methacrylate (LMA), hexyl methacrylate (HMA), and methacrylamide (MA) in rigid glasses of methanol or acetone at near liquid nitrogen temperatures. The formation and conformational changes of these propagating radicals at different temperatures were studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. When methanol was the rigid glass, ·CH₂OH radicals were formed initially and were stable below ?160°C. As the temperature of the rigid glass was increased, the ·CH₂OH radicals reacted with monomer to yield propagating radicals. With the exception of the propagating radical for methacrylamide, the propagating radicals of the methacrylates examined initially generated five-line ESR spectra which gradually changed to nine-line spectra, as temperature of the rigid glass was increased. It was concluded that one type of propagating radical was formed in all cases. However, when the temperature of the rigid glass was increased, the single structural conformation that initially allowed one of the methylene hydrogens and methyl group to interact with the unpaired electron to generate only a five-line spectrum was changed to yield a second conformation that allowed interaction to generate an additional four-line spectrum. Finally, a mixture of the propagating radical for methacrylate monomer in two structural conformations was obtained, and an ESR spectrum consisting of nine lines (5 + 4 lines) was generated. In the case of the propagating radical for methacrylamide this change to yield two structural conformations evidently was hindered, so that only an ESR spectrum consisting of five lines was generated.