Block polymers of isocyanates and vinyl monomers by homogeneous anionic polymerization

The “living” polymer method was used to prepare block polymers of vinyl monomers and isocyanates at low temperatures in toluene–tetrahydrofuran mixtures. Vinyl monomers and diisocyanates, which have one hindered isocyanate group, as in 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, form block polymers which contain pendant reactive isocyanate groups. These block polymers can be crosslinked with water, diols, diamines, etc. The polymerization is apparently limited to block polymer formation, since the polyisocyanate anion is incapable of initiating the polymerization of common vinyl monomers.     

Studies on the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer. XII. Synthesis and properties of crosslinkable thermotropic liquid crystalline homo- and copoly(ether-ester)s

A series of crosslinkable thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(ether-ester)s and copoly(ether-ester)s was prepared. All of the polymers were crosslinked by thermal treatment or photo-irradiation upon heating. The thermal stability and thermal crosslinking reaction of these polymers were investigated. These polymers also could be crosslinked by copolymerization with vinyl monomers, such as styrene or methyl methacrylate. The crosslinked polymers exhibited thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior after softening by heating. The phase behavior of linear polymers and crosslinked polymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of novel aromatic bispropenyl ethers

Aromatic bispropenyl ethers are a new class of highly reactive thermosetting monomers that have been prepared and characterized. Two synthetic routes to their preparation have been developed. The first of these involves the base-catalyzed isomerization of bisallyl ether precursors that gives predominantly the Z bispropenyl ether isomers. The second method employs tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) dichloride as an isomerization catalyst and produces predominantly the E isomers. Using these methods, a number of bispropenyl ether monomers containing different aromatic groups have been synthesized. The cationic polymerization of these novel monomers to give crosslinked network polymers using diaryliodonium salts as photo and thermal initiators has been studied.     

Benzocyclobutenes: A New Class of High Performance Polymers

Benzocyclobutenes are a family of thermally polymerizable monomers which can be classified into two groups: 1) monomers which contain only benzocyclobutene moieties and 2) monomers which contain sites of unsaturation in addition to benzocyclobutene moieties. The monomers can be partially polymerized (B-staged) by heating to form oligomers having processing advantages for various composite fabrication techniques. The polymerization proceeds through the thermally initiated cyclobutene ring opening to yield an o-quinodimethane intermediate (calculated to be a ground state singlet). Preliminary characterization of the network structures indicates that monomers which contained multiple benzocyclobutene moieties, optionally with sites of unsaturation, were transformed into multifunctional network junctions when the thermosets were fully cured. The 3-maleimidobenzocyclobutenes thermally polymerize to yield substantially linear, high glass transition temperature (T_g) polymers. Thus benzocyclobutene polymers encompass materials which have properties ranging from high T_g, thermosets to those of substantially linear thermoplastics. Some polymers exhibit an excellent retention of their room temperature mechanical properties to at least 200-250°C, making them useful as high performance polymers for applications in the aerospace industry. Other polymers have outstanding electrical properties including very low dielectric constant and water pickup, making them useful in electronic applications.     

A Novel Construction of Ring-Opening Polymerization and Chemical Recycling System

This article summarizes our recent efforts to chemical recycling of polymeric materials based on the equilibrium polymerization character of cyclic monomers. Spiro orthoesters ( SOE s), bicyclo orthoester, cyclic carbonates, and dithiocarbonates undergo ring-opening polymerization to afford the corresponding polymers, and the resulting polymers depolymerize to give the starting monomers under cationic or anionic conditions. Further, crosslinking and decrosslinking systems of bifunctional SOE s and a polymer having SOE moiety in the side chain are described.     

Polymerizations of Multifunctional Anhydride Monomers to Form Highly Crosslinked Degradable Networks

The synthesis of multifunctional monomers that can be photopolymerized to form highly crosslinked, surface degrading polymers is reviewed. Typical reaction behavior of multifunctional monomers is discussed, as well as the difficulties associated with photopolymerizing thicker materials and the benefits of temporal control of the photoinitiation process. Characterization of the degradation behavior of these networks indicates a surface erosion mechanism where the rate of degradation is readily controlled to produce materials that degrade on time scales of days to months. To provide insight into the structural evolution during the polymerization of multifunctional monomers, the degradation products, specifically the kinetic chain lengths, have been analyzed using MALDI‐TOF spectroscopy. Additionally, the use of photopolymerizable, degrading polymers for drug delivery is illustrated, and other potential applications of these unique polymers are mentioned.     

Mobility of the ring structure and the characteristics of crosslinked polymers: The structural effect of the eleven-membered ring and its homologs upon the dynamic mechanical properties and glass transition temperature of crosslinked diallyl succinate polymers

Dynamic mechanical properties and glass transition temperatures were measured for crosslinked polymers derived from diallyl succinate monomers. The mobility of the diester having an eleven-membered ring and of homologous structures which are introduced in the crosslinked polymer system, is discussed on the basis of the parameter for cyclization polymerization of a monomer, dynamic mechanical properties, and glass transition temperature. Control of the mobility of the ring structure and its homologous structures involved in the crosslinked polymers was attempted by modification of the substituent at the 1- or 1,2-position of diallyl succinate, and the diallyl succinate monomers were derived from the succinic acid and its derivatives: succinic acid, methyl succinic, ethyl succinic, and chlorosuccinic acids; cis-1,2-dicarboxylic acids of cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, and cyclohexane; cis-1,3- and 1,4-dicarboxylic acids of cyclohexane, and phthalic acid. The results obtained are explained well on the basis of the mobility of the ring and homologous structures.     

Photocrosslinking of functionalized rubber. III. Polymerization of multifunctional monomers in epoxidized liquid natural rubber

Different types of tridimensional polymer networks have been synthesized by photoinitiated polymerization of difunctional monomers blended to an epoxidized natural rubber. The crosslinking reaction was followed by infrared spectroscopy and shown to proceed extensively within less than 1 s for the cycloepoxy, vinyl ether, and acrylate monomers used. By acting as a plasticizer, the monomer was found to markedly accelerate the ring-opening polymerization of the epoxy groups of the rubber chain. Cationic polymerization continues to proceed effectively after the UV-exposure, until total consumption of the epoxy groups. The nature of the comonomer has a strong influence on the properties of the crosslinked rubber. Low-modulus polymers were obtained with divinyl ether monomers, while hard but still flexible films were obtained with dicycloepoxy and diacrylate monomers. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of Confinement on the Kinetics of Formation of Sequential Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Summary: Peculiarities of formation kinetics of sequential semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) based on crosslinked polyurethane (PU) with different cross-linking density and linear polystyrene (PS), polybutylmethacrylate (PBMA) and polymethacrylate acid (PMAA) have been studied. The experimental data show the dependence of the kinetic parameters of polymerization on M_c, this dependence being different for various monomers. Sharp discrepancy in molecular mass distribution of polymers formed in various matrices has been observed. The differences in dependencies of reaction kinetics and molecular mass distribution are supposed to be connected to various dependence of the chain growth and termination of various monomers on the density of network, i.e. on the confinements imposed by the intranetwork space.     

Modification of polymers via electrophilic aromatic substitution

Three vinyl monomers, 2,4,6-trimethoxystyrene, 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)styrene, and N-methyl-2-vinylpyrrole, were synthesized via the Wittig reaction from the corresponding aldehyes. These monomers were homopolymerized by radical polymerization using α,α′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator at 60°C. The reaction of these polymers with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (phTD) and 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MeTD) was investigated. Although polytrimethoxystyrene reacts slowly with PhTD at room temperature, the other two polymers react fast and lead to the incorporation of the triazolinedione unit into the side chain of the polymer via electrophilic aromatic substitution. The reaction of bistriazolinediones (BTD) with these polymers was performed in dimethylformamide using 10–20% molar concentration of the BTD. The resulting crosslinked polymers are insoluble in polar as well as nonpolar solvents. Some physical properties of the unmodified and modified polymers were studied.     

Expanding vinyl ether monomer repertoire for ring-expansion cationic polymerization: Various cyclic polymers with tailored pendant groups

Herein, we clarified the ring-expansion cationic polymerization with a cyclic hemiacetal ester (HAE)-based initiator was versatile in terms of applicable vinyl ether monomers. Although there was a risk that higher reactive vinyl ethers may incur β-H elimination of the HAE-based cyclic dormant species to irreversibly give linear chains, the polymerizations were controlled to give corresponding cyclic polymers from various alkyl vinyl ethers of different reactivities. Functional vinyl ether monomers were also available, and for instance a vinyl ether monomer carrying an initiator moiety for metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization in the pendant allowed construction of ring-linear graft copolymers through the grafting-from approach. Furthermore, ring-based gel was prepared via the addition of divinyl ether at the end of the ring-expansion polymerization, where multi HAE bonds cyclic polymers or fused rings were crosslinked with each other. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3082–3089     

High birefringence photopolymerizable phenylacetylene liquid crystals

Photopolymerizable three-ring phenylacetylene (3PA) liquid crystalline compounds were synthesized and the physical properties of the monomers and polymers were characterized in the expectation of obtaining high birefringence polymers. 3PA monomers containing acrylate substituents exhibited enantiotropic nematic phases and high δn values of around 0.35. Homogeneous alignment was retained after polymerization and high values of δn (~0.34) for the polymers were obtained. The orientation of the monomers at the photopolymerization temperature was almost fixed, such that δn and the order parameter of the polymers varied with the polymerization temperature.     

Synthesis of Multivalent Organotellurium Chain‐Transfer Agents by Post‐modification and Their Applications in Living Radical Polymerization

Functionalized or multivalent organotellurium chain‐transfer agents (CTAs) for living radical polymerization were synthesized by post‐modification, which involved the condensation between a carboxylic‐acid‐functionalized CTA and various amines in excellent yields without affecting the reactive tellurium moiety. The CTAs exhibited high synthetic versatility for radical polymerization and gave structurally well‐controlled polymers, such as multiarmed polymers, from various monomers. Because all new CTAs are easily available on a large scale by simple purification, the current method significantly facilitates macromolecular engineering based on organotellurium‐mediated radical polymerization (TERP).     

Changes of flavan-3-ols with different degrees of polymerization in seeds of 'Shiraz', 'Cabernet Sauvignon' and 'Marselan' grapes after veraison

Flavan-3-ols consist of flavan-3-ol monomers and polymers with different degrees of polymerization (DP). In this study, flavan-3-ol extracts from grape seeds were well separated into three fractions including monomers, oligomers (2 < DP < 10) and polymers (DP > 10), by means of normal-phase HPLC-MS. The different patterns of these three fractions were analyzed in three Vitis vinifera cultivars ('Shiraz', 'Cabernet Sauvignon' and 'Marselan') seeds from veraison to harvest. The results showed: (1) polymers were the main form of flavan-3-ols in grape seeds and monomers accounted for only a small proportion; (2) the contents of flavan-3-ol monomers in the seeds of three grape cultivars all exhibited a gradually decreasing trend with a little fluctuation, whereas the patterns of the change of contents of oligomers and polymers were extremely different among grape cultivars; the contents of flavan-3-ol oligomers were enhanced in the seeds of 'Cabernet Sauvignon', but were reduced in the other two cultivars; (3) with regard to the proportion of flavan-3-ols with a certain DP to total flavan-3-ols, both flavan-3-ol monomers and flavan-3-ols with low DP fell in proportion, while the flavan-3-ols with high DP increased correspondingly. These findings indicate that flavan-3-ol polymerization in developing seeds is variety-dependent and may be genetically regulated.     

Upcycling of thermoplastic polyurethane into covalent adaptable networks via chain breaking-crosslinking strategy

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), as one of the most widely used elastomers, has received rapid development, and its recycling becomes increasingly urgent. In this work, a TPU is upcycled to PU covalent adaptable networks (CANs) via chain breaking-crosslinking strategy of being extruded with polyol and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) on a micro twin-screw extruder. The carbamate exchange between the polyol and TPU breaks the chain of TPU and introduces plenty of reactive hydroxyl groups, which activates the TPU chain. Long-chain-branched TPU with hydroxyl groups is obtained during the chain-breaking step and then crosslinked with IPDI to obtain highly crosslinked networks. PU-CANs exhibit improved mechanical properties and elastic recovery rate, which is propitious to elastomers. Moreover, the crosslinked network greatly enhances the creep resistance and solvent resistance of the material. PU-CANs maintain favorable reprocessability, suitable for screw extrusion and hot-press processing. This work provides a simple and efficient method to upcycle TPU into reprocessable highly-crosslinked polymers and improve the properties of polymers.     

含有联苯和肉桂酸酯基团的侧链液晶共聚物的合成与表征

合成了两种含有联苯刚性基元的甲基丙烯酸酯单体M1和M2,其中M1为含有可光交联的肉桂酸酯端基的单体.通过溶液自由基聚合,得到一系列含不同比例M1和M2单体单元的聚丙烯酸酯类侧链液晶共聚物.采用1H-NMR、FT-IR等方法对单体和聚合物的结构进行了详细表征.用示差扫描量热法、偏光显微镜以及广角和小角X-射线衍射对单体和聚合物的液晶性进行了研究.结果表明,末端为肉桂酸酯基团的单体M1无液晶性,其均聚物P1有微弱的液晶性,而端基为正丁基的单体M2及其均聚物P9则表现出近晶相液晶行为.共聚物P2~P5均为向列型液晶,P6~P9则为近晶型液晶.随在聚合物中M2单体含量的增加,共聚物的玻璃化转变温度、熔点及清亮点温度均呈现增加趋势.     

Polymerization of allyl(vinyl phenyl) ethers and reactions of the resulting polymers

Solution polymerizations of allyl(o-vinyl phenyl)ether and allyl(p-vinyl phenyl)ether with cationic and radical initiators were investigated. Soluble polymers were formed in polymerizations with boron trifluoride etherate and with benzoyl peroxide. In polymerization with azobisisobutyronitrile the polymerization in dilute solution gave a soluble polymer, whereas that in concentrated solution gave a crosslinked, insoluble one. For informationon the polymerization behavior some infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopic investigations of the soluble polymers were made. From these results it appears that polymers with pendant allyl groups are formed in polymerization with boron trifluoride etherate at low temperature, and polymers containing pendant vinyl groups and allyl groups are obtained with the two types of radical initiator. Copolymerizations of these monomers with ethyl vinyl ether and styrene with the use of boron trifluoride etherate were sucessfully effected. Such reactions as Claisen rearrangement, crosslinking induced with radical initiators, and epoxidation with perbenzoic acid were examined for the polymers prepared in the polymerization with boron trifluoride etherate. Good results were obtained for the former two reactions. However, the latter was unsuccessful.     

Novel synthesis of photocrosslinkable polymers

A new preparative route to photocrosslinkable polymers in which the polymers are produced directly from the polymerization of vinyl monomers having photocrosslinkable groups has been investigated. The photosensitive resins thus produced have higher sensitivity and resolution than conventional photosensitive resins. The monomers were synthesized from the esterification of vinylphenols or vinyl β-chloroethyl ether with cinnamic acid, β-styrylacrylic acid, and their homologs, and from the etherification of vinyl β-chloroethyl ether with hydroxychalcones. Homopolymerizations of these monomers and their copolymerizations with other comonomers were investigated with the use of both radical and ionic initiators. It is shown that radical polymerization of the monomers gave soluble polymers only at low conversion. Anionic initiators did not initiate polymerization. Cationic polymerization imparted soluble polymers in high yield, except for the monomers bearing cyano groups, which generally gave insoluble polymers. Infrared and NMR spectroscopic investigation of the cationically obtained soluble polymers and comparative investigation by cationic polymerization of model compounds indicated that polymerization of the monomers proceeds through the vinyl double bond without affecting the photosensitive unsaturated bond. Thus, linear photocrosslinkable polymers with an intact photoreactive group may be produced by cationic polymerization. In general, these polymers have uniform structure and modifiable physical properties depending on the monomer used. The polymer thus obtained from β-vinyloxyethyl cinnamate has been shown to have excellent properties for use as a photo-resist.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Bis(Isopropenylphenoxy)Alkanes and Bis(Vinylphenoxy)Alkanes: Two Classes of Highly Reactive,Photopolymerizable Monomers

Abstract

A novel and facile synthesis of difunctional, aromatic vinyl ether analogs is reported. These materials, which are conveniently prepared by the condensation of 4-acetoxystyrene or 4-isopropenylphenyl acetate with α, ω-dihaloalkanes in the presence of base, can be cationically polymerized using diaryliodonium or triarylsulfonium salts as photoinitiators to produce crosslinked polymers. Relative reactivities of the monomers toward cationic polymerization were studied using differential scanning photocalorimetry. The thermal stabilities of the polymers resulting from the photopolymerization of the difunctional, aromatic vinyl ether analogs were studied using thermogravimetric analysis.     

Synthesis and cationic photopolymerization of alkoxyallene monomers

A series of cationically polymerizable mono-and difunctional alkoxyallene monomers have been prepared via the straight forward base catalyzed isomerization of the corresponding propargyl ethers. Rate studies conducted using real-time infrared spectroscopy showed that these monomers exhibit high reactivity in photoinitiated cationic polymerization. Monomers bearing a single alkoxyallene group undergo rapid polymerization to yield crosslinked polymers indicating that both double bonds react during polymerization. A mechanism has been proposed that explains this observation. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.