Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by resin containing polyethylenepolyamine side chain–peroxide system

Macroreticular resins (RST) bearing polyethylenepolyamine side chain were prepared by the amination of the chloromethylated macroreticular styrene—divinylbenzene copolymer beads. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in a water—organic solvent mixture containing hydroperoxide and RST. The polymerization of MMA proceeded smoothly in the presence of both hydroperoxide and RST. The presence of water was indispensable for this polymerization. 1,4-Dioxane hydroperoxide showed a high activity for the polymerization of MMA. The polymerization of MMA by this system was greatly affected by the structure of the resins. It was especially accelerated by using macroreticular resins with appropriate porosities.     

Polymerization of vinyl monomers in the water–1,4-dioxane system containing peroxide and water-soluble polymer

Water-solube polymer (PST) containing triethylenetetramine side chain was prepared by the amination of chloromethylated polystyrene with triethylenetetramine in 1,4-dioxane. The polymerization of vinyl monomers was carried out in the water–organic solvent system containing PST and a very small amount of peroxide. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate proceeded smoothly in the presence of both peroxide and PST. It was found that the polymerization was initiated with the radicals generated by the interaction between hydroperoxide and amino groups of PST. 1,4-Dioxane hydroperoxide showed a high activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The maximum rate of the polymerization was observed at 60°C and in an approximately neutral solution. The addition of suitable amount of Cu(II) accelerated the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The selective polymerization of vinyl monomers was observed in this system.     

Hybrid copolymerization of cyclic and vinyl monomers

In this work,we report the hybrid copolymerization of various cyclic monomers and vinyl monomers.Our studies demonstrate that 1-tert-butyl-4,4,4-tris-(dimethylamino)-2,2-bis[tris(dimethylamino) phophoranyliden-amino]-2 5,5-catenadi(phosphazene) (t-BuP 4) can catalyze the hybrid copolymerization of caprolactone (CL),lactide (LA) or cyclic carbonate ester with acrylate or methyl acrylate.However,the polymerization of cyclosiloxane with vinyl monomers yields two corresponding homopolymers,and the polymerization of lactone with acrylonitrile (AN) produces only polyacrylonitrile.Clearly,the extent of matching of activity between a monomer and an active center determines whether or not there is hybrid copolymerization.     

Homopolymerization and copolymerization of vinyl chloride over supported metalorganic catalysts

The homopolymerization of vinyl chloride and its copolymerization with ethylene over dibutyl ether–modified SiO₂-supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts based on titanium and vanadium chlorides have been studied. The supported metal complexes are sufficiently active in the polymerization of vinyl chloride. Their activity depends on the catalyst composition and conditions of formation of the catalyst on the surface of the support. The chain structure of the resulting polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been studied by NMR spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the synthesized PVC have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The PVC obtained possesses enhanced thermal stability owing to the specific features of its chain structure. Vinyl chloride polymerization over the supported metalorganic catalyst proceeds mainly via a free-radical mechanism. Process conditions have been found for conducting the copolymerization of vinyl chloride with ethylene over supported metal complexes resulting in the formation of true statistical copolymers, which is confirmed by IR and NMR spectroscopy.     

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization of vinyl monomers with N,N‐dimethyldiselenocarbamates

A new range of selenium‐based reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) agents is described and tested in the polymerization of styrene, acrylates, vinyl esters, and N‐vinylcaprolactam. The synthesized N,N‐dimethyldiselenocarbamates were poor control agents for styrene polymerization, whereas polyacrylates of controlled molar masses and bearing a diselenocarbamate terminal group could be synthesized. The polymerization of vinyl acetate and vinyl pivalate proceeded in a controlled manner as confirmed by size‐exclusion chromatography, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, and ⁷⁷Se NMR analyses. The capability of these RAFT agents to control the polymerization of both more‐activated monomers and less‐activated monomers was exemplified through the synthesis of a poly(t‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl acetate) diblock copolymer. Considering the very broad range of carbamate groups which can be envisioned, this finding opens numerous perspectives for diselenocarbamate‐mediated RAFT polymerization with its specificities yet to be explored. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4361–4368     

Polymerization of vinyl monomers by diphenylsulfone–potassium complexes

Diphenylsulfone (DPSO₂) was found to react with an equimolar amount of potassium in tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethoxyethane (DME), or diglyme (DG) at reflux or an elevated temperature to yield a reddish-black solution, giving an electron spin resonance (ESR) signal. The signal was attributed to the formation of relatively labile DPSO₂ anion radical. The apparent effects of solvents on the reactivity of DPSO₂ with potassium depended on the polarities and the solvation powers: benzene ? toluene ? dioxane ? tetrahydrofuran < monoglyme < diglyme. The monopotassium complex was found to react further with another molecular amount of the metal to yield a dark blue solution giving no ESR signal. The monopotassium complex initiated the polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN). It did not, however, initiate the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St), or isoprene (IP). The active species of the monopotassium complex that initiated the polymerization of AN was found from analyses of the reaction products and the infrared spectrum of oily oligomer of AN obtained by the complex to be potassium benzenesulfinate. The dipotassium complex was found to initiate the polymerization of MMA, St, IP and AN. The active species of the dipotassium complex that initiated the polymerization of MMA, St, or IP was found from analyses of the reaction products and the infrared spectrum of the oily oligomer of MMA obtained by the complex to be phenyl potassium.     

Graft copolymerization to cellulose by the metallic ion–hydrogen peroxide initiator system

The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate has been investigated by use of cellulose samples adsorbing various metallicions. Metallic ions generally accelerate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, increase the number of grafts, and lower the average molecular weight. However their effects are much influenced by the range of pH values. It is clear that the amount of grafts formed is not necessarily proportional to the amount of decomposed hydrogen peroxide and is dependent upon a function peculiar to each metallic ion. The effective metallic ions in the neutral system were Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Zn²⁺. The effects of Ce³⁺, Mg²⁺, Hg³⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ were either negligible or negative. Comparative studies on various conditions confirmed that Fe²⁺ in the neutral system gives graft copolymer having a minimum average molecular weight and the greatest number of grafts.     

Homopolymerization and copolymerization kinetics of trimethylene carbonate bearing a methoxyethoxy side group

The polymerization kinetics of 5‐[2‐{2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyoxy}‐ethoxymethyl]‐5‐methyl‐trimethylene carbonate (TMCM‐MOE3OM) synthesized using the organocatalyst 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) were studied and compared to those with the commonly used catalyst/initiator for ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic carbonates and esters, stannous 2‐ethylhexanoate. Further, the utility of each of these catalysts in the copolymerization of TMCM‐MOE3OM with trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and l ‐lactide (LLA) was examined. Regardless of conditions with either catalyst, homopolymerization of TMCM‐MOE3OM yielded oligomers, having number average molecular weight less than 4000 Da. The resultant molecular weight was limited by ring‐chain equilibrium as well as through monomer autopolymerization. Interestingly, autopolymerization of TMC was also achieved with DBU as the catalyst. Copolymerization with TMC using stannous 2‐ethylhexanoate as the catalyst yielded random copolymers, while diblock copolymers were formed by copolymerization with LLA. With DBU as the catalyst, copolymers with LLA could not be formed, while blocky copolymers were formed with TMC. These findings should be useful in the incorporation of this monomer in the design of polymer biomaterials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 544–552     

Radical copolymerization of cyclic diarsine with vinyl monomers

1,2,4,5‐Tetramethyltetrahydrodiarsenine ( 1 ), a cyclic diarsine compound, was stirred with styrene and a catalytic amount of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a radical initiator at 80 °C for 8 h in toluene to give a copolymer containing arsenic atoms in the backbone. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) chromatogram of the copolymer showed a single peak. The number‐average molecular weight of the copolymer was estimated to be more than 10,000 by GPC analysis (CHCl₃, polystyrene standards). The structure of the copolymer was confirmed by the ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra. According to the integral ratio of peaks in the ¹H‐NMR spectrum, the content of 1 in the copolymer was smaller compared to the monomer feed ratio of 1 . Radical copolymerization of 1 with methyl methacrylate also provided the corresponding copolymer in the presence of AIBN, whereas copolymerization with vinyl acetate yielded no polymeric material. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3023–3028, 2004     

Polymerization of vinyl monomers by alkali metal–thiobenzophenone complexes

The polymerization of vinyl monomers by use of alkali metal (Li, Na, K)–thiobenzophenone complexes was studied. Monoalkali metal complexes of thiobenzophenone (thioketyls) induced the polymerization of vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile (AN) and methyl methacrylate (MMA), and dialkali metal complexes of thiobenzophenone (dianion) induced the polymerization of styrene (St), butadiene (Bd), and isoprene (Ip) as well as AN and MMA. The polymerization of MMA with the dianion was initiated by both the mercaptide and the carbanion of the dianion, but that of styrene was initiated by the carbanion alone. In the case of polymerization of MMA by the thioketyl, the initial rate of polymerization depended on the catalyst concentration and the square of the monomer concentration. Similar results were obtained in the case of the dianion. The polymer yield increased with increasng polarity of sovents. In the copolymerization of AN with MMA, the copolymer obtained consisted almost of AN units. From these results, it was concluded that the polymerization proceeded by anionic mechanisms.     

Radical copolymerization of 3-tri-n-butylstannylstyrene with several vinyl monomers

The free radical homopolymerization and copolymerization of 3-tri-n-butylstannylstyrene (3-BTS) with styrene (ST), ethyl acrylate (EA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), vinyl acetate (VA), and acrylonitrile (AN) were carried out using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at 60°C. It was found that the yield of conversion to poly(3-BTS) increased with the molar ratio of initiator to monomer as well as with polymerization time. The conversion at equilibrium after 50 h was about 40%. The compositions of copolymer samples were determined from elemental analyses. Monomer reactivity ratio and Q-e values were calculated. The copolymers of 3-BTS-MMA and 3-BTS-AN were found to be alternating. The copolymers of 3-BTS with MMA, EA and AN were not soluble in any of a large number of organic solvents tested. The insolubility is believed to be due to formation of intermolecular coordination among the tributylstannyl moiety and the carbonyl or cyano groups of the polymer. These copolymers, however, were “soluble” in trihaloacetic acid, but this solubility was due to a cleavage of the trialkyltin moiety from the phenyl groups. The glass temperatures, T_g, and melting temperatures T_m, of the various polymers were also studied.     

Anionic graft copolymerization of diene polymers with vinyl monomers

A mixture of homopolymer and graft copolymer was obtained by adding the monomer at 0°C to the polylithiodiene solution. Styrene, methyl methacrylate, and acrylonitrile were used as the monomers. Polylithiodienes were prepared by the metalation of diene polymers, i.e., polybutadiene or polyisoprene, with the use of n-butyllithium in the presence of a tertiary amine (N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) in n-heptane. The graft copolymers were separated by solvent extraction and were confirmed by turbidimetric titration and elementary analysis. Oxidation of the polybutadiene–styrene grafts revealed that the molecular weight of the side chains was the same as the molecular weight of the free polystyrene formed. The grafting efficiency and grafting percentage were studied for polybutadiene–styrene graft copolymers prepared under various conditions.     

Spontaneous copolymerization of 1,3-cyclohexadiene with polar vinyl monomers

In the reactions of 1,3-cyclohexadiene(1,3-CHD) with polar vinyl monomers, CH₂?C(X)Y (X is -? CN and ? CO₂CH₃; Y is ? CI, ? H, and ? CH₃), the two α-chlorosubstituted monomers underwent rapid spontaneous copolymerization, accompanied by the formation of a small amount of cycloadduct. Both polar monomers also gave predominantly copolymers in the reaction with 1,3-cycloheptadiene(1,3-CHpD) in lower yield. 1,3-Cyclooctadiene (1,3-COD) reacted only with α-chloroacrylonitrile (CAN) to give a copolymer, while only cycloaddition took place in systems involving cyclopentadiene(CPD) as diene. The charge–transfer (CT) complex formation of 1,3-CHD with CAN and methyl α-chloroacrylate(MCA) was confirmed by ultraviolet spectroscopic studies and the equilibrium constants estimated were 0.18 and 0.07 liter/mole, respectively, at 25°C in chloroform as solvent. The activation energies for the copolymerizations of 1,3-CHD with CAN and MCA in benzene were determined to be ca. 6.6 and 9.6 kcal/mole, respectively. In the system composed of 1,3-CHD and CAN, only the copolymerization was affected by solvents used and oxygen. Although addition of ZnCl₂ to the system resulted in the acceleration of the both reactions, the variation in the product ratio of copolymer to cycloadduct with ZnCl₂ concentration showed a maximum. Based on the results in the present and preceding studies for systems involving 1,3-cyclodienes and acceptor monomers, the relationship between the cycloaddition and the spontaneous copolymerization is discussed.     

Homopolymerization and copolymerization of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate

This article describes the homopolymerization of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) and its copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in acetonitrile in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile. The constant characteristic of IEM polymerizability (k_p²/k_te = 128 × 10^?3 L mol^?1 s^?1, where k_p is the propagation constant and k_te is the termination constant) was determined. The study of IEM reactivity toward MMA gave ratios of 0.88 and 1.20 for IEM and MMA, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the IEM homopolymer and IEM/MMA copolymers were also studied. The glass‐transition temperature of poly(isocyanatoethyl methacrylate) was found to be 47 °C. From the thermogravimetric analysis of the weight‐loss percentage corresponding to the first wave of the thermogram, it was shown that the degradation mechanism of the IEM/MMA copolymers started from the isocyanate group. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4762–4768, 2006     

Dispersion copolymerization of styrene and other vinyl monomers in polar solvents

Dispersion polymerization is a very attractive method for preparing micrometer‐size monodisperse polymer particles. The applications of microspheres have been greatly expanded by the use of copolymers. Here, the dispersion copolymerization of styrene and seven other vinyl monomers was carried out in polar solvents. The effect of the different comonomers on the particle size was systematically investigated. The particle size first decreased and then increased with an increasing fraction of acrylamide in the monomer feed, and at a higher fraction of such a comonomer, only a gel‐like polymer was obtained. The particle size also increased with the increase in the contents of the hydrophilic comonomers in the monomer mixtures, and the copolymer molecular weight decreased meanwhile. Although the amount of the hydrophobic comonomer in the monomer mixture changed, the particle size was hardly affected. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 555–561, 2001     

Polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by organoaluminium compounds/benzoyl peroxide systems

The free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by systems comprizing benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and different organoaluminium compounds (OACs) has been studied. The influence of the type of OAC, concentration of components of the initiation system, temperature, and time on the reaction yield have been determined. Systems containing BPO and diethylaluminium chloride (Et₂AlCl) have been found to enable us to obtain, in high yields at room temperature, of homopolymers of MMA, methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile (AN), vinyl acetate, and the alternating AN/styrene (St) copolymer; they are, however, not very active in the homopolymerization of St and vinyl chloride. Factors affecting the polymerization yield have been discussed in terms of the mechanism of the reaction between BPO and OACs, reactivity of alkyl radicals formed in these systems, and catalytic effect of OAC in the propagation step.     

Cationic copolymerization behavior of cyclic ether monomers with norbornene‐containing cyclic carbonate or spiro–orthoether structure

Cationic ring‐opening copolymerizations of various cyclic ether compounds with volume expanding monomers bearing norbornene backbones [norbornene‐spiro orthocarbonate (N‐SOC) and norbornene‐cyclic carbonate (N‐CC)] were carried out in the presence of a thermally latent initiator 1 . The 10% weight loss decomposition temperatures (T_d10) and the volume changes on the copolymerizations were measured for these resultant products. In the comparison between copolymerizations of bifunctional epoxide 2 with N‐SOC and with N‐CC, it was found that N‐CC served as a more useful volume controllable comonomer than N‐SOC. The copolymerizations with N‐CC yielded the products with a decrease in the volume change (volume shrinkage) and with an increase in the monomer feed ratio of N‐CC; T_d10 was relatively similar to the homopolymer of epoxide 2 and was observed except when the proportion of N‐CC was more than 20% in the monomer feed ratio of N‐CC. In contrast, similar copolymerizations with N‐SOC did not exhibit such tendencies, probably because of the low efficiency of the copolymerization derived from the low miscibility of N‐SOC for the epoxide. The other copolymerization systems of other bi‐ and monocyclic ether compounds ( 3 – 6 and phenyl glycidyl ether) with N‐CC also indicated an almost similar tendency toward that of the copolymerization with epoxide 2 . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5113–5120, 2004