Synthesis and characterization of thiophene‐substituted N‐phenyl maleimide polymers by photoinduced radical polymerization

Two types of novel functionalized N‐[4‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]maleimide and N‐(4‐{[2‐(3‐thienyl)acetyl]oxyphenyl}oxycarbonylphenyl)maleimide (MIThi) were synthesized starting from 4‐maleimido benzoic acid. Photoinduced radical homopolymerization of MIThi and its copolymerization with styrene were performed at room temperature to give linear polymers containing pendant thienyl moieties using ω,ω‐dimethoxy‐ω‐phenylacetophenone as an initiator. Copolymers' compositions and the equilibrium constant (K) for electron donor–acceptor complex formation suggest an alternating nature of the copolymerization. The monomer reactivity ratios and Alfrey–Price Q,e values were also determined. The thermal behavior of the new synthesized monomers and polymers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 995–1004, 2002     

Design of maleimide monomer for higher level of alternating sequence in radical copolymerization with styrene

This work deals with design of maleimide monomer toward more precise control of alternating sequence for radical copolymerization with styrene. Crucial in this study is sequence analysis by MALDI‐TOF‐MS for resultant copolymers that was obtained via ruthenium‐catalyzed living radical copolymerization with a malonate‐based alkyl halide initiator showing selective initiation ability. The copolymers of a simple N‐alkyl maleimide [e.g., N‐ethyl maleimide (EMI)] with styrene gave complicated peak patterns for the MALDI‐TOF‐MS spectra indicating low degree of alternating sequence, in contrary to expectation from the reactivity ratios (almost zero). A simple substitution of methyl group (CH₃) of EMI with trifluoromethyl (CF₃: CF₃‐MI) made the peak patterns much simpler giving the copolymer with higher alternating sequence. More interestingly, the peak interval of the copolymer at earlier polymerization stage was equal to sum of the molecular weights of CF₃‐MI and styrene, suggesting possibility of the pair propagation of the monomers. Indeed, ¹H NMR analyses of the mixture of maleimide with styrene suggested stronger interaction of CF₃‐MI than EMI. Based on the results, maleimide derivatives carrying a substituent‐designable electron‐withdrawing group [ROC(?O)N–: R = substituent] were newly designed toward incorporation of functional side chains. They also gave higher alternating sequence for the copolymerization with styrene. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 367–375     

Preparation of block copolymers via Diels Alder reaction of maleimide‐ and anthracene‐end functionalized polymers

A number of diblock copolymers were successfully prepared by Diels–Alder reaction, between maleimide‐ and anthracene‐end functionalized poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in toluene, at 110 °C. For this purpose, 2‐bromo‐2‐methyl‐propionic acid 2‐(3,5‐dioxo‐10‐oxa‐4‐azatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec‐8‐en‐4‐yl)‐ethyl ester, 2 , 9‐anthyrylmethyl 2‐bromo‐2‐methyl propanoate, 3 , and 2‐bromo‐propionic acid 2‐(3,5‐dioxo‐10‐oxa‐4‐azatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec‐8‐en‐4‐yl)‐ethyl ester, 4 , were used as initiators in atom transfer radical polymerization, in the presence of Cu(I) salt and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), at various temperatures. On the other hand, PEG with maleimide‐ or anthracene‐end functionality was achieved by esterification between monohydroxy PEG and succinic acid monoathracen‐9‐ylmethyl ester, 1 , or 4‐maleimido‐benzoyl chloride. Thus‐obtained PMMA‐b‐PS, PEG‐b‐PS, PtBA‐b‐PS, and PMMA‐b‐PEG block copolymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, UV, and GPC. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1667–1675, 2006     

Preparation of ABC miktoarm star terpolymer containing poly(ethylene glycol), polystyrene,and poly(tert‐butylacrylate) arms by combining diels–alder reaction,atom transfer radical,and stable free radical polymerization routes

The ABC type miktoarm star terpolymer was prepared utilizing “core‐in” and “core‐out” methods via combination of Diels–Alder reaction (DA), stable free radical polymerization (SFRP), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, in DA reaction, poly(ethylene glycol)‐maleimide (PEG‐maleimide) precursor was reacted with succinic acid anthracen‐9‐ylmethyl ester 3‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methyl‐propionyloxy)‐2‐methyl‐2‐[2‐phenyl‐2‐(2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐piperidin‐1‐yloxy)‐ethoxy‐carbonyl]‐propyl ester, 8 , to give DA adduct, 9 , which has appropriate functional groups for SFRP and ATRP. Second, a previously obtained 9 was used as a macroinitiator for SFRP of styrene at 125 °C. As a third step, this PEG‐polystyrene (PEG‐PSt) precursor with a bromine functionality in the core was employed as a macroinitiator for ATRP of tert‐butylacrylate (tBA) in the presence of Cu(I)Br and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine at 80 °C to give ABC type miktoarm star terpolymer (PEG‐PSt‐PtBA) with controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity (M_w/M_n < 1.27). The obtained polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography and ¹H NMR. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 499–509, 2006     

Synthesis,structural analysis,and visualization of poly(2‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole)s and poly(3‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole)s containing chiral and achiral minidendritic substituents

The synthesis of 2‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole and 3‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole monomers containing first‐generation chiral and achiral dendritic (i.e., minidendritic) substituents, 2‐ethynyl‐9‐[3,4,5‐tris(dodecan‐1‐yloxy)benzyl]carbazole (2ECz), 3‐ethynyl‐9‐[3,4,5‐tris(dodecan‐1‐yloxy)benzyl]carbazole (3ECz), 2‐ethynyl‐9‐{3,4,5‐tris[(S)‐2‐methylbutan‐1‐yloxy]benzyl}carbazole (2ECz*), and 3‐ethynyl‐9‐{3,4,5‐tris[(S)‐2‐methylbutan‐1‐yloxy]benzyl}carbazole (3ECz*), is presented. All monomers were polymerized and copolymerized by stereospecific polymerization to produce cis‐transoidal soluble stereoisomers. A structural analysis of poly(2ECz), poly(2ECz*), poly(3ECz), poly(3ECz*), poly(2ECz*‐co‐2ECz), and poly(3ECz*‐co‐3ECz) by a combination of techniques, including ¹H NMR, ultraviolet–visible, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, thermal optical polarized microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction experiments, demonstrated that these polymers had a helical conformation that produced cylindrical macromolecules exhibiting chiral and achiral nematic phases. Individual chains of these cylindrical macromolecules were visualized by atomic force microscopy. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3509–3533, 2002     

Synthesis of a hyperbranched polythioketal with 100% degree of branching

A 100% hyperbranched polymer was successfully prepared by using 2‐[4‐(4‐mercaptobutoxy)phenoxy]‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐one as an AB₂ monomer in trifluoroacetic acid. The kinetics of the model reaction between 9‐fluorenone and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid was investigated. The reaction obeyed the second‐order kinetics, indicating that the first reaction, that is, the formation of the intermediate from 9‐fluorenone and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid, is considerably slower than the second one, that is, the reaction of the intermediate with 3‐mercaptopropionic acid. On the basis of this finding, a new monomer expected to produce a 100% branched hyperbranched polymer, 2‐[4‐(4‐mercaptobutoxy)phenoxy]‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐one, was designed and prepared. The obtained polymer was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, which confirmed that the polymer was a 100% branched hyperbranched polymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2689–2700, 2008     

Ethylene copolymerization with cyclic dienes using rac‐Et[Ind]2ZrCl2–Methylaluminoxane

The effect of the copolymerization temperature and amount of comonomer in the copolymerization of ethylene with 1,3‐cyclopentadiene, dicyclopentadiene, and 4‐vinyl‐1‐cyclohexene and the rac‐Et[Ind]₂ZrCl₂–methylaluminoxane metallocene system was studied. The amount of comonomer present in the reaction media influenced the catalytic activity. Dicyclopentadiene was the most reactive comonomer among the cyclic dienes studied. In general, copolymers synthesized at 60 °C showed higher catalytic activities. Ethylene–dicyclopentadiene copolymers with high comonomer contents (>9%) did not show melting temperatures. 1,3‐Cyclopentadiene dimerized into dicyclopentadiene during the copolymerization, giving a terpolymer of ethylene, cyclopentadiene, and dicyclopentadiene. A complete characterization of the products was carried out with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, heteronuclear chemical shift correlation, differential scanning calorimetry, and gel permeation chromatography. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 471–485, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10133     

Novel block ionomers II. Synthesis and characterization of polyisobutylene‐based block cationomers

Various novel block cationomers consisting of polyisobutylene (PIB) and poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) segments were synthesized and characterized. The specific targets were various molecular weight diblocks (PIB‐b‐PDMAEMA⁺) and triblocks (PDMAEMA⁺‐b‐PIB‐b‐PDMAEMA⁺), with the PIB blocks in the DP_n = 50–200 range (number‐average molecular weight = 3,000–9000 g/mol) connected to blocks of PDMAEMA⁺ cations in the DP_n = 5–20 range (where DP is the number‐average degree of polymerization). The overall synthetic strategy for the preparation of these block cationomers had four steps: (1) synthesis by living cationic polymerization of mono‐ and diallyltelechelic polyisobutylenes, (2) end‐group transformation to obtain PIBs fitted with termini capable of mediating the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of DMAEMA, (3) ATRP of DMAEMA, and (4) quaternization of PDMAEMA to PDMAEMA ⁺I^? by CH₃I. Scheme 1 shows the microarchitecture and outlines the synthesis route. Kinetic and model experiments provided guidance for developing convenient synthesis methods. The microarchitecture of PIB–PDMAEMA di‐ and triblocks and the corresponding block cationomers were confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and solubility studies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3679–3691, 2002     

Side‐chain polypseudorotaxanes by threading cucurbit[7]uril onto poly‐N‐n‐butyl‐N′‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium bromide chloride: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

A novel side‐chain polypseudorotaxanes P4VBVBu/CB[7] was synthesized from poly‐N‐n‐butyl‐N′‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium bromide chloride (P4VBVBu) and cucurbit [7]uril (CB[7]) in water by simple stirring at room temperature. CB[7] beads are localized on viologen units in side chains of polypseudorotaxanes as shown by ¹H NMR, IR, XRD, and UV–vis studies, and it is considered that the hydrophobic and charge‐dipole interactions are the driving forces. TGA data show that thermal stability of the polypseudorotaxanes increases with the adding of CB[7] threaded. DLS data show that P4VBVBu and CB[7] could form polypseudorotaxanes, and the average hydrodynamic radius of the polypseudorotaxanes increases with increasing the concentration of CB[7]. The typical cyclic voltammograms indicate that the oxidation reduction characteristic of P4VBVBu is remarkably affected by the addition of CB[7] because of the formation of polypseudorotaxanes and the shielding effects of CB[7] threaded on the viologen units of polypseudorotaxanes. With the increase of the concentration of KBr or K₂SO₄, the formation of the polypseudorotaxanes was inhibited due to the shielding effects of both Br^? or SO to viologen ion and K⁺ to CB[7] by UV–vis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2135–2142, 2010     

Synthesis and characterization of functional polysilanes [RMe2Si(CH2)x(Me)Si]n (R = 2‐Fu, 5‐Me‐2‐Fu, 2‐Th, 4‐Me‐2‐Th; x = 2, 3) with appended furyl/thienyl groups on the carbosilyl side chains and their application in the generation and stabilization of palladium nanoparticles

The polysilanes [RMe₂Si(CH₂)_x(Me)Si]_n [x = 2, 3; R = 2‐Fu ( 1, 2 ), 5‐Me‐2‐Fu ( 3, 4 )] bearing furyl‐substituted carbosilyl side chains have been synthesized by dehalocondensation reaction (Wurtz coupling) of the corresponding carbosilanes using sodium dispersion in refluxing toluene. On the other hand, analogous polysilanes with appended thienyl groups [x = 2, 3; R = 2‐Th ( 5, 6 ), 4‐Me‐2‐Th ( 7, 8 )] are only accessible by the reaction of the corresponding carbosilane precursors under mild Wurtz coupling conditions (THF, RT). These polysilanes reveal monomodal molecular weight distribution with M_w/PDI = 3.3–5.4 × 10⁴/1.22–1.47 ( 1–4 ) and 9.1–14.4 × 10⁴/1.45–1.61 ( 5–8 ) and are characterized by FT‐IR, multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ²⁹Si{¹H}) NMR, and UV/PL spectral studies as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Preliminary studies on the reactivity of polysilane 2 with palladium acetate (toluene, RT) reveal the formation of spherical palladium nanoparticles of size 8.2 ± 0.6 nm, which remain stable in solution for several weeks. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7816–7826, 2008     

Synthesis and miscibility studies of [60]fullerenated poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

[60]Fullerenated poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)s containing 0.6–3.0 wt % C₆₀ were synthesized. These polymers are soluble in methanol and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). [60]Fullerenated poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)s with higher C₆₀ contents are only sparingly soluble in DMF and virtually insoluble in other organic solvents. A loading of 1.2 wt % C₆₀ in poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) does not greatly affect its miscibility with poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone), poly(1‐vinylimidazole), and poly(4‐vinylpyridine). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1157–1166, 2002     

Anionic ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide in the presence of phosphonium catalysts

Anionic ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide in the presence of potassium alcoholate initiator was accelerated by addition of the bulky phosphonium salt tetrakis[cyclohexyl(methyl)amino]phosphonium‐tetrafluoroborate. Dipropylene glycol (DPG) was partially deprotonated (5%) and used as an initiator for the polymerization performed at 100 °C at normal pressure. The delocalization of the positive charge over five atoms promoted the formation of a separated ion pair, thus enhancing nucleophilicity and reactivity. Compared with those of polyaminophosphazenes and tetrabutylphosphonium cation, the average propagation rates increased in the order of Bu₄P⁺, K⁺, P, P, and ^tBuP₄H⁺. DP_n for the polymers was in the range of 20–64. Characterization of poly(propylene oxide)s by means of ¹H NMR, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) showed low polydispersities (M_w/M_n) without any byproducts or impurities. The M_w/M_n obtained was 1.03–1.09 (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and 1.11–1.15 (SEC), respectively. Values calculated from titration of the hydroxyl groups showed good agreement. Determination of the total degree of unsaturation in the range of 13–60 mmol/kg indicated larger amounts with increasing polymerization rates. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 864–873, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10163     

Soluble alkyl substituted poly(3,4‐propylenedioxyselenophene)s: A new platform for optoelectronic materials

Optical and electrochemical properties of regiosymmetric and soluble alkylenedioxyselenophene‐based electrochromic polymers, namely poly(3,3‐dibutyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐selenopheno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxephine) (PProDOS‐C₄), poly(3,3‐dihexyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐selenopheno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxephine) (PProDOS‐C₆), and poly(3,3‐didecyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐selenopheno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxephine) (PProDOS‐C₁₀), are highlighted. It is noted that these unique polymers have low bandgaps (1.57–1.65 eV), and they are exceptionally stable under ambient atmospheric conditions. Polymer films retained 82–97% of their electroactivity after 5000 cycles. The percent transmittance of PProDOS‐C_n (n = 4, 6, 10) films found to be between 55 and 59%. Furthermore, these novel soluble PProDOS‐C_n polymers showed electrochromic behavior: a color change form pure blue to highly transparent state in a low switching time (1.0 s) during oxidation with high coloration efficiencies (328–864 cm² C^?1) when compared to their thiophene analogues. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

The influence of comonomer (2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate) and keto group on photocrosslinking property of arylidene polymers

Two types of arylidene compounds were synthesized by reacting p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde with acetone [1,5‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)penta‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one] (PBHP) and cyclohexanone [2,6‐bis(4‐hydroxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone] (HBC). 1,4‐Pentadien‐3‐one‐1‐p‐hydroxyphenyl‐5‐p‐phenyl methacrylate (PHPPMA) and 4‐{[‐3‐(4‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐oxocyclohexylidene]methyl}phenyl acrylate (HBA) were prepared by reacting PBHP and HBC with methacryloyl chloride and acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine, respectively. Copolymerization of different feed compositions of PHPPMA and HBA with 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) was carried out using a free‐radical solution polymerization technique in ethyl methyl ketone (MEK) using benzoyl peroxide (BPO). All the monomer and polymers were characterized by IR and NMR (¹H/¹³C) spectroscopic techniques. The reactivity ratio of the monomers were obtained using Fineman–Ross (FR), Kelen–Tudos (KT), and extended Kelen–Tudos (exKT) methods. The photocrosslinking properties of the polymers were done using a UV absorption spectroscopy technique. Homopolymers of both the arylidene polymers shows similar trend towards the rate of photocrosslinking. The rate of photocrosslinking was enhanced when the cyclohexanone based arylidene monomer was copolymerized with HEA. Thermal stability and molecular weights (M_w and M_n) of the polymers were determined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3433–3444, 2004     

11‐Vertex arachno‐Clusters with an NB10, SNB9, and SeNB9 Skeleton

One of the two bridging protons of the aza‐nido‐decaboranes RNB₉H₁₀X can be removed by certain bases to give nido‐anions [RNB₉H₉X]^– [R/X = H/H ( 1 a ), Ph/H ( 1 b ), p‐MeC₆H₄/H ( 1 c ), Bzl/H ( 1 d ), H/N₃ ( 1 ′ a )]; the stericly demanding base 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (“proton sponge”, ps) is ideal. In the case of tBu anion, the deprotonation (→ C₄H₁₀) may be accompanied by a hydridation (→ C₄H₈), yielding the arachno‐anions [RNB₉H₁₁X]^– ( 2 a , b , d , 2 ′ a ); these are the main products, when stericly non‐demanding bases like H^– are applied. The Lewis acid BH₃ is added to 1 a and 1 ′ a to give the aza‐arachno‐undecaborates HNB₁₀H₁₂X [X = H ( 3 a ), N₃ (in position 2) ( 3 ′ a )]. Thia‐ and selenaaza‐arachno‐undecaborates, [S(RN)B₉H₁₀]^– ( 4 b , c ) and [Se(RN)B₉H₁₀]^– ( 4 ′ b , c ), are obtained from 1 b , c by the addition of sulfur or selenium, respectively. The methylation of the anions 4 c and 4 ′ c gives the thia‐ and selenaazaarachno‐undecaboranes (MeS)(RN)B₉H₁₀ ( 5 c ) and (MeSe)(RN)B₉H₁₀ ( 5 ′ c ), respectively. The action of HBF₄ on the arachno‐borates [HNB₁₀H₁₂X]^– ( 3 a , 3 ′ a ) leads to a mixture of nido‐HNB₉H₁₀X and nido‐HNB₁₀H₁₁X by the elimination of BH₃ or H₂, respectively; the aza‐nido‐decaborane predominates in the case of 3 ′ a and the aza‐nido‐undecaborane in the case of 3 a . The action of HBF₄ on the anion 4 c yields the hypho‐undecaborate [S(RN)B₉H₁₀F₂]^– ( 6 c ). The structures of the products are elucidated on the basis of ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectra, supported by 2D COSY and HMQC techniques. Two types of 11‐vertex‐arachno structures and an 11‐vertex‐hypho structure are found for the products. The crystal structures of 5 c and [Hps] 6 c · CH₂Cl₂ are reported.     

Incorporation of different conjugated linkers into low band gap polymers based on 5,6‐Bis(octyloxy)‐2,1,3 benzooxadiazole for tuning optoelectronic properties

Four new 2,1,3‐benzooxadiazole‐based donor–acceptor conjugated polymers, namely poly{9‐(9‐heptadecanyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(selenophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PSBSC), poly{9‐(9‐heptadecanyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(furan‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PFBFC), poly{9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐fluorene‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(selenophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PSBSFL), and poly{9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐fluorene‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(furan‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PFBFFL), were synthesized via Stille polycondensation reaction. All polymers were found to be soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and chlorobenzene. Their structures were verified by ¹H‐NMR and the molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The polymer films exhibited broad absorption bands. Among all polymers, photovoltaic cells based on the device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PSBSC:PC₇₁BM(1:3, w/w)/LiF/Al revealed an open‐circuit voltage of 0.62 V, a short circuit current of 7.63 mA cm^?2 and a power conversion efficiency of 1.89%. This work demonstrates a good example for tuning absorption range, energy level, and photovoltaic properties of the polymers with different spacers and donor units can offer a simple and effective method to improve the efficiency of PSCs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2459–2467     

Theoretical investigations on the carbazole‐based conjugated polymers containing electron‐donating divinylaryl

The polycarbazoles have been proved to efficiently suppress the keto defect emission. Three carbazole‐based conjugated polymers, poly[9‐methyl‐3‐(4‐vinylstyryl)‐9H‐carbazole] (PBC), poly[9‐methyl‐3‐(2‐(5‐vinylthiophen‐2‐yl)vinyl)‐9H‐carbazole] (PBT) and poly[9‐methyl‐3‐(2‐(5‐vinylfuran‐2‐yl)vinyl)‐9H‐carbazole] (PBF), were investigated by quantum‐chemical techniques, and gain a detailed understanding of the influence of carbazole units and the introduction of electron‐donating on the electronic and optical properties. The electronic properties of the neutral molecules, HOMO‐LUMO gaps (ΔE), in addition to ionization potential (I_p) and electron affinity (E_a), are studied using B3LYP density functional theory. The lowest excitation energies (E_g) and the absorption wavelength are studied using the time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The calculated results show that all three series of polymers have good planarity. And the highest‐occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energies lift about 0.36–0.61 eV and thus the I_P decrease about 0.01–0.19 eV compared to polycarbazole, suggesting the significant improved hole‐accepting and transporting abilities. By introducing the electron‐donating 1,4‐divinylphenylene or 2,5‐divinylthiophene or 2,5‐divinylfuran units in the backbone, and the lowest‐unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies decrease 0.20–0.39 eV. In addition, PBC, PBT and PBF have longer maximal absorption wavelengths than polycarbazole. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 706–714, 2009     

Phosphido‐diphosphine pincer aluminum complexes as catalysts for ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters

New aluminum alkyl complexes, supported by o‐phenylene‐derived phosphido diphosphine pro‐ligands [Ph‐PPP]‐H and [ⁱPr‐PPP]‐H ([Ph‐PPP]‐H = bis(2‐diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphine; [ⁱPr‐PPP]‐H = bis(2‐diisopropylphosphinophenyl)phosphine) are reported. Compounds [Ph‐PPP]AlMe₂ ( 1 ), [ⁱPr‐PPP]AlMe₂ ( 2 ), and [Ph‐PPP]AlⁱBu₂ ( 3 ) have been synthesized by reaction of the pro‐ligand with the appropriate trialkyl aluminum precursor and have been characterized by ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The solution NMR data and theoretical calculations suggest for all complexes trigonal bipyramidal structures with C_2v symmetry in which the phosphido diphosphine ligand acts as a κ³ coordinated ligand. All complexes promote the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone, L‐ and rac‐lactide. Polyesters with controlled molecular parameters (M_n, end groups) and low polydispersities are obtained. Upon addition of isopropanol, efficient binary catalytic systems for the immortal ring‐opening polymerization of the cyclic esters are produced. Preliminary investigations show the ability of these complexes to promote copolymerization of l ‐lactide and ?‐caprolactone to achieve copolymers whose microstructures are depending on the structure of the catalyst. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 49–60     

A photochemical route to ferrocenyl‐substituted ferrapyrrolinone complexes

In the presence of iron pentacarbonyl, photochemical reaction between phenylisocyanate and ferrocenylacetylene results in ferrapyrrolinone complex [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₂‐η³‐FcC═C(H)C(O)NPh)] ( 1 ) and maleimide 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H ‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione ( 2 ). Under similar experimental conditions, ferrocenyl−/phenyl‐substituted butadiyne primarily shows the activation of only one C☰C bond and results in ferrapyrrolinone complexes [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₂‐η³‐FcC═C(C☰CR)C(O)NPh)] ( 3 , R = Fc; 3a , R = Ph), maleimides 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐4‐(ferrocenylethynyl)‐1H –pyrrole‐2,5‐dione ( 5 ) and 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐4‐(phenylethynyl)‐1H –pyrrole‐2,5‐dione ( 5a ) and [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₂‐η³‐FcC═C(R)C(O)NPh)] ( 4 ; R  = 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H ‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione). Compound 4 consists of ferrapyrrolinone and a maleimide unit, formed by the activation of both C☰C bonds of diferrocenylbutadiyne. Activation of both C☰C bonds in a substituted butadiyne is a rare observation. Formation of the ferrapyrrolinone compounds is an advance over the earlier reported methods which generally use internal alkynes and involve prior synthesis of other clusters.     

Synthesis of hydroxy‐terminated,oligomeric poly(silarylene disiloxane)s via rhodium‐catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling and their use in the aminosilane–disilanol polymerization reaction

A series of oligomeric, hydroxy‐terminated silarylene–siloxane prepolymers of various lengths were prepared via dehydrogenative coupling between 1,4‐bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene [H(CH₃)₂SiC₆H₄Si(CH₃)₂H] and excess 1,4‐bis(hydroxydimethylsilyl)benzene [HO(CH₃)₂SiC₆H₄Si(CH₃)₂OH] in the presence of a catalytic amount of Wilkinson's catalyst [(Ph₃P)₃RhCl]. Attempts to incorporate the diacetylene units via dehydrogenative coupling polymerization between 1,4‐bis(dimethylsilyl)butadiyne [H(CH₃)₂Si? C?C? C?C? Si(CH₃)₂H] and the hydroxy‐terminated prepolymers were unsuccessful. The diacetylene units were incorporated into the polymer main chain via aminosilane–disilanol polycondensation between 1,4‐bis(dimethylaminodimethylsilyl)butadiyne [(CH₃)₂N? Si(CH₃)₂? C?C? C?C? (CH₃)₂SiN(CH₃)₂] and the hydroxy‐terminated prepolymers. Linear polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, and they were thermally crosslinked through the diacetylene units, producing networked polymeric systems. The thermooxidative stability of the networked polymers is discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1334–1341, 2002