Well-Defined Aminophenolate Zinc and Magnesium Complexes as Excellent Inhitiators for the ROP of Lactides

A series of molecular homo and heteroleptic zinc and magnesium compounds with aminophenolate ligands [(µ,η²-L²)ZnEt]₂ ( 1 ), [(η²-L²)Zn(µ-BnO)]₂ ( 2 ), [Zn(η²-L²)₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(η²-L³)₂] ( 4 ), [Mg(η²-L³)₂] ( 5 ) (L²-H = N-[methylene(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)]-N-methyl-N-cyclohexylamine, L³-H = N-[methylene(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)]-N-methyl-N-methyl-1,3-dioxolaneamine) have been prepared and characterized. The homoleptic complexes 3–5 are most probably a mixture of diastereoisomers that in solution show an interesting dynamics which plays an important role in their catalytic behavior. The complexes 2 – 5 are efficient initiators in ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactides to produce polymers with desired molecular weight and narrow polydispersity.     

The Protonation of Acetamide and Thioacetamide in Super­acidic Solutions: Crystal Structures of [H3CC(OH)NH2]+AsF6– and [H3CC(SH)NH2]+AsF6–

Acetamide and thioacetamide react with the superacid solutions HF/MF₅ (M = As, Sb) under formation of the corresponding salts [H₃CC(OH)NH₂]⁺MF₆^– and [H₃CC(SH)NH₂]⁺MF₆^– (M = As, Sb), respectively. The reaction of DF/AsF₅ with acetamide and thioacetamide lead to the corresponding deuterated salts [H₃CC(OD)ND₂]⁺AsF₆^– and [H₃CC(SD)ND₂]⁺AsF₆^–, respectively_. The salts are characterized by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy, and in the case of [H₃CC(OH)NH₂]⁺AsF₆^– and [H₃CC(SH)NH₂]⁺AsF₆^– also by single‐crystal X‐ray analyses. The [H₃CC(OH)NH₂]⁺AsF₆^– ( 1 ) salt crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar{1}$ with two formula units per unit cell, and the [H₃CC(SH)NH₂]⁺AsF₆^– ( 2 ) salt crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with four formula units per unit cell. In both crystal structures three‐dimensional networks are observed which are formed by intra‐ and intermolecular N–H ··· F and O–H ··· F or S–H ··· F hydrogen bonds, respectively. For the vibrational analyses, quantum chemically calculated spectra of the cations [H₃CC(OH)NH₂ · 3HF]⁺ and [H₃CC(SH)NH₂ · 2HF]⁺ are considered.     

Photoinitiated cationic polymerization with triarylsulfonium salts

Triarylsulfonium salts Ar₃S⁺MX_n⁻ with complex metal halide anions such as BF₄⁻, AsF₆⁻, PF₆⁻, and SbF₆⁻ are a new class of highly efficient photoinitiators for cationic polymerization. In this article we describe several synthetic routes to the preparation of these compounds along with their physical and spectroscopic properties. Mechanistic studies have shown that when these compounds are irradiated at wavelengths of 190–365 nm carbon-sulfur bond cleavage occurs to form radical fragments. At the same time the strong Brϕnsted acid HMX_n, which is the active initiator of cationic polymerization that takes place in subsequent “dark” steps, is also produced. A study of the parameters that affect the photolysis of triarylsulfonium salts is reported with a measurement of the absolute quantum yields. The cationic polymerizations of four typical monomers—styrene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, tetrahydrofuran, and 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether—with triarylsulfonium salt photoinitiators are described.     

Über die Darstellung der Dimercapto(methyl)sulfonium-Salze[CH3S(SH)2]+AsF−6 und [CH3S(SH)2]+SbCl−6 und der Bis(chlorthio)Methylsulfonium-Salze [CH3S(SCI)2]+ AsF6−und [CH3S(SCL)2]+SbCl−6

On the Preparation of Dimercapto(methyl)Sulfonium Salts [CH₃S(SH)₂]⁺ AsF₆^? and [CH₃S(SH)₂]⁺SbCl₆^? and the Bis(chlorothio)methylsulfonium Salts [CH₃S(SCI)₂]⁺ AsF₆^? and [CH₃S(SCI)₂]⁺ SbCl₆^? The preparation of the dimercapto(methyl)sulfonium salts [CH₃S(SH)₂]⁺ AsF₆^? and [CH₃S(SH)₂]⁺SbCl₆^? from [CH₃SCl₂]⁺ salts and H₂S at 195 K is reported. The salts are stable below 210 K. They are characterized by additional Raman spektroscopic measurements of the isotopic labelled cations [CH₃S(SD)₂]⁺, [CH₃S(³⁴SH)₂]⁺ and [CH₃S(₃₄SD)₂]⁺. The dimercapto(methyl)sulfonium salts are transfered into bis(chlorthio)methylsulfonium salts by reaction with Cl₂ at 195 K.     

The Influence of the Counterions [AsF6]– and [GeF6]2– on the Structure of the [ClSO2NH3]+ Cation

Chlorosulfonamide reacts in the superacidic solutions HF/GeF₄ and HF/AsF₅ under the formation of ([ClSO₂NH₃]⁺)₂[GeF₆]^2– and [ClSO₂NH₃]⁺[AsF₆]^–, respectively. The chlorosulfonammonium salts were characterized by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis as well as vibrational spectroscopy and discussed together with quantum chemical calculations. ([ClSO₂NH₃]⁺)₂[GeF₆]^2– crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with one formula unit in the unit cell. [ClSO₂NH₃]⁺[AsF₆]^– crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with four formula units in the unit cell. Dependent on the counterion, [AsF₆]^– or [GeF₆]^2–, considerable structural differences of the [ClSO₂NH₃]⁺ cation are observed. Furthermore, the hitherto unknown X‐ray single crystal structure of chlorosulfonamide is determined in the course of this study. Chlorosulfonamide crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmc2 with four formula units per unit cell.     

Insight into Oxide‐Bridged Heterobimetallic Al/Zr Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Reaction of (TBBP)AlMe ? THF with [Cp*₂Zr(Me)OH] gave [(TBBP)Al(THF)?O?Zr(Me)Cp*₂] (TBBP=3,3’,5,5’‐tetra‐tBu‐2,2'‐biphenolato). Reaction of [DIPPnacnacAl(Me)?O?Zr(Me)Cp₂] with [PhMe₂NH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? gave a cationic Al/Zr complex that could be structurally characterized as its THF adduct [(DIPPnacnac)Al(Me)?O?Zr(THF)Cp₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? (DIPPnacnac=HC[(Me)C=N(2,6‐iPr₂?C₆H₃)]₂). The first complex polymerizes ethene in the presence of an alkylaluminum scavenger but in the absence of methylalumoxane (MAO). The adduct cation is inactive under these conditions. Theoretical calculations show very high energy barriers (ΔG=40–47 kcal mol^?1) for ethene insertion with a bridged AlOZr catalyst. This is due to an unfavorable six‐membered‐ring transition state, in which the methyl group bridges the metal and ethene with an obtuse metal‐Me‐C angle that prevents synchronized bond‐breaking and making. A more‐likely pathway is dissociation of the Al‐O‐Zr complex into an aluminate and the active polymerization catalyst [Cp*₂ZrMe]⁺.     

Phosphido‐diphosphine pincer group 3 complexes as efficient initiators for lactide polymerization

New Group 3 metal complexes of the type [LM(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)_n] supported by tridentate phosphido‐diphosphine ligands [(o‐C₆H₄PR₂) ₂ PH; L1‐H : R = iPr; L2‐H : R = Ph] have been synthesized by reaction of L1‐H and L2‐H with [M(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂)] (M = Y and Sc). All the new complexes [(o‐C₆H₄PR₂) ₂ PM(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)_n] [M = Y, R = iPr (1), R = Ph (2); M = Sc, R = iPr (3), R = Ph (4)] were studied as initiators for the ring opening polymerization of lactide. The yttrium complexes ( 1 and 2 ) exhibited high activity and good polymerization control, shown by the linear fits in the plot of number‐averaged molecular weight (M_n) versus the percentage conversion and versus the monomer/initiator ratio and by the low polydispersity index values. Interestingly, very good molar‐mass control was observed even when L ‐Lactide was polymerized in the absence of solvent at 130 °C. A good molar‐mass control but lower activities were observed in the polymerization reaction of lactide promoted by the analogous scandium complexes 3 and 4 . © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1374–1382, 2010     

THE METASTABLE PARTIALLY POSITIVELY CHARGED Se6 MOLECULE: PREPARATION,CHARACTERISATION AND X-RAY CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF [Ag2(Se6)(SO2)2][Sb(OTeF5)6]2, [Ag2Se6][AsF6]2 AND [AgSe6][Ag2(SbF6)3]

Reactions designed to give Se₆[Sb(OTeF₅)₆]₂ by the reaction of Se₂Br₂, 4Se, and 2Ag[Sb(OTeF₅)₆] lead to products that include [Ag₂(Se₆)(SO₂)₂][Sb(OTeF₅)₆]₂(1). The distorted cubic (Ag₂Se₆ ²⁺) _n consists of a Se₆ molecule bicapped by two silver cations (local D_3d sym.). Reactions of AgMX₆ (M = As, Sb) with selenium in liquid SO₂ yielded crystals of [Ag₂Se₆][AsF₆]₂ (2) and [AgSe₆][Ag₂(SbF₆)₃] (3). Both salts contain stacked arrays of [AgSe₆]⁺ half-sandwich cationic units. [Ag₂Se₆][AsF₆]₂ in addition contains stronger, linear Se─Ag─Se horizontal linkages between the vertically stacked cationic columns. [AgSe₆][Ag₂(SbF₆)₃] features a remarkable three-dimensional [Ag₂(SbF₆)₃]^? anion held together by strong Sb─F···Ag contacts between component Ag⁺ and SbF₆ ^? ions. Hexagonal channels through this honeycomb-like anion are filled by the stacked [AgSe₆ ⁺]_x.     

Protonation of γ-Butyrolactone and γ-Butyrolactam

Abstract : γ-Butyrolactone and γ-butyrolactam were reacted in the superacidic systems XF/MF₅ (X=H, D; M=As, Sb). Salts of the monoprotonated species of γ-butyrolactone were obtained in terms of [(CH₂)₃OCOH]⁺[AsF₆]⁻, [(CH₂)₃OCOH]⁺[SbF₆]⁻ and [(CH₂)₃OCOD]⁺[AsF₆]⁻ and the analogous lactam salts in terms of [(CH₂)₃NHCOH]⁺[AsF₆]⁻, [(CH₂)₃NHCOH]⁺[SbF₆]⁻ and [(CH₂)₃NDCOD]⁺[AsF₆]⁻. The salts were characterized by low temperature Raman and infrared spectroscopy and for both protonated hexafluoridoarsenates, [(CH₂)₃OCOH]⁺[AsF₆]⁻ and [(CH₂)₃NHCOH]⁺[AsF₆]⁻, single-crystal X-ray structure analyses were conducted. In addition to the experimental results, quantum chemical calculations were performed on the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. As in both crystal structures C⋅⋅⋅F contacts were observed, the nature of these contacts is discussed with Mapped Electrostatic Potential as a rate of strength.     

Synthesis of novel tetrahydrofuran‐epichlorohydrin [poly(THF‐b‐ECH)] macromonomeric peroxy initiators by cationic copolymerization and the quantum chemically investigation of initiation system effects

Cationic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and epichlorohydrin (ECH) was performed with peroxy initiators synthesized from bis (4,4′‐bromomethyl benzoyl peroxide (BBP) or bromomethyl benzoyl t‐butyl peroxy ester (t‐BuBP) and AgSbF₆ or ZnCl₂ system at 0 °C to obtain the poly(THF‐b‐ECH) macromonomeric peroxy initiators. Kinetic studies were accomplished for poly(THF‐b‐ECH) initiators. Poly(THF‐b‐ECH‐b‐MMA) and poly(THF‐b‐ECH‐b‐S) block copolymers were synthesized by bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (S) with poly(THF‐b‐ECH) initiators. The quantum chemical calculations for the block copolymers, the initiating systems of the cationic polymerization of THF and ECH were achieved using HYPERCHEM 7.5 program. The optimized geometries of the polymers were investigated with the quantum chemical calculations. Poly(THF‐b‐ECH) initiators having peroxygen groups were used for graft copolymerization of polybutadien (PBd) to obtain poly(THF‐b‐ECH‐g‐PBd) crosslinked graft copolymers. The graft copolymers were investigated by sol‐gel analysis. Swelling ratio values of the graft copolymers in CHCl₃ were calculated. The characterizations of the polymers were achieved by FTIR, ¹H NMR, GPC, SEM, TEM, and DSC techniques. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2896–2909, 2010     

Über die Darstellung der Trimercaptosulfoniumsalze [S(SH)3]+AsF6− und [S(SH)3]+SbCl6−

Preparation of Trimercaptosulfonium Salts [S(SH)₃]⁺AsF₆^? and [S(SH)₃]⁺SbCl₆^? The preparation of the trimercaptosulfonium salts [S(SH)₃]⁺AsF₆^? and [S(SH)₃]⁺SbCl₆^? from SCl₃⁺ salts with excessive H₂S at 193 K is reported. The [S(SH)₃]⁺SbCl₆^? is transferred into [S(SCl)₃]⁺SbCl₆^? by reaction with Cl₂ at low temperatures. The new [S(SH)₃]⁺ cation is isoelectronic to P(PH₂)₃. In addition, its existence is supported by an ab-initio calculation. The results show a potential well for C_3v configuration with SH bonds bended towards the top of the pyramid for the isolated ion. Also the results of a force-field calculation are reported.     

Convenient Access to α‐Fluorinated Alkylammonium Salts

A series of novel α‐fluoroalkyl ammonium salts was obtained from the corresponding cyano compounds or nitriles by reaction with anhydrous HF. Room‐temperature stable trifluoromethyl ammonium salts were obtained in quantitative yield in a one‐step reaction at ambient temperature from the commercially available starting materials BrCN or ClCN. The novel cations [CF₃CF₂NH₃]⁺, [HCF₂CF₂NH₃]⁺, and [(NH₃CF₂)₂]²⁺ were obtained from CF₃CN, HCF₂CN, and (CN)₂, respectively, and anhydrous HF. The aforementioned fluorinated ammonium cations were isolated as room temperature stable [AsF₆]^? and/or [SbF₆]^? salts, and characterized by multi‐nuclear NMR and vibrational spectroscopy. The salts [HCF₂NH₃][AsF₆] and [CF₃NH₃][Sb₂F₁₁] were characterized by their X‐ray crystal structure.     

A cationic bridged zirconocene complex as the catalyst for the stereospecific polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The cationic bridged zirconocene complex [iPr(Cp)(Ind)Zr(Me)(THF)][BPh₄] ( 1 ‐BPh₄) was synthesized. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with 1 ‐BPh₄ in CH₂Cl₂ at temperatures between –20 and 20°C led to the formation of isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate). The low polydispersity index of the polymer obtained and a successful two step polymerization of methyl methacrylate with 1 ‐BPh₄ are hints towards a living polymerization mechanism. ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis revealed an enantiomorphic site‐controlled mechanism for the formation of isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the cationic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran in solution. I. THF–CCI4 system

Polymerization of THF in CCl₄ solvent was initiated with 1,3-dioxolan-2-ylium eations with AsF₆^?, PF₆^?, and SbF₆^? anions as well as with esters of fluorosulfonic and trifluoromethanesulfonic acids. With these esters polymerization proceeds with a marked acceleration period, due to slow initiation. The corresponding rate constants of initiation and their dependence on the polarity of the THF/CCl₄ mixture were determined. The rate constant of propagation on the macroion-pairs (k_p^±) of the polytetrahydrofurylium cation with AsF₆^?, PF₆^?, and SbF₆^? and CF₃SO₃^?, anions was found to be independent in CCl₄ solvent on the anion structure and given by the expression: k_p^± = 2.93 × 10^?2 exp {?4.7 × 10³/T} at [THF]₀ = 8.0M. This constant depends on the polarity of the polymerization mixture, and at 25°C for the THF-CCl₄ system, k_p^± = 1.78 × 10^?2 exp {?4.9/D}; thus, in CCl₄ at [THF]₀ = 8.0M, and at 25° k_p^± = 4.0 × 10^?21/mole-sec. In the polymerization with derivatives of CF₃SO₃H (able to form the corresponding macroester) the overall polymerization rate is much lower than that with complex anions because of the reversible conversion of the macroion-pairs into the macroester (internal return). The macroester is much less reactive than the macroionpair (10²–10³ times) in the monomer addition reaction. At [THF]₀ = 8.0M and at 25°C, 96.5% of the growing species exists in the macroester form. Polymerization of THF initiated with derivatives of CF₃SO₃H is a subject of a strong special salt-effect. At a sufficiently high ratio of [AgSbF₆] to [I]₀, where the initiator I is C₂H₅OSO₂CF₃, the overall polymerization rate is equal to that observed for the polymerization of THF on the macroion-pairs, since the internal return within the triflate ion-pair (the macroester formation) is eliminated and polymerization proceeds on the macroion-pairs with SbF₆- anions exclusively.     

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of carbazolyl-containing epoxy monomers by triphenyl carbenium salts as thermal- and photolatent initiators

Abstract  

Photoinitiated cationic polymerizations of various epoxy monomers bearing a carbazole moiety, 9-[3-(allyloxy)-2-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)propyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-methoxy-2-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)propyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[2-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)ethyl]-9H-carbazole, as well as a composition of 3,6-dibromo-9-(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)-9H-carbazole with 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate were investigated in bulk using triphenyl carbenium salts having anions such as BF₄ ⁻, SnCl₅ ⁻, and SbCl₆ ⁻. Dark polymerizations of the carbazolyl monomers in the presence of the initiators are studied. These photoinduced polymerization reactions give oligomers of degree of polymerization 4-22. The effect of the anion of the photoinitiator and polymerization time on the polymerization reaction is discussed.     

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of carbazolyl-containing epoxy monomers by triphenyl carbenium salts as thermal- and photolatent initiators

Abstract  Photoinitiated cationic polymerizations of various epoxy monomers bearing a carbazole moiety, 9-[3-(allyloxy)-2-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)propyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[3-methoxy-2-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)propyl]-9H-carbazole, 9-[2-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)ethyl]-9H-carbazole, as well as a composition of 3,6-dibromo-9-(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)-9H-carbazole with 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate were investigated in bulk using triphenyl carbenium salts having anions such as BF₄ ⁻, SnCl₅ ⁻, and SbCl₆ ⁻. Dark polymerizations of the carbazolyl monomers in the presence of the initiators are studied. These photoinduced polymerization reactions give oligomers of degree of polymerization 4-22. The effect of the anion of the photoinitiator and polymerization time on the polymerization reaction is discussed. Graphical abstract        

The Simultaneous Oxidation of Tellurium and Transition Metals by AsF5 – Syntheses and Crystal Structures of [M(SO2)6](Te6)[AsF6]6 (M = Ni,Zn) and [Cd(SO2)2][AsF6]2

The reactions of elemental nickel and tellurium and of ZnTe with excess AsF₅ in liquid SO₂ yield [M(SO₂)₆](Te₆)[AsF₆]₆ (M = Ni, Zn) as orange crystals. The crystal structure determinations (triclinic, , M = Ni: a = 1632.59(2), b = 1795.06(1), c = 1822.97(2) pm, α = 119.11(4), β = 90.78(4), γ = 106.28(4)°, V = 4408.24(8)·10⁶pm³, Z = 4) show the two compounds to be isotypic. The structures are made up of discrete [M(SO₂)₆]²⁺ complexes, Te₆⁴⁺ clusters and octahedral [AsF₆]^? ions. In the [M(SO₂)₆]²⁺ complexes the metal ions are surrounded octahedrally by six SO₂ molecules bound via the O atoms. The Te₆⁴⁺ polycations are of trigonal prismatic shape with short Te–Te bonds within the triangular faces (270 pm) and long Te–Te bonds along the edges parallel to the pseudo C₃ axes of the prisms (312 pm). The arrangement of the ions is related to the Li₃Bi structure type. [M(SO₂)₆]²⁺ complexes and Te₆⁴⁺ polycations together form a distorted cubic closest packing with all tetrahedral and octahedral interstices filled by [AsF₆]^? ions. The analogous reaction starting from CdTe did not yield a compound containing simultaneously [Cd(SO₂)_n]²⁺ complexes and tellurium polycations but instead Te₆[AsF₆]₄ · 2 SO₂ besides [Cd(SO₂)₂][AsF₆]₂ were obtained. It crystallizes isotypically to [Mn(SO₂)₂][AsF₆]₂ (Mews, Zemva, 2001) (orthorhombic, Fdd2, a = 1534.96(3), b = 1812.89(3), c = 892.28(3) pm, V = 2483·10⁶ pm³, Z = 4).     

Living cationic polymerization of isobutylene coinitiated by FeCl3 in the presence of isopropanol

A simple but effective FeCl₃‐based initiating system has been developed to achieve living cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) using di(2‐chloro‐2‐propyl) benzene (DCC) or 1‐chlorine‐2,4,4‐trimethylpentane (TMPCl) as initiators in the presence of isopropanol (iPrOH) at ?80 °C for the first time. The polymerization with near 100% of initiation efficiency proceeded rapidly and completed quantitatively within 10 min. Polyisobutylenes (PIBs) with designed number‐average molecular weights (M_n) from 3500 to 21,000 g mol^?1, narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD, M_w/M_n ≤ 1.2) and near 100% of tert‐Cl terminal groups could be obtained at appropriate concentrations of iPrOH. Livingness of cationic polymerization of IB was further confirmed by all monomer in technique and incremental monomer addition technique. The kinetic investigation on living cationic polymerization was conducted by real‐time attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The apparent constant of rate for propagation (k_p^A) increased with increasing polymerization temperature and the apparent activation energy (ΔE_a) for propagation was determined to be 14.4 kJ mol^?1. Furthermore, the triblock copolymers of PS‐b‐PIB‐b‐PS with different chain length of polystyrene (PS) segments could be successfully synthesized via living cationic polymerization with DCC/FeCl₃/iPrOH initiating system by sequential monomer addition of IB and styrene at ?80 °C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or THF/toluene mixture at ?78°C initiated by triphenylmethyl sodium or lithium as initiators. Highly syndiotactic PMMA of low polydispersity (M _w/m _n = 1.11–1.17) could be prepared with triphenylmethyl lithium in THF or THF/toluene mixture at ? 78°C. Moreover, PMMA macromonomer having one vinylbenzyl group per polymer chain was prepared by the couplings of living PMMA initiated by triphenylmethyl lithium with p-chloromethyl styrene (CMS) at ?78°C. The coupling reaction of living PMMA initiated by triphenylmethyl sodium with CMS was scarcely occurred.     

Isobutene polymerization initiated by [CP*TiMe2]+ in the presence of a series of novel,weakly coordinating counteranions

The highly electrophilic borane B(C₆F₅)₃ reacts with n‐octadecanol (n‐C₁₈H₃₇OH) and n‐octadecanethiol (n‐C₁₈H₃₇SH) to form the 1:1 adducts (n‐C₁₈H₃₇EH)B(C₆F₅)₃ (E = O or S). The latter are acidic and react with Cp*TiMe₃ in methylene chloride and toluene to give methane and the complexes [Cp*TiMe₂][(n‐C₁₈H₃₇E)B(C₆F₅)₃], which are very good initiators for the carbocationic polymerization of isobutene (IB) from ?40 to ?20 °C. High conversions to high molecular weight polyisobutene (PIB) in methylene chloride and moderate conversions to high molecular weight PIB in toluene are observed and are consistent with the anions [(n‐C₁₈H₃₇E)B(C₆F₅)₃]^? being very weakly coordinating. Although polymerization in methylene chloride is too rapid for the temperature to be controlled, polymerization in toluene is slower, and the temperatures can be controlled so that Arrhenius‐type plots of the logarithm of the number‐average molecular weight versus T^?1 = 1/T may be obtained. Activation energies for the degree of polymerization in these polymerization reactions and similar polymerizations carried out with n‐C₁₈H₃₇EH:borane ratios of 1:2 and with the activators [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] and Al(C₆F₅)₃ range from ?11 to ?27 kJ mol^?1, values comparable to those for most conventional IB polymerization initiators. However, the values of the weight‐average and number‐average molecular weights are unusually high for the temperatures used, and this is consistent with current theories of the role of weakly coordinating anions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3302–3311, 2002