Controlled ring-opening polymerization of cyclic carbonates and lactones by an activated monomer mechanism

This article reviews recent topics in the controlled synthesis of polycarbonates and polylactones with small polydispersity indices by activated monomer cationic ring-opening polymerizations, especially with new initiator systems, such as alcohol/protonic acid and boron alkoxide/protonic acid. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2190–2198, 2002     

Synthesis and physical properties of highly branched perfluorinated polymers from AB and AB2 monomers

Highly branched perfluorinated aromatic polyether copolymers were prepared from the polycondensation of the AB₂ monomer, 3,5‐bis[(pentafluorobenzyl)oxy]benzyl alcohol with a variety of fluoroaryl and alkyl bromide AB comonomers. The structures and comonomer distribution of the resulting polymers were characterized in detail. ¹H NMR data from kinetic trials illustrated that perfluoroaryl AB comonomer distribution correlated to AB comonomer sterics. ¹⁹F NMR data revealed that fluorinated AB monomers and 3‐bromo‐1‐propanol AB monomers were distributed within the AB₂ polymer backbone, while longer alkyl bromide AB monomers, 6‐bromo‐1‐hexanol, were mostly distributed along hyperbranched polymer chain ends. In general, as AB comonomer incorporation increased for nonsterically hindered copolymers, thermal decomposition onset increased and glass transition temperatures decreased. The combined data demonstrated the effect of comonomer distribution and sterics on physical properties of AB₂‐based polymer systems. The resulting materials were used to cast thin polymer films for measurement of contact angle, which were shown to be directly related to comonomer content. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1880–1894     

Radical polymerization in the presence of peroxide and reducing agent monomer for branched polymers

In this article, we report the radical polymerization in the presence of peroxide and commercially available or designed reducing agent monomer (RAM) for the preparation of branched poly(methyl methacrylate)s (PMMAs). The reaction behavior of the RAM was studied by NMR. Triple‐detection SEC (TD‐SEC) analysis was used to confirm the branching structure of the prepared PMMAs and to investigate the influence of peroxide concentration and RAM concentration on molecular weight and branched structure. The obtained branched PMMAs exhibited high molecular weights and relatively narrow polydispersities at high conversion of MMA. Interestingly, a significant increase in molecular weight and degree of branching of the obtained polymers are observed in higher BPO concentration, these results are quite different from that reported in the literature. The unique radical polymerization mechanism in the RAM/BPO redox‐initiated radical polymerization system resulted in branched PMMAs with high molecular weights at relatively high RAM and BPO concentrations. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 833–840     

Branched polymers through redox emulsion polymerization using peroxide monomer as the branching agent

Redox emulsion polymerization to branched vinyl polymers in the presence of 2-(tert-butylperoxy)ethyl methacrylate (BPEMA), ferrous sulfate, and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (SFS) is reported in this paper. The peroxide monomer BPEMA containing alkyl peroxide was designed for high stability during preparation and storage. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Raman, and triple-detection size-exclusion chromatography (TD-SEC) measurements were used to reveal the polymerization procedure and provide evidence of branching structure. In the case of polymerization at St₁₀₀-BPEMA_1.0-FeSO_{4 0.5}-SFS_0.2, the molecular weight increased and decreased with conversion below and above 75% monomer conversion, respectively. The decreasing of molecular weight with monomer conversion came from the increased viscosity of the micelle, which makes it difficult for the formed macromolecules containing vinyl group to participate into polymerization. Finally, the molecular weight reached a value of M_{n. SEC} = 439,200 g/mol at 92.2% conversion. In addition, the Zimm branching factor, g', also decreased and increased with conversion below and above 60% conversion, respectively, and then the g' finally attends a value of 0.41, showing high degree of branching. Branched poly(methyl methacrylate) was also prepared through this strategy, showing a versatile approach to branched vinyl polymers.     

Synthesis and characterizations of well‐defined branched polymers with AB2 branches by combination of RAFT polymerization and ROP as well as ATRP

A well‐defined branched copolymer with PLLA‐b‐PS₂ branches was prepared by combination of reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The RAFT copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) yielded poly(MA‐co‐HEA), which was used as macro initiator in the successive ROP polymerization of LLA. After divergent reaction of poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLAOH with divergent agent, the macro initiator, poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLABr₂ was formed in high conversion. The following ATRP of styrene (St) produced the target polymer, poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐(PLLA‐b‐PS₂). The structures, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the intermediates and the target polymers obtained from every step were confirmed by their ¹H NMR and GPC measurements. DSC results show one T = 3 °C for the poly(MA‐co‐HEA), T = ?5 °C, T= 122 °C, and T = 157 °C for the branched copolymers (poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLA), and T = 51 °C, T = 116 °C, and T = 162 °C for poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐(PLLA‐b‐PS₂). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 549–560, 2006     

Thermal polymerization of arylacetylenes: A stepwise activated monomer mechanism

Kinetics of the thermal polymerization of ATR(acetylene-terminated resin) model compounds, bisphenol A monobenzyl mono(ethynylaryl) ethers, was studied by means of GPC and the resulting oligomers were characterized by FTiR, UV, and H¹ NMR techniques. It was found that monomer was consumed rapidly at first, and later slowly, yielding a mixture of dimer, low oligomers (DP ⩽ 6) and higher ones. The concentrations of every lower species remained nearly constant throughout the polymerization (except first ten minutes). In order to account for these results, a new mechanism involving the activation of monomer and its attack on the end unit of the polymer chain was proposed. This is the first example of activated monomer mechanism (a. m. mechanism) for non-catalyzed polymerization of unsaturated monomers and, at the same time, the first example of stepwise a. m. mechanism. The structure of the resulting polymer will be discussed on the basis of this mechanism.     

Low-temperature polymerization of lactams by using as catalyst the salt derived from NaAlEt4 and monomer and with several compounds as initiator

Low-temperature polymerization of α-pyrrolidone, α-piperidone, and ?-caprolactam was examined by using the salts derived from NaAlEt₄ and monomer, sodium lactamates, or the salt derived from AlEt₃ and monomer as catalyst and with N-acetyl lactams, ethyl acetate, or lactones as initiator. Sodium lactamate catalyst gave unsatisfactory results in the cases of ethyl acetate or lactones initiators, and gave the following order for the relative efficiency of initiators: N-acetyl lactam > ?-caprolactone ≥ ethyl acetate > β-propiolactone. The polymerization results obtained by the salt from NaAlEt₄ catalyst–ethyl acetate initiator system were nearly the same as those with N-acetyl lactam. The increases in the degree of polymerization and in the yield of polymer were observed in case of the salt from NaAlEt₄ catalyst-lactone initiator system, particularly in the cases of α-piperidone and ?-caprolactam. Also an incorporation of initiator into polymer chain was observed.     

Cyclocondensation of F-2-methyl-2-pentene with activated methylene compounds using ‘freeze-dried’ potassium fluoride

The reactions of $\text{F}$-2-methyl-2-pentene with activated methylene compounds such as acetylacetone, ethyl acetoacetate, benzoylacetonitrile, and benzoylmethyl perfluoroalkyl ketones in the presence of potassium fluoride were carried out. Each reaction proceeded smoothly in acetonitrile at room temperature by using ‘freeze-dried’ potassium fluoride as a condensing agent. Acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate gave both divinyl ether and pyran compounds, whereas other activated methylene compounds afforded only pyrans in good yields.     

Fluorescent imprinted polymers prepared with 2-acrylamidoquinoline as a signaling monomer

[structure: see text] A cyclobarbital-selective molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared using a fluorescent functional monomer, 2-acrylamidoquinoline. This monomer was designed to increase in fluorescence intensity upon hydrogen bonding to the cyclobarbital guest. The resultant imprinted polymers exhibited the enhancement of the fluorescence intensity when cyclobarbital was bound. Our results show that this fluorescent responsive imprinting method could be useful in the development of sensors for quantification of nonfluorescent compounds.     

Stereoselectivity in metallocene-catalyzed coordination polymerization of renewable methylene butyrolactones: from stereo-random to stereo-perfect polymers

Coordination polymerization of renewable α-methylene-γ-(methyl)butyrolactones by chiral C(2)-symmetric zirconocene catalysts produces stereo-random, highly stereo-regular, or perfectly stereo-regular polymers, depending on the monomer and catalyst structures. Computational studies yield a fundamental understanding of the stereocontrol mechanism governing these new polymerization reactions mediated by chiral metallocenium catalysts.     

Radical polymerization of radical-labeled monomers: The triarylmethyl-based radical monomer as an example

Recent development of spin-labeled nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) involving successful polymer preparation with high livingness and narrow dispersity in the presence of persistent trityl-based stable radicals attached to the initiators (90% recovery of a trityl radical signal after the polymerization) led us to the preparation of stable organic radical polymers based on trityl radical-substituted monomers using NMP as the method of polymerization despite the claims in the literature about its expected failure. Here, we present successful radical polymerization and NMP of a trityl radical-based tri- and mono-monomer yielding more than 90% recovery of the trityl radical signal. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2656–2664     

Controlled synthesis of thermoresponsive polymers derived from L-proline via RAFT polymerization

Well-defined polymers derived from L-proline are synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and the amino acid-based polymers exhibit thermosensitive phase separation at lower critical solution temperatures (LCST = 15-45 degrees C) in aqueous medium.     

Synthesis of soluble branched polyimides derived from an ABB′ monomer

A novel ABB′ monomer, an isomeric mixture of 4‐[4‐(2,4‐diaminophenoxy)phenoxy]phthalic acid 2‐methyl ester, was successfully prepared. The direct polycondensation of the ABB′ monomer was carried out to form polyamic acid monomethyl ester as a precursor with an inherent viscosity of 0.30 dL/g and a number‐average molecular weight of 12,000. The degree of branching of the precursor, determined by ¹H NMR, was 0.07. The low degree of branching was caused by the differences in the reactivities of the amino groups. The shape factor was calculated to be 0.72. End‐modified reactions with acetyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, and phthalic anhydride were carried out. After the chemical imidization of the end‐modified precursors, end‐modified polyimides were successfully prepared. The end‐modified polyimides were soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide (DMF), and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone. On the basis of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry measurements of the polyimides, the 5 wt % thermal loss temperatures were determined to be 400–520 °C, and the glass‐transition temperatures were determined to be 200–258 °C. According to the X‐ray diffraction measurements, the end‐modified polyimides were amorphous. A strong but brittle film was prepared from an acetamide end‐modified polyimide solution, via casting from a DMF solution, with a tensile strength of 46 MPa, an elongation at break of 4%, and a modulus of 1.3 GPa. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3200–3211, 2004     

Controlled polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide with an activated methacrylic ester

A copolymer of N‐isopropylacrylamide with the N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester of methacrylic acid has found use in a variety of applications. Here we report our efforts to gain control over the molecular weight distribution of this copolymer with controlled radical polymerization methods, such as atom transfer radical polymerization, reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT), and nitroxide‐mediated polymerization. We have found that RAFT is capable of affording these copolymers with a polydispersity index of 1.1–1.2. Our results for all three polymerizations are reported. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6340–6345, 2004     

Formation of a supramolecular hyperbranched polymer from self-organization of an AB2 monomer containing a crown ether and two paraquat moieties

An AB2 monomer containing a bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 and two paraquat moieties was designed and prepared. It self-organized to form a supramolecular hyperbranched polymer in solution.     

Photocrosslinking and photografting of vinyl polymers using poly(styrene-co-p-vinylbenzophenone-p′-tert-butyl perbenzoate) as a comonomer

Styrene has been copolymerized with low percentages of p-vinylbenzophenone-p′-tert-butyl perbenzoate (VBPE). The resulting copolymer has been used to make graft copolymer with methyl methacrylate using UV irradiation (366 nm). The grafting efficiency has been observed to increase with time of irradiation and percentage of VBPE in the copolymer. The copolymer has also been observed to crosslink efficiently with photochemical irradiation.     

Hyperbranched polyethers by ring‐opening polymerization: Contribution of activated monomer mechanism

Propagation in the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic ethers involves nucleophilic attack of oxygen atoms from the monomer molecules on the cationic growing species (oxonium ions). Such a mechanism is known as the active chain‐end mechanism. If hydroxyl groups containing compounds are present in the system, oxygen atoms of HO? groups may compete with cyclic ether oxygen atoms of monomer molecules in reaction with oxonium ions. At the proper conditions, this reaction may dominate, and propagation may proceed by the activated monomer mechanism, that is, by subsequent addition of protonated monomer molecules to HO? terminated macromolecules. Both mechanisms may contribute to the propagation in the cationic polymerization of monomers containing both functions (i.e., cyclic ether group and hydroxyl groups) within the same molecule. In this article, the mechanism of polymerization of three‐ and four‐membered cyclic ethers containing hydroxymethyl substituents is discussed in terms of competition between two possible mechanisms of propagation that governs the structure of the products—branched polyethers containing multiple terminal hydroxymethyl groups. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 457–468, 2003     

Controlled polymerization reaction with new catalyst: Design of metalloporphyrin-acid systems for monomer activation

Metalloporphyrin initiator coupled with an appropriate organometallic Lewis acid catalyst could make possible the first example of living anionic polymerization of oxetane. Lewis acid built-in metalloporphyrins were designed as a new highly active catalyst/initiator system. The concept of monomer activation by Lewis acid was extended to the use of appropriate protonic acid.     

Free-radical polymerization of vinyl esters using fluoroalcohols as solvents: Effect of monomer structure on stereochemistry

Free-radical polymerization of vinyl esters including vinyl propionate (VPr), vinyl isobutylate (ViBu), vinyl 2,2-dimethylbutylate (VDMB), vinyl 2,2-dimethylvalerate (VDMV), vinyl 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)propionate (VF6Pi), and vinyl benzoate (VBz) was carried out using fluoroalcohols as solvents, and the tacticity of the obtained polymers was determined by NMR analysis of the produced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The polymerization of VPr, ViBu, VDMB, and VDMV, which are bulkier than VAc, in fluoroalcohols afforded polymers rich in heterotacticity (up to mr = 61%) similar to that of vinyl pivalate (VPi) whereas VAc is known to give a syndiotactic polymer under the reaction conditions used here. The polymerization of VF6Pi, which is the bulkiest among the monomers used in this study, gave a polymer rich in syndiotacticity in bulk and in fluoroalcohols regardless of the structure of the solvents. On the other hand, the polymerization of VBz in fluoroalcohols gave polymers with a higher isotacticity (up to mm = 33%) than bulk polymerization. Thus the monomer structure strongly affected the stereochemistry of the free-radical polymerization of vinyl esters in fluoroalcohols. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2677–2683, 1999