Chain-growth polycondensation of potassium 3-cyano-4-fluorophenolate derivatives for well-defined poly(arylene ether)s

Polycondensation normally proceeds in a step-growth reaction manner to give polymers with a wide range of molecular weights. However, the polycondensation of potassium 2-alkyl-5-cyano-4-fluorophenolate ( 1 ) proceeded at 150°C in a chain polymerization manner from initiator, 4-fluoro-4′-trifluoromethyl benzophenone ( 2 ), to give aromatic polyethers having controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities (M_w/M_n ⩽ 1.2). The resulting polycondensation of 1 had all of the characteristics of living polymerization and displayed a linear correlation between molecular weight and monomer conversion, maintaining low polydispersities. Sulfolane was a better solvent for chain-growth polycondensation of 1 than other aprotic solvents. The polyether from 1 with a low polydispersity showed higher crystallinity than that with a broad molecular weight distribution, obtained by the conventional polycondensation of 1 without 2 .     

Direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols with tosyl chloride and N,N-dimethylformamide in pyridine

A Vilsmeier adduct derived from arylsulfonyl chlorides and DMF in pyridine was successfully used as a new condensating agent for the synthesis of aromatic polyesters by the direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols and also of hydroxybenzoic acids. Polymers of high molecular weights (M?_w = 78,000) with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (M?_w/M?_n ≈ 3.0) were prepared by reacting aromatic dicarboxylic acids with the adduct in pyridine, followed by addition of bisphenols. The polycondensation was significantly affected by the amount of DMF, the nature of the arylsulfonyl chlorides, the conditions of initial reaction of the acids with the adduct, and the rate of reaction with bisphenols. The process was adaptable to the direct polycondensation of hydroxybenzoic acids, affording polymers of high molecular weight (η_inh = 1.73).     

Effect of polycondensation methods on molecular weight distribution of nylon 610

Polycondensation methods greatly influence the molecular weight distribution of poly(hexamethylene sebacamide) (nylon 610) as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The ratio of weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (M_w/M_n) was used as a measure for estimating the molecular weight distribution. The M_w/M_n ratios of nylon 610 obtained from melt, solid phase, and high temperature polycondensation methods were 2 to 3.5, which were expected values for the most probable distribution. However, those for polymers obtained from the direct polycondensation in the presence of triphenylphosphine, interfacial polycondensation and low temperature polycondensation using an acid chloride varied over a wide range from 3.5 to 8.5. The effect of the kind of organic solvents in the interfacial method on the M_w/M_n ratios was especially large, and the molecular weight distribution could be controlled to some extent by selecting an appropriate solvent.     

Studies on reactions of the N-phosphonium salts of pyridines. XIV. Wholly aromatic polyamides by the direct polycondensation reaction by using phosphites in the presence of metal salts

Poly-p-benzamide of high molecular weight (η_inh = ～ in H₂SO₄) was obtained by the direct polycondensation reaction of p-aminobenzoic acid (p-ABA) by means of diphenyl and triaryl phosphites in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-pyridine solution containing lithium and calcium chlorides. Molecular weight of polymer varied with the amount of these salts, showing maximum values at the concentration of about 4 wt-% of LiCl or about 8 wt-% of CaCl₂ in the reaction mixture. The reaction temperature at around 80°C gave a polymer of the highest viscosity. The polycondensation reaction was also affected by monomer concentration, solvents, and tertiary amines like pyridine. Similarly, aromatic polyamides with high molecular weight (η_inh values up to 1.34 in H₂SO₄) were prepared from isophthalic acid and aromatic diamines, whereas terephthalic acid gave only low-viscosity polymers.     

Multifunctional polycondensation and gelation: A kinetic approach

The size distributions of a number of multifunctional polycondensation systems have been derived from kinetic reaction schemes. The size distribution obtained for a self-condensing multifunctional monomer is equivalent to the classic distributions derived by Flory and Stockmayer, and distribution expressions for mixtures of monomers of different functionalities have also been obtained. Molecular weight expressions have also been calculated for the same systems. In some case, these are exactly the same as those calculated by others, and in some cases the expressions differ from those by others only in the kind of average used for the mean functionality of the mixed monomer systems, but in other cases, the differences are more marked. In gelation, comparison with a number of actual gel point data shows that although the critical point P_crit for gel formation calculated from P_crit = 2/f was generally closer to actually measured gel points than when P_crit = 1(f –1), neither method of calculating P_crit can be regarded as completely reliable. The cause of the divergence from theory is interpreted in terms of intramolcular reaction, and the nature of this type of reaction is discussed and comparisons made with other gelling systems.     

High-molecular-weight polyterephthalamide by direct polycondensation reaction in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide)

Polyterephthalamides of high molecular weight (η_inh up to 1.9) were obtained by the direct polycondensation reaction of terephthalic acid and aromatic diamines in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with triphenyl phosphite in a N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)–pyridine solution that contained lithium chloride. The molecular weights of the polymers produced varied with the amount and molecular weight of PEO, which showed maximum values when PEO with a molecular weight of 2.0 × 10⁴?5.0 × 10⁵ was used in a concentration of about 0.5 wt % in the solvent. The polycondensation reaction was significantly affected by the level of pyridine in a mixed solvent of NMP and pyridine and by the concentration of the lithium chloride added.     

HyperMacs. Long Chain Branched Analogues of Hyperbranched Polymers Prepared by the Polycondensation of AB2 Macromonomers

We describe here a new strategy for the synthesis of polymers with highly branched architectures. The strategy involves the synthesis by anionic polymerization of well-defined AB₂ polystyrene macromonomers with molecular weights from 3,600 to 94,000 gmol⁻¹, which are then converted via a one-pot polycondensation reaction into high molecular weight, long-chain (hyper)branched architectures. Since the Hyperbranched structures are built up from condensation Macromonomers we have coined the term ‘HyperMac’ to describe these branched polymers. In this paper we report the synthesis of the HyperMacs, the optimal conditions for the polycondensation reaction and some preliminary characterization studies.     

Effect of polyfunctional chain transfer agents on molecular weight distribution in free-radical polymerization, 2. The case C ≤ 1

In this part of the series, the influence of polyfunctional chain transfer agents with transfer constant C ≤ 1 on the molecular weight distribution was studied. The analytical expressions for the number- and weight-average degree of polymerization, and dispersion index were derived by kinetic and statistical methods. The expression for the molecular weight distribution can only be obtained by statistical methods. Some numerical examples on the dependence of distribution parameters as a function of the functionality of transfer agents f and transfer constants are illustrated. A critical value of the chain transfer constant was found to exist, which permits the synthesis of linear (for f = 2) or branched polymers (f > 2) with DP _w/DP _n approximately equal to 2 during the entire course of the polymerization.     

Non‐isocyanate synthesis and application of telechelic polyurethanes via polycondensation of diurethanes obtained from ethylene carbonate and diamines

Aliphatic polyurethanes could be obtained in high yield via a non‐isocyanate method based on the self‐polycondensation of dihydroxyurethanes obtained by the reaction of diamines and ethylene carbonate. The polycondensation under a N₂ atmosphere yielded [6,2]polyurethane with a M_n value of 5300 in 87% yield. Two‐step polycondensation, consisting of the polycondensation under a N₂ atmosphere followed by that under reduced pressure, was effective to improve the yield and the molecular weight up to 90% and 10,000, respectively. Although the second polycondensation step at 180 °C was accompanied by formation of urea groups, this side reaction was relatively suppressed at 150 °C. The resulting polyurethane having hydroxyl groups at both of the end groups was converted to polyurethane methacrylate via a reaction with glycidyl methacrylate, and the polyurethane methacrylate served as a crosslinker for radical polymerization of methyl acrylate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable poly(L-aspartic acid-co-PEG)

The melt polycondensation reaction of the prepolymer prepared from N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L -aspartic acid anhydride (N-CBz-L -aspartic acid anhydride) and low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) using titanium isopropoxide (TIP) as a catalyst produced the new biodegradable poly(L -aspartic acid-co-PEG). This new copolymer had pendant amine functional groups along the polymer backbone chain. The optimal reaction conditions for the preparation of the prepolymer were obtained by using a 0.12 mol % of p-toluenesulfonic acid with PEG 200 for 48 h. The weight-average molecular weight of the prepolymer increased from 1,290 to 31,700 upon melt polycondensation for 6 h at 130°C under vacuum using 0.5 wt % TIP as a catalyst. The synthesized monomer, prepolymer, and copolymer were characterized by FTIR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, and UV spectrophotometers. Thermal properties of the prepolymer and the protected copolymer were measured by DSC. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the prepolymer shifted to a significantly higher temperature with increasing molecular weight via melt polycondensation reaction, and no melting temperature was observed. The in vitro hydrolytic degradation of these poly(L -aspartic acid-co-PEG) was measured in terms of molecular weight loss at different times and pHs at 37°C. This pH-dependent molecular weight loss was due to a simple hydrolysis of the backbone ester linkages and was characterized by more rapid rates of hydrolysis at an alkaline pH. These new biodegradable poly(L -aspartic acid-co-PEG)s may have potential applications in the biomedical field. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2949–2959, 1998     

New optically active poly（amide-imide）s derived from N, N′-（4,4-diphthaloyl）-bis-L-leucine and hydantoin derivatives： Synthesis and properties

Six new optically active poly(amide-imide)s(5a-f) were synthesized through the direct polycondensation reaction of N,N'-(4,4'- diphthaloyl)-bis-L-leucine(3) with six hydantoin derivatives(4a-f).Triphenyl phosphite(TPP)/pyridine in the presence of calcium chloride(CaCl_2) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP) were successfully applied for direct polycondensation.The polycondensation reactions produce a series of new poly(amide-imide)s(5a-f) in high yields,and inherent viscosity between 0.42 and 0.55 dL/g.The re...     

Kinetics of nonideal hyperbranched A2 + B3 polycondensation: Simulation and comparison with experiments

To overcome the deficiency of mean field method in introducing the intramolecular cyclization and the steric effects, the reactive bond fluctuation model was applied to study nonideal hyperbranched A₂ + B₃ polycondensation, which has high sensitivity of gelation to the concentration of monomers, the feed ratio and the reactivity of functional groups. Simulation demonstrated that the mean field theory overestimated hyperbranched polymerization especially at high reaction conversion in the system with low monomer concentration where the intramolecular cyclization and the steric hindrance play crucial influences on molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and gel point (GP). The dependences of GP on the monomer concentration, feed ratio, and the reactivity of groups are clearly shown. We further simulated a specific polycondensation system with aromatic terephthaloyl chloride (TCl, A₂) and 1,1,1‐tris(4‐trimethylsiloxyphenyl)ethane (TMS‐THPE, B₃) (Macromolecules 2007, 40, 6846) using fitting technology, and estimated molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, GPs, and the conformation of hyperbanched polymer. It provides a feasible way to quantitatively understand hyperbranched polymerization with the reaction specificity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

High-molecular-weight poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) by CaCl2 promoted direct polycondensation with thionyl chloride in N-methylpyrrolidone

The direct polycondensation of terephthalic acid and p-phenylenediamine hydrochloride (PPD.2HCl) with thionyl chloride was found to be significantly promoted in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) by dissolved CaCl₂ and tertiary amines. The inherent viscosity of the polymer obtained varied with the amount of CaCl₂ and tertiary amines added. The reaction, when effectively promoted by CaCl₂, proceeded homogeneously in the early state of polycondensation, and then resulted in a highly swollen gel. CaCl₂ had to be present in the PPD.2HCl/tertiary amines/NMP solution as well as in the TPA/SOCl₂/NMP mixture for the polycondensation to proceed to high molecular weight. Complexes of CaCl₂, PPD.2HCl, and tertiary amines in NMP similar to the well known complex, CaCl₂ · nNH₃ (n = 2, 4, 8) was proposed to facilitate the polycondensation.     

Synthesis of Poly(Arylene Alkenylene)s by Pd‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Coupling Polycondensation of Diiodoarenes,Non‐Conjugated Dienes,and Nucleophiles that Involves Chain Walking Isomerization

The Pd‐catalyzed three‐component coupling polycondensation of diiodoarenes, nonconjugated dienes, and carbonucleophiles afforded poly(arylene alkenylene)s with moderate molecular weight in good yield. The reaction involves Mizoroki‐Heck coupling, olefin migration via chain walking, and addition of the carbonucleophile to the resulting π‐allylpalladium species. The polymerization with a slight excess of nucleophile with respect to diiodoarene also proceeded to give the polymer without significant decrease in molecular weight in spite of the nonstoichiometric mixture of the monomers. The Pd‐catalyzed three‐component coupling polycondensation of diiodoarenes, nonconjugated dienes, and diimide also proceeded. The base used in the reaction is critical for yield and molecular weight of the product. The reaction using NaHCO₃ afforded the product with low solubility, which can be explained by the high molecular weight of the polymer and/or the strong interaction of the electron donating dimethoxyphenylene groups and electron accepting diimide groups in the polymer. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 2535–2542     

Melt polycondensation of L‐lactic acid with Sn(II) catalysts activated by various proton acids: A direct manufacturing route to high molecular weight Poly(L‐lactic acid)

Poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) was produced by the melt polycondensation of L ‐lactic acid. For the optimization of the reaction conditions, various catalyst systems were examined at different temperature and reaction times. It was discovered that Sn(II) catalysts activated by various proton acids can produce high molecular weight PLLA [weight‐average molecular weight (M_w ) ≥ 100,000] in a relatively short reaction time (≤15 h) compared with simple Sn(II)‐based catalysts (SnO, SnCl₂ · 2H₂O), which produce PLLA with an M_w of less than 30,000 after 20 h. The new catalyst system is also superior to the conventional systems in regard to racemization and discoloration of the resultant polymer. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1673–1679, 2000     

Molecular weight distribution studies. I. Radiation-induced polymerization of liquid α-methylstyrene

The concentration of water in purified and BaO-dried α-methylstyrene was found to be 1.1 × 10^?4M. The radiation-induced bulk polymerization of the α-methylstyrene thus prepared was studied in the temperature range of ?20°C to 35°C. The polymerization rate varied as the 0.55 power of the dose rate. The theoretical molecular weights and molecular weight distribution were calculated from a proposed kinetic scheme and these values were then compared with those found experimentally. The agreement between these two was reasonably close, and therefore it was concluded that, from the molecular weight distribution point of view, the proposed kinetic scheme for the cationic polymerization of α-methylstyrene is an acceptable one. The rate constant for chain transfer to monomer k_f changed with temperature and was found to be responsible for the decrease in the molecular weight of the polymer with increase in temperature. k_f and k_p at 20°C were found to be 0.95 × 10⁴ l./mole-sec and 0.99 × 10⁶ l./mole-sec, respectively.     

Untersuchungen zur molekulargewichtsverteilung von polyäthylenterephthalat

The molecular weight distribution of carefully prepared thermostabilized poly(ethylene terephthalate) was determined immediately after polycondensation in vacuo (P?_n = 121) and after the melt was stirred at 280°C for 5.5 hr under nitrogen (P?_n = 123). The fractionation was carried out by successive precipitation in liquid phases. The samples were separated into 25 fractions including refractionation. The Flory distribution was observed in all samples.     

Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyurethane-benzyltetrazole

A series of hyperbranched polyurethane-benzyltetrazoles（H-PBTZs） with different linkage structures were synthesized via the polycondensation of hexamethylenediisocyanate as an A₂ type monomer with（4-（1H-tetrazol-5- yl）benzyl）-diethanolamine（TBDEA） as a BB’₂ type monomer in the absence of catalyst at different temperatures.The FTIR, and ¹³C and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the molecular structures of TBDEA and H-PBTZs as well as the counterpart linear polyurethane-benzyltetrazole（L-PBTZ）.The molecular composition was determined by the reaction selectivity that the isocyanate group reacted with the hydroxyl group in diethanolamine segment or the active hydrogen atom on tetrazole ring.Raising reaction temperature was propitious to the reaction of isocyanate group with the active hydrogen atom on tetrazole ring.The degrees of branching（DB） for H-PBTZs obtained from the ¹H-NMR spectra increased with raising reaction temperature.The wider molecular weight distribution of 1.7-2.9 for H-PBTZs was obtained via GPC analysis.TGA results showed that H-PBTZs had high thermal stability compared with L-PBTZ.     

Synthesis of a novel naphthalene-based poly(arylene ether-ketone) by polycondensation of 1,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)-2,6-dimethylnaphthalene with bisphenol a

Synthesis of 1,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)-2,6-dimethylnaphthalene ( 1 ), polycondensation of 1 with Bisphenol A, and properties of the obtained polymer were studied. Friedel–Crafts acylation of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene with 4-fluorobenzoyl chloride in nitrobenzene selectivity afforded 1 in 82% yield. X-ray single crystal structural analysis of 1 confirmed that the dibenzoylation proceeded regioselectively and two methyl groups sterically inhibited the coplanarity of the two aromatic planes. The polycondensation of 1 with Bisphenol A in toluene/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) mixed solvent in the presence of excess potassium carbonate as a condensation reagent was carried out at 180°C for 4 h to quantitatively afford the corresponding poly(arylene ether-ketone) (PEK) 3 with high molecular weight (M?_n～30,000) as a slightly yellow powder. As the reaction time was prolonged, both M?_n and MWD of 3 increased and the solubility of 3 in chloroform clearly decreased. By GPC-LALLS, M?_n of 3 obtained by the polycondensation for 16 h, was 85,000. The PEK 3 with high molecular weight was produced in a quantitative yield in a variety of solvents such as sulfolane. Water formed during the polycondensation hardly affected the yield and molecular weight of 3 , although a small molecular weight decrease took place. To evaluate the special effect of the methyl groups of 3 , polycondensation of 2,6-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)naphthalene 2 with bisphenol A was carried out for comparison and the corresponding PEK 4 was quantitatively obtained. Whereas 3 was soluble in ordinary organic solvents such as tet-rahydrofuran (THF), chloroform, and NMP at room temperature, 4 was insoluble in most solvents except for strong acids such as conc. sulfonic acid. The polymer 3 showed high glass transition temperature (238°C) and 5% weight loss temperature (457°C). Casting of the polymer from THF solution gave a transparent, tough, flexible, and amorphous film. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of Poly(arylene ether amine)s from a Monomer Containing an Electron‐Donating Amine Group in a Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction

Summary: Poly(arylene ether amine)s were synthesized by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution polycondensation of bis[4‐fluoro‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amine with several bisphenols. Even though the monomer has an electron‐donating diphenylamine moiety, which normally deactivates a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) reaction, the polymerization proceeded by a S_NAr reaction to give high‐molecular‐weight polymers. The polymers show good solubility in common organic solvents and have T_gs in the range of 123 °C to 177 °C.

High‐molecular‐weight poly(arylene ether amine)s synthesized by a S_NAr reaction with the monomer containing an electron‐donating diphenylamine moiety.