Polymerization of trimethylsilylacetylene by WCl6-based catalysts

The polymerization of trimethylsilylacetylene was investigated by using W and Mo catalysts. Mixtures of WCl₆ with appropriate organometallic cocatalysts such as n-Bu₄Sn and Et₃SiH at 1:1 molar ratio provided poly(trimethylsilylacetylene) in high yields. On the other hand, MoCI₅ gave mainly methanol-soluble oligomers even in the presence of these cocatalysts. The polymer formed was a partly insoluble yellow powder, and the molecular weight of the soluble fraction was about 7000. The IR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR spectra supported the polymer structure, (CH = CSiMe₃)_n. Protodesilylation of poly(trimethylsilylacetylene) afforded a new polymer containing both acetylene and trimethylsilylacetylene units.     

The preparation and characterization of homogeneous copolymers of ethylene and 1-alkenes

Homogeneous copolymers of ethylene and 1-alkenes have been prepared using an ethyl aluminum sesquichloride–vanadium oxychloride catalyst system. Branches were varied from CH₃ to C₁₆H₃₃ by appropriate choice of 1-alkene. Size exclusion studies of copolymers of ethylene-d₄ and 1-alkenes show that the comonomer content of a given sample is essentially constant over the whole molecular weight range. A random distribution of branches is inferred from the simplicity of the ¹³C-NMR spectra and from the melting behaviour of the copolymers. Comonomer contents varying from 1 mol% to 15 mol% were readily determined by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The copolymers can be used to study the separate effects of branch length, branch frequency, and molecular weight on physical properties including melting point and crystallinity.     

Precise molecular weight determination and structure characterization of end-functionalized polymers: An NMR approach <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> combination of one-dimensional and two-dimensional techniques

We present here the application of one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR techniques to characterize the structure of methoxyl end-functionalized polystyrenes (PS). The peaks in ¹H-NMR spectra corresponding to main-chain, side-chain and chain-end groups are assigned by ¹H-¹H gCOSY, ¹H-¹³C gHSQC and gHMBC spectra. For the first time, the spin-lattice relaxation time (T ₁) of protons of the chain-ends is revealed to be affected more by polymer molecular weight (MW) than by the protons of the main-chains and the side-chains (almost independent from MW). As a result, a much higher delay time (d1) for chain-ends (d1 > 20T ₁) is needed for quantitative NMR measurement when using end-group estimation method to obtain the MW of PS, which is in accordance with the value estimated by GPC. An improved method for the polymer MW determination is established, by combination of different NMR techniques to distinguish the peaks, and a large d1 setting to achieve quantitative NMR analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(cyclohexane 2,2-dipropargyl-1,3-propylene ketal) containing double spiro structure

The Polymerization was carried out by MoCl₅ and WCl₆ associated with various organo-metallic cocatalysts. MoCl₅-based catalysts were found to be more effective. Polymerization of monomer containing a spiro structure proceeded rapidly to reach 80% yield within 2 h at 30°C. Polymerization of monomer led to a soluble, purple colored polymer with number average molecular weight (M_n) of 50000. Elemental analysis, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectra of the resulting polymer indicated that the polymer contains alternating double and single bonds along the polymer backbone and a cyclic recurring unit with a double spiro structure. In addition, the polymer had good oxidative and thermal stability and good solubility in common organic solvents. © 1995 John wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solid-State CP/MAS 13C-NMR Spectra of Oligolides derived from 3-hydroxybutanoic acid

The solid-state CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR spectra (cross-polarization/magic-angle spinning ¹³C-NMR) of eight lower cyclic and one linear oligomers and several polymers of (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (3-HB) are reported. The polymeric samples of different origin and molecular weight give remarkably similar and well resolved spectra, indicating considerable similarity in the conformations of the molecules and homegeneity in the solid-state environment. The crystalline cyclic oligomers 1 – 8 containing 3–9 units of 3-HB give very well resolved spectra. The number of nonequivalent positions in the solid state can be identified and is in accord with structures from X-ray diffraction where these were determined. The spectra of the oligolides become increasingly similar to those of the polymer as the ring size increases. This spectral evidence supports the view of a homogeneous and well defined conformation for the polymeric material (as proposed previously, based on other experiments).     

Ester derivatives of α-hydroxymethylacrylates: Itaconate isomers giving high molecular weight polymers

New ester derivatives of ethyl α-hydroxymethylacrylate were synthesized using acid chlorides (traditional solution reactions), sodium salts of acids (with phase transfer catalysis), and trifluoroacetic anhydride (trifluoroacetate). The interfacial process gave high yields of clean products under very mild conditions. Derivatives obtained include the formate, acetate, hexanoate, stearate, benzoate, trifluoroacetate, and adamantanoate. Bulk polymerizations with 2,2′-azobis (isobutyronitrile) gave high molecular weight polymers with intrinsic viscosities of over 2 dL/g and molecular weights of several million [based on size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) comparison to polystyrene standards]. These high molecular weights were the result of autoacceleration in the bulk as shown by monitoring molecular weight with respect to conversion. Solution polymerization in benzene gave more typical polymer, e.g., the acetate derivative showed an SEC molecular weight of 52,000. Glass transition temperatures for the n-alkyl esters decreased from the formate (77°C) to the hexanoate (15°C); the stearate showed a side-chain melting point of 40°C but no T_g. Glass transitions were observed for the trifluoroacetate, benzoate, and adamantanoate polymers at 69, 130, and 214°C, respectively. Solution ¹³C-NMR showed evidence of tacticity information for the formate and acetate derivatives with appaent preference for syndiotactic polymer formation similar to that of methyl methacrylate. FTIR and solid-state ¹³C-NMR analysis gave spectra with functional group peaks and chemical shift values expected based on composition. The stearate monomer and polymer gave solid-state ¹³C chemical shifts of 34 and 33 ppm, respectively, for the central CH₂ units consistent with monoclinic and orthorhombic crystal packing. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Short Chain Branches Distribution Characterization of Ethylene/1-Hexene Copolymers by Using TREF + 13C-NMR and TREF + SC Methods

Summary: Short chain branches distribution (SCBD) is the key factor for high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe materials to achieve their excellent performance for long term (50 years) applications. However, the precise SCBD characterization of these HDPE materials with relatively low content of comonomer incorporation still remained as a challenge in this field. In this work, two characterization methods, namely temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) cross step crystallization (SC) (TREF + SC) and TREF cross ¹³C-NMR (TREF + ¹³C-NMR), have been respectively used to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the SCBD for two HDPE pipe materials (PE-1 and PE-2 with different long term performances) with small amount of 1-hexene incorporation prepared from SiO₂-supported silyl chromate catalyst system (S-2 catalyst) during UNIPOL gas phase polymerization. The comparison of SCBD between the two samples showed that: although short chain branches of PE-2 with good performance were less than those of PE-1 with bad performance, PE-2 showed less comonomer incorporation on the low crystallinity and low molecular weight (MW) fractions keeping even higher comonomer incorporation on the high crystallinity and high MW parts compared with PE-1. This difference on the SCBD for PE-1 and PE-2 was thought to be the key factor which is responsible for their great difference on environment slow crack resistance (ESCR). Moreover, TREF + SC method further reflected the intra- and inter-molecular heterogeneities of each fraction from the two HDPE samples through the lamella thickness distribution compared with TREF + ¹³C-NMR.     

A soluble and multichromic conducting polythiophene derivative

A new soluble polythiophene derivative was synthesized by both chemical and electrochemical oxidative polymerization of 1-4-nitrophenyl-2,5-di(2-thienyl)-1H-pyrrole (SNSNO₂). Chemical method produces a polymer which is completely soluble in organic solvents. The structures of both the monomer and the soluble polymer were elucidated by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR and FTIR. The average molecular weight has been determined by GPC to be Mn = 6.3 × 10³ for the chemically synthesized polymer. P(SNSNO₂) was also synthesized via potentiostatic electrochemical polymerization. Characterizations of the resulting polymer were performed by cyclic voltammetry CV, FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Four-probe technique was used to measure the conductivities of the samples. Moreover, the spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic properties of the polymer film were investigated. In addition, dual type polymer electrochromic devices ECDs based on P(SNSNO₂) with poly3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) were constructed. Spectroelectrochemistry, electrochromic switching and open circuit stability of the devices were studied. They were found to have good switching times, reasonable contrasts and optical memories.     

Stereoregularity of poly(2-vinylpyridine) determined by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy

In order to determine the stereoregularity of poly(2-vinylpyridine), 2-vinylpyridine-β,β-d₂ was synthesized. The ¹H-NMR spectra of the deuterated polymer in D₂SO₄ and o-dichlorobenzene solutions showed three peaks, which were assigned to triad tacticities. Since the absorptions of heterotactic and syndiotactic triads of methine protons overlap those of methylene protons in nondeuterated polymers, only isotactic triad intensities can be obtained from the ¹H-NMR spectra of nondeuterated poly(2-vinylpyridine). The ¹³C-NMR spectra of poly(2-vinylpyridine) were obtained in methanol and sulfuric acid solutions. In methanol solution the absorption was split into three groups, which cannot be explained by triads, and in sulfuric acid solution several peaks were observed. These splittings may be due to pentad tacticity. The results show that poly(2-vinylpyridine) obtained by radical polymerization is an atactic polymer.     

Synthesis, characterization, thermal stability and electrochemical properties of poly-4-[(2-methylphenyl)iminomethyl]phenol

In this study, the reaction conditions of poly-4-[(2-methylphenyl)iminomethyl]phenol (P-2-MPIMP) were studied by using oxidants such as air O₂, H₂O₂ and NaOCl in an aqueous alkaline medium between 50 and 90 °C. The structures of the synthesized monomer and polymer were confirmed by FT-IR, UV-vis, NMR and elemental analysis. The characterization was made by TG-DTA, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and solubility tests. At the optimum reaction conditions, the yield of poly-4-[(2-methylphenyl)iminomethyl]phenol (P-2-MPIMP) was found to be 20% (for air O₂ oxidant), 33% (for H₂O₂ oxidant), and 74% (for NaOCl oxidant). According to the SEC analysis, the number-average molecular weight (M_n), weight-average molecular weight (M_w) and polydispersity index (PDI) values of P-2-MPIMP were found to be 3300, 4100 g mol⁻¹ and 1.242, using H₂O₂, and 4550, 5150 g mol⁻¹and 1.132, using air O₂ and 5300, 5850 g mol⁻¹ and 1.104, using NaOCl, respectively. According to TG analysis, the weight losses of 4-[(2-methylphenyl)iminomethyl]phenol (2-MPIMP) and P-2-MPIMP were found to be between 75.29% and 48.17% at 1000 °C, respectively. P-2-MPIMP was shown to have a higher stability against thermal decomposition. Also, electrical conductivity of the P-2-MPIMP was measured, showing that the polymer is a typical semiconductor. Electrochemically, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and electrochemical energy gaps ( of 2-MPIMP and P-2-MPIMP were found to be −6.01, −6.03; −2.63, −2.82; 3.38 and 3.21 eV, respectively. According to UV-vis measurements, the optical band gap (E_g) of 2-MPIMP and P-2-MPIMP was found to be 3.40 and 2.97 eV, respectively.     

Thermal analyses of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solutions and in nanocomposite gels

The coil-to-globule transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) prepared by free-radical redox polymerization in aqueous solutions and its nanocomposite (NC) gels were investigated by differential scanning calorimetery. The lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) of aqueous solutions of PNIPA of different molecular weights were not significantly affected by molecular weight (M _w: 0.19?×?10⁶?4.29?×?10⁶?g?×?mol^?1) or polymer concentration (1?10?wt%), although the enthalpy of transition increased with molecular weight, at M _w (<1.2?×?10⁶ g?×?mol^?1). The glass-transition temperature of PNIPA in the dried state also remained constant (138?°C), regardless of molecular weight. On the other hand, the enthalpy of the coil-to-globule transition of PNIPA in NC gels consisting of a PNIPA/clay network decreased with increasing clay concentration (C _clay), while the onset temperature (≡LCST) was almost constant, regardless of C _clay. The PNIPA chains in NC gels could be classified into the following three types: P-1, which exhibits a normal LCST transition, similar to that of linear PNIPA; P-2, exhibiting restricted transition at higher temperatures as a result of interactions with the clay; and P-3, which does not undergo that transition because of stronger restrictions. It was found that the proportion of P-3 increases with increasing C _clay. However, some P-1 and P-2 was still observed, even in NC gels with high C _clay. That the transition to the hydrophobic globular state was restricted by interactions with the clay was confirmed by measurements on PNIPA after removal of the clay from NC gels.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly[2,5-bis(triethoxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene]

The synthesis of a highly soluble, 2,5-disubstituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene) with pendant side chains containing ether groups was accomplished by a dehydrochlorination route. Specific interactions of the oxygen-containing side chains with the solvent are presumably responsible for the high solubility of the polymer, especially in protogenic solvents. The polymer microstructure was characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. The polymer showed solvatochromic properties when dissolved in a variety of solvents. The relatively high molecular weight (M_n = 17,000) permitted the fabrication of free-standing films. The electrical conductivity of iodine-doped films was approximately 2 × 10^–2 S cm^–1. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A 13C-NMR. Study of cis-trans isomeric vitamins A, carotenoids and related compounds.

The ¹H-decoupled ¹³C-NMR. spectra of 35 all-trans, 17 mono-cis vitamin A compounds (acetates, alcohols, aldehydes, acids and esters) and of one 11, 13-di-cis compound (11, 13-di-cis retinol) are reported. Included in this investigation are desmethyl-, desmethylethyl, and aryl-vitamin A analogues and others as well as 30 reference compounds of smaller molecular weight. Furthermore, the ¹³C-NMR. spectra of 23 β-apo- and other carotenoids were studied. A complete assignment of the signals of all 106 compounds to the specific carbon atoms was achieved by extensive application of lanthanide shift reagents, mainly Yb(dpm)₃, by CW-offset and selective ¹H-decoupling experiments, by comparison of the shifts of related compounds, and in three cases by utilization of specifically deuteriated compounds (11, 12-D₂-retinol and retinyl acetate, 15, 15′-D₂-β-carotene). The chemical shift differences between the cis- and trans-vitamin A compounds and the applicability of the shift reagents for the assignment of the ¹³C-NMR. spectra are discussed.     

A novel synthesis of polyethers with pendant hydroxyl groups by polyaddition of bis(oxetane)s with bis(phenol)s

The polyaddition of 1,4-bis[(3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methoxymethyl]benzene (BEOB) with 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA) was examined with or without catalysts. High molecular weight polymer (polymers 1) (M_n = 13,600) with pendant primary hydroxyl groups was obtained in a 99% yield without any gel products when the reaction was performed with 5 mol % of tetraphenylphosphonium bromide as a catalyst in NMP at 160°C for 96 h. However, when the reaction was carried out without a catalyst under the same conditions, a low molecular weight polymer (M_n = 3200) was obtained in a 51% yield. The structure of the resulting polymer was confirmed by IR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR spectra. In this reaction system, it was also found that tetraphenylphosphonium iodide and crown ether complexes such as 18-crown-6 (18-C-6)/KBr and 18-C-6/KI have high catalytic activity. Polyadditions of 1,4-bis[(3-methyl-3-oxetanyl)methoxymethyl]benzene with TCBPA and BEOB with 3,3′,5,5′-tetrabromobisphenol-S were also examined, and corresponding polymers (polymers 2 and 3) were obtained in good yields. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2781–2790, 1999     

Structural and steric isomerism of polypropylenes

The structural and steric isomerism of propylene polymers has been estimated on the basis of solution properties as well as infrared and high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Three general types of polypropylenes were prepared: polymers prepared with the cationic catalytic system AlCl₃–C₂H₅Cl, stereoblock polymers obtained by successive extraction from a commercial product and isotactic polymers of low molecular weight obtained by thermal degradation of a highly isotactic polymer followed by hydrogenation with Adam's catalyst in dioxane at 40°C. The characterization of all samples was accomplished by equilibrium ultracentrifugation, vapor-pressure osmometry, viscometry, and gel-permeation chromatography. It is found that the molecular chain of cationically prepared polymer is somewhat branched owing to structural isomerism during polymerization. Isoamyl acetate is found to be a theta solvent for stereo-block as well as for atactic and syndiotactic polymers; the theta temperature is determined as the temperature at which the light-scattering second virial coefficient A₂ vanishes. A close correlation is found between the theta temperature and stereoisomerism. The absorbances of the 1154 and 974 cm^?1 bands in the infrared spectra decrease with decreasing molecular weight; in addition to the mere existence of alternating CH₂ and CH(CH₃) groups in the polymer chain, rather long sequences of this type are required for the appearance of these bands. Changes in the absorption band at 997 cm^?1 show that chains consisting of over ten isotactically connected monomer units can assume a helical conformation. From the high-resolution NMR spectra of different polypropylenes, including isotactic polymers of low molecular weight, it is found that in estimating the microstructure, account must be taken of the effects of stereoisomerism within tetrads of monomer units on the apparent widths of the methylene proton resonances. If substantial concentrations of several of the possible types of tetrads are present (i.e., if the tactic sequence lengths are quite short), then it is difficult to determine the relative amounts of tactic dyads accurately from the 100 Mcps methylene proton resonances.     

Polymer-supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts. II. Ethylene homo- and copolymerization with TiCl4/MgR2/poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) catalyst

A novel polymer-supported titanium-based catalyst shows high activity and nondecaying kinetic profiles for ethylene polymerization. The presence of 1-hexene comonomer drastically increases the catalyst activity, exhibiting a similarity to the MgCl₂-supported catalysts. However, the nondecaying kinetic profiles of copolymerization distinguish this catalyst from the latter. Infrared analysis indicates that the transition metals were immobilized on the polymer support via functional groups. The effects of polymerization conditions on catalyst activity have been assessed. Characterization of the resulting polymer product by means of ¹³C-NMR, DSC, and SEM demonstrates a branch-free structure with high melting point, high crystallinity, and high molecular weight for the ethylene homopolymer. The reactivity ratios of ethylene-1-hexene copolymerization are evaluated from ¹³C-NMR analysis data. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly[(4-N-ethylene-N-ethylamino)-α-cyanocinnamate]: A nonlinear optical polymer with a chromophoric mainchain. I. Synthesis and spectral characterization

Poly[(4-N-ethylene-N-ethylamino)-α-cyanocinnamate] was prepared by solution esterification of (4-N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) amino)-α-Cyanocinnamic acid and by melt transesterification of ethyl (4-N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) amino)-α-cyanocinnamate. The melt transesterification generally yielded polymer with a number-average molecular weight of about 10,200 by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) versus polystyrene standards. The polymer was found to be amorphous with a glass transition temperature of about 103°C by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The solution esterification generally gave a polymer with a number-average molecular weight of about 2200 by GPC versus polystyrene standards. This polymer was found to have a glass transition temperature varying between 60 and 90°C by DSC. The infrared (IR) spectrum of the polymer made from both methods were analyzed in detail. The ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of the meltsynthesized ethyl cinnamate derivative polymer are consistent with the reported structure.     

Synthesis and properties of polyurethane elastomers crosslinked with amine-terminated AB2-type hyperbranched polyamides

Amine-terminated AB₂-type hyperbranched polyamides of different molecular weights were prepared from 3,5-bis-(4-aminophenoxy)benzoic acid (AB₂ monomer) by fractional precipitation technique and characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR spectroscopies, DSC and GPC techniques. The degree of branching (DB) of hyperbranched polymers (HBP) was determined using ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and it was found that the value increased with decrease in molecular weight of polymer considered. As the molecular weight distribution was narrow, the approximate number of end functional groups of each HBP was conveniently calculated. Three polymers were selected and used as crosslinkers in the preparation of polyurethanes. The incorporation of hyperbranched polyamide into the polyurethane chains was confirmed using FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Among the range studied (1-6%), it was found that high tensile strength is attained with 1% of HBP. It was also found that the tensile strength decreases with increase in number of end functional groups and decrease in DB of HBP. However, glass transition temperatures and thermal stability of polyurethanes crosslinked with up to 6% of HBP, above which gelation occurred, were not affected and similar to the blank polymer prepared without AB₂ polymer.     

SYNTHESIS OF SOAP-FREE ACRYLIC HYDROSOLS

Poly(methyl methacrylate/ethyl acrylate/acrylic acid) hydrosols were prepared by employing soap-freepolymerization, and (acrylic acid/butyl acrylate) oligomer was used as the polymeric surfactant The effect of reactioncondition on the morphology and particle size of the hydrosols was investigated. The minimum amount of acrylic acid in thehydrosols is 2%. The maximum weight average molecular weight (M_w) of polymer that assures soap-free emulsionconversion into hydrosol is about 1.2×10~5-1.3×10~5. The particle transforming process was investigated, and an obviouschange of particle diameter and morphology was observed.     

MEASUREMENT OF NUMBER AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF STYRENE OLIGOMER BY 13C-NMR METHOD

~(13)C-NMR ~1H-decoupled spectra of styrene polymers were assigned by comparison with modelcompounds, then used in measurements of number average molecular weights. The higher limit of an exactdetermination of the end group signal is less than a molecular weight of 10~4. For polymer samples withM_n<10~3, the results obtained from ~(13)C-NMR spectra of saturated carbon region are in excellent agreementwith the values determined by ~1H-NMR, SEC, and VPO methods, while the results from ~(13)C-NMR spectra ofphenyl C-1 carbon region are somewhat higher than the values determined by other methods.