Synthesis of ionic polymers by free radical polymerization using aprotic trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted monomers

Aprotic ionic polymers containing trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted imidazolium structures are synthesized using free radical polymerization of monomers comprising a vinyl group either at the cation or at the anion. Bulk polymerization is used for the room temperature ionic liquid monomer 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-vinylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. In contrast to this, solution polymerization is applied for 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-methylimidazolium p-styrene sulfonate because this monomer undergoes self-polymerization during melting at a higher temperature than selected for bulk polymerization. Glass transition temperature (T _g) of the ionic polymers and intrinsic viscosity measurements indicate differences between these polymers, which are composed either of a polycation with a trimethylsilylmethyl substituent at each vinylimidazolium segment of the polymer chain and mobile bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (NTf₂⁻) anions or a polyanion containing p-styrene sulfonate segments and mobile 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations. The new aprotic ionic polymers containing trimethylsilylmethyl substituents may be interesting for application in adhesive, interlayer and membrane manufacturing.     

Improving the knowledge and design of end groups in polymers produced by free radical polymerization

Several techniques have been used to probe polymer end groups. The nitroxide radical trapping technique has been used (i) to show that initiator-derived unsaturated end groups in polymethyl methacrylate can be minimized by using t-hexyl peroxypivalate as the initiator (ii) to predict the end and penultimate groups in acrylonitrile/ethyl vinyl ether copolymer produced by t-butoxyl initiation by analogy with the initiation mechanism (iii) to predict probable end groups in polyacrylonitrile and polystyrene produced by cyanoisopropyl initiation in the presence of adventitious oxygen. NMR techniques have been used to show that the end groups of functionalized oligomers, made from styrene and methacrylonitrile by the addition-fragmentation chain transfer technique with allylic sulphides, conform to the expected structures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Semiconducting polymers via the high temperature free radical polymerization of multinitriles

The polymerizability of a variety of mono- and multi- nitriles in the presence of free radical initiators at high temperature is determined by the concentration of available cyano-groups. Mononitriles do not polymerize, but multinitriles do so readily. If alkyl substituents are introduced in a molecule that easily polymerizes, this concentration and the ability to polymerize are lowered; if several or bulky substituents are introduced, the polymerization is completely prevented. Multinitriles containing ester groups undergo decarbomethoxylation in these polymerizations. The polymers are black and highly insoluble. From the few reactions that were attempted on these polymers, we can conclude that the structure is probably not the simple conjugated imine structure proposed by earlier investigators, but more experiments are needed to prove this point. The black polymers had conductivities less than 10^?9 Ω^?1 but, after heating at 700°C, conductivities in the range from 10^?3 to 10^?6 Ω^?1 are observed.     

The synthesis of sulfonated polymers by free radical copolymerization. Poly(butadiene-co-sodium styrene sulfonate)

The copolymerization of butadiene with sodium styrene sulfonate was studied and the copolymer products characterized. In general these copolymers contain 0.5–4 mole% of sulfonated monomer. The effects of the following reaction variables are described: emulsifier type and concentration, monomers feed ratio, chain transfer agent concentration, and reaction conversion. The products were heterogeneous with regard to composition, molecular weight, and solubility behavior. Copolymers prepared under certain conditions exhibited strong intermolecular interactions derived from associations of the ionic species as observed in other ionomers.     

Thioketone spin traps as mediating agents for free radical polymerization processes

Thioketones are demonstrated to be suitable agents for controlling free radical polymerization processes: the polymerizations carry (pseudo) living characteristics indicating that the control process is induced by a persistent radical effect.     

Control of polymer topology through transition-metal catalysis: synthesis of hyperbranched polymers by cobalt-mediated free radical polymerization

A novel approach was demonstrated for the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers by direct free radical polymerization of divinyl monomers controlled by a cobalt chain transfer catalyst (1). By controlling the competition between propagation and chain transfer with 1, the free radical polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (3) afforded soluble hyperbranched polymers in one pot. The structure of the hyperbranched polymers was confirmed by (1)H and (13)C NMR. The molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity of the hyperbranched polymers were measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) equipped with triple detectors. The intrinsic viscosities of the hyperbranched polymers are much lower than those of their linear analogues and do not show molecular weight dependence. The unique structure and properties of these hyperbranched polymers combined with the commercial availability of many divinyl monomers and the robustness of free radical polymerization make this new approach attractive for the preparation of new functional materials.     

Synthesis and characterization of optically active helical vinyl polymers via free radical polymerization

A facile synthetic route to prepare the dual‐functional molecule, 2,5‐bis(4′‐carboxyphenyl)styrene, was developed. The esterification of this compound with chiral alcohols, that is, (S)‐(+)‐sec‐butanol/(R)‐(?)‐sec‐butanol, (S)‐(+)‐sec‐octanol/(R)‐(?)‐sec‐octanol, and D ‐(+)‐menthol/L ‐(?)‐menthol, respectively, yielded three enantiomeric pairs of novel vinyl monomers, which underwent radical polymerization to obtain helical polymers with an excess screw sense. These polymers exhibited optical rotations as large as fourfold those of the corresponding monomers. Their helical conformations were quite stable as revealed by the almost unchanged chiroptical properties measured at different temperatures. The polymers with linear alkyl tails in the side‐groups formed irreversibly columnar nematic phases in melt although the corresponding monomers were not liquid crystalline. Whereas, the polymers with cyclic tails generated no mesophase. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2408–2421, 2009     

Synthesis of hyperbranched polymers by self‐addition free radical vinyl polymerization of photo functional styrene

The hyperbranched polystyrenes are prepared by the self‐addition free radical vinyl polymerization of N,N‐diethylaminodithiocarbamoylmethylstyrene (DTCS). DTCS monomers play an important role in this polymerization system as an inimer that is capable of initiating living radical polymerization of the vinyl group. The compact nature of the hyperbranched macromolecules is demonstrated by viscosity measurements compared to the linear analogues.     

Diastereoselective mukaiyama and free radical processes for the synthesis of polypropionate units

[reaction: see text] Reported herein is the synthesis of 8 out of 16 polypropionates derived from our propionate units. A new strategy involving a stereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction followed by a stereoselective free-radical-based hydrogen transfer, both under Lewis acid control, is used. Of particular interest is the remarkable reactivity of (i-PrO)TiCl(3) in this context to give only the 3,4-anti bromoesters.     

Electrochemical activation of chain radical processes by radical organophosphorus cations

It is found that electrochemically generated radical cations of organophosphorus compounds react with substrates that are capable of homolytic cleavage of the element-hydrogen bond via a radical detachment of the hydrogen atom, thus initiating the chain radical addition of the substrates over the double bond of alkenes. The presence of a strong base that is capable of deprotonating intermediate phosphonium salts in electrolyte allows one to set up an electrocatalytic cycle and use organophosphorus compounds in catalytic quantities. The main side reaction in the studied processes is the interaction between radical cations of organophosphorus compounds and olefin which leads to the formation of phosphorylated alkenes.     

Tertiary amine-functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization

The quantitative synthesis of tertiary amine-functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization is reported. Tertiary amine-functionalized polystyrene was prepared with the adduct of 1-(bromoethyl)benzene with 1-(4-dimethyl-aminophenyl)-1-phenylethylene as an initiator in the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of a copper (I) bromide/2,2′-bipyridyl catalyst system. The polymerization proceeded via a controlled free-radical polymerization process to afford quantitative yields of the corresponding tertiary amine-functionalized polystyrene with predictable number-average molecular weights (1600–4400), narrow molecular weight distributions (1.09–1.31), and an initiator efficiency of 0.95. The polymerization process was monitored by gas chromatographic analysis. The tertiary amine-functionalized polymers were characterized by thin-layer chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, potentiometry, and spectroscopy. All experimental evidence was consistent with quantitative functionalization via the 1,1-diphenylethylene derivative. Polymerization kinetic measurements showed that the polymerization reaction followed first-order-rate kinetics with respect to monomer consumption and that the number-average molecular weight increased linearly with monomer conversion. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2058–2067, 2001     

Photoinitiated free radical carbonylation enhanced by photosensitizers

[reaction: see text] The enhancing effect of several photosensitizers in photoinitiated radical carbonylation is demonstrated and applied to accelerate the synthesis of compounds labeled with short-lived 11C. With the sensitizers, the synthesis of [carbonyl-11C]esters and acids from alkyl iodides, [11C]carbon monoxide, alcohols, and water provided up to 75-85% decay-corrected radiochemical yields in 6-min reactions under mild conditions. Acetone was used as a sensitizer in preparing 13C-substituted 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid from (13C)carbon monoxide.     

Resveratrol products resulting by free radical attack

Trans-resveratrol (trans-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene; RES), which is contained in red wine and many plants, is one of the most relevant and extensively investigated stilbenes with a broad spectrum of biological activities. Among other duties, RES has been reported to have anti-carcinogenetic activities, which could be attributed to its antioxidant properties. The degradation of RES was studied under various conditions. The products (aldehydes, carboxylic acids, etc.) generated from RES by the attack of free radicals were registered as a function of the radical concentration (absorbed radiation dose). Based on the obtained data it appears that the OH radicals are initiating the rather complicated process, which involves of the numerous consecutive reactions. A possible starting reaction mechanism is presented.     

Polyacrylamide cryogels by photoinitiated free radical polymerization

A novel method for the preparation of poly(acrylamide) cryogels by photoinitiated polymerization of monomeric precursors was described. A series of poly(acrylamide) cryogels were easily prepared by irradiating aqueous solutions containing acrylamide and N,N′‐methylene(bis)acrylamide as monomer and cross‐linker, respectively, in the presence of 1‐[4‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane‐1‐one (Irgacure 2959) as water‐soluble photoinitiator with the help of freezing–thawing procedures. Photolysis was conducted at ?13 °C isothermally through specially designed cryostat‐integrated Rayonet merry‐go‐round photoreactor. On comparing the described photochemical method with the conventional redox counter part, the polymerization is initiated, and gelation proceeds only on external stimulation by light. This way, concomitant hydrogel formation usually observed with the redox process as a result of premature polymerization during the cooling process was prevented. The obtained cryogels exhibited superfast swelling behavior. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Nitroxide-mediated radical processes

In the present short review article recent achievements in nitroxide-mediated radical polymerizations are presented. The basic concept behind these reactions, which is the Persistent Radical Effect (PRE), will be briefly explained. The effect of the nitroxide structure on the polymerization process will be discussed. Moreover, results of nitroxide-mediated radical polymerizations in aqueous dispersions will be summarized. Finally, applications of the PRE to environmentally benign radical chemistry such as nitroxide-mediated alkoxyamine isomerization and carboaminoxylation reactions are presented. Moreover, the potential use of microwave-induced heating to conduct these thermal radical reactions will be discussed.     

New processes and designed polymers by cationic techniques

The most important recent development in cationic polymerizations is the emergence of living polymerizations leading to a variety of new potentially useful well-defined macromolecules under conventional laboratory conditions. Three requirements have to coexist for living carbocationic polymerization to occur: Controlled initiation controlled chain-transferless propagation and controlled (quasiliving) termination. The first part of this presentation will briefly discuss the road to these three key requirements. The second part will concern practical consequences and select systems. The synthesis of narrow-molecular-weight-distribution (M̄_w/M̄_n = 1.1 - 1.3) tert-chlorine telechelic polyisobutylenes over a wide molecular weight range (M̄_n from ∼1000 to ∼125, 000 g/mole) will be outlined together with recent work on aromatic olefins, e.g., styrene, tert-butylstyrene and p-chlorostyrene. These developments led to the combination of these living systems for the synthesis of block copolymers by sequential monomer addition. Tri- or higher block copolymers comprising glassy outer segments and rubbery inner segments, for example, poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene, poly(p-chlorostyrene-b-isobutylene-b-p-chlorostyrene), have been prepared. These new thermoplastic elastomers exhibit phase-separated microstructures and an interesting combination of physical-mechanical properties.     

Dehalogenation of polymers prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization

Polymers prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) have well‐defined end groups, predetermined by the initiator used. A typical initiator is an alkyl halide from which the halogen is transferred to one chain end. To remove the halogen end group, dehalogenation with trialkyltin hydride has been used. Procedures for the removal of the polymer halogen end groups are described, one of them being a one‐pot reaction where the dehalogenation of the polymer chain ends occurs immediately after polymerization.