Monomer Reactivity Ratios for the Copolymerization of p-lsopropylstyrene with Styrene and Methyl Methacrylate

Abstract

The monomer reactivity ratios for the copolymerizations of p-isopropylstyrene with styrene and with methyl methacrylate have been determined by the ionization chamber-vibrating reed electrometer radioactivity assay technique. The values from the differential form of the copolymerization equation are r₁ (styrene) = 1.22, r₂ (p-isopropylstyrene) = 0.89, and r₁ (methyl methacrylate) = 0.44, r₂ (p-isopropylstyrene) = 0.39. The values from the integrated form of the equation are r₁ (styrene) = 1.37 and r₂ = 0.99. These values indicate that, in the copolymerization of p-divinylbenzene (p-DVB) with styrene, the p-isopropylstyrene-like unit, formed from having the first vinyl group of p-DVB reacted, takes part in subsequent propagation reactions with styrene less readily than either styrene or p-DVB.     

Synthesis of networked polystyrene endowed with nucleophilic reaction sites by the living anionic polymerization technique

The living anionic copolymerization of styrene with 1,2‐bis(4′‐ethenylphenyl)ethane (1) or p‐divinylbenzene (PDVB) with sec‐butyllithium in benzene was carried out. The copolymerizations of styrene with more than 20 mol % of 1 gave insoluble polymers in quantitative yields, whereas the yield showed the maximum (97%) for PDVB at 15 mol %. The content of unreacted double bonds of the network polymer formed by the copolymerization with PDVB was four times as large as that formed with 1. Gas chromatographic analyses of the copolymerization suggested close reactivities of the double bonds between styrene and 1, whereas a rapid consumption of PDVB compared with styrene was observed in their copolymerization. The r₁, r₂,and r₁r₂ values for the copolymerization of styrene with 1 were determined to be 1.00, 1.09, and 1.09, respectively, which suggests that a more homogeneous network structure can be attained with 1. The living chain end of the produced living gel initiated the polymerization of tert‐butyl methacrylate to give an insoluble block copolymer in a good yield. The hydrolysis of the ester group of the block copolymer led to an amphiphilic copolymer that exhibited a characteristic property of a hydrogel. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2543–2547, 2000     

Study of radical copolymerization of aminomethylated derivatives of alkenylphenols with styrene

Aminomethylated derivatives 2-propenyl-, 2-allyl-, and 4-isopropenylphenols are studied as comonomers in free-radical copolymerization with styrene in bulk. As evidenced by NMR studies, in o-aminomethyl derivatives of alkenylphenols, stable intramolecular hydrogen bonds form between nitrogen atom of the aminomethyl fragment and hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group; these bonds are not destroyed up to 80°C Therefore, these compounds may be involved in free-radical copolymerization with styrene in which the inhibiting effect of OH groups is avoided at a temperature of 60°C. The values of r ₁ and r ₂ are determined for two pairs of comonomers: 6-morpholinomethyl-2-propenylphenol and styrene (r ₁ = 0.20 ± 0.01 and r ₂ = 2.40 ± 0.04) and 2-allyl-6-morpholinomethylphenol and styrene (r ₁ = 0.090 ± 0.009 and r ₂ = 2.40 ± 0.04).     

Monomer Reactivity Ratios for the Copolymerization of Styrene with Pure Meta-and Pure Para-Divinylbenzenes

Reactivity ratios for the copolymerization of styrene (r ₁) meta-divinylben-zene (r ₂–m) and with para-divinylbenzene (r ₂–p) have been redetermined under different reaction conditions and with different radioactivity assay techniques. The copolymers were prepared at two conversion levels [0.55 to 3.7% and 2.7 to 7.5% and at 80° (rather than 100°)] with benzoyl peroxide (in place of τ-butylhydroperoxide) initiator. The ionization chamber-vibrating reed electrometer radioactivity assay technique developed for other copolymerization studies was used in place of the direct counting technique previously used for the styrene/divinylbenzene systems. The new values are r ₁ = 0.605/r ₂-m = 0.88: r ₁ = 0.77/r ₂-p = 2.08 at 0.55 to 3.7% conversion and r ₁ = 1.27; r ₂–m = 1.08 at 2.7 to 7.5% conversion. These are not in close agreement with previous values partly because of the difference in conditions of copolymerization (temperature, per cent conversion, initiator) and in the improved analytical precision. Also the high-DVB-content (80%) para copolymer data are not assumed to be invalid and are not omitted (as they were before) from selection of the r ₂–p values.     

Comparative recalculation of the monomer reactivity ratios in copolymerization for styrene and methyl methacrylate

The monomer reactivity ratios (MMRs) in radical copolymerization for styrene and methyl methacrylate were recalculated by five different methods using literature copolymerization data. The use of approximate 95% confidence limits and their visual inspection helps to separate possibly biased copolymer composition data. The recalculated mean MRR values were r₁ (styrene) = 0.501 ± 0.031 and r₂ = 0.472 ± 0.031. The results of the linear least-squares calculation procedures seldom approach the quality of the nonlinear least-squares analysis according to the method of Tidwell and Mortimer.     

The structure of copolymers of vinyl cyclohexane with styrene

Copolymerization of vinyl cyclohexane (monomer-1) with styrene was investigated in the presence of the stereospecific complex catalyst TiCl₃ + Al(iso-C₄H₉)₃. Monomer reactivity ratios were r₁ = 0·177 ± 0·051 and r₂ = 2·117 ± 0·370. The monomer unit distributions in the copolymers were estimated by comparison of the i.r.-spectra of copolymers and the isotactic homopolymers using absorption bands at 565 and 1084 cm^?1 which correspond to the vibrations of styrene blocks containing ? 5 styrene units and the band at 985 cm^?1 characterizing polystyrene crystallinity. The data indicate the tendency towards alternation in the copolymerization. Analysis of the experimental and literature data led to the conclusion that distribution of the units in copolymers of vinyl cyclohexane with α-olefins is determined by the nature of the α-olefin. The following activity series is proposed for α-olefins in their copolymerization with vinyl cyclohexane in the presence of catalytic systems based on titanium salts and organo-aluminium compounds: propylene >; 4-methylpentene-1 >; styrene >; 3-methylbutene-1 ～ vinyl cyclohexane.     

Polymerization of aromatic aldehydes. IV. Cationic copolymerization of phthalaldehyde isomers and styrene

Copolymerizations of three phthalaldehyde isomers (M₂) with styrene (M₁) were carried out in methylene chloride or in toluene with BF₃OEt₂ catalyst. The monomer reactivity ratios were r₁ = 0.77, r₂ = 0 for the meta isomer and r₁ = 0.60, r₂ = 0 for the para isomer. The second aldehyde group of both isomers did not participate in polymerization and acted simply as the electron-withdrawing group, thus reducing the cationic reactivity of these monomers. Copolymerization behaviors of the ortho isomer (o-PhA) were quite different between 0°C and ?78°C. At ?78°C, o-PhA preferentially polymerized to yield “living” cyclopolymers, until an equilibrium concentration of o-PhA monomer was reached. Then, styrene propagated from the living terminal rather slowly. The block structure of the copolymer was confirmed by the chemical and spectroscopic means. In the copolymerization at 0°C, the o-PhA unit in copolymer consisted both of cyclized and uncyclized units. This copolymer seemed to contain short o-PhA sequences. The variation of the o-PhA-St copolymer structure with the polymerization temperature was explained on the basis of whether the polymerization was carried out above or below the ceiling temperature (?43°C) of the homopolymerization of o-PhA.     

Ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization with tetramethyldisiloxane‐bridged bis(indenyl) metallocenes

Ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerizations with disiloxane‐bridged metallocenes, rac‐ and meso‐1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxanediyl‐bis(1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride (rac‐ 1 , meso‐ 1 ) activated by modified methylaluminoxane were performed to investigate the influence of conformational dynamics on comonomer selectivity. Although ¹H NOESY (nuclear Overhauser and exchange spectroscopy) analysis indicated that the most stable conformation for the meso isomer in solution was that in which both indenes project over the metal coordination site, this isomer showed higher 1‐hexene selectivity in copolymerization (r_e = 140 ± 30, r_h = 0.024 ± 0.004) than the rac isomer with only one indene over the coordination site (r_e = 240 ± 20, r_h = 0.005 ± 0.001). The meso isomer showed high 1‐hexene selectivity, a high product of reactivity ratios (r_er_h = 3.3 ± 0.5) and produced copolymers that could be separated into fractions with different ethylene content suggesting that the active species exhibited multisite behavior and populated conformations with different comonomer selectivities during the copolymerization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3323–3331, 2004     

Monomer-isomerization polymerization. XXXVIII. Monomer-isomerization copolymerizations of styrene and 2-Butene with Ziegler–Natta catalyst

Monomer-isomerization copolymerizations of styrene (St) and cis-2-butene (c2B) with TiCl₃-(C₂H₅)₃Al catalyst were studied. St and c2B were found to undergo a new type of monomer-isomerization copolymerization, i.e., only isomerization of 2B to 1-butene ( 1B ) took place to give a copolymer consisting of St and 1B units. The apparent copolymerization parameters were determined to be r_st = 16.0 and r_c2b = 0.003. The parameters were changed by the addition of NiCl₂ (r_St = 8.4, r_c2b = 0.05). The copolymers containing the major amount of St units were produced easily through monomer-isomerization copolymerization of St and 2B. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Copolymerization of β-pinene with styrene oxide and N-vinylpyrrolidone

The copolymerization of β-pinene with styrene oxide (SO) and β-pinene with N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) was investigated by using SnCl₄ in dichloromethane diluent at low temperature. Monomer reactivity ratios were evaluated for both copolymers at ?80°C; these are r₁(SO) = 2.979 and r₂(β-pinene) = 0.002 and r₁(VP) = 0.096 and r₂(β-pinene) = 0.294.     

Vinylhydroquinone. III. Copolymerization of vinylhydroquinone and vinyl monomers by tri-n-butylborane

The copolymerization of vinylhydroquinone (VHQ) and vinyl monomers, e.g., methyl methacrylate (MMA), 4-vinyl-pyridine (4VP), acrylamide (AA), and vinyl acetate (VAc), by tri-n-butylborane (TBB) was investigated in cyclohexanone at 30°C under nitrogen. VHQ is assumed to copolymerize with MMA, 4VP, and AA by vinyl polymerization. The following monomer reactivity ratios were obtained (VHQ = M₂): for MMA/VHQ/TBB, r₁ = 0.62, r₂ = 0.17; for 4VP/VHQ/TBB, r₁ = 0.57, r₂ = 0.05; for AA/VHQ/TBB, r₁ = 0.35, r₂ = 0.08. The Q and e values of VHQ were estimated on the basis of these reactivity ratios as Q = 1.4 and e = ?;1.1, which are similar to those of styrene. This suggests that VHQ behaves like styrene rather than as an inhibitor in the TBB-initiated copolymerization. No homopolymerization was observed either under nitrogen or in the presence of oxygen. The reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Studies of the polymerization of diallyl compounds. XXVII. Copolymerization of diallyl tartrate with several vinyl monomers

The radical copolymerization of diallyl tartrate (DATa) (M₁) with diallyl succinate (DASu), diallyl phthalate (DAP), allyl benzoate (ABz), vinyl acetate (VAc), or styrene (St) was investigated in order to disclose in more detail the characteristic hydroxyl group's effect observed in the homopolymerization of DATa. In the copolymerization with DASu or DAP as a typical diallyldicarboxylate, the dependence of the rate of copolymerization on monomer composition was different for different copolymerization systems and unusual values larger than unity for the product of monomer reactivity ratios, r₁r₂, were obtained. In the copolymerization with ABz or VAc (M₂), the r₁ and r₂ values were estimated to be 1.50 and 0.64 for the DATa/ABz system and 0.76 and 2.34 for the DATa/VAc system, respectively; the product r₁r₂ for the latter copolymerization system was found again to be larger than unity. In the copolymerization with St, the largest effect due to DATa monomer of high polarity was observed. Solvent effects were tentatively examined to improve the copolymerizability of DATa. These results are discussed in terms of hydrogen-bonding ability of DATa.     

Radical copolymerizations of β-propiolactone with acrylonitrile and with styrene

Radical copolymerizations of β-propiolactone (denoted 2) with acrylonitrile (denoted 1) and with styrene (also denoted 1) and the structures of the resulting copolymers were studied. The bulk copolymerization with acrylonitrile by α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile at 50°C gave polyesteracrylonitriles of high enough molecular weight to form tough and transparent films, with the monomer reactivity ratios, r₁ = 0.84, r₂ = 0.00, and the structure of the copolymers was Radical copolymerization with the same initiator in N,N-dimethylformamide gave polyesteracrylonitriles of the same structure as that of the bulk polymer, blended with β-propiolactone homopolymer which was due to the competing anionic homopolymerization of β-propiolactone. The reactivity ratios on the bulk copolymerization with styrene were r₁ = 6.2 and r₂ = 0.0 with benzoyl peroxide at 80°C, and r₁ ? 32, r₂ = 0 with α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile at 50°C. Polyesterstyrenes of intrinsic viscosity up to 0.83 were obtained.     

Polymers containing fluorinated ketone groups. III. Synthesis of styrene/p-vinyltrifluoroacetophenone copolymers by modification of polystyrene and the copolymerization of monomers

Copolymers of styrene/p-vinyltrifluoroacetophenone were prepared by two different reaction routes: (1) modification of polystyrene with trifluoroacetyl chloride and (2) copolymerization of styrene and p-vinyltrifluoroacetophenone (VTFA). There appears to be a limit to the modification method because only a maximum content of 14.5 mole % trifluoroacetyl functionality could be attached to the polymer before the onset of crosslinking. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine their T_g's. In addition, the reactivity ratios of styrene and VTFA were investigated. The reactivity ratios and Q and e values were r₁ = 0.30 ± 0.09 (styrene) and r₂ = 1.3 ± 0.3 (VTFA); Q₁ = 1.0 and e₁ = ?0.8 (styrene); Q₂ = 0.44 and e₂ = 1.93 (VTFA).     

Synthesis of Copolymers by Living Carbanionic Alternating Copolymerization

The synthesis and characterization of copolymers from styrene and 1,3‐pentadiene (two isomers) are reported. Styrene/1,3‐pentadiene (1:1) copolymerization with carbanion initiator yield living, well‐defined, alternating (r₁ = 0.037, r₂ = 0.056), and highly stereoregular copolymers with 90%–100% trans‐1,4 units, designed M_ns and low Ð_Ms (1.07–1.17). The first‐order kinetic resolution and NMR spectra demonstrate that the copolymers obtained possess strictly alternating structure containing both 1,4‐ and 4,1‐enchaiments. Also a series of copolymers with varying degrees of alternation are synthesized from para‐alkyl substituted styrene derivatives and 1,3‐pentadiene. The degree of alternation is strongly dependent on the polarity of solvent, reaction temperature, type of trans‐cis isomer of 1,3‐pentadiene and para‐substituted group in styrene. The macro zwitterion forms (SPC) through the distribution of electronic charges from the donor (1,3‐pentadiene) to the acceptor (styrenes) are proposed to interpret the carbanion alternating copolymerization mechanism. Owing to the versatility of the carbanion‐initiating reaction, the present alternating strategy based on 1,3‐pentadiene (especially cis isomer) can serve as a powerful tool for precise control of polymer chain microstructure, architecture, and functionalities in one‐pot polymerization.

     

Applicability of the Mayo–Lewis equation to high conversion copolymerization of styrene and methylmethacrylate

In contradiction to reports from this and other laboratories, this study reports that the integrated Mayo–Lewis equation, or Meyer–Lowery equation, adequately describes the high-conversion free radical copolymerization of styrene and methylmethacrylate. The copolymerization was monitored by following the changes in the feed composition using NMR, as well as determination of the resulting copolymer compositions by NMR and UV. “Error in all Variables” statistical techniques were used to produce estimates of the reactivity ratios. The reactivity ratios estimated were, from feed composition, NMR, r₁ (styrene) = 0.472, r₂ = 0.454, from copolymer composition, UV, r₁ = 0.497, r₂ = 0.464, and NMR, r₁ = 0.432, r₂ = 0.422.     

Copolymerization of styrene and isoprene with Ni(acac)2-methylalumoxane catalyst

Copolymerization of styrene (St) and isoprene (IP) with nickel(II) acetylacetonate [Ni(acac)₂] and methylalumoxane (MAO) catalyst was investigated. It was found that the Ni(acac)₂-MAO catalyst is effective for the copolymerization of St and IP. From the copolymerization of St (M₁) and IP (M₂) and IP (M₂) with the Ni(acac)₂-methylalumoxane catalyst, the monomer-reactivity ratios were determined to be r₁ = 1,18 and r₂ = 0,88, i.e., ideal copolymerization was found to proceed to give perfectly random copolymers without formation of any homopolymer. The microstructure of IP units in the copolymers exhibits high cis-1,4 contents.     

Copolymerization and Copolymers of 2,4,5-Tribromostyrene with Styrene and Acrylonitrile

Abstract

2,4,5-Tribromostyrene (TBSt) was copolymerized with styrene (St) or acrylonitrile (AN) in toluene solution using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as free radical initiator. The copolymerization reactivity ratios were found to be for the system TBSt/St r ₁ = 1.035 ± 0.164 (TBSt) and r ₂ = 0.150 ± 0.057 (St), and for the system TBSt/AN r ₁ = 2.445 ± 0.270 (TBSt) and r ₂ = 0.133 ± 0.054 (AN). The e and Q values were also calculated. The initial copolymerization rate, R _p, for both systems linearly increases as the content of TBSt in the monomer mixture increases. However, these values are somewhat higher when AN was used as a comonomer. A similar behavior has also been established for the course of the copolymerization reactions to high conversion. The resulting copolymers and TBSt-homopolymer show similar thermal stabilities of polystyrene. However, the glass transition temperature increases markedly with increasing TBSt content.     

Radical polymerization of butadiene-1-carboxylic acid

The homopolymerization and copolymerization of butadiene-1-carboxylic acid (Bu-1-Acid) (M₁) were studied in tetrahydrofuran at 50°C with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The initial rate of polymerization was proportional to [AIBN]^1/2 and [Bu-1-Acid]¹. The overall activation energy for the polymerization was 22.87 kcal/mole. For copolymerization with styrene (M₂) and acrylonitrile (M₂), the monomer reactivity ratios r₁, r₂ were determined by the Fineman-Ross method, as follows; r₁ = 5.55, r₂ = 0.08 (M₂ = styrene); r₁ = 11.0, r₂ = 0.03 (M₂ = acrylonitrile). Alfrey-Price Q-e values calculated from these values were 6.0 and +0.11, respectively. The Bu-1-Acid unit in the copolymer as well as the homopolymer was found from infrared and NMR spectral analyses to be composed of a trans-1,4 bond. The hydrogen-transfer polymerization of Bu-1-Acid leading to polyester was attempted with triphenylphosphine as initiator, but did not occur.     

Emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

Chain transfer constants to monomer have been measured by an emulsion copolymerization technique at 44°C. The monomer transfer constant (ratio of transfer to propagation rate constants) is 1.9 × 10^?5 for styrene polymerization and 0.4 × 10^?5 for the methyl methacrylate reaction. Cross-transfer reactions are important in this system; the sum of the cross-transfer constants is 5.8 × 10^?5. Reactivity ratios measured in emulsion were r₁ (styrene) = 0.44, r₂ = 0.46. Those in bulk polymerizations were r₁ = 0.45, r₂ = 0.48. These sets of values are not significantly different. Monomer feed compcsition in the polymerizing particles is the same as in the monomer droplets in emulsion copolymerization, despite the higher water solubility of methyl methacrylate. The equilibrium monomer concentration in the particles in interval-2 emulsion polymerization was constant and independent of monomer feed composition for feeds containing 0.25–1.0 mole fraction styrene. Radical concentration is estimated to go through a minimum with increasing methyl methacrylate content in the feed. Rates of copolymerization can be calculated a priori when the concentrations of monomers in the polymer particles are known.