Organometallic polymers. XXV. Preparation of polyvinylferrocene

The synthetic details of solution polymerization in benzene and bulk polymerization of vinylferrocene are reported. In benzene solutions, with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator, small yields of low-polydispersity low molecular weight (M?_n ? 5000) polyvinylferrocene is obtained. However, high yields can be obtained by continuous or multiple AIBN addition. Higher molecular weight polymers and binodal polymers can be obtained as the monomer concentration is increased. In bulk polymerizations, yields of 80% can be obtained. The molecular weight increases as temperature decreases from 80 to 60°C in bulk polymerizations, and an increasing amount of insoluble polymer results. The soluble portion is often binodal, the higher molecular weight node consisting of an increasingly branched structure. Lower molecular weight polymer was readily fractionated into narrow fractions from benzene–methanol systems, but higher molecular weight polymer proved impossible to fractionate into narrow fractions due to branching.     

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate with 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl 1‐dithionaphthalate as a chain‐transfer agent

A reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl 1‐dithionaphthalate (CPDN), was synthesized and applied to the RAFT polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The polymerization was conducted both in bulk and in a solvent with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator at various temperatures. The results for both types of polymerizations showed that GMA could be polymerized in a controlled way by RAFT polymerization with CPDN as a RAFT agent; the polymerization rate was first‐order with respect to the monomer concentration, and the molecular weight increased linearly with the monomer conversion up to 96.7% at 60 °C, up to 98.9% at 80 °C in bulk, and up to 64.3% at 60 °C in a benzene solution. The polymerization rate of GMA in bulk was obviously faster than that in a benzene solution. The molecular weights obtained from gel permeation chromatography were close to the theoretical values, and the polydispersities of the polymer were relatively low up to high conversions in all cases. It was confirmed by a chain‐extension reaction that the AIBN‐initiated polymerizations of GMA with CPDN as a RAFT agent were well controlled and were consistent with the RAFT mechanism. The epoxy group remained intact in the polymers after the RAFT polymerization of GMA, as indicated by the ¹H NMR spectrum. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2558–2565, 2004     

Initial steps of thermal degradation of PVC prepared at various temperatures

PVC samples were obtained by bulk polymerization initiated with AIBN and ultraviolet irradiation at 40, 25, 0, ?30, and ?50°C. They were characterized by ¹³C NMR measurements, infrared spectroscopy, GPC in hexamethylphosphoramide and B.E.T. surface area measurements. Their thermal degradation was studied between 110 and 185°C by using continuous titration of HCl evolved through a conductimetric cell. The ultraviolet spectra were recorded at various steps of the degradation. At high degradation temperatures, the more syndiotactic the polymer, the longer the polyene average sequences are. The amount of HCl evolved is minimum for a polymerization temperature of 0 or 25°C, depending on the degradation temperature and on the morphology of the polymer. The results are discussed in terms of chemical factors (tacticity distribution, molecular weight) as well as of physical factors (morphology, interval viscosity).     

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl acrylate using AIBN as the initiator under heterogeneous conditions

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl acrylate in the presence of a conventional radical initiator (2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile, AIBN) in bulk was successfully implemented via a new polymerization procedure. The system first reacts at 65–70°C for ten hours, then polymerizes at 100°C. Various mole ratios of AIBN to Cu^IICl₂ were used in this work, all of which result in a well-controlled radical polymerization with high initiation efficiency and narrow molecular weight distribution, i.e., the polydispersity is as low as M̄_w/M̄_n = 1.36.     

Polymerization of 1,3‐dienes with functional groups. II. Free‐radical polymerization of N‐(2‐methylene‐3‐butenoyl)piperidine

The free‐radical homopolymerization and copolymerization behavior of N‐(2‐methylene‐3‐butenoyl)piperidine was investigated. When the monomer was heated in bulk at 60 °C for 25 h without an initiator, about 30% of the monomer was consumed by the thermal polymerization and the Diels–Alder reaction. No such side reaction was observed when the polymerization was carried out in a benzene solution with 1 mol % 2,2′‐azobisisobutylonitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The polymerization rate equation was found to be R_p ∝ [AIBN]^0.507[M]^1.04, and the overall activation energy of polymerization was calculated to be 89.5 kJ/mol. The microstructure of the resulting polymer was exclusively a 1,4‐structure that included both 1,4‐E and 1,4‐Z configurations. The copolymerizations of this monomer with styrene and/or chloroprene as comonomers were carried out in benzene solutions at 60 °C with AIBN as an initiator. In the copolymerization with styrene, the monomer reactivity ratios were r₁ = 6.10 and r₂ = 0.03, and the Q and e values were calculated to be 10.8 and 0.45, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1545–1552, 2003     

Thermal polymerization of styrene in the presence of some ferrocene derivatives. II. Low concentrations of vinylferrocene and ethylferrocene

Styrene has been polymerized thermally at 60°C in the presence of low concentrations of vinylferrocene and in the presence and absence of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The polymerizations were studied in bulk and also in benzene solution. The thermal polymerization of styrene in the presence of ethylferrocene, but without added AIBN or solvent, was also examined. The bulk polymerizations exhibited high initial rates of polymerization followed by a decrease in rate. Initial rates of polymerization for bulk polymerizations in the absence of AIBN have been interpreted by means of a kinetic scheme involving propagation with styrene participating in a specific interaction with the ferrocene derivative and some kinetic parameters associated with this scheme have been evaluated. The decrease in the rate of polymerization is due to the formation of a retarder. The benzene solution polymerizations fitted a simple kinetic scheme and the transfer constant for vinylferrocene with respect to polystyryl radicals C_s, has been evaluated as 1.98 × 10^?3.     

Sulfur-Containing Vinyl Monomers. XV. Kinetic Study of Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Mercaptobenzothiazole and Its Copolymerization

A kinetic study of radical polymerization of vinyl mercaptobenzothiazole (VMBT) with α,α′-azobisisobutyonitrile (AIBN) at 60°C was carried out. The rate of polymerization (R_p) was found to be expressed by the rate equation: R_p = k[AIBN]^0.5 [VMBT]^1.0, indicating that the polymerization of this monomer proceeds via an ordinary radical mechanism. The apparent activation energy for overall polymerization was calculated to be 20.9 kcal/mole. Moreover, this monomer was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, phenyl vinyl sulfide, maleic anhydride, and fumaronitrile at 60°C. From the results obtained, the copolymerization parameters were determined and discussed.     

Stoichiometric formation of methyl methacrylate oligomer by triethylaluminum in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile

The yield of methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization as a function of triethylaluminum (TEA) concentration for a constant azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) concentration at 50°C has been measured. The polymerization yield does not differ markedly from that with AIBN alone as long as the initial TEA concentration is held smaller than four times the initial AIBN concentration. A sudden decrease in yield and molecular weight is observed at TEA/AIBN concentration ratios between 4 and 5. A plot of M?_w^?1 vs. TEA gives a rate-transfer constant of 89 1./mole-sec. If the reaction mixture is vacuum-evaporated with a previous addition of water, instead of precipitating the polymer, the formation of a considerable amount of MMA oligomer is detected for TEA/AIBN concentration ratios larger than 4. On the average, each TEA molecule in excess of four times the initial amount of AIBN yields one oligomer molecule. The data are consistent with a radical polymerization mechanism for the high molecular weight polymer and with a nonradical one for the oligomer formation.     

Liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent for the radiation polymerization of ethylene

The usefulness of liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent for polymerization of ethylene was studied. The effect of liquid carbon dioxide on the polymerization was investigated under conditions of the pressure of 400 kg./cm.² over the temperature range 20–45°C. by using γ-radiation and AIBN as initiators. The infrared spectrum of the polymers showed that carbon dioxide had little effect on the polymer structure. The polymers contained no combined carbon dioxide and only small amounts of vinylidene unsaturation. The methyl content of the polymers was 0.5–4.0 CH₃/1000C. The polymer yield and molecular weight were found to be decreased by the addition of carbon dioxide in both polymerization by γ-radiation and AIBN. The number of polymer molecules formed per unit time increased with the content of carbon dioxide in the γ-ray polymerization, and was constant in the case of AIBN. The advantages of the use of liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent in this polymerization were also considered from the viewpoints of the continuous process, the separation of polymer, the stability of carbon dioxide to radiation, and commercial applications.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(allyl methacrylate) Obtained by Free Radical Initiator

Allyl methacrylate was polymerized in CCl₄ solution by α,α′‐azoisobutyronitrile at 50, 60, and 70°C. The kinetic curves were auto‐accelarated types at 60 and 70°C, but almost linear at 50°C. Arrhenius activation energy was 77.5 kJ/mol. The polymer was insoluble in common organic solvents. It was characterized by FT‐IR, NMR, DSC, TGA and XPS methods. About 98–99% of allyl side groups were remained as pendant even after completion of the polymerization. The spectroscopic and thermal results showed that polymerization is not a cyclopolymerization type, but may have end group cyclization. The high molecular weight is the main cause of a polymer being insoluble even in the early stage of the polymerization. Molecular weight of 1.1×10⁶ for a soluble polymer fraction was measured by light scattering method. The Tg of polymer was 94°C, and after curing at 150–200°C, increased to 211°C. The thermal pyrolysis of polymer at about 350°C gave an anhydride by linkage type degradation, and side group cyclization. The XPS analysis showed the presence of radical fragments of AIBN (initiator) and CCl₄ (solvent) associated with oligomers.     

Synthesis of novel polymer containing selenium by radical addition polymerization of 1,4-benzenediselenol to 1,4-divinylbenzene

A novel addition polymerization of 1,4-benzenediselenol (BDSe) to 1,4-divinylbenzene (DVB) was carried out with various azo radical initiators [dimethyl 2,2′-azobisisobutyrate (DAIB), 1,1′-azobis(1-acetoxy-1-phenylethane) (AAPE), and AIBN] in toluene at 65 and 75°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The polymerization proceded without an induction period, and pale-yellowish powder polymers were obtained in 89% yields for 75 h (DAIB), 89% yields for 24 h (AAPE), and 60% yields for 8 h (AIBN). The molecular weight (M_w) of the insoluble polymers in toluene was about 4000 (IBN) to 14,000 (DAIB or AAPE) by GPC. The polymer had an alternating structure of BDSe to DVB units by ¹H-NMR, IR analyses, and selenium contents, but the polymer contained the diselenide linkage by Raman spectroscopy. By AIBN initiator, the yield of the polymers did not increase over 60% and higher molecular weight polymer was hardly obtained. According to the model addition reaction of benzeneselenol to styrene by AIBN, it was found that AIBN was consumed by the side reaction between dimethyl-N-(2-cyano-2-propyl)ketenimine derivedAppl 11 from AIBN and benzeneselenol to give the adduct C, MH⁺ 295 by DCI MS. On the other hand, DAIB and AAPE initiators, which do not form a ketenimine intermediate, gave the polymers of higher molecular weight in a higher yield. The polymer film exhibited high refractive index (n²⁵_D = 1.81) and a reversible phase transition between a transparency and an opaque by thermal mode. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and kinetic analysis of DPE controlled radical polymerization of MMA

The 1,1‐diphenylethene (DPE) controlled radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was performed at 80 °C by using AIBN as an initiator and DPE as a control agent. It was found that the molecular weight of polymer remained constant with monomer conversion throughout the polymerization regardless of the amounts of DPE and initiator in formulation. To understand the result of constant molecular weight of living polymers in DPE controlled radical polymerization, a living kinetic model was established in this research to evaluate all the rate constants involved in the DPE mechanism. The rate constant k₂, corresponding to the reactivation reaction of the DPE capped dormant chains, was found to be very small at 80 °C (1 × 10^?5 s^?1), that accounted for the result of constant molecular weight of polymers throughout the polymerization, analogous to a traditional free radical polymerization system that polymer chains were terminated by chain transfer. The polydispersity index (PDI) of living polymers was well controlled <1.5. The low PDI of obtained living polymers was due to the fact that the rate of growing chains capped by DPE was comparable with the rate of propagation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009     

ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION WITH COMPLEX BASE. I. POLYMERIZATION OF PHENYLISOCYANATE

In this work, phenylisocyanate was polymerized in bulk and in a solution of THF by the complex base (CB), NaNH₂/(CH₃)₃CONa catalyst under vacuum. The percent yield for bulk polymerization at ?20°C first increased with a slow rate reaching 32% conversion in 3 hours, then with a greater rate up to 86% in 6 hours. However, at 0°C the yields were relatively smaller and not very reproducible. The product obtained was a high molecular weight polymer, insoluble in most solvents, and partially crystalline. The polymerization in THF at ?20° gave 58% conversion in 9 hours with a high rate first, then a slower rate. The polymer samples were characterized by fractionation, FT-IR, DSC, NMR, TGA, and X-ray powder diffraction. The polymer samples in the solution polymerization contained trimer and oligomeric components. No glass transition temperature was observed at the temperature interval studied.     

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.     

Sulfur-Containing Vinyl Monomers. XIX. Radical Polymerization of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazolyl Methacrylate

2-Mercaptobenzothiazolyl methacrylate (MBTM) was synthesized by the reaction of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and methacrylyl chloride in tetrahydrofuran at -18°C. MBTM was found to polymerize in the presence of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), n-BuLi, and UV light. From the kinetic studies of radical polymerization of MBTM with AIBN in benzene at 60°C, the overall activation energy was determined to be 18.9 kcal/mole, and the rate of polymerization (R) was expressed as R_p = k[AIBN]^0.5 [MBTM], where k is the overall polymerization rate constant. From these results this polymerization was confirmed to proceed via an ordinary radical mechanism. This monomer (M₂) was also copolymerized radically with styrene (M₁) at 60°C, and the resulting copolymerization parameters were determined as r₁ = 0.042, r₂ = 0.20, Q₂ = 4.09, and e₂ = 1.39. The thermal stability and the photodegradation behavior of the polymers were examined, and they were compared with those of the related polymers.     

Characterization of Branched Poly (vinyl Acetate) by GPC and Low Angle Laser Light Scattering Photometry

Abstract

Poly (vinyl acetate), PVAC, synthesized by bulk polymerization over a range of initiator concentrations ([AIBN] = 10^?5 to 4 × 10^?3 g-mole/1), temperatures (50°C, 60°C, 70°C, and 80°C) and conversion levels (3 to > 90%) were characterized using low angle laser light scattering (LALLS) photometry to measure M_w of the whole polymers. A number of these samples were characterized using GPC with a differential refractive index (DRI) and LALLS detector to measure the molecular weight distribution (weight fraction versus M_w). M_w for PVAC samples synthesized at suitably low initiator levels at various conversions were found to agree with classical light scattering measurements after Graessley.

An electronic device and a technique which optimizes the sensitivity and the signal-to-noise ratio of the LALLS photometer throughout the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the GPC chromatogram were devised. These considerably simplify the operation of the LALLS for both offline and online operation with GPC.

Most importantly it was unambiguously shown that the commonly used universal calibration parameter (UCP) with GPC, [n]M_w, is incorrect for polymers with molecules having the same hydrodynamic volume but different molecular weights, i. e., those with only chain branching (LCB), copolymers with compositional drift, and polymer blends. The correct UCP was found to     

Polymerization of 1,3‐dienes with functional groups. III. Free‐radical polymerization of N,N‐diethyl‐2‐methylene‐3‐butenamide

Free‐radical homo‐ and copolymerization behavior of N,N‐diethyl‐2‐methylene‐3‐butenamide (DEA) was investigated. When the monomer was heated in bulk at 60 °C for 25 h without initiator, rubbery, solid gel was formed by the thermal polymerization. No such reaction was observed when the polymerization was carried out in 2 mol/L of benzene solution with with 1 mol % of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The polymerization rate (R_p) equation was R_p ∝ [DEA]^1.1[AIBN]^0.51, and the overall activation energy of polymerization was calculated 84.1 kJ/mol. The microstructure of the resulting polymer was exclusively a 1,4‐structure where both 1,4‐E and 1,4‐Z structures were included. From the product analysis of the telomerization with tert‐butylmercaptan as a telogen, the modes of monomer addition were estimated to be both 1,4‐ and 4,1‐addition. The copolymerizations of this monomer with styrene and/or chloroprene as comonomers were also carried out in benzene solution at 60 °C. In the copolymerization with styrene, the monomer reactivity ratios obtained were r₁ = 5.83 and r₂ = 0.05, and the Q and e values were Q = 8.4 and e = 0.33, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 999–1007, 2004     

Emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene by radiation. I. Effects of reaction conditions on the polymerization rate and polymer molecular weight

The radiation-induced emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene was carried out at an initial pressure of 2–25 kg/cm², temperature of 30–110°C, and under a dose rate of 0.57 × 10⁴?3.0 × 10⁴ rad/hr. The rate of polymerization was shown to be proportional to 1.0 and 1.3 powers of the dose rate and initial pressure, respectively, and is maximal at about 70°C. The molecular weight of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) lies in the range of 10⁵?10⁶, increases with reaction time in the early stage of polymerization, and is maximal at 70°C but is almost independent of the dose rate. An interesting discovery is that PTFE, a hydrophobic polymer, forms as a stable latex in the absence of emulsifier. When PTFE latex coagulates during polymerization under certain conditions, the polymerization rate decreases, probably because polymerization proceeds mainly on the polymer particle surface. The observed rate acceleration and successive increase in polymer molecular weight may be due to slow termination of propagating radicals in the rigid PTFE particles.     

The Effect of Active Carbon on the Kinetics of Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Rates of 2–2¹?azobisisobutyronitrile initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate in benzene were determined at 77.2, 65.0, and 50.0°C. The variation of molecular weight of the polymer with temperature and conversion was also studied. At a fixed conversion of 2.0%, the molecular weight decreased from 2.05 × 10⁵ at 50°C to 1.4 × 10⁵ at 77.2°C. The ratio of the propagation rate coefficient to the square root of the termination rate coefficient was found to be 0.61, 0.397, and 0.374 at 77.2, 65.0, and 50.0°C, respectively, with an uncertainty of ±0.5°C in temperature. The effect of active carbon on the rates of polymerization at 77.2°C was measured. Rates of polymerization decreased in the presence of active carbon. For example, the initial rate of polymerization decreased from 7.8 × 10^?4 mole/(liter min) to 4.6 × 10^?4 mole/(liter min) when the carbon concentration was varied from 0 to 9.65 g/liter. The molecular weight of the polymer increased from an average of 1.4 × 10⁵ in the absence of carbon to 1.5 × 10⁵ when carbon was present.     

Controlled radical polymerization of styrene mediated by the C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone/AIBN pair: Kinetics and electron spin resonance analysis

Kinetics of the free radical polymerization of styrene at 110 °C has been investigated in the presence of C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone (PBN) and 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) after prereaction in toluene at 85 °C. The effect of the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio on the in situ formation of nitroxides and alkoxyamines (at 85 °C), and ultimately on the control of the styrene polymerization at 110 °C, has been investigated. As a rule, the styrene radical polymerization is controlled, and the mechanism is one of the classical nitroxide‐mediated polymerization. Only one type of nitroxide (low‐molecular‐mass nitroxide) is formed whatever the prereaction conditions at 85 °C, and the equilibrium constant (K) between active and dormant species is 8.7 × 10^?10 mol L^?1 at 110 °C. At this temperature, the dissociation rate constant (k_d) is 3.7 × 10^?3 s^?1, the recombination rate constant (k_c) is 4.3 × 10⁶ L mol^?1 s^?1, whereas the activation energy (E_a,diss.), for the dissociation of the alkoxyamine at the chain‐end is ～125 kJ mol^?1. Importantly, the propagation rate at 110 °C, which does not change significantly with the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio at 85 °C, is higher than that for the thermal polymerization at 110 °C. This propagation rate directly depends on the equilibrium constant K and on the alkoxyamine and nitroxide concentrations, as well. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1219–1235, 2007