Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyesters from glycerol‐based AB2 monomer

This article describes the synthesis of a new glycerol‐based AB₂ type monomer—ethyl{3‐[2‐hydroxy‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy]propyl}thioacetate ( 4 ) and its application for the preparation of hyperbranched polyesters. The polycondensation of 4 has been performed over a wide range of catalysts and reaction conditions leading to polymers containing solely primary hydroxyl groups. The polycondensation progress has been monitored by means of ¹H NMR. The degree of branching of the polymers showed to be in the range of 0.5 ± 0.03. The obtained polyesters easily undergo hydrolysis or alcoholysis and may be of interest as recycled materials. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3860–3868, 2009     

Development of an improved synthetic route to an AB phenylquinoxaline monomer

The primary objective of this research was the development of an efficient synthetic route for a previously prepared self‐polymerizable PPQ monomer mixture, 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐6‐fluoroquinoxaline and 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐6‐fluoroquinoxaline. Thus, the intermediate, 4‐hydroxybenzil, was synthesized in good yield, starting from phenol with phenylacetyl chloride, followed by oxidation. The other intermediate, 4‐fluoro‐1,2‐phenylenediamine, was also less costly synthesized, starting from 2,4‐difluoronitrobenzene with ammonium hydroxide, followed by reduction, giving excellent yield. The overall monomer yield was superior to previous reports. Another research objective involved preparation of various monomer mixtures that could be synthesized even less costly, and attempts on polymerization could generate the same structure of PPQ from an original monomer mixture. Thus, the monomer mixture that had switched functional groups from the original one, 2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐6‐hydroxyquinoxaline and 3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐6‐hydroxyquinoxaline, was prepared. Various monomers with different functional groups attached on the 6‐position of the quinoxaline ring, such as chloro‐ and nitro‐substituted monomers instead of fluoro‐substituted ones, were also prepared. Several attempts to build up high molecular weights were not successful. In the case of the switched monomer mixture, weaker nucleophility and less activation on the fluorine atom were to be the reason in the switched monomer. In the cases of chloro‐ and nitro‐substituted monomers, poorer leaving power and side reactions were to be the reasons. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 801–814, 2005     

Synthesis and characterization of novel hyperbranched polybenzimidazoles based on an AB2 monomer containing four amino groups and one carboxylic group

A new kind of AB₂ monomer, 4‐[2,6‐bis(3,4‐diaminophenyl)pyridin‐4‐yl]benzoic acid, was synthesized, and several hyperbranched polybenzimidazoles (HPBIs) were prepared through self‐polymerization followed by modification reactions with end‐capping reagents such as 4‐methyl benzoic acid and 3‐[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy] benzoic acid. The HPBIs had good solubility in strongly aprotic solvents, such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N′‐dimethylformamide, N,N′‐dimethylacetamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. They also exhibited excellent thermal properties, with glass‐transition temperatures of 318–381 °C and 10% weight loss in the range of 338–674 °C in nitrogen and 329–509 °C in air. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5729–5739, 2006     

Hyperbranched poly(ether–urea)s using AB2‐type blocked isocyanate monomer and azide monomer: Synthesis,characterization, reactive end functionalization,and copolymerization with AB monomer

3,5‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl phenylcarbamate—a novel AB₂‐type blocked isocyanate monomer and 3,5‐bis{ethyleneoxy(4‐aminophenoxy)}phenyl carbonyl azide—a novel AB₂‐type azide monomer were synthesized in high yield. Step‐growth polymerization of these monomers were found to give a first example of hyperbranched poly (aryl‐ether‐urea) and poly(aryl‐alkyl‐ether‐urea). Molecular weights (M_w) of the polymer were found to vary from 1,858 to 52,432 depending upon the monomer and experimental conditions used. The polydispersity indexes were relatively narrow due to the controlled regeneration of isocyanate functional groups for the polymerization reaction. The degree of branching (DB) was determined using ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy and the values ranged from 87 to 54%. All the polymers underwent two‐stage decomposition and were stable up to 300 °C. Functionalized end‐capping of poly(aryl‐ether‐urea) using phenylchloroformate and di‐t‐butyl dicarbonate (Boc)₂O changed the thermal properties and solubility of the polymers. Copolymerization of AB₂‐type blocked isocyante monomer with functionally similar AB monomer were also carried out. The molecular weights of copolymers were found to be in the order of 6 × 10⁵ with narrow dispersity. It was found that the T_g's of poly(aryl‐alkyl‐ether‐urea)s were significantly less (46–49 °C) compared to poly(aryl‐ether‐urea)s. Moreover the former showed melting transition at 154 °C, which was not observed in the latter case. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2959–2977, 2007     

Orthogonally functionalizable copolymers based on a novel reactive carbonate monomer

A novel N‐hydroxy succinimide‐based carbonate monomer that allows direct synthesis of polymers incorporating a reactive carbonate group in the side chain was synthesized. This new monomer was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methylether methacrylate using free‐radical polymerization to obtain organo‐ and water‐soluble reactive copolymers. Copolymerization of the activated carbonate monomer with an azide‐containing monomer and N‐hydroxy succinimide‐containing activated ester monomer provided orthogonally functionalizable copolymers. The pendant reactive carbonate groups of the copolymers were functionalized with amines to obtain carbamates. Polymers capable of orthogonal functionalization could be selectively functionalized as desired using subsequent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition or amidation reactions. The novel monomer and the copolymers were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and infrared spectroscopy. The efficient stepwise orthogonal functionalization of the copolymers were examined via ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Studies on the atom transfer radical polymerization of a maleimide AB* monomer and modification of the halogen end groups

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of an AB* monomer, N-(4-α-bromobutyryloxy phenyl)maleimide (BBPMI), was conducted using the complex of CuBr/2,2′-bipyridine as catalyst. The study of kinetics of polymerization and the growth behavior of macromolecules show that the polymerization proceeds rapidly in first 1 h and then slows down. The decrease in the rate of polymerization is ascribed to the poor reactivity of maleimide radicals from A* to initiate the polymerization of maleimide double bonds. The molecular weight of the resulting polymer also increases with the dosage of catalyst. The coincidence of molecular weight determined by hydrogen proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) proves that the resulting polymer is of linear structure, which is further verified by ¹³C NMR measurement and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the hydrolysate of the resulting polymer. The stabilization modification of the halogen end groups of the resulting polymer by free-radical chain transfer reaction was attempted under ATRP condition. Isopropyl benzene was employed as the chain transfer agent. Indeed, the modified polymer with carbon-bromine bonds conversion of 40.7% shows enhanced thermal stability. The initial weight loss temperature has been increased from 193 to 243 °C. On the other hand, the atom transfer radical copolymerization of BBPMI with styrene resulted in the formation of hyperbranched polymer.     

Dendrimers based on [1,3,5]‐triazines

A comprehensive and chronological account of dendrimers based on [1,3,5]‐triazines is provided. Synthetic strategies to install the triazine through cycloaddition, cyclotrimerization, and nucleophilic aromatic substitution of cyanuric chloride are discussed. Motivations and applications of these architectures are surveyed, including the preparation of supramolecular assemblies in the solution and solid states and their use in medicines, advanced materials, and separations when anchored to solid supports. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3411–3433, 2006     

Facile oxygen reduction on a three-dimensionally ordered macroporous graphitic C3N4/carbon composite electrocatalyst

Honeycomb catalysis: a facile oxygen reduction reaction has been observed on a graphitic C(3)N(4)/carbon catalyst with three-dimensional interconnected macropores (see picture with SiO(2) template). This material not only shows catalytic activity that is comparable to that of commercial Pt/C, but also has much higher organic-fuel tolerance and long-term stability.     

Controlled polymerization of an AB2 monomer using a chloromethylarene as comonomer: branched polymers from activated methylene compounds

Hyperbranched and branched polymers were synthesized by one-pot reaction of the AB₂ monomer 4-(4′-chloromethylbenzyloxy)phenylacetonitrile (1 ). The polymerization of 1 was controlled by adding a chloromethylarene (A₁ comonomer) such as methoxybenzyl chloride and by adding TBAC (tetrabutylammonium chloride). Copolymerization of 1 with A₂ comonomers, bis(chloromethyl)arenes, gives the corresponding copolymers.     

Formation of a supramolecular hyperbranched polymer from self-organization of an AB2 monomer containing a crown ether and two paraquat moieties

An AB2 monomer containing a bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 and two paraquat moieties was designed and prepared. It self-organized to form a supramolecular hyperbranched polymer in solution.     

含有杯芳烃的树枝状分子

杯芳烃与树枝状大分子是超分子化学中两类极为重要的主体分子,将这两种主体分子结合在一起所得到的基于杯芳烃的树枝状大分子,不仅仅能够将两者的优点集中到一个分子之中,同时还有可能产生一些新颖的性能,成为新型的智能材料、分子器件或是纳米材料。本文按照杯芳烃的类型,在树枝状大分子中的位置,综述了到目前为止有关这一新型主体分子的研究成果,展望了它在将来的发展。     

Approaches to novel AB heteroaromatic polyamides based on cyanoimidazoles

We report the synthesis of several AB monomers based on 2-amino-4,5-dicyanoimidazole. Polymerization of the monomers to poly(imidazoleamide)s, by several methods is described. Amino acids 2-amino-4-cyano-1-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxylic acid and 2-amino-5-cyano-1-methyl-4-imidazolecarboxylic acid were prepared by mono-ethanolysis of 2-amino-4,5-dicyanoimidazole followed by methylation of the 1-nitrogen. The resulting regioisomeric mixture of ethyl esters was separated by fractional crystallization and hydrolyzed to the desired amino acids. The regioisomeric structure was determined by NOE studies of the decarboxylated amino acids. The corresponding acid chlorides were prepared with thionyl chloride and isolated as the HCl salts. Activated esters were prepared by reacting the acid chlorides with alcohols such as 1,1,1-trifluoroethanol and 2-chlorophenol. Model compounds were prepared by the acylation of aminocyanoimidazoles but yields were low. The low nucleophilicity of the aminocyanoimidazolecarboxylic acids was partially overcome by the use of the acylation catalyst 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and the activating agent silicon tetrachloride. The acid chlorides were polymerized in amide solvents such as hexamethyl phosphoramide with pyridine and DMAP. A copolyamide consisting of both regioisomers was prepared from a regioisomeric mixture of the acid chlorides. In addition, aminolysis of 2-chlorophenyl 2-amino-4-cyano-1-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxylate resulted in a low yield of poly(imidazoleamide). Poly(imidazoleamide)s were red to tan which suggest conjugation along the polymer backbone. The solubility of the polyamides varied from amide solvents to sulfuric acid depending on the regioisomeric structure and molecular weight. The molecular weight of the heteroaramids was in the range from 1500 to 4000 based on viscosity measurements in sulfuric acid. The poly(imidazoleamide)s were thermally stable in excess of 300°C under air and nitrogen atmosphere. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Theoretical investigation of triazine based a star shape pyrrole monomer

In this work, we report a comprehensive theoretical investigation of electroactive star shaped pyrrole functionalized triazine monomer with two main goals. First goal of this work is to explore the physical and chemical properties of the monomer, then to investigate correlation between the experimental and the theoretical properties of monomer. The scale factor which is calculated from B3LYP/cc-pVDZ was determined as 0.985 for FT-IR and it is an important and reliable contribution to the literature. It is determined that the most appropriate basis set for this molecule. The other novel objective of this research is to investigate temperature effect on displacement of chlorine atoms in 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine. This method applied for the first time in the literature for triazines is especially crucial to the synthesis of unsymmetrical triazines.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel AB2 monomer and corresponding hyperbranched poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s

A novel AB₂ monomer, 4‐(fluorophenyl)‐4′,4″‐(bishydroxyphenyl) phosphine oxide, was synthesized. The monomer was successfully polymerized to a modest molecular weight with various catalysts, including K₂CO₃ and Cs₂CO₃/Mg(OH)₂. Hyperbranched polymers exhibited exceptionally high thermal stability and solubility in conventional polar organic solvents and basic water solutions. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3736–3741, 2000     

Simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol based on three-dimensionally ordered macroporous polycysteine film modified electrode

A three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) polycysteine (PCE) film was electropolymerized on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using polystyrene spheres as template. The electrochemical behaviors of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) were studied, and two independent oxidation peaks were observed. Compared with the bare GCE and GCE modified with PCE without using template, this electrode displays larger peak currents which may be attributed to the structure of PCE and the large surface area of the nanopore array structure. As a result, a novel electrochemical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of HQ and CC. Under the optimized conditions, the peak currents were linear to concentrations in the wider ranges of 9 to 700 μM for HQ and from 3 to 700 μM for CC. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of HQ and CC in spiked water samples, and the results are satisfactory.     

Novel polyesters and polyester/Cloisite 30B nanocomposites based on a new rhodanine-based monomer

A novel bis-diol monomer, 3,3'-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2'-dithioxo-[5,5']bithiazolidinylidene-4,4'-dione, was prepared in a one-pot three component reaction and used in a polyesterification reaction with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids using tosyl chloride/dimethylformamide/pyridine system as a condensing agent in order to generate a series of new polyesters. The prepared polyesters were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In the next part, a series of polyester/clay nanocomposites were synthesized through a polyesterification reaction of the synthesized monomer with iso-phthalic acid. Cloisite 30B was used as the filler at different concentrations. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies showed that the organoclay layers are mainly exfoliated in the nanocomposites containing 1 wt % of Cloisite 30B.     

Synthesis and electrochromic properties of aromatic polyetherimides based on a triphenylamine‐dietheramine monomer

A series of electroactive polyetherimides (PEIs) with triphenylamine (TPA) units were prepared from the polycondensation reactions of 4,4′‐bis(p‐aminophenoxy)triphenylamine with aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides via a conventional two‐step technique. The PEIs showed high thermal stability, with glass‐transition temperatures of 234–282 °C and decomposition temperatures in excess of 500 °C. They showed well‐defined and reversible redox couples during both p‐ and n‐doping processes, together with multielectrochromic behaviors. These polymers exhibited enhanced redox‐stability and electrochromic performance as compared with the corresponding analogs without the phenoxy spacer between the TPA and imide units. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2925–2938