The crystallization behavior of Cis-polyisoprenes extracted from the guayule plant

The crystallization kinetics and resultant morphologies of thin films of cis-polyisoprenes from guayule rubber have been studied using osmium tetroxide staining and transmission electron microscopy. Polymers used were extracted from the plant either on a laboratory scale or in a pilot plant operation. The polymers show significantly different behavior with regard to both morphological features and to lamellar growth rates. Freshly extracted cis-polyisoprene as well as freshly prepared specimens of pilot plant rubber show only α growth, as in cis-polyisoprene from hevea, but a slightly faster lamellar growth rate. Aged pilot plant rubber shows both α and β growth, both at higher rates than in natsyn, with the rate of α growth being lower than in hevea. Freshly extracted and aged specimens show a maximum lamellar growth rate at ?20°C, whereas the maximum for pilot plant rubber occurs at ?24°C. The data are interpreted in terms of oxidation of double bonds during aging to produce pendant ester groups. Lamellar growth rates and infrared analyses are both consistent with 1.2–1.5% of the double bonds being affected. Data from guayule and natsyn are now consistent in showing that the effects of microstructural impurities on the crystallization of cis-polyisoprene are to reduce the rates of α-lamellar growth and to induce the β growth, which would not otherwise exist. Secondary nucleation analyses show the regime II–III transition, as in hevea; however, the temperature of the transition, as well as the ratio of the slopes, is different for this linear polymer.     

High-pressure phases in polymers. I. Spherulitic growth kinetics in cis-polyisoprene

This is the first paper in a series dealing with the crystallization of high polymers at elevated pressures. Through an extension of the thin-film technique using osmium tetroxide staining, the measurement of lamellar growth kinetics at high pressures as well as the observation of micromorphological changes has proved possible. Three different morphological species of cis-polyisoprene have been detected in the pressure–temperature plane. A review is given of the conditions governing their formation and the growth kinetics of lamellar crystals are discussed in detail. Secondary nucleation theory is obeyed, the major effect of pressure being to alter the kinetics through the thermodynamic transitions. Variations in lamellar thickness with pressure may be explained simply in terms of the elevation by pressure of the equilibrium melting point.     

Comparative study of the mechanical relaxation behavior of polymethacrylates containing different bulky side groups

The syntheses of poly(1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate), poly(cis‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate), poly(trans‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate), poly(cis‐2‐cyclohexyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate), and poly(trans‐2‐cyclohexyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate) are reported. The mechanical relaxation spectrum of the simplest polymer, poly(1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate), exhibits a prominent β relaxation centered at ?98 °C, at 1 Hz, followed in increasing order of temperature by an ostensible glass–rubber relaxation process. In addition to the β relaxation, the loss curves of poly(trans‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate) and poly(trans‐2‐cyclohexyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate) display in the glassy state a high activation energy relaxation, named the β* process, that seems to be a precursor of the glass–rubber relaxation of these polymers. The mechanical spectra of poly(trans‐2‐cyclohexyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate) and poly(cis‐2‐cyclohexyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐5‐yl methacrylate) exhibit a low activation energy process in the low‐temperature side of the spectra, which is absent in the other polymers. The molecular origin of the mechanical activity of these polymers in the glassy state is discussed in qualitative terms. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1154–1162, 2002     

Midgap levels of photoexcited conductive polymers. I. A simple description of the midgap levels based on molecular orbital interaction

We studied the midgap levels appearing in the photoexcited conductive polymers such as trans- and cis-polyacetylenes, poly(p-phenylene), polypyrrole, and polyacene based on the molecular orbital analysis. The midgap levels are constructed from the transformation of the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the ground state. As the result of the localization of the wave functions associated with these midgap levels, large polarization is induced between adjacent carbon atoms. Based on the examination of the energy gap between the two midgap levels, the polymers with a nondegenerate ground state such as cis-polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), and polypyrrole would show no sizable photoconductivities.     

Crystallization-induced reactions of copolymers. II. Cis-trans isomerization of 1,4-poly-1,3-butadiene

The cis-trans photoisomerization reaction of 1,4-polybutadiene was carried out below the melting points on films of polymers containing high trans-1,4 contents. Under the proper conditions of temperature and polymer composition, the reaction was observed to undergo an anti-equilibrium behavior, which was attributed to an irreversible crystallization of repeating units after isomerization from cis to trans structure. As a result, the trans composition passed through a minimum with reaction time while crystallinity increased throughout the reaction, and unexpectedly the β crystalline form was observed well below the α–β transition temperature. The composition–time behavior observed was rationalized on the basis of incorporation of trans units into crystalline regions on the lamellar fold surfaces and discussed within the framework of the proposed requirements for crystallization-induced reactions of copolymers.     

High-pressure phases in polymers. IV. Skeletal growth in cis-polyisoprene

The crystallization of cis-polyisoprene even at moderately elevated pressures results in the formation of a single-crystal species which develops through skeletal growth. The nature of these crystals, which are produced at relatively low supercooling, is described. They occur concurrently with spherulites but exhibit a much higher growth rate. In common with single crystals grown from solution the size and shape of the species is a function of the supercooling.     

Stereochemistry in cationic polymerization of alkenyl ethers. II. Formation of poly(ß-substituted vinyl ether)s with erythro-meso structures

The formation of polymers with erythro-meso structures, which could not be obtained from propenyl ethers with BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂, was studied by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy on poly(ß-substituted vinyl ether)s obtained under a variety of conditions of polymerization. It was established that poly(cis-ethyl propenyl ether) obtained with Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex in toluene at 0°C was a highly stereoregular polymer with an erythro-meso structure. Cis-2-chlorovinyl ethyl ether and cis-methyl and ethyl butenyl ethers also yielded polymers with erythro-meso structures under the same conditions. In addition, with BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C these three cis isomers produced amorphous polymers with threo-meso, racemic, and, in a few cases, erythro-meso structures, whereas cis-ethyl propenyl ether produced polymers with only threo-meso and racemic structures by the same catalyst. On the other hand, all trans isomers produced stereoregular polymers with threo-meso structures with BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C, regardless of their ß-substituents; no erythro-meso structures were found in the polymers obtained.     

Origin of the color of π‐conjugated columnar polymers: Poly(p‐n‐octylthiophenyl)acetylene prepared using a [Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]2 catalyst

Highly stereospecific polymerization of a novel sulfur containing aromatic acetylenes, that is, (p‐n‐octylthiophenyl)acetylene (pOctSPA), was successfully performed using the Rh complex, [Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]₂‐TEA, catalyst in the presence of various solvents under mild conditions. The resulting polymers were characterized in detail by ¹H NMR, ESR, laser Raman, diffuse reflective UV‐Vis (DRUV‐Vis), and wide angle X‐ray diffraction methods. The data showed that the resulting polymers bear cis‐transoid form, which can induce the cis‐to‐trans isomerization when the cis polymers are subjected to pressure at room temperature under vacuum, breaking rotationally the cis C?C bonds in the main‐chain giving two kinds of π‐radicals, the so‐called cis radical and trans radical as the origin of a polymer magnet like a novel spin glass material. Further, the resulting cis poly(acetylene)s were found to have a helical main‐chain, which is packed in pseudohexagonal crystal called π‐conjugated columnar or nano π‐conjugated columnar as a novel color controllable material. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2836–2850, 2005     

Polyimidines: A new class of polymers. III. A comparison of isomers of polypyromellitimidines

The cis (3,3,5,5-), trans (3,3,7,7-), oxo, and thio analogs of tetraphenylpyromellitide were polymerized with 1, 6-hexane diamine, p-phenylene diamine, and p,p'-diaminodiphenyl ether under various conditions. A comparison was then made of reactivity of the isomers and of the properties of the polymers. In general the thio monomers were more soluble and reactive than the oxo. They also gave more thermally stable polymers. The cis isomers of the monomers were more soluble than the trans, but the trans were more reactive. The least stable of the 12 polymers prepared was that from the cis–oxo monomer and 1,6-hexane diamine. It gave a 10% weight loss at 300°C in air and 340°C in nitrogen by TGA. The most stable polymer was from the reaction of the cis–thio pyromellitide with p,p'-diaminodiphenyl ether, which showed 10% weight losses by TGA at 560 and 650°C in air and nitrogen, respectively. The polymers were stable in hot dilute hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. They were all soluble in chloroform, dimethylformamide, and sulfuric acid. Polymers that contained sulfur were also soluble in carbon tetrachloride, benzene, xylene, and toluene. Brittle films could be cast from solution or melt-pressed.     

Polymerization of acetylenic derivatives. XXX. Isomers of polyphenylacetylene

Cis-transoidal (orange, soluble, and of low crystallinity) and cis-cisoidal (red, insoluble, and highly crystalline) polyphenylacetylenes (PPA) were prepared by Ziegler-Natta catalysts and trans-cisoidal (yellow, soluble, and amorphous) polyphenylacetylenes were prepared by using phosphine complexes, TiCl₄ and by thermal initiation. The cis-transoidal and cis-cisoidal structures isomerize thermally in the solid state above 100°C. In solution the cis-transoidal structure isomerizes above 80°C. The polymers obtained by thermal isomerization are soluble, amorphous, and have a trans-cisoidal structure. At temperatures higher than 120°C the cis–trans isomerization is accompanied by cyclization and by scission of the polymer chain. A method was developed for determination of cis content of cis-transoidal and cis-cisoidal polyphenylacetylenes.     

Dielectric relaxations and electrical conductivities of poly(alkyl methacrylates) under high pressure

Dielectric properties of four methacrylate polymers (methyl, ethyl, n-butyl and n-octyl) were studied in the frequency range 0.0001 cps–300 kcps at temperatures above and below the glass transition temperature and at various pressures up to 2500 atm. At temperatures well above T_g a single relaxation peak (α′ peak) was observed in the case of the higher n-alkyl methacrylates. However, this peak was split into two peaks, α and β, with decrease in temperature or increase in pressure. The molecular motions corresponding to the α and the β relaxation processes are the micro-Brownian motions of amorphous main chains and of flexible side chains, respectively. From the temperature and the pressure dependence of the average dielectric relaxation time of these polymers the single relaxation process (the α′ process) was attributed to the micro-Brownian motion of the main chain coupled with that of the side chain. The effects of temperature and pressure on the d.c. conductivity of these polymers were also studied.     

High-pressure phases in polymers. II. Spherulitic growth morphology in cis-polyisoprene

The morphological details of the nucleation and growth of spherulites in cis-polyisoprene at elevated pressures are discussed on the basis of transmission electron microscopy of films stained in situ by osmium tetroxide and cold-stage electron diffraction of unstained films. The crystalline structure is unchanged but growth habits are modified. Spherulites begin, as in crystallization at atmospheric pressure, with a single lamella. The formation of a spherulite proceeds primarily through “spawning” and is unaffected by the imposition of pressure. Lamellae tend to propagate as plates or hedrites at supercoolings in excess of 50–60°C (e.g., 1 kbar at 0°C) unlike at atmospheric pressure where only ribbonlike lamellae are observed. Propagation is invariably as sheafs since nucleation of lamellae which grow perpendicular to the primary lamella is suppressed. The nucleation density varies considerably with pressure, a maximum being observed in the pressure plane at constant temperature (e.g., 0.70 kbar at 0°C). It is difficult to resolve clearly the morphological details in the diffusion controlled region because of fine texture. Although much more difficult to achieve experimentally, the effects of pre-orienting the melt are similar to those occurring at atmospheric pressure.     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. IV. Stereospecific polymerization of propenyl alkyl ethers catalyzed by BF3·O(C2H5)2 and Al2(SO4)3–H2SO4 complex

The cis- and trans-propenyl alkyl ethers were polymerized by a homogeneous catalyst [BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂] and a heterogeneous catalyst [Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex]. Methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and tert-butyl propenyl ethers were used as monomers. The steric structure of the polymers formed depended on the geometric structures of monomer and the polymerization conditions. In polymerizations with BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C., trans isomers produced crystalline polymers, but cis isomers formed amorphous ones except for tert-butyl propenyl ether. On the other hand, highly crystalline polymers were formed from cis isomers, but not from the trans isomers in the polymerization by Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex at 0°C. The x-ray diffraction patterns of the crystalline polymers obtained from the trans isomers were different from those produced from the cis isomers, except for poly(methyl propenyl ether). The reaction mechanism was discussed briefly on these basis of these results.     

Nucleophilic Reactions at Tertiary Carbon. Part 1. The 1,2-dimethyl-1-cyclohexyl cation

Stereoisomeric ion pairs are implicated as intermediates in the solvolysis of cis and trans-1-chloro-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane, cis- 4 and trans- 4 , respectively. This follows from the rates and products of these stereoisomeric tertiary chlorides in 80% ethanol and 50% acetone. The composition of elimination and substitution products from cis- 4 and trans- 4 differs markedly and the differences are accentuated by silver ion. Furthermore, substitution products are formed with predominant inversion of configuration. The equilibrium constant for isomerization of cis- 4 and trans- 4 shows the latter to be more stable by 0.7 kcal/mol. Since the solvolysis rates of the chlorides are equal, the transition state for trans- 4 is also more stable by 0.7 kcal. By inference the intermediates differ by a similar amount of energy which is ascribed to more efficient solvation of the trans ion pair 13 .     

Polymerization of vinylcyclopropanes. III. Cationic polymerization of stereoisomers of 1-halo-2-vinylcyclopropanes

Vinylcyclopropane derivatives, 1-chloro- and 1-bromo-2-vinylcyclopropane, have respectively two stereoisomers, and radical polymerizations of both isomers gave 1,5-type polymers. On the other hand, only the cis isomers gave a polymer which had mainly 1,2-type structural units in cationic polymerizations with Lewis acids. The difference between the cationic polymerizabilities of the cis and trans isomers is interpreted in terms of steric conformation of monomers.     

Addition of chlorofluorocarbene to poly(1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) and poly(1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene): Characterization of chlorofluorocyclopropanated polymer microstructures by 1H-, 13C-, 19F-, and 29Si-NMR spectroscopy

Chlorofluorocarbene, generated by the sodium iodide catalyzed decomposition of phenyl(dichlorofluoromethyl)mercury, adds to the carbon-carbon double bonds of poly(1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (I) and poly(1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (II) to yield poly(3,4-chlorofluoromethylene-1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (CIFC-I) and poly(3,4-chlorofluoromethylene-1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (CIFC-II). Similarly, two series of random partially chlorofluorocyclopropanated polymers have been prepared. The microstructures of these adduct polymers have been determined by ¹H-, ₁₃C-, ¹⁹F-, and ²⁹Si-NMR spectroscopy. The glass transition temperatures (T_g's) depend on the extent of chlorofluoropropanation of these polymers. These copolymers become less thermally stable as the extent of chlorofluorocyclopropanation increases. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Aconityl-derived polymers for biomedical applications. Modeling study of cis–trans isomerisation

 Soluble polymers have been prepared that are designed to undergo enhanced rates of hydrolysis at pH values less than that observed in blood circulation. The degradable element in the polymer mainchain is derived from cis-aconityl acid and is defined by a carboxylic acid pendent functionality (C-4) that is cis across a double bond to an amide at C-1 in the polymer mainchain. While degradation studies in vitro have confirmed these polymers do undergo enhanced rates of degradation at acidic pH values, there is also increasing evidence that during the degradation process the double bond isomerises to the trans configuration and thus prevents the full degradation of a polymer. From a molecular modelling perspective we are seeking to understand the propensity for this cis–trans isomerisation and the mechanism of this cis–trans isomerisation is discussed. Received: 29 April 2002 / Accepted: 6 September 2002 / Published online: 14 February 2003     

Photoswitchable Adhesives Using Azobenzene‐Containing Materials

Photoinduced reversible solid‐to‐liquid transitions of azobenzene‐containing materials can control adhesion. Photoswitchable adhesives based on azobenzene‐containing small molecules and polymers are under intense investigation. The melting points or glass transition temperatures of such azobenzene‐containing materials in trans and cis forms are above and below room temperature, respectively. Photoswitching of these materials results in reversible trans‐cis isomerization and solid‐to‐liquid transitions. The solid trans azobenzene‐containing materials have strong adhesion and the liquid cis azobenzene‐containing materials have weaker adhesion. In this Minireview, we introduce adhesives based on azobenzene‐containing small molecules and polymers. The remaining challenges and perspectives in the field of photoswitchable adhesives using azobenzene‐containing materials are also discussed.     

Stimuli-responsive polymers. III. Poly(aryl ether ketone amide)s with reversible trans- ↔ cis-4,4′-azobenzene and fixed 2,2′-binaphthyl kinking elements in the main chain

The low-temperature polycondensation of trans-azobenzene-4,4′-dicarbonyl chloride with (S)-(−)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine and/or 1,4-bis(3-aminophenoxy-4′-benzoyl)benzene afforded a new series of poly(aryl ether ketone amide)s with both fixed and photoinducible kinking elements positioned randomly along the main chain. In their lower energy, trans-azobenzene configurations, the orange, film-forming materials were amorphous, highly tractable, and thermally stable under air or nitrogen up to about 420°C. Variants endowed with higher loadings of the bent binaphthyl monomer were soluble in a variety of organic solvent media including THF and acetone. The introduction of cis-azobenzene backbone kinks into these materials was carried out by irradiating the polymer solutions with near-UV light. Up to 70% of the azobenzene moieties in these polymers were capable of assuming the higher energy cis-configuration, thus greatly increasing the number of bent or kinked sites positioned along each polymer backbone. In solution, reverse cis → trans isomerization reactions were triggered thermally and were quantitatively tracked by both optical absorbance and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. Activation parameters calculated for cis → trans reorganization of the polymer backbone were not dependent upon the chemical composition or molecular weight of the polymers but did exhibit a small dependence upon the nature of the solvent medium used to conduct the isomerization experiment. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2827–2837, 1998     

Singlet oxygenation of 1,2-poly(1,4-hexadiene)s

The microstructural changes that occur in cis and trans forms of 1,2-poly(1,4-hexadiene) during methylene blue-photosensitized oxidation were examined by infrared (IR) and ¹³C-NMR spec-troscopy. The singlet oxygenation of these polymers yielded the expected allylic hydroperoxides accompanied by double bond shifts to new vinyl and trans-vinylene double bonds. The photosensitized oxidation exhibited zero-order kinetics; the relative rates for the cis- and trans-1,2-poly(1,4-hexadiene)s were approximately 3.8:1.0.