Synthesis and properties of poly[arylene ether (N-arylenebenzimidazole)]s

Poly(arylene ether)s containing N-arylenebenzimidazole groups were prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of two new bis(hydroxyphenyl-N-arylenebenzimidazole)s with activated aromatic difluorides in sulfolane at 200°C in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. The bis(hydroxyphenyl-N-arylenebenzimidazole)s were prepared from bis(o-aminoanilino) arylenes and phenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate. The polymers were soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and m-cresol and exhibited inherent viscosities from 0.37–0.86 dL/g and glass transition temperatures from 219–289°C. Thermogravimetric analyses showed 5% weight losses from 463–506°C in air and 467–522°C in nitrogen. Unoriented thin films exhibited tensile strengths, moduli, and break elongations at 23°C of 10.2–12.5 ksi, 318–365 ksi, and 4–7%, respectively, and at 177°C of 5.1–6.9 ksi, 256–296 ksi, and 1–5%, respectively. A 50 : 50 random copolymer prepared from 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl) benzene, 1,1'-(4,4'-biphenylene)-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole], and 5,5'-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole] exhibited higher moisture absorption and lower tensile properties than those predicted by a rule of mixtures relationship. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of these polymers are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.?     

Pyrimidine-containing poly[bis(itaconimides)]

Heat-resistant pyrimidine-containing poly[bis(itaconimides)] with a glass transition temperature of 240–250°C were synthesized via the polyaddition reaction. The film materials based on a pyrimidine-containing poly[bis(itaconimide)] and an aromatic polybenzimidazole acquired good electric and mechanical characteristics after doping with phosphoric acid.     

Nanostructured poly(urethane)s and poly(urethane-urea)s from reactive solutions of poly[styrene-b-butadiene-b-(methyl methacrylate)]-triblock copolymers

Poly[Styrene-b-Butadiene-b-(Methyl Methacrylate)], SBM triblock copolymers have been incorporated in different polyurethane, PU formulations in order to prepare nanostructured materials. Macrodiols used for PU synthesis were based on a central bis-phenol A, BPA unit with two hydroxyl-terminated oligo(oxypropylene), BPA-PO_x or oligo(oxyethylene), BPA-EO chains with varying lengths. The initial solubility of the three blocks and the rheological behavior of the solutions in macrodiols and also in two diisocyanates, isophorone diisocyanate, IPDI, and 1,3-xylylene diisocyanate, XDI have been first characterized. The PMMA block is the most soluble and its role during the reaction is to stabilize the initial nanostructure or to control the reaction-induced microphase separation.Block copolymers can be dissolved first in the macrodiol, or preferably in the diisocyanate. With BPA-PO_x and low SBM content (<10 wt%), transparent linear or crosslinked PU with well dispersed triblock nanoparticles have been prepared, depending on the molar mass of the macrodiol and on the concentration of diblock SB impurities present in the triblock. For high SBM concentrations (>50 wt%), a twin screw extruder had to be used for the blending. Under well-defined conditions, transparent linear PUs and linear segmented polyurethane-ureas have been prepared.This study confirms that for designing a nanostructured material from a reactive mixture with a triblock additive, one block, called “the nanostructuring block” has to remain soluble up to the end of the reaction.     

Liquid-crystalline copolyesters based on poly(p-oxybenzoate) and poly(p,p-biphenylene terephthalate)

Two copolymers composed of p-hydroxybenzoate (PHB) and biphenylene terephthalate (BPT) with PHB/BPT ratios of 1/2 and 2/1 were characterized with respect to their tendency to exhibit liquid-crystalline behavior in the melt phase. The BPT -rich copolyester, PHB/BPT = 1/2, displayed a birefringent melt phase of very high viscosity and no tendency to crystallize on cooling. The resulting fused material exhibited what apeared to be a second-order transition at 170°C. The PHB-rich composition, PHB/BPT = 2/1, also exhibited a highly birefringent melt phase of high viscosity which was quite shear sensitive. This polymer melt had little tendency to crystallize on cooling; however, on reheating no apparent second-order transition could be detected. The observed phase changes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, hot-stage microscopy, and wide-angle x-ray diffraction techniques. Additional data, pertaining to the compositional nature and apparent sequence distribution, were obtained by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy of the solid materials through magic-angle spinning, dipolar decoupling, and cross-polarization techniques.     

Electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of all-trans conjugated polymer poly[distyrylbenzene-b-(ethylene oxide)]s

The electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of two linear, stereoregular, and structurally defined PPV derivatives, poly[distyrylbenzene-b-(ethylene oxide)]s, with respective 12 and 16 of ethylene oxide repeat units in the backbone, abbreviated as DE-1 and DE-2, have been studied on glassy carbon and Pt electrodes in CH2Cl2 and CH3CN containing 0.10 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). In CH2Cl2, a one-electron transfer, reversible oxidation at approximately 0.75 V vs Ag/Ag+ (10 mM AgNO3 in CH3CN) was observed for both polymers. Porous polymer films were electrochemically formed on the electrode with multiple cyclic potential scanning. Cast films of DE-1 and DE-2 on the electrode prepared from 1.0 mM of the corresponding CH2Cl2 solutions were used for studies in CH3CN containing 0.10 M TBAP due to their limited solubility in the solvent. A film-type of oxidation was found at approximately 0.80 V vs Ag/Ag+ in CH3CN when a scan rate of less than 1 V/s was used. The soluble oxidation product can be captured and reduced and then reoxidized in solution-phase at the electrode at a relatively high scan rate of, e.g., 2 V/s. ECL responses with a maximum emission at approximately 1.10 V vs Ag/Ag+ were obtained with the cast films in CH3CN (0.10 M TBAP) in the presence of 43 mM tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) after both TPrA and film were oxidized. The ECL is believed to be resulted from the interaction between the oxidized polymer species and the strong reducing TPrA free radical (TPrA*) generated after the deprotonation of TPrA*+ cation species.     

Amphiphilic cationic [dendritic poly(L-lysine)]-block-poly(L-lactide)-block-[dendritic poly(L-lysine)]s in aqueous solution: self-aggregation and interaction with DNA as gene delivery carriers

A new series of triblock [dendritic poly(L-lysine)]-block-PLLA-block-[dendritic poly(L-lysine)]s (DL(2) -PLLA-DL(2) ) with PLLA block lengths of 11.5-26.5 and double 2-generation PLL dendrons DL(2) as model cationic amphiphiles were synthesized and characterized. Their CAC, self-aggregation and plasmid DNA binding affinities in pure water and PBS were studied. The PLLA block length dependence of particle size, morphology and ξ potential for organized pDNA/amphiphile polyplex aggregates were examined. Finally, toxicities of these DL(2) -PLLA-DL(2) amphiphiles and their polyplexes were assayed by MTT with HeLa, SMMC-7721 and COS-7 cells, and COS-7 cell luciferase and eGFP gene transfection efficacies with these amphiphiles as the delivery carriers were investigated.     

Syntheses of poly[N-(1-pyrenyl)acetyl ethylenimine] [pyrene-substituted linear poly(ethylenimine)] and poly[methyl 2-(1-pyrenyl)acetamidopropenoate] [pyrene-substituted poly(dehydroalanine methyl ester)]

The syntheses of two new pyrene-containing monomers—2-(1-pyrenyl)methyl-2-oxazoline ( 6 ) and methyl 2-(1-pyrenyl)acetamidopropenoate ( 12 )—and their polymerization are described. Cationic isomerization polymerization of 6 with ethylene glycol ditosylate initiator gave poly[N-(1-pyrenyl)acetyl ethylenimine] ( 7 ) and free-radical polymerization of 12 with AIBN initiator gave poly[methyl 2-(1-pyrenyl)acetamidopropenoate] ( 15 ). The monomer model compounds of the two polymers, namely, N,N-diethyl(1-pyrenyl)acetamide ( 9 ) and methyl 2-methyl-2-(1-pyrenyl)acetamidopropanoate ( 14 ), were also synthesized. The polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and a comparison of their ¹H-NMR spectra with those of the respective monomer model compounds.     

Aromatic poly(amide-ether)s containing naphthalene and methylene unites

1,5-Naphthene dioxy diacetic acid was synthesized from the reaction of 1,5-naphthalene diol and chloroacetic acid. It was used then as a bi-functiona l monomer in polycondensation reaction with aromatic diamines in the presence of tripnenylphosphite to produce poly(amide-ether)s. All the obtained polymers were characterized by IR and elemental analysis; their solubility behaviour was evaluated in polar organic solvents as well as in concentrated H₂SO₄. The extent of thermal stability and phase transitions of poly(amide- ether)s were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry respectively; while the morphology was estimated by X-ray powder diffraction patterns. Besides, the fu-fu stacking character of polymer chain interactions in the solid state was confirmed by absorption spectra of solid thin films.     

Zipper-like properties of [poly(L-lysine)+ poly(L-glutamic acid)]beta-pleated molecular self-assembly

Through the application of Molecular Force Spectroscopy, here we demonstrate nanomechanical properties of a beta-pleated, reversible, and pH-controllable molecular "zipper" formed by the spontaneous self-assembly of two sequenceless polypeptides.     

Spectroelectrochemical characterisation of poly[Ni(saltMe)]-modified electrodes

Electrogenerated polymers based on the nickel(II) complex 2,3-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(salicylidene)butane-2,3-diaminatonickel(II), poly[Ni(saltMe)], were characterised by in situ FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and ex-situ EPR spectroscopy in order to gain insights into film structure, electronic states and charge conduction. The role of the nickel ions during film oxidation was probed by using EPR to study naturally abundant Ni and 61Ni-enriched polymers. The data from all the spectroscopic techniques are consistent, and clearly indicate that polymerisation and redox switching are associated with oxidative ligand based processes; coulometry suggests that one positive charge was delocalised through each monomer unit. EPR provided evidence for the non-direct involvement of the metal in polymer oxidation: the polymer is best described as a polyphenylene-type compound (conducting polymer), rather than an aggregation of nickel complexes (redox polymer), and the main charge carriers are identified as polarons. An explanation for the high electrochemical stability and conductivity of poly[Ni(saltMe)] with respect to that of poly[Ni(salen)] is proposed. based on stereochemical repulsion between monomeric units; this can impose a less compact supramolecular structure on polymers with bulkier substituents.     

Thermal and dynamic mechanical investigations on poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)]

A series of new semi-ladder poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)], obtained by the polycondensation of dinaphthalene dianhydrides and aromatic tetraamines was investigated by TG, DSC and DMA methods. The influence of polymer structure on the thermal behaviour of the poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] was examined. The polymers were found to be thermally stable with T_d > 723 K in air and T_g ranging from 585 to 701 K. A good agreement was obtained in T_g values measured by DSC and DMA methods. It was found that some cross-linking processes occurred at temperatures above T_g. Some of the isothermal ageing curves were used to find the activation energies of isothermal cross-linking and decomposition.     

Ion recognition properties of poly[Cu(3-MeOsalpd)] films

Poly[Cu(3-MeOsalpd)] films with good physical, chemical and electrochemical stability may be potentiodynamically electrodeposited with high deposition efficiency from acetonitrile solutions of the monomer. Comparative coulometric assays with the Ni-based analogue show that the metal in the salen motif does play a role in the electronic structure of the polymer, but that the electroactive response is ligand (not metal) based. The dynamics of redox switching are ultimately limited by coupled electron/counter ion diffusion, but this process is sufficiently rapid that it influences the voltammetric response only for thick films (Γ >420?nmol?cm^?2) at high scan rates. Redox cycling in monomer-free electrolyte shows a voltammetric signature that responds, via interaction with the pseudo-crown ether receptor sites, to the presence of Li⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions in solution. The most prominent change is associated with the first anodic peak in the i-E signature. For each of the metal ions considered, this peak potential responds logarithmically to concentration in a manner that varies with individual complexed cation and film thickness and to an extent greater than predicted by the Nernst equation. The film characteristics offer some analytical promise, including a trade-off between sensitivity and dynamic range and signal amplification, possibly due to supramolecular effects.     

聚(聚(N-乙烯基咔唑))的电化学合成及表征

导电高分子;电化学聚合;聚(聚(N－乙烯基咔唑))膜;荧光光谱;阻抗谱     

Preparation of solid alkaline fuel cell binders based on fluorinated poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)s [poly(DADMAC)] or poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene‐co‐DADMAC) copolymers

A membrane or an electrode binder to be used in a solid alkaline fuel cell (SAFC) needs to (i) be insoluble in both aqueous solutions and the required fuels, and (ii) exhibit an hydroxide ion conductivity. To achieve these goals, two pathways were employed: (i) one consists of the radical copolymerization of diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) with chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) while (ii) the other one is based on the counter‐ion exchange of a poly(DADMAC) by fluorinated anions. First, the radical copolymerization of CTFE with DADMAC under various experimental conditions was achieved in yields up to 85%, and DADMAC percentages in the copolymers were higher than those in the feed compositions. To obtain insoluble copolymers, high CTFE feed contents (>70 mol %) were required. The other route consisting in the partial replacement of the Cl^? counter‐ions in the water‐soluble poly(DADMAC) by bistrifluoromethanesulfonimide (TFSI^?) did confer the starting material insolubility in water while maintaining its conductivity. When the fluorinated poly(DADMAC) was obtained from concentrated solutions of fluorinated surfactant, it was observed that the amount of counter‐ions exchanged was difficult to control, which limits optimization. Nevertheless, under diluted conditions, membranes with ion exchange capacity up to 0.7 meq g^?1, and conductivities close to 1 mS cm^?1 were obtained. Although their conductivities were low, these membranes fulfill the requirements for a SAFC membrane in terms of solubility in DMSO, water insolubility, and thermal stability (T_d,10% > 320 °C). When used in a fuel cell, as a binder in the membrane‐electrode assembly (MEA), significant improvements were noted (+50% of the open circuit voltage, +580% in current density, and +540% in accessible power). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2043–2058, 2009     

Temperature sensitive poly[N-isopropylacrylamide-co-(acryloyl beta-cyclodextrin)] for improved drug release

The model drugs ibuprofen (IBU) and tegafur (T-Fu) were loaded into poly[N-isopropylacrylamide-co-(acryloyl beta-cyclodextrin)] [P(NIPA-co-A-CD)] and PNIPA hydrogels by immersing dried gels in IBU or T-Fu alcohol solutions until they reached equilibrium. Drug release studies were carried out in water at 25 degrees C. In contrast to the release time of conventional PNIPA hydrogel, that of IBU from the beta-CD incorporated hydrogel was significantly prolonged and the drug loading was also greatly increased, which may be the result of the formation of inclusion complexes between CD and ibuprofen. However, another hydrophilic drug, tegafur, did not display these properties because it could not form a complex with the CD groups. [diagram in text].     

A novel synthesis of linear high-molecular-weight poly(4-vinylphenol) and poly[styrene-co-(4-vinylphenol)]

A novel synthesis of linear high-molecular-weight poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVPh) and poly[styrene-co-(4-vinylphenol)] (STVPh, 2 ) via demethylation reaction is developed. The parent polymers, poly(4-methoxystyrene) and poly[styrene-co-(4-methoxystyrene)] produced by free-radical polymerization, are converted to PVPh and STVPh ( 2 ), respectively, by being treated with trimethylsilyl iodide (TMSI) at room temperature. Both ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data show that methoxy is completely cleaved and converted to hydroxy after hydrolysis without crosslinking and other side reactions. In addition, size-exclusion chromatography data show that no chain scission occurs during group conversion.     

Chiral liquid crystal polymers. VIII Thermotropic poly(ester-β-sulphide)s based on variously spaced twin p-oxybenzoate diads

The synthesis and characterization both in solution (chiroptical properties) and in bulk (thermotropic properties) of a new series of structurally defined chiral liquid-crystalline poly(ester-β-sulphide)s are described. The functional polyesters are constituted by repeating units consisting of two p-oxybenzoate diads interconnected by a linear segment of m methylene groups (m = 6-10, 12), and strictly sequenced by the chiral (R)-3-methyl-1,6-hexanedithiyl spacer. The thermotropic behaviour deviates from the regular profiles generally established in homologous series of mesomorphic polymers and results in peculiar alternations of the liquid-crystalline properties, enantiotropism being exhibited by only a few, mainly odd-numbered, homologues of the series.