Synthesis and properties of polyether nitrile copolymers with pendant methyl groups

Polyether nitrile and polyether nitrile copolymers with pendant methyl groups were prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2,6^′-dichlorobenzonitrile with hydroquinone (HQ) and with varying mole proportions of HQ and methyl hydroquinone (MeHQ) using N-methyl pyrrolidone solvent in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO₃. The polymers were characterised by different physico-chemical techniques. The crystallinity of the polymers was found to decrease with increase in concentration of the MeHQ units in the polymer. Thermogravimetric studies showed that all the polymers were stable up to 450 °C with a char yield above 50% at 900 °C in N₂ atmosphere. The glass transition temperature and activation energy of the polymers was found to increase with increase in concentration of the MeHQ units in the polymer.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(aryl ether ether ketone) copolymers with pendant methyl groups

Polyether ether ketone and polyether ether ketone copolymers were prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone with hydroquinone and with varying mole proportions of hydroquinone and methyl hydroquinone using sulfolane solvent in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO₃. The polymers were characterised by different physico-chemical techniques. The crystallinity of the polymers was found to decrease with increase in concentration of the methyl hydroquinone units in the polymer. Thermogravimetric studies showed that all the polymers were stable upto 430 °C with a char yield above 49% at 900 °C in N₂ atmosphere. The glass transition temperature was found to increase and the crystalline melting temperature and activation energy were found to decrease with increase in concentration of the methyl hydroquinone units in the polymer.     

Synthesis and enzymatic hydrolysis of lactic acid–depsipeptide copolymers with functionalized pendant groups

Since poly(lactic acid) is the biodegradable polyester having low immunogenicity and good biocompatibility, it is utilized as a medical material. However, poly(lactic acid) is a water-insoluble crystalline polymer having no reactive side-chain group. Thus, the use of poly(lactic acid) is limited. To modify the properties of poly(lactic acid) and to introduce the functionalized pendant groups to poly(lactic acid), we synthesized two kinds of lactic acid-depsipeptide copolymers with reactive pendant groups, namely poly[LA-(Glc-Lys)] and poly[LA-(Glc-Asp)]. This was done through ring-opening copolymerizations of L-lactide with the corresponding protected cyclodepsipeptides, cyclo[Glc-Lys(Z)] and cyclo[Glc-Asp(OBzl)], and subsequent deprotection of benzyloxycarbonyl and benzyl groups, respectively. By changing the mole fraction of the corresponding depsipeptide units, the solubility, thermal transition and degradation behavior of the modified poly(lactic acid) could be varied. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Novel electroactive poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers containing pendant oligoaniline groups: Synthesis and properties

We present a series of novel poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers containing pendant oligoaniline groups. A novel monomer containing oligoaniline, 2,6‐difluorobenzoyl aniline tetramer (DFAT), was synthesized by reaction of 2,6‐difluorobenzoyl chloride and parent aniline tetramer and incorporated into the aforementioned copolymers via direct copolymerization with 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS), and 4,4′‐isopropylidene diphenol (BPA) using N,N′‐dimethylacetamide as solvent. The structures of these copolymers were confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and GPC. Spectral analysis of the copolymers in different oxidation states was investigated via UV‐visible spectra. The copolymers exhibited outstanding thermal stability and good solubility in various organic solvents. Their electroactivity, explored with cyclic voltammetry, was found to increase as the content of oligoaniline in the polymer increased. The electric and dielectric properties of the copolymers were also studied in detail. The electrochromic performance of the copolymers was investigated by electrochromic photographs and transmittance spectra; the color of the copolymer thin films changes from grey (at 0.0 V), to green (at 0.4 V), to blue (at 0.6 V) and to pearl blue (at 1.0 V) and the maximum transmittance change (ΔT) at 700 nm is 42.6% (90.7% ? 48.1%). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Zinc phyllosilicates containing amino pendant groups

Two new zinc silicate hybrids were synthesized via sol-gel process from the reaction of zinc ions with trialkoxyaminesilanes in aqueous basic medium at room temperature and at 373 K. The inorganic-organic hybrids obtained, named SILZn (x=1 or 2) are related to 3-aminopropyl- and N-propylethylenediaminetrimethoxysilane, respectively. From nitrogen content, the number of pendant moles of organic groups in the matrices SILZnx (x=1 to 2) were determined as 5.14 and 3.25 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. The thermogravimetric curves showed mass losses of 50.7% and 58.0% for the same sequence of hybrids, to give the oxides as residue. X-ray diffraction patterns gave basal distances of 2065 and 2814 pm for SILZnx (x=1, 2), with well-formed particles of irregular shapes and sizes, as a characteristic of such material obtained from sol-gel process. The infrared spectra confirmed the attachment of the organic moieties on siloxane groups on the inorganic framework.     

Synthesis and properties of glycidyl methacrylate copolymers with side chromophore groups

A number of styrylquinoline chromophores with carboxyl groups have been prepared through the interaction of 2-methylcinchonic acid with aromatic aldehydes of various chemical structures. The copolymer of glycidyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate carrying side epoxide groups has been synthesized, and the chemical modification of the copolymer with the above chromophores has been performed. The thermal, spectral, and nonlinear optical properties of the chromophores and modified polymers have been studied.     

Poly(N-acylethylenimine) copolymers containing pendant pentamethyldisiloxanyl groups. I. Synthesis

10-(Pentamethyl disiloxanyl) decyl oxazoline ( Si ) was synthesized. It was copolymerized with either undecyl ( U ) or nonyl ( N ) oxazolines using methyl 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate as initiator. Two series of random poly(N-acylethylenimine) copolymers, U/Si and N/Si , were synthesized over the whole composition range of Si monomer with a total degree of polymerization of about 100. Narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained. At a monomer to initator ratio of about 1060, the final degree of polymerization was 374 with a polydispersity index of 1.93. This shows the effect of chain transfer in this system.     

Amphiphilic block copolymers of vinyl ethers by living cationic polymerization. II. Synthesis and surface activity of macromolecular amphiphiles with pendant amino groups

Amphiphilic block polymers of vinyl ethers (VEs). $\rlap{--} [{\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}\left( {{\rm OCH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm NH}_{\rm 2} } \right)\rlap{--} ]_m \rlap{--} [{\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}\left( {{\rm OR}} \right)\rlap{--} ]_n \left( {{\rm R: }n{\rm - C}_{{\rm 16}} {\rm H}_{{\rm 33}} ,{\rm }n{\rm - C}_{\rm 4} {\rm H}_{\rm 9} ;m \simeq 40,{\rm n} = 1 - 10} \right)$ were prepared, each of which consists of a hydrophilic segment with pendant primary amino groups and a hydrophobic poly(alkyl VE) segment. Their precursors were obtained by the HI/I₂-initiated sequential living cationic polymerization of an alkyl VE and a VE with a phthalimide pendant (CH₂ = CHOCH₂CH₂Im; Im; phthalimide group), where the segment molecular weights and compositions (m/n ratio) could be controlled by regulating the feed ratio of two monomers and the concentration of hydrogen iodide. Hydrazinolysis of the imide functions gave the target polymers which were readily soluble in water under neutral conditions at room temperature. These amphiphilic block polymers lowered the surface tension of their aqueous solutions (0.1 wt%, 25°C) to a minimum ? 30 dyn/cm when the hydrophobic pendant R was n-C₄H₉ (n = 4–9). The polymers with n-C₄H₉ pendants in the hydrophobic segment exhibited a higher surface activity than those with n-C₁₆ H₃₃ pendants. The surface activity of the polymers also depended on the pH of the polymer solutions; the surface activity increased in more basic solutions where the ionization of the amino group (? NH₂)2? NH₃^⊕) is suppressed.     

Synthesis and photochemical properties of novel multifunctional photopolymers with both pendant epoxy groups and phenacyl ester groups

Novel multifunctional photopolymers with both pendant epoxy groups and phenacyl ester groups were synthesized by the one‐pot method for the reaction of poly(methacrylic acid) with epibromohydrin; this was followed by a reaction with phenacylbromide with 1,8‐diazabicyclo‐[5.4.0]undecene‐7 as a condensation reagent. These esterification reactions proceeded smoothly and quantitatively under mild conditions. Moreover, the photochemical reactions of the resulting polymers were evaluated by UV and IR spectroscopy. The pendant phenacyl ester groups were photocleaved to give corresponding carboxyl groups, and then the produced carboxyl groups reacted with pendant epoxy groups. Furthermore, the baking process promoted a crosslinking reaction because of the addition reaction of epoxy groups with carboxyl groups after irradiation. It was also proven that the photochemical reactivity of the resulting polymers was affected by the structure of the phenacyl ester group. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 530–538, 2001     

Synthesis of chiral polyphenylenes through Bergman cyclization of enediynes with pendant chiral amino ester groups

Chiral enediynes with pendant chiral amino ester groups are synthesized through Sonogashira reactions and subjected to thermal triggered Bergman cyclization at elevated temperatures either in bulk or in solvents to produce chiral polyphenylenes. The disappearance of enediyne monomers are evidenced by FTIR and NMR spectroscopies. The formation of polyphenylenes is further confirmed by UV-Vis and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopies(MS). Isotope pattern analysis of the MS spectra shows that the polymers prepared in solvents are terminated by the solvent molecules, whereas the chain ends of the polymers prepared in bulk consist of considerable amount of unmasked free radicals, which is further confirmed by EPR analysis. Circular dichroism(CD) spectra of the chiral polymers show blue shifts of the Cotton peaks, indicating the occurrence of the cycloaromatization reaction. A new set of peaks mirrored at the horizontal axis show up in the long wavelength range, which are assigned to main chain chirality of the polyphenylenes.     

Synthesis and surface properties of semi-fluorinated gemini surfactants with two reactive bromo pendant groups

This paper presents a series of semi-fluorinated gemini surfactants with two bromo pendant groups. It reviews the effect of the number of methylene units in the spacer group between the two hydrophilic quaternary ammonium heads. Critical micelle concentration (cmc) and free energy of micellization (ΔG(M)(0)) of the title surfactants, in aqueous solution, have been investigated as a function of the number n of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon spacer. We have pointed out a different behaviour as compared to Gemini hydrocarbon homologues. In the present study, when the number of methylene units (n) in the spacer increases, the cmc first decreases and reaches an optimum for (n=6), then it increases linearly from n≥6. Variations of cmc have been interpreted in terms of conformation changes of the surfactant ion and progressive penetration of the alkyl chain spacer in the micelle hydrophobic core. In this series, the increase of the hydrophobicity seems not to favour the micellisation process as expected, probably impacted by the mutual phobicity of the perfluorinated tails and the hydrocarbon spacer. A minimum is reached for a spacer with six methylene units which seems to be the optimal conformation. The free energy of micellization (ΔG(M)(0)) confirm this tendency.     

Synthesis of new terpolymers with heterocyclic pendant groups

Chemical modifications of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), an inexpensive and commercial homopolymer, to obtain terpolymers containing 1,2,4 or 1,3,4 oxadiazolic pendant groups are described. These new materials are physically and spectroscopically characterized.     

Synthesis and characteristics of polydepsipeptide with pendant thiol groups

To obtain water-soluble oligodepsipeptide with pendant thiol groups, the alternating co-oligomer [oligo(Glc-alt-Cys)], consisting of glycolic acid (Glc) and L -cysteine (Cys) residues as α-hydroxy acid and α-amino acid residues, respectively, was prepared by means of ring-opening homo-oligomerization of cyclo[Glc-Cys(MBzl)] and subsequent deprotection of methoxybenzyl groups. Moreover, to modify the properties of poly(lactic acid) [poly(LA)] and to introduce pendant thiol groups to poly(LA), the terpolymer of LA, Glc, and Cys {poly[LA-(Glc-Cys)]} was synthesized through ring-opening and copolymerization of L -lactide with the protected cyclodepsipeptide, cyclo[Glc-Cys(MBzl)] and subsequent deprotection of methoxybenzyl groups. By changing the mol fraction of (Glc-Cys) unit, the solubility, thermal transition, degradation behavior of the modified poly(LA), and the water contact angle of its film could be varied. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1283–1290, 1998     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of new carbon-chain copolymers with europium-containing and carbazole fragments in pendant chains

Functionalized polynorbornenes with terpyridine and carbazole groups in pendant chains were prepared by metathesis copolymerization. The polymeric products prepared react with europium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate to form new carbon-chain copolymers with different ratios of organic and europium-containing units. The polymeric materials prepared were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and elemental analysis. All the europium-containing copolymers exhibit strong metal-centered photoluminescence in solution and in thin film.     

Synthesis of dibenzocrown ethers with pendant thioamide groups

The synthesis of eighteen crown ether compounds with pendant thioamide, N-alkylthioamide, and N,N-dialkylthioamide groups is reported. The new crown ether compounds are obtained by one-step reactions from the corresponding sym-dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetamides and sym-(propyl)dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetamides with Lawesson's reagent.     

Synthesis of biodegradable amphiphilic AB‐type diblock copolymers of lactide and depsipeptide with pendant reactive groups

The syntheses of amphiphilic AB‐type diblock copolymers composed of hydrophobic polylactide segment and hydrophilic polydepsipeptide segment with amino or carboxyl groups were performed. The protected cyclodepsipeptides cyclo[Glc‐Lys(Z)] and cyclo[Glc‐Asp(OBzl)] (where Glc is glycolic acid, Lys is lysine, Asp is aspartic acid, Z is benzyloxycarbonyl, and OBzl is benzyl) were first polymerized in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with potassium ethoxide as an initiator to obtain the corresponding protected polydepsipeptides. After the terminal hydroxyl groups of the protected polydepsipeptides were converted into the potassium alcoholates with K/naphthalene, L ‐lactide was polymerized in the presence of the corresponding polymeric alcoholates as macroinitiators in THF to obtain poly[Glc‐Lys(Z)]‐block‐poly(L ‐lactide) and poly[Glc‐Asp(OBzl)]‐block‐poly(L ‐lactide). Subsequent deprotection of Z and OBzl groups gave the objective amphiphiles poly(Glc‐Lys)‐block‐poly(L ‐lactide) and poly(Glc‐Asp)‐block‐poly(L ‐lactide), respectively. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1218–1225, 2002     

Synthesis of ABABA pentablock copolymers via copper mediated living radical polymerisation

In this work, the syntheses of poly(butyl methacrylate-b-methyl methacrylate-b-butyl methacrylate) triblock copolymer and poly(methyl methacrylate-b-butyl methacrylate-b-methyl methacrylate-b-butyl methacrylate-b-methyl methacrylate) pentablock copolymers using copper mediated living radical polymerisation are reported. Living radical polymerisations were performed using the system Cu^IBr/N-(n-propyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine as catalyst in conjunction with a difunctional initiator, the 1,4-(2^′-bromo-2^′-methylpropionoto)benzene (1). The syntheses of poly(MMA), poly(BMA-b-MMA-b-BMA) and poly(MMA-b-BMA-b-MMA-b-BMA-b-MMA) are described in detail using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. The living behaviour and the blocking efficiency of these polymerisations were investigated in each case. Difunctional initiator, 1, based on hydroquinone was synthesised and fully characterised and subsequently used to give difunctional poly(methyl methacrylate) macroinitiators with molecular weights up to 54,000 g mol⁻¹ and polydispersity between 1.07 and 1.32; molecular weights were close to the theoretical values. The difunctional macroinitiators were used to reinitiate butyl methacrylate to give triblock copolymers of M_n between 17,500 and 45,700 g mol⁻¹. Polydispersities remained narrow below 25,000 g mol⁻¹ but broadened at higher masses. The difunctional triblock macroinitiators were subsequently used to reinitiate methyl methacrylate to give ABABA pentablock copolymers with M_n up to 37,000 g mol⁻¹ with polydispersity=1.13. Under certain conditions radical-radical reaction led to a broadening of polydispersity index.     

Synthesis and properties of aromatic poly(ester amide)s with pendant phosphorus groups

Two series of phosphorus‐containing aromatic poly(ester amide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.46–3.20 dL/g were prepared by low‐temperature solution polycondensation from 1,4‐bis(3‐aminobenzoyloxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)naphthalene and 1,4‐bis(4‐aminobenzoyloxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)naphthalene with various aromatic diacid chlorides. All the poly(ester amide)s were amorphous and readily soluble in many organic solvents, such as N,N‐dimethylformamide, N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). Transparent, tough, and flexible films of these polymers were cast from DMAc and NMP solutions. Their casting films had tensile strengths of 71–214 MPa, elongations to break of 5–10%, and initial moduli of 2.3–6.0 GPa. These poly(ester amide)s had glass‐transition temperatures of 209–239 °C (m‐series) and 222–267 °C (p‐series). The degradation temperatures at 10% weight loss in nitrogen for these polymers ranged from 462 to 489 °C, and the char yields at 800 °C were 55–63%. Most of the poly(ester amide)s also showed a high char yield of 35–45%, even at 800 °C under a flow of air. The limited oxygen indices of these poly(ester amide)s were 35–46. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 459–470, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10129