Polymerization photoinitiated by carbonyl compounds. IV. α-diketones and α-substituted alkanones

The photoinitiation efficiency of the free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene by several carbonly compounds has been determined. The compounds considered were α-substituted ketones and α-dicarbonyl compounds. For the ketones, the initiation efficiency employing methyl methacrylate depends on the α substitution; the values obtained change from less than 10^?3 (acetone) to 0.65 (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butanone). All ketones are more efficient towards methyl methacrylate than styrene. This result can be explained in terms of triplet quenching by the last monomer. The results obtained employing α-dicarbonyl compounds do not conform to a simple pattern. In particular, benzil shows a considerably larger efficiency towards styrene than for methyl methacrylate. Since benzil is efficiently quenched by styrene, the initiation must involve the interaction of an excited benzil molecule and the monomer.     

η5-cyclopentadienyl-η2-styrenedicarbonylmanganese for initiation of free-radical polymerization of vinyl monomers

The polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate, and vinyl chloride catalyzed by η⁵-cyclopentadienyl-η²-styrenedicarbonylmanganese is studied. It is shown that the cyclopentadienyl complex of manganese containing the monomer ligand (styrene) in the coordination sphere can initiate the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers in a mild temperature range. On the basis of the experimental data and the quantum-chemical simulation of the initial stages of the process, schemes describing the initiation of polymerization under the action of the complex under study and the binary initiating system containing carbon tetrachloride are advanced. In the latter case, additional acceleration of the reaction is related to the interaction of carbon tetrachloride with the triplet form of the manganese complex that yields trichloromethyl radicals initiating polymerization.     

活性阴离子聚合及其单体的研究进展

适用于活性阴离子聚合的单体拓展研究是有关活性阴离子聚合的一项重要的研究工作.本文重点介绍了近十年在活性阴离子聚合领域出现的新型单体的结构设计、合成及其聚合过程的研究进展.文中涉及到的新型单体主要包括非(弱)极性类单体、极性单体及其它单体.进一步细分,非(弱)极性类单体分为苯乙烯衍生物类单体和丁二烯衍生物类单体,极性单体中含有丙烯酸酯类单体、丙烯酰胺类单体、氯乙烯以及N-乙烯基咔唑,其它单体包括异氰酸酯类、烯酮类以及杂环类单体.最后本文对上述这些新型单体中的一些单体用于复杂大分子拓扑结构的设计合成情况也作了简要介绍.     

The measurement of rates of initiation in the thermal polymerization of styrene

The thermal initiation of the polymerization of styrene has been studied at temperatures from 60–140°C using DPPH as a free radical scavenger. Rates of free radical formation, measured by the decrease in absorbance at 525 nm, are about seven times greater than those obtained from inhibition period measurements. The difference is probably due to the much greater reactivity of trinitrobenzene derivatives towards diradicals from styrene than towards styryl monoradicals. This view is supported by the different behaviour of the AIBN initiated polymerization of styrene in the presence of DPPH. The thermal initiation process has a low efficiency of initiation and the activation energy is 121 kJ/mole. The results strongly support the diradical mechanism for the thermal initiation of styrene polymerization.     

Eosin-sensitized photoreduction of benzil with 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide

The mechanism of eosin-sensitized photoreduction of benzil with 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide — a model compound of NAD(P)H and the behavior of the excited states of eosin have been investigated. The effect of anthracene as a diffusion-controlled quencher of the photoreaction indicates that both excited triplet state and an unquenchable excited singlet state of eosin participated in the sensitized photoreaction. From the Stern-Volmer plot of quantum yield vs. anthracene concentration, the triplet reaction rate constant has been calculated to be 0.78 × 10⁸ L M^?1S^?1 while the singlet reaction rate constant determined from quenching of eosin fluorescence by benzil is equal to 7.2 × 10⁹ L M^?1S^?1. The singlet and triplet quantum yields are also determined to be 0.09 and 0.18 respectively. Since both the singlet and triplet energies of eosin are lower than that of benzil, energy transfer sensitization is not feasible. It is proposed that electron transfer from the excited eosin to benzil is responsible for the initiation.     

2,4-Dimethyl-3-pentanone-sensitized photopolymerization of vinyl monomers

The initiation quantum yield in the bulk photopolymerization of vinyl monomers sensitized by 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone has been measured for several monomers. The results obtained were interpreted in terms of a mechanism that considers singlet and triplet photocleavage of the ketone, competing with the quenching by the monomer. The quenching process does not lead to free radicals that can initiate the polymerization.     

The cationic polymerization and copolymerization of isopropenylmetallocene monomers

Three types of isopropenylmetallocene monomers were synthesized and subjected to polymerization and copolymerization by cationic initiators; (1) isopropenylferrocene (IF); (2) (η⁵-isopropenylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylnitrosylmolybdenum (IDM); and (3) 1,1′-diisopropenylcyclopentadienylstannocene (DIS), and related derivatives of each. IF was synthesized by a three-step procedure involving the acetylation of ferrocene, conversion of the latter to 2-ferrocenyl-2-propanol, and dehydration of the carbinol. IF was homopolymerized under various cationic initiation conditions, but only low molecular weight homopolymers were obtained. Copolymerization of IF with styrene and with p-methoxy-α-methylstyrene also gave only low molecular weight products. The formation of only low molecular weight polymers in all polymerization reactions is believed to result from the effect of the unusually high stability of ferrocenyl carbenium ions on its propagation reaction. The observed polymerization behavior of α-trifluoromethylvinylferrocene is in accord with this conclusion. IDM and DIS did not form polymeric products under cationic conditions, although copolymers could be obtained for each of these monomers and styrene with a free radical polymerization initiator (AIBN).     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate by the binary system of the copper–amine complex type resin and carbon tetrachloride

The polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by binary initiator systems composed of a copper–amine complex type resin and organic halides has been studied. These binary systems initiated the polymerization of various vinyl monomers. A kinetic study of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the copper–amine complex resin–CCl₄ system was carried out, and it was found that the polymerization proceeds by way of a radical mechanism. This fact was also supported by the copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with styrene. The overall activation energy of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate was estimated as 8.4 kcal/mole. The activity of the initiator systems was greatly dependent upon the dissociation energy of carbon–halogen bonds in the organic halides. A possible initiation mechanism with the binary systems is proposed and discussed.     

Cyclopentadienyl(iron)arene-bis-(p-N,N-dimethylaminobenzylidene)-cyclopentanone Photoinitiated Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene

Abstract

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene can be effectively photoinitiated by a binary photoinitiator system consisting of cyclopentadienyl(iron)arene hexafluorophosphonate salt and bis(p-N, N-dimethylaminobenzylidene)cyclopentanone in the spectral range of 400–500 nm. The amine-type radical formed from the exciplex of the binary photoinitiator system is probably responsible for the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. A probable mechanism of initiation of polymerization is discussed.     

硫代苯甲酸苯酯光解及光引发聚合的研究

硫代苯甲酸-S-苯酯(BPTBN)是一种对烯类单体的聚合具有较高引发效率的引发剂。该类化合物分子的α断裂发生在三重态中间体。用该类化合物引发甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)单体聚合,发现聚合效率依次是对位＞间位≈邻位取代的化合物,这类化合物的光解产物主要有:苯硫酚、二苯基硫醚、苯甲酰基苯甲醛、二苯基二硫醚、二苯基乙二酮等。气-质联用测定这些光解产物的比例,发现它们与BPTBN的取代及取代位置有很大的关系。得到的结果与聚合实验所得结果一致,激光闪光光解实验也证实了该结果。     

Cidep after laser flash irradiation of benzil in 2-propanol. Electron spin polarization by the radical-triplet pair mechanism

Benzil ketyl radicals are generated by laser flash irradiation of benzil in 2-propanol at T = -50 °C and are observed by time-resolved ESR spectroscopy. Their electron spin polarization is found to consist of a fast and slowly rising emissive component. The fast component is due to polarized ketyl radicals formed by a two-photon process from an excited triplet state. The slow one is attributed to ketyl radicals which are generated by a slow photoreduction of benzil in its lowest triplet state. Their emissive polarization stems predominantly from the radical-triplet pair mechanism (RTPM). Rate constants of the relevant processes are determined.     

A Mechanisms and Kinetics Study of Polymeric Thin-Film Deposition in Glow Discharge

Polymeric thin-film deposition in a capacitively coupled rf glow discharge of styrene has been investigated. A kinetic scheme for the polymerization was proposed in which initiation of monomers by electron impact was followed by propagation and termination as in conventional polymerization, the initiation rate constant being a function of electron temperature alone. Four mechanism models were examined, depending on where each reaction step takes place: in the gas phase or on the substrate. Free-radical polymerization was assumed. Experiments were carried out at pressures ranging from 0.25 to 1.05 Torr and at voltages and currents that yielded cold and stable discharges. Substrate temperature was controlled. Deposition rate was determined by weighing. A regression program was used in addition to experimental tests in which substrate temperature was varied. The best approximation to the plasma polymer deposition process was found to be the following model: monomers are activated in the gas phase by electron bombardment and subsequently diffuse to the substrate where they propagate and terminate, adsorption of monomers on the substrate playing an important role. A rate expression relating polymer film deposition rate to the experimental variables is presented.     

Heterogeneous initiators for the synthesis of polymer nanocomposites

Nanocomposites are obtained by the radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate on the surface of a dispersed filler containing chemisorbed compounds of quaternary ammonium, which catalyze decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide. The heterogeneous catalysts of hydroperoxide decomposition are obtained via the adsorption of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide and acetylcholine chloride on sodium montmorillonite, cellulose, and chitosan. The highest rate of the polymerization of both monomers is provided by the cellulose–cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide catalyst. For a more hydrophilic methyl methacrylate, the rate of radical initiation is significantly lower at the same concentrations of the catalyst and hydroperoxide compared with hydrophobic styrene; however, the rate of polymerization is higher than for styrene because of a higher activity of methyl methacrylate in chain-propagation reactions. Relatively high rates of radical generation upon contact of cellulose–cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide and cellulose–acetylcholine with hydroperoxides open the possibility to create cellulose-based disinfecting and medical materials.     

Studies on ceric–thiol-initiated aqueous vinyl polymerization with particular reference to end groups in poly(methyl methacrylate)

Ceric-thiol systems are good initiators for the acid aqueous polymerization of some water-soluble Vinyl monomers although not for styrene (in aqueous emulsion) and vinyl acetate. Thiols used are 2-mercaptoethanol, thioglycolic acid, 2-mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride, and L -cysteine hydrochloride. The polymerization proceeds through a radical mechanism. End-group analysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) obtained by initiation with various ceric-thiol systems has been carried out using Palit's dye testes. Hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine end groups (to the extent of about one per polymer molecule) were incorporated in poly(methyl methacrylate)s obtained by initiation with 2-mercaptoethanol, thioglycolic acid, and 2-mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride, respectively, each in combination with Ce⁴⁺ ions; both amine and carboxyl end groups were obtained using C⁴⁺/L -cysteine hydrochloride initiator system. From the end-group results, the initiating species have been identified and the initiation mechanism prooposed. The probable termination mechanism also has been discussed.     

Photoinitiation of vinyl polymerization by polysilanes

Polysilanes were found to photoinitiate the polymerization of a variety of vinyl monomers including methyl methacrylate, styrene, ethyl acrylate and acrylic acid. Polymerization initiated by polysilane photolysis is rather insensitive to oxygen inhibition, which may make it especially suitable for polymerization of thin films. The initiation efficiency of poly(phenylmethylsilylene) in styrene was determined from dilatometry data to be 1 × 10^?3. This rather low efficiency is counterbalanced by the very high extinction coefficient of polysilane polymers, ca. 4–8 × 10³ per silicon atom. Possible reasons for the low initiation efficiency and reduced oxygen inhibition of polysilane photoinitiators are discussed.     

Polymerizability of unsaturated monomers capable of forming stable radicals

Some unsaturated monomers bearing hindered phenol and arylamine groups capable of forming stable radicals were prepared. Radical polymerizations of vinyl monomers having such groups were investigated with the use of azobisisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, and tetraethylthiuram disulfide as initiator. Polymerizations of these monomers went normally only when azobisisobutyronitrile was used as initiator. The other initiators inhibited polymerizations remarkably or completely. The results suggest that radicals resulting from benzoyl peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide or tetraethylthiuram disulfide abstract hydrogen of the phenol or the amine to produce the stable radicals, thereby inhibiting the polymerization. Meanwhile, carbon radicals resulting from azobisisobutyronitrile add selectively to the vinyl double bonds of the monomers to initiate the polymerizations. The vinyl derivatives as well as allyl derivatives and cinnamic acid derivatives copolymerize easily with conventional monomers such as styrene, maleic anhydride, and butadiene, again, only when azobisisobutyronitrile was used as initiator. Antioxidative properties for styrene copolymers and butadiene-styrene copolymers incorporating the hindered phenol monomers were investigated.     

Polymerization of coordinated monomers. XVIII. Sequence distribution in methyl acrylate–styrene copolymers prepared in the presence of zinc chloride

Methyl acrylate and styrene have been copolymerized in the presence of zinc chloride either by photoinitiation or spontaneously. The copolymerization mechanism is investigated by analyses of copolymers composition and monomer sequence distribution. The resulting copolymers are not always alternating, their composition being dependent especially on the monomer feed ratio. Appreciable deviation to higher methyl acrylate unit content from an equimolar composition occurs at monomer feed fractions of methyl acrylate over 0.7. The larger deviation is induced by higher temperature, by photoirradiation, and by greater dilution of the reaction mixture with toluene. The ¹³C-NMR spectrum of the alternating copolymer shows a sharp singlet at the carbonyl region, whereas the spectra of random copolymers prepared by benzoyl peroxide initiation at 60°C show a triplet splitting at the carbonyl carbon region, irrespective of copolymer composition. The relative intensities of the triplet peaks for the random copolymers are in good correspondence to the contents of triad sequences calculated by means of conventional radical copolymerization theory. These results clearly indicate that the carbonyl splitting is caused predominantly by variation of the monomer sequence and not by variation of the stereosequence. The monomer sequence distribution in the copolymers is thus directly and quantitatively measured from the split carbonyl resonance. Although the same triplet splitting appears in the spectra of methyl acrylate–rich copolymers prepared in the presence of zinc chloride at high feed ratios (>0.7) of methyl acrylate, the relative intensities of the split peaks do not fit the sequence distributions of random copolymers calculated by means of the Lewis–Mayo equation. The copolymerization yielding these peculiar sequences and the alternating sequence in the presence of zinc chloride is fully comprehended by a copolymerization mechanism proceeding between two active coordinated monomers, i.e., the ternary molecular complex composed of zinc chloride, methyl methacrylate, and styrene, and the binary molecular complex composed of zinc chloride and methyl methacrylate.     

Rate Constant of Initiation Reaction in Cationic Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers. I. Polymerization of Styrene Derivatives Catalyzed by Triphenylmethyl Stannic Pentachloride

Abstract

To investigate the method of measurement of the initiation rate constant in cationic polymerization, styrene and α-methylstyrene are polymerized by triphenylmethyl stannic pentachloride (Ph₃CSnCl₅). Adding these monomers to a solution of Ph₃CSnCl₅, the strong absorption of triphenylmethyl cation at 400 to 450 mμ disappears. The rate of disappearance of the absorption at 430 mμ is proportional to the concentration of Ph₃CSnCl₅ and monomer. It is confirmed that this disappearance of the absorption is due to the conversion of triphenyl cation to styryl or α-methylstyryl cation. Therefore, the rate of consumption of triphenylmethyl cation corresponds to that of the addition of triphenylmethyl cation to the olefinic double bond in a monomer, that is, the rate of the initiation reaction. Considering the dissociation constant of Ph₃CSnCl₅, the initiation rate constants of styrene and α-methylstyrene in ethylene chloride solution at 30°C are 11.6 × 10^?2 and 2.85 liters/mole-min, respectively. These values seem to be much smaller than the propagation rate constant of each monomer. However, the effect of polymerization conditions, for example, the kind of a monomer and the polarity of a solvent, on the initiation rate constant is the same as in the propagation reaction. This fact suggests the similarity of a reaction mechanism in both elementary reactions.     

New Perspectives in Living/Controlled Anionic Polymerization

Summary: Control of the reactivity and selectivity of active species remains a major challenge in the course of living/controlled polymerizations of vinyl and heterocyclic monomers. We have found that alkyl metal derivatives such as dialkylmagnesium or trialkylaluminum derivatives or the corresponding alkoxyakyl metal derivatives, when added to conventional anionic polymerization systems, are very effective mediators for the controlled anionic polymerization of both styrenic and oxirane monomers. When used as additives to alkali metal alkyl initiators (alkyl lithium, alkyl sodium) for the styrene anionic polymerizations, they strongly retard the reactivity of the propagating species and allow controlling the polymerization in very unusual conditions (bulk, very high temperature). On the contrary, when used in combination to the same alkali metal based initiators for the anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, these additives can drastically enhance the reactivity and the selectivity of the propagating species allowing a fast living-like polymerization to proceed already at low temperature in hydrocarbon media.     

Anionic polymerization initiated by lithium diethylamide in organic solvents. III. Investigation of the polymerization of styrene

The polymerization of styrene, initiated by lithium diethylamide in mixtures of benzene and THF, has been investigated. Kinetic and molecular weight measurements are interpreted on the basis of simultaneous initiation and propagation steps, and the effect of solvation and coordination processes on these reactions is discussed. Initiation of polymerization is thought to involve addition of solvated lithium diethylamide ion-airs to styrene, giving species with diethylamide end groups. The possible influence of these end groups on the initiation is considered in terms of an intramolecular cyclization process. Propagation of polymerization is believed to involve polystyryllithium ion-pairs, solvated to varying extents by THF. No evidence has been found to suggest that chain transfer, or termination, reactions are an integral part of the polymerization process. The polymerization has a number of similarities to the alkyllithium-initiated polymerization of styrene, but also exhibits some interesting differences.