Synthesis and characterization of polycholesteryl methacrylate–polyhydroxyethyl methyacrylate block copolymers

We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of novel diblock copolymers, poly(cholesteryl methacrylate‐b‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PCMA‐b‐PHEMA). Monomers, cholesteryl methacrylate (CMA) and 2‐(trimethylsiloxy)ethyl methacrylate (HEMA‐TMS), were prepared from methyacryloyl chloride and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, respectively. Homopolymers of CMA, PCMA, with well‐defined molecular weights and polydispersity indices (PDI), were prepared by reversible addition fragmentation and chain transfer (RAFT) method. Precursor diblock copolymers, PCMA‐b‐P(HEMA‐TMS), were synthesized using PCMA as macromolecular chain transfer agent and monomer, HEMA‐TMS. Product diblock copolymers, PCMA‐b‐PHEMA, were prepared by deprotecting trimethylsilyl units in the precursor diblock copolymers using acid catalysts. Detailed molecular characterization of the precursor diblock copolymers, PCMA‐b‐P(HEMA‐TMS), and the product diblock copolymers, PCMA‐b‐PHEMA, confirmed the composition and structure of these polymers. This versatile synthetic strategy can be used to prepare new amphiphilic block copolymers with cholesterol in one block and hydrogen‐bonding moieties in the second block. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6801–6809, 2008     

Dielectric study on copolymers in dilute solution. Relaxation behavior of methyl methacrylate–styrene and methyl methacrylate–α-methylstyrene copolymers

Dielectric measurements were made on some methyl methacrylate (MMA)-related polymers in dilute solution, in the frequency range of 1–150 MHz. Effects of the solvent viscosity upon the relaxation behavior were carefully examined. The dielectric relaxation of MMA–styrene copolymers with a high content of MMA units as well as that of the MMA–α-methylstyrene copolymer was little affected by the solvent viscosity. With the aid of Kramers'rate constant for small friction, it was found that their dipolar relaxation is very similar to that caused by the internal rotation of a flexible side-chain. On the other hand, MMA–styrene copolymer with a low content of MMA units showed a diffusion-controlled relaxation process, which can be interpreted in terms of Kramers' theory for large friction. In the latter case, the dipolar relaxation appears to reflect a molecular motion such as sweeping out solvent molecules. These results indicate that it is not the dipole itself but its environment, or rather the local molecular structure containing dipoles, that principally controls the relaxation process. On this basis, we propose a criterion, for quantitatively distinguishing the two relaxation mechanisms from each other.     

Synthesis and characterization of SPUU–PEO–heparin graft copolymers

A new synthetic approach for the preparation of segmented polyurethaneurea (SPUU)–PEO–Heparin graft copolymers (B–PEO–Hep) has been developed. The procedure involved the coupling of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) to soluble Biomer® (B) through an allophanate/biuret reaction. The free isocyanate (NCO) groups attached to Biomer® were then coupled to PEO terminal hydroxyl groups to form PEO grafted Biomer® (B–PEO). B–PEO free hydroxy groups were modified with HMDI to introduce terminal isocyanate groups. The NCO functionalized B–PEO was then coupled to heparin (Hep) functional groups (? OH, ? NH₂) producing B–PEO–Hep graft copolymer. Synthetic intermediates were confirmed by FTIR, NCO group determination, and toluidine blue heparin assay. Physical characterization techniques, such as contact angle measurements, water swelling, light scattering measurements, and DSC thermal analysis, detailed properties of the graft copolymer containing covalently bound heparin. This new heparinized copolymer can be applied as a coating on other existing blood contacting surfaces without changing bulk properties. The heparin bioactivity observed attests to the usefulness of this new procedure as a coating to improve the blood compatibility of blood-contacting surfaces.     

Synthesis and characterization of bismaleimide–polyurethane crosslinked copolymers

A series of novel crosslinked copolymers of bismaleimide (BMI) and polyurethanes (PU) were prepared by direct copolymerization of BMI monomer and urethane-modified bismaleimide (UBMI). The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR and solid state ¹³C-NMR. The reaction rate of the BMI monomer can be significantly increased by copolymerization with UBMI. The crosslinked copolymers show good mechanical properties and high thermal stability. Studies on glass transition temperatures and dynamic mechanical properties indicate that the copolymer is a homogeneous system as the polyester-type PU employed. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the copolymer illustrated a one-phase structure of the cured resins when the polyester-type PU was incorporated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of polymethylphenylsilane–polystyrene block copolymers

Block copolymers of polymethylphenylsilane (PMPS) and polystyrene (PS) have been successfully prepared by the condensation of α,ω-dichloro-polymethylphenylsilane with polystyryl-lithium. These new materials have been characterized by UV spectroscopy, ²⁹Si-NMR, and size exclusion chromatography. These block copolymers show a good emulsifying activity to compatibilize blends of the two homopolymers (PMPS and PS). © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crosslinking of methacrylate‐telechelic PDMAAm‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PDMAAm copolymers

The synthesis and molecular characterization of a new amphiphilic conetwork (APCN) designed for silicone hydrogel use is described. The synthesis strategy, outlined in Scheme 1 , calls for the preparation, by the RAFT technique, of a new methacrylate‐telechelic amphiphilic pentablock, MA‐PHEA‐b‐PDMAAM‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PDMAAm‐b‐PHEA‐MA, and its crosslinking to the target APCN. The sketch shows the architecture of the APCN (dotted lines, PDMAAm; solid lines, PDMS; clusters, MA‐based crosslinking sites; see Fig. 3 ). All six synthesis steps proceed smoothly and efficiently, and the products are optically clear, colorless membranes exhibiting properties appropriate for ophthalmic use. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4284–4290, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of novel organonickel–organosilicon alternating copolymers

The synthesis and characterization of five novel organonickel-organosilicon alternating copolymers having the repeating unit ? C₆F₄? Ni‘PBu₃’₂? C₆F₄? SiR₂? [where SiR₂ = ? SiMe₂? , ? SiMe‘Hex’? , ? SiPh₂? , ? SiMe₂? O? SiMe₂? , and ? SiMe₂? ‘CH₂’₆? SiMe₂? ] are reported. The model compounds Ni‘PR₃’₂‘1,4-C₆F₄SiMe₃’₂‘PR₃ = PMePh₂ or PBu₃’ were prepared via reactions of Ni‘PR₃’₂‘1,4-C₆F₄Li’₂ with 2 equiv of SiMe₃Cl, and were characterized by conventional analytical and spectroscopic measurements. The Polymers were prepared from the reactions of Ni‘PBu₃’₂‘1,4-C₆F₄Li’₂ with 1 equivalent of SiMe₂Cl₂ ‘polymer 1 , M _w = 15,800’, SiMe ‘Hex’ Cl₂ ‘polymer 2 , M _w = 7300’, SiPh₂Cl₂ ‘polymer 3 , M _w = 8600’, O‘SiMe₂Cl’₂ ‘polymer 4 , M _w = 13,900’ and ‘CH₂’₆‘SiMe₂Cl’₂ ‘polymer 5 , M _w = 19,700’. The molecular weights for each polymer were fully determined by both GPC and VPO. The multinuclear ‘¹H-, ¹⁹F-, and ³¹P [¹H]’-NMR, FTIR, and UV-Visible spectroscopic data for each polymer unambiguously establishes its repeating unit structure. The observations indicate that introduction of the silyl or siloxane units into the organonickel backbones has remarkably decreased the chain rigidity of the organonickel-organosilicon polymers compared to their rigid rod organonickel analogues ‘i.e., ? [? C₆F₄? Ni‘PR₃’₂? ]_n? ’. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties of diacrylic/divinylbenzene copolymers

In this article, synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties of diacrylic/divinylbenzene copolymers based on the new aromatic tetrafunctional acrylate monomers are presented. The new monomers were generated by treatment of epoxides derived from various aromatic diols: naphthalene-2,3-diol (NAF), biphenyl-4,4′-diol (BIF), bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methanone (BEP) or 4,4′-thiodiphenol (BES), and epichlorohydrin with acrylic acid. The addition reaction was carried out by a ratio of 0.5 mol of suitable epoxy derivative and 1 mol of acrylic acid in the presence of 0.7 wt% of triethylbenzylammonia chloride (TEBAC) as a catalyst and 0.045 wt% of hydroquinone as a polymerization inhibitor. The chemical structure of the prepared acrylate monomers was confirmed by ¹³C NMR and GC MS spectra. The emulsion–suspension polymerization of acrylate monomers with divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of pore-forming diluents (toluene + decan-1-ol) allowed obtaining microspheres containing pendant functional groups (hydroxyl groups). This process was carried out at constant mol ratio of acrylate monomers: DVB (1:1), and constant volume ratio of pore-forming diluents to monomers (1:1). The different concentrations of toluene in the mixture with decan-1-ol were used for qualifying the effect of the diluents on the microsphere characteristics. The influence of synthesis’s parameters on the properties of copolymer beads, e.g., pore size and surface area by BET method, the surface texture by AFM, swelling behavior in polar and non-polar solvents as well as thermal stability by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) was studied and discussed.     

Synthesis and photophysical characterization of amphiphilic dendritic–linear–dendritic block copolymers

Amphiphilic dendritic–linear–dendritic triblock copolymers based on hydrophilic linear poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and hydrophobic dendritic carbosilane were synthesized with a divergent approach at the allyl end groups of diallyl‐terminated PEO. Their micellar characteristics in an aqueous phase were investigated with dynamic light scattering, fluorescence techniques, and transmission electron microscopy. The block copolymer with the dendritic moiety of a third generation could not be dispersed in water. The block copolymers with the first (PEO–D ‐Si‐1G) and second (PEO–D ‐Si‐2G) generations of dendritic carbosilane blocks formed micelles in an aqueous phase. The critical micelle concentrations of PEO–D ‐Si‐1G and PEO–D ‐Si‐2G, determined by a fluorescence technique, were 27 and 16 mg/L, respectively. The mean diameters of the micelles of PEO–D ‐Si‐1G and PEO–D ‐Si‐2G, measured by dynamic light scattering, were 170 and 190 nm, respectively, which suggests that the micelles had a multicore‐type structure. The partition equilibrium constants of pyrene in the micellar solution increased with the increasing size of the dendritic block (e.g., 7.68 × 10⁴ for PEO–D ‐Si‐1G and 9.57 × 10⁴ for PEO–D ‐Si‐2G). The steady‐state fluorescence anisotropy values (r) of 1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene were 0.06 for PEO–D ‐Si‐1G and 0.09 for PEO–D ‐Si‐2G. The r values were lower than those of the linear polymeric amphiphiles, suggesting that the microviscosity of the dendritic micellar core was lower than that of the linear polymeric analogues. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 918–926, 2001     

Block copolymers of acrylic acid and butyl acrylate prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization: Synthesis,characterization, and use in emulsion polymerization

Amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(acrylic acid‐b‐butyl acrylate) were prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in a one‐pot reaction. These copolymers were characterized by NMR, static and dynamic light scattering, tensiometry, and size exclusion chromatography. The aggregation characteristics of the copolymers corresponded to those theoretically predicted for a star micelle. In a butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate emulsion polymerization, low amounts of these copolymers could stabilize latices with solid contents up to 50%. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 684–698, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of polysiloxane–polyamide block and graft copolymers

The synthesis of copolymers constituted of a central polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) block flanked by two polyamide (PA) sequences is described. α, ω-diacyllactam PDMS, when used as macroinitiator of lactam polymerization, gives rise to the expected triblock copolymer. Likewise, PDMS-g-PA graft copolymers are obtained from acyllactam containing polysiloxanes. NaAlH₂(OCH₂CH₂OMe)₂ turns out to be the best suited activating agent for the polymerization of ?-caprolactam, in the experimental conditions required for the synthesis of polysiloxane–polyamide copolymers. The nucleophilic species formed by reaction of NaAlH₂(OCH₂CH₂OMe)₂ with ?-caprolactam—2-[bis(methoxyethoxy) aluminumoxy]-1-azacycloheptane sodium—is indeed nucleophilic enough to bring about the growth of PA chains and mild enough to stay inert towards PDMS. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of functional gradient copolymers of allyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate

Functional spontaneous gradient copolymers of allyl methacrylate (A) and butyl acrylate (B) were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. The copolymerization reactions were carried out in toluene solutions at 100 °C with methyl 2‐bromopropionate as the initiator and copper bromide with N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as the catalyst system. Different aspects of the statistical reaction copolymerizations, such as the kinetic behavior, crosslinking density, and gel fraction, were studied. The gel data were compared with Flory's gelation theory, and the sol fractions of the synthesized copolymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The copolymer composition, demonstrating the gradient character of the copolymers, and the microstructure were analyzed. The experimental data agreed well with data calculated with the Mayo–Lewis terminal model and Bernoullian statistics, with monomer reactivity ratios of 2.58 ± 0.37 and 0.51 ± 0.05 for A and B, respectively, an isotacticity parameter for A of 0.24, and a coisotacticity parameter of 0.33. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5304–5315, 2006     

Poly(caprolactone‐co‐lactide)/perfluoropolyether block copolymers: Synthesis,thermal, and surface characterization

Poly[(caprolactone‐co‐lactide)‐b‐perfluoropolyether‐b‐(caprolactone‐co‐lactide)] copolymers (TXCLLA) were prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of D ,L ‐dilactide (LA2) and caprolactone (CL) in the presence of α,ω‐hydroxy terminated perfluoropolyether (Fomblin Z‐DOL TX) as macroinitiator and tin(II) 2‐ethylexanoate as catalyst. ¹H NMR analysis showed that LA2 is initially incorporated into the copolymer preferentially with respect to CL. A blocky structure of the polyester segment was also indicated by the sequence distribution analysis of the monomeric units. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed the compatibility between poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) blocks inside the amorphous phase with glass‐transition temperature values increasing from ?60 to ?15 °C by increasing the PLA content. Copolymers with high average length of CL blocks were semicrystalline with a melting temperature ranging from +35 to +47 °C. Surface analysis showed a high surface activity of TXCLLA copolymers with values of surface tension independent from the PLA/PCL content and very close to those of pure TX. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3588–3599, 2005     

Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence studies of novel bi-phenyl based acrylate and methacrylate

4-[(1E)-3-(biphenyl-4-yl)buta-1,3-dien-1-yl]phenyl prop-2-enoate (ACH) and 4-[(1E)-3-(biphenyl-4-yl)buta-1,3-dien-1-yl]phenyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate (MCH) was synthesized from biphenyl in three steps and their structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT135, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HSQC and 1H-13C HMBC) spectroscopic techniques. In this present study, various physicochemical characteristics we demonstrate solubility, color, absorbance and fluorescence property of novel biphenyl based acrylate and methacrylate measured in different solvents like benzene, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfoxide and ethanol.     

Synthesis,characterization, thermal stability and antibacterial activity of coumarin based methacrylate copolymers

Monomer of 7-methacryloyloxy-4-methylcoumarin(MAOMC) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Copolymers of MAOMC with butoxyethylmethacrylate(BOEMA) at different feed compositions were prepared by free radical solution polymerization at(70 ± 1) °C in ethylmethylketone(EMK) using benzyl peroxide(BPO) as an initiator. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) of the copolymers showed moderate thermal stability and higher Tg values. Gel permeation chromatography(GPC) was used to find out the molecular weights of the different copolymers. Antibacterial activities of the copolymers were also investigated against the selected pathogenic bacteria's. The antibacterial activity of the copolymer increases as the MAOMC content increases in the copolymer. This shows that coumarin moiety plays a very important role in the antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis,characterization, and thermal studies of cardanol-based polyphosphate esters

Polyphosphate esters were synthesized from derivatives of cardanol phosphorodichloridateates and dihydric phenols by interfacial polycondensation using a phase transfer catalyst. The polymers were characterized by IR, ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy, and GPC. The thermal stability and thermal degradation kinetics of the polymers were determined by thermogravimetry. The flammability of the polymers was evaluated by limiting oxygen index values. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of gradient copolymers of styrene and tert-butyl acrylate by pseudoliving radical polymerization mediated by the reversible inhibitor TEMPO

The gradient copolymers of styrene and tert-butyl acrylate are synthesized by pseudoliving free-radical polymerization in the presence of TEMPO. Despite the inability of tert-butyl acrylate to undergo polymerization in the presence of the nitroxide TEMPO, the introduction of styrene makes it possible to perform the process under the controlled reversible-inhibition regime. The introduction of an additional high-temperature initiator, cumene hydroperoxide, increases the yield of the copolymer, while the pseudoliving mechanism of the process is preserved. This phenomenon is confirmed by the facts that the concentration of nitroxide remains almost invariable during polymerization and that the molecular mass of the polymerization product increases with conversion. Variations in the composition of the copolymer and its molecular mass during polymerization are evidence that the gradient copolymers are formed.     

Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide)–heparin block copolymers

A procedure for the preparation of new block copolymers composed of a hydrophobic block of polystyrene, a hydrophilic spacer-block of poly(ethylene oxide) and a bioactive block of heparin was investigated. Polystyrene with one amino group per chain was synthesized by free radical oligomerization of styrene in dimethylformamide, using 2-aminoethanethiol as a chain transfer agent. This amino group was used in the coupling reaction with amino-telechelic poly(ethylene oxide) to produce an AB type diblock copolymer with one amino group per polystyrene (PSt)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain. The amino-semitelechelic oligo-styrene was converted into the isocyanate-semitelechelic oligo-styrene using toluene 2,4-diisocyanate and subsequent coupling with H₂N–PEO–NH₂ afforded AB type block copolymers with terminal amino groups. The coupling of PSt–PEO–NH₂ with heparin was performed in a DMF–H₂O mixture, first by activating the heparin carboxylic groups with EDC at pH 5.1–5.2 and subsequently reacting the activated carboxylic groups with the amino groups of the PSt–PEO–NH₂ at pH 7.5. Depending on the molecular weights of the diblock copolymer used 25–29% w/w heparin was incorporated. These polymers will be further evaluated for their blood-compatibility.     

Low‐bandgap quinoxaline‐based D–A‐type copolymers: Synthesis,characterization, and photovoltaic properties

Three classes of quinoxaline (Qx)‐based donor–acceptor (D–A)‐type copolymers, poly[thiophene‐2,5‐diyl‐alt‐2,3‐bis(4‐(octyloxy)phenyl‐quinoxaline‐5,8‐diyl] P(T‐Qx), poly{4,8‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐2,3‐bis(4‐(octyloxy)phenyl‐quinoxaline‐5,8‐diy} P(BDT‐Qx), and poly{4,8‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(5′,8′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2,3‐bis(4‐octyloxyl)phenyl)‐quinoxaline‐5,5‐diyl} P(BDT‐DTQx), were synthesized via a Stille coupling reaction. The Qx unit was functionalized at the 2‐ and 3‐positions with 4‐(octyloxy)phenyl to provide good solubility and to reduce the steric hindrance. The absorption spectra of the Qx‐containing copolymers could be tuned by incorporating three different electron‐donating moieties. Among these, P(T‐Qx) acted as an electron donor and yielded a high‐performance solar cell by assuming a rigid planar structure, confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry, UV–vis spectrophotometer, and density functional theory study. In contrast, the P(BDT‐Qx)‐based solar cell displayed a lower power conversion efficiency (PCE) with a large torsional angle (34.7°) between the BDT and Qx units. The BDT unit in the P(BDT‐DTQx) backbone acted as a linker and interfered with the formation of charge complexes or quinoidal electronic conformations in a polymer chain. The PCEs of the polymer solar cells based on these copolymers, in combination with [6,6]‐phenyl C70 butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM), were 3.3% [P(T‐Qx)], 1.9% [P(BDT‐Qx)], and 2.3% [P(BDT‐DTQx)], respectively, under AM 1.5G illumination (100 mW cm^?2). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013