Direct observation of change in the molecular structure of benzyl (Z,Z)-muconate during photoisomerization in the solid state

For the solid-state photoisomerization of benzyl (Z,Z)-muconate to the corresponding (E,E)-muconate, the direct observation of a change in the crystal structure has revealed that the isomerization occurs by a topochemical reaction process according to a bicycle-pedal model and is finally accompanied by a phase transition to a stable crystal structure.     

Orientational control of guest molecules in an organic intercalation system by host polymer tacticity

Four kinds of stereoregular poly(muconic acid)s, which are synthesized by topochemical polymerization and subsequent solid-state hydrolysis, are used as the organic host materials for intercalation. We describe the reaction behavior and layered structure of intercalation compounds using stereoregular poly(muconic acid)s and n-alkylamines as host and guest, respectively. The packing structure of the guest alkylamines was determined by X-ray diffractions as well as IR and Raman spectroscopies. We have found that the orientation of the guest molecules is controlled by the host polymer tacticity, depending on the structure of the two-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network formed in the polymer sheets of the crystals.     

Facile synthesis of functional polyperoxides by radical alternating copolymerization of 1,3‐dienes with oxygen

We have developed a facile synthesis of degradable polyperoxides by the radical alternating copolymerization of 1,3‐diene monomers with molecular oxygen at an atmospheric pressure. In this review, the synthesis, the degradation behavior, and the applications of functional polyperoxides are summarized. The alkyl sorbates as the conjugated 1,3‐dienes gave a regiospecific alternating copolymer by exclusive 5,4‐addition during polymerization and the resulting polyperoxides decomposed by the homolysis of a peroxy linkage followed by successive β‐scissions. The preference of 5,4‐addition was well rationalized by theoretical calculations. The degradation of the polyperoxides occurred with various stimuli, such as heating, UV irradiation, a redox reaction with amines, and an enzyme reaction. The various functional polyperoxides were synthesized by following two methods, one is the direct copolymerization of functional 1,3‐dienes, and the other is the functionalization of the precursor polyperoxides. Water soluble polyperoxides were also prepared, and the LCST behavior and the application to a drug carrier in the drug delivery system were investigated. In order to design various types of degradable polymers and gels we developed a method for the introduction of dienyl groups into the precursor polymers. The resulting dienyl‐functionalized polymers were used for the degradable gels. The degradable branched copolymers showed a microphase‐separated structure, which changed owing to the degradation of the polyperoxide segments. © 2009 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 9: 000–000; 2009: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.200900009     

First example of the topochemical polymerization of the (E,E)‐muconic acid derivative

The 1‐naphthylmethylammonium salts of not only (Z,Z)‐ but also (E,E)‐muconic acid were found to polymerize upon photoirradiation in the crystalline state to provide a stereoregular polymer in a high yield. The stereochemical structure of both polymers obtained from the monomers with different configurations was identical, i. e., a meso‐diisotactic‐trans‐2,5‐structure. The stereochemistry of the polymers obtained is discussed on the basis of the monomer configuration and the molecular packing in the crystals.     

Synthesis and characterization of polymers from itaconic acid derivatives

Some itaconic acid derivatives were prepared and polymerized, in which itaconic acid (IA), β-monoalkyl itaconates (mRI), dialkyl itaconates (DRI), N-substituted itaconamates (IAE), itaconamides (IAm), itaconic anhydride (IAn), N-alkylitaconimides (RII), and N-(alkyl-substituted phenyl)itaconimides (RPhII) are included. The polymerization reactivity was examined, and discussed in relation to the structure of the monomers. The structure and some properties of the resulting polymers were investigated. Some citraconic acid (CA) and mesaconic acid (MA) derivatives were also polymerized, and their reactivities were compared with the corresponding IA derivatives.