Controlled radical polymerization of styrene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl acrylate mediated by trithiocarbonates

The free-radical bulk homopolymerization of styrene and n-butyl acrylate at 80°C mediated by dibenzyl trithiocarbonate, poly(styryl) trithiocarbonate, or poly(n-butyl acrylate) trithiocarbonate as reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer agents has been studied. It has been shown that the use of low-and high-molecular-mass reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer agents makes it possible to efficiently control the molecular-mass characteristics of polymers. In the case of styrene, the rate of polymerization slightly depends on the concentration of the addition-fragmentation chain-transfer agent. In contrast, for the polymerization of n-butyl acrylate, the rate significantly decreases with the concentration of the chain-transfer agent. Formation of radical intermediates during the polymerization of styrene and n-butyl acrylate mediated by trithiocarbonates has been studied by ESR spectroscopy. It has been demonstrated that the polymeric chain-transfer agents are efficient for the synthesis of block copolymers with the controlled block length.     

Synthesis and Spectral and Photochemical Properties of Newortho-Styryl-Substituted Nitrogen Heterocycles

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - Previously unknown bis-styryl derivatives in which two ortho-styryl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles are linked together through a polymethylene spacer have...     

Monochelic Versus Telechelic Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) as a Matrix for Photoluminescent Nanocomposites with Quantum Dots

Nanocomposites based on CdSe or CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) of different molecular weights and functionality were synthesized by ligand exchange of oleic acid with RAFT-based PMMA. The successful ligand exchange was confirmed by dynamic light scattering in combination with the approach “macromolecules—ghosts” and transmission electron microscopy. Comparative study of mono- and telechelics of PMMA revealed the similarities and differences in their behavior in formation of complexes with QDs and the optical properties of the corresponding nanocomposites. Telechelics exhibited higher efficiency in the complex formation and seemed to be promising candidates for the construction of devices based on QDs and polymer matrix for optical applications.     

Pseudoliving radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of S,S′-bis(methyl-2-isobutyrate) trithiocarbonate

The polymerization of MMA mediated by symmetric trithiocarbonate as a reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer agent is studied. It is shown that the process proceeds according to the two-stage pseudoliving radical mechanism. The polymeric reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer agent is more efficient than its low-molecular-mass analog. The use of the polymeric reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer agent makes it possible to synthesize narrowly dispersed homopolymers of MMA and related copolymers with a controllable molecular mass. Both chain-transfer agents have practically no effect on the initial rate of copolymerization but allow weakening or even suppression of the gel effect at high conversions.     

Liquid-crystalline symmetric triblock copolymers

Symmetric fully liquid-crystalline triblock copolymers of various structures containing optically active mesogenic groups are for the first time synthesized via pseudoliving radical reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization. Their phase behavior and physicochemical and optical properties are studied. It is shown that, depending on composition, at low temperatures block copolymers can form at temperatures phase-separated structures caused by microsegregation of blocks of different chemical natures and that, with an increase in temperature, these structures can mix to form a cholesteric mesophase characterized by a helical supramolecular structure. A model illustrating the molecular packing of block copolymers with a phase-separated lamellar structure is advanced. The effect of the molecular structure of the block copolymers on their optical properties is discussed.     

Controlled synthesis of styrene-n-butyl acrylate copolymers with various chain microstructures mediated by dibenzyl trithiocarbonate

Copolymers of styrene and n-butyl acrylate are synthesized via pseudoliving radical copolymerization mediated by dibenzyl trithiocarbonate as a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer agent. In a wide range of monomer feed compositions, narrowly dispersed compositionally uniform copolymers of desired molecular masses are formed, and their gradient structures are controlled by the compositions of the initial monomer feeds. The effects of the compositions, the chain microstructures, and the compositional homogeneity of the copolymers on their glass-transition temperatures are studied.     

Electrophilic addition to the multiple bond of 1-carboxymethyl-5-fluorouracil

Russian Chemical Bulletin - 1-Carboxymethyl-5-fluoro-5-halogeno-6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrouracils and 1-carboxymethyl- 5-fluoro-6-hydroxy-5-nitro-5,6-dihydrouracil were synthesized in high yields by...     

On parametric buildup of waves on the charged surface of polar liquids under periodic decay of the double electric layer

Analytical calculations show that the time-periodic decay of the double electric layer near the free surface of a viscous polar liquid causes periodic variation of the surface tension coefficient of the liquid and may be a reason for parametric buildup of capillary-gravitational finite-amplitude wave motion.