A new form of controlled growth free radical polymerization

A new form of controlled growth free radical polymerization leading to narrow polydispersity polymers and/or block copolymers is described. The process is based on the polymerization of monomers in the presence of macromonomers of general structure CH₂=C(Z)CH₂(A)_n [(A)_n= radical leaving group, Z = activating group] and displays many of the characteristics of living polymerizations. The process is most suited to methacrylic monomers but with the appropriate choice of reaction conditions (high temperatures and/or low conversions) it can also be applied to acrylic and styrenic monomers. The macromonomers are conveniently prepared by catalytic chain transfer to alkyl cobalt(III) complexes or by addition-fragmentation chain transfer. The factors which determine the efficiency of cobalt complexes for molecular weight reduction in free radical emulsion and solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate are also discussed.     

Free radical ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic allylic sulfides: Liquid monomers with low polymerization volume shrinkage

The free radical polymerization of four methylated cyclic allylic sulfides was examined with reference to their polymerization volume shrinkage and the effect of ring size on reactivity. The compounds examined were 2‐methyl‐5‐methylene‐1,3‐dithiane ( 5 ) (solid), 2‐methyl‐6‐methylene‐1,4‐dithiepane ( 6 ) (liquid), 6‐methyl‐3‐methylene‐1,5‐dithiacyclooctane ( 7 ) (liquid), and 6,8‐dimethyl‐3‐methylene‐1,5‐dithiacyclooctane ( 8 ) (liquid). The monomers were stable materials not requiring any special handling or storage conditions. They were polymerized in bulk using thermal azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN, VAZO88) and photochemical initiators (Ciba DAROCUR 1173) and in benzene solutions (AIBN, 70 °C). The six‐membered ring monomer 5 was unreactive whereas seven‐membered ring monomer 6 polymerized to high conversion in bulk. In addition, 6 did not polymerize in benzene solution at 70 °C at [ 6 ] = 1.25M. Eight‐membered ring monomers 7 and 8 polymerized in bulk to complete conversion with thermal and photochemical initiators to give lightly crosslinked materials. Near complete conversion to soluble polymers could be obtained in solution polymerizations in benzene. Soluble polymers were also obtained in photochemical initiated bulk polymerizations by lowering initiator concentrations or length of irradiation. The methyl substituent had no effect on which allylic carbon–sulfur bond fragmented in the ring‐opening step. The polymerization volume shrinkages of monomers 7 and 8 were 1.5 and 2.4% respectively and together with monomer 4 (1.5–2.0% shrinkage) are the best available liquid free radical ring‐opening monomers that can be polymerized in bulk at room temperature. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 202–215, 2001     

Developments in the synthesis of maleated polyolefins by reactive extrusion

The maleation of conventional and metallocene linear low density polyethylenes by reactive extrusion has been explored with a view to defining the conditions necessary for a robust process that provides both high grafting efficiencies (>80%) and minimal degradation or cross-linking. The dependence of grafting efficiency on various operating parameters (maleic anhydride level, maleic anhydride:initiator ratio, throughput rate, direction of screw rotation, temperature) has been established. Literature methods for characterization of the grafted product based on FTIR or ¹H NMR analysis have been critically examined with respect to their ability to distinguish between single unit and oligomeric maleic anhydride grafts and found to yield ambiguous results.     

Living Free Radical Polymerisation Under a Constant Source of Gamma Radiation – An Example of Reversible Addition‐Fragmentation Chain Transfer or Reversible Termination?

The primary mechanism for living polymerisation under a source of gamma radiation at low dose rates is shown to be reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer. This was demonstrated by showing that the initial transfer step determines the success of the polymerisation. When an inappropriate leaving group is chosen for the RAFT agent, the polymerisation is non‐living. Under a reversible termination mechanism the ‘living’‐ness should be independent of this initial transfer step.     

Synthesis of cleavable multi-functional mikto-arm star polymer by RAFT polymerization: example of an anti-cancer drug 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) as functional moiety

Multi-functional mikto-arm star polymers containing three different arms [hydrophilic, SN-38-P(OEGMA_8–9)₁₁, cationizable, SN-38-P(DMAEMA)₃₈ and hydrophobic, SN-38-P(BMA)₂₆] were prepared by RAFT polymerization via an arm-first approach using a cleavable cross-linker. The star polymers were cleaved to the linear arms with tributylphosphine as a reducing agent. The decrease in molecular weight observed is consistent with the initial stars having approximately five arms. Blue fluorescence was observed when a solution of mikto-arm star was irradiated under a 365 nm light proving the retention of the SN-38 moiety during star formation by RAFT polymerization. Thus these polymer-drug conjugates can be considered as potential delivery vehicles for cancer therapy. The P(DMAEMA) arms can be quaternized using iodomethane, allowing star polymers to bind negatively charged small interfering RNA (siRNA) and potentially be used as a carrier for that material.     

Synthesis of light harvesting polymers by RAFT methods

Polymers prepared by RAFT polymerisation containing acenaphthyl energy donors and a terminal anthryl energy acceptor have a narrow molecular weight distribution and exhibit excitation energy transfer efficiencies up to 70%.     

Copolymerization of ω-Unsaturated Oligo(Methyl Methacrylate): New Macromonomers

Abstract

The free-radical copolymerization of ω-unsaturated oligo(methyl methacrylate) (1) with each of ethyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and vinyl acetate have been investigated. Incorporation of (1) into the polymer was observed in all cases although the molecular weights of the copolymers were substantially lower than those of the homopolymers obtained in the absence of (1) but under otherwise identical conditions. These experiments, together with a product study of the reactions of (1) with cyanoisopropyl radicals, have shown that the addition of free radicals to the double bond of (1) occurs readily. The sterically hindered radical so formed, however, undergoes facile β-scission, resulting in the termination of chains (chain transfer) in competition with chain propagation. The implications of these findings to the usefulness of (1) in the synthesis of graft copolymers and their relevance to the chemistry of free-radical polymerizations when methyl methacrylate is employed as a monomer or comonomer are discussed.     

Improved Procedure for Dye-Partition Analysis of Hydroxy Endgroups in Polymers

Hydroxy radical-initiated poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene have been reacted with o-sulfobenzoic anhydride to produce dye-active sulfonate groups and these were measured by a dye-partition technique with methylene blue. The important advantages over chlorosulfonic acid, previously employed in the dye-partition analysis for the conversion of hydroxy into sulfate groups, are that o-sulfobenzoic anhydride does not react at sites other than the hydroxy functionality and that it introduces the dye-active moiety (sulfonate) into the polymer via a hydrolytically more stable linkage.