Postpolymerization modification of poly(pentafluorophenyl methacrylate): Synthesis of a diverse water‐soluble polymer library

This article explores the feasibility of poly(pentafluorophenyl methacrylate) (PPFMA) prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization as a platform for the preparation of diverse libraries of functional polymers via postpolymerization modification with primary amines. Experiments with a broad range of functional amines and PPFMA precursors of different molecular weights indicated that the postpolymerization modification reaction proceeds with good to excellent conversion for a diverse variety of functional amines and is essentially independent of the PPFMA precursor molecular weight. The RAFT end group, which was well preserved throughout the polymerization, is cleaved during postpolymerization modification to generate a thiol end group that provides possibilities for further orthogonal chain‐end modification reactions. The degree of postpolymerization modification can be controlled by varying the relative amount of primary amine that is used and random polymethacrylamide copolymers can be prepared via a one‐pot/two‐step sequential addition procedure. Cytotoxicity experiments revealed that the postpolymerization modification strategy does not lead to any additional toxicity compared with the corresponding polymer obtained via direct polymerization, which makes this approach also of interest for the synthesis of biologically active polymers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4332–4345, 2009     

In situ study of electrocopolymerization of acrylamide,formaldehyde, and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide

An apparatus and procedure for real-time in situ investigations of monomer electropolymerization in solution using optical microscopy with differential interference and phase contrast have been designed. The kinetics of electropolymerization of an acrylamide-formaldehyde monomer mixture in aqueous solution has been studied. An induction period of electropolymerization was fixed and evaluated for the first time. Growth of the polymer film after disconnection has been visualized. The dynamics of this phenomenon is evaluated, and possible reasons are discussed. Anisotropic mechanical stresses, arising in the polymer film during electropolymerization, have been found and characterized. The mechanism that is responsible for the formation of a dense near-cathode layer has been revealed. The formation of a zinc sublayer during electropolymerization has been examined. Reasons for the roughness of the near-electrode surface of the polymer film and for high adhesion of the electrodeposited polymer film to the metal have been established.     

Tailored Thiol‐Functional Polyamides: Synthesis and Functionalization

In this article, a synthetic concept for the preparation of polyamides with functional side groups is described. First, the synthesis of a bis(thiolactone) monomer is shown in a concise three‐step route from itaconic acid and DL‐homocysteine thiolactone. The reactivity of the resulting bis(thiolactone) toward hexyl amine is examined. Next, the bis(thiolactone) is reacted as A,A‐type monomer with different B,B‐type comonomers (1,12‐diaminododecane and 1,3‐bis(aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane). Ring opening of the thiolactones by the diamines leads to polyamides with pendant thiol groups. Using two diamines in different ratios, the properties of the resulting polyamides are tuned (thermal properties are determined) and different molecular weights are acquired. Subsequently, the thiol groups are reacted with methyl acrylate via Michael addition to functionalize the polyamides. Functionalization of thiol‐functional polyamides using poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) acrylates ( = 480 and 1700 g mol⁻¹) results in water‐soluble amphiphilic poly­amides with molecular weights higher than 10 000 g mol⁻¹.

     

Postpolymerization modification of a sulfonyl fluoride-decorated polynorbornene using the sulfur-fluoride exchange click reaction

This contribution describes the ring opening metathesis polymerization of a sulfonyl fluoride decorated polynorbornene and its postsynthetic modification using the sulfur-fluoride exchange “click” reaction.