Multiple Mechanism of NCA Polymerization: Effect of N-Acetylglycine NCA and Related Additives

Polymerization of α-aminoisobutyric acid NCA by alkaline salts of various basicity as well as amines has been investigated. The study was focused on the effect on the initial polymerization rate of additives such as N-acetylglycine NCA and some other less electrophilic additives (l-acetyl-2-pyrrolidone, 3-acetyl-2-oxazolidone, 1-acetyl-3-methylhydantoin) which are all models of the growing chain end produced by the NCA anion pathway. The acetyl endgroup was detected by 250 MHz ¹H-NMR in all the polymers of α-aminoisobutyric acid NCA obtained in the presence of l-acetyl-3-methylhydantoin and triethyl amine or sodium methoxide initiators, whereas the additives influenced variously the kinetics of polymerization according to the nature of the initiator used. The results were interpreted in the light of a multiple mechanism supposing the simultaneous presence of the initiator anion, its conjugate acid, and NCA anion for basic salt initiation. Thus, the observed effect has to be considered as the sum of an elementary acceleration due to NCA anion and of an elementary deceleration due to the initiator anion. Predominance of the pathways involving NCA anion could be shown this way. This conclusion could be extended to γ-benxyl-L-glutamate NCA which is a more reactive NCA. However, the deceleration observed with some additives led us to believe that a nonnegligible participation of initiator anion during initiation cannot be excluded.     

Optically Active Helical Polymer From Anionic Polymerization of (S)-6-Acrylyl-2,2’-dimethoxy-1,1’-binaphthyl

(S)-6-Acrylyl-2,2’-dimethoxy-1,1’-binaphthyl (ADBN) was synthesized and anionically polymerized using n-BuLi as an initiator. The absolute value of specific optical rotation [α]²⁵₅₈₉ of poly-ADBN is ?118.0 and that is about 8 times that of the starting monomer ADBN. Poly-ADBN was confirmed to exist in the form of one-handed helical structure in solution by means of comparing the specific optical rotation, the CD and UV-Vis spectra with that of ADBN and the model compounds such as (S)-6-propionyl-2,2’-dimethoxy-1,1’-binaphthyl (PDBN) and (S)-6-heptanoyl-2,2’-dimethoxy-1,1’-binaphthyl (HDBN). This conclusion was also confirmed by the fact that the g-value of poly-ADBN is about 13 times as high as that of its monomer and model compounds     

Trends in Kinetic Behavior during Ester-Ester Exchange Reactions in Polyesters by Mass Spectrometry. I

The kinetics of the ester-ester exchange reaction between polyesters from adipic acid and various linear and branched glycols were investigated by mass spectometry using the dimer analysis method (DAM). Rate constants, activation energies, and frequency factors are given for reactions studied in the temperature range of 572–585 K. Correlation of glycol methylene ratios with activation energies and frequency factors shows an alternating trend in kinetic behavior. Reaction systems containing even numbers of methylene groups in the glycol moiety of the reactants exhibited slower reaction rates than systems with odd numbers of methylene groups, while branched reaction systems followed very similar trends when the influence of pendant groups is ignored.     

Preparation and Characterization of Linear and Miktoarm Star Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline block Copolymers with p-Methoxyazobenzene Moieties via a Combination of ATRP and ROP

One linear and two miktoarm star side-chain liquid crystalline (LC) block copolymers with p-methoxyazobenzene moieties were prepared by a combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques. First, ROPs of ε -caprolactone (ε -CL) were carried out catalyzed by Sn(Oct)₂ using three multifunctional initiators, hydroxyethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate (AB type), 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate (A₂B type) and 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl bis(2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate) (A₂B₂ type), at 110°C in toluene, respectively. Second, the previously obtained poly(ε -caprolactone)s (PCLs) with bromines functionalities were used as the macroinitiators to conduct ATRP of 6-(4-methoxy-4-oxy-azobenzene) hexyl methacrylate (MMAZO) with CuBr/PMDETA as the catalyst systems at 85°C in anisole to prepare the linear and miktoarm side-chain LC block copolymers (PCL-b-PMMAZO, (PCL)₂-(PMMAZO) and (PCL)₂-(PMMAZO)₂). The produced polymers were well-controlled with the controlled molecular weights and the relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M _w/M _n ≤ 1.35). The structures of the obtained polymers were all characterized by NMR, FT-IR and GPC analysis. Furthermore, the LC properties of the linear and miktoarm star block copolymers were also investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal polarized optical microscopy (POM).     

RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE WITH DIPHENYL DISELENIDE UNDER THERMAL OR PHOTOIRRADIATIONAL CONDITIONS

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with diphenyl diselenide (DPDSE) in the presence of AIBN at 60°C was investigated. DPDSE was worked as a chain transfer agent (CTA). The chain transfer constant (C_tr) of DPDSE for MMA was estimated to be 1.43. On the other hand, DPDSE was functioned as a photoiniferter for the photopolymerization of MMA. In a limited range of conversion, both the polymer yield and number average of molecular weight ([Mbar]_n) increased with the reaction time, and the [Mbar]_n linearly increased with the yield. The terminal structure of poly(MMA) was investigated by the ⁷⁷Se NMR spectrum based on Methyl α-phenylseleno isobutylate (MSEPI) as model compound of the ω-chain end of poly(MMA). Further, photopolymerization of poly (MMA) containing phenylseleno group at ω-chain end as a polymeric photoiniferter with MMA effectively afforded a poly (MMA) having higher molecular weight.     

Copolymerization of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate with Alkyl Methacrylates. Part IV. Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility

Mechanical properties of copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and n-butyl methacrylate have been investigated using an Instron tensile tester. It was observed that the overall mechanical properties decrease as the ester alkyl group of alkyl methacrylate becomes bulkier. Biocompatibility of the copolymers was also investigated by implanting them subcutaneously in rats.     

Influence of Grafted Chain Length of a Phenolic Copolymer on Its Complex Formation with Poly(vinyl Pyrrolidone) and Poly(ethylene Oxide)

A phenolic copolymer has been grafted with oligomers of different chain lengths. Polymer-polymer complexation has been studied between graft copolymers and nonionic polymers, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene oxide), in an acetone-methanol mixture by several methods, e.g., viscosity, conductance, and apparent pH measurements. A distinct stepwise complexation between PVP and graft copolymers has been observed. The length of the side chain also seemed to influence interpolymer complex formation. Some of these observations have been interpreted with reference to the actual structure of the graft copolymers.     

Design,Synthesis, and Properties of Substituted Polyacetylenes

This article reviews recent topics on the polymerization of substituted acetylenes, focusing on the synthesis of poly(diphenylacetylenes) and the living polymerization of phenylacetylenes. Diphenylacetylene (DPA) polymerizes with TaCl_s-n-Bu₄Sn to give a polymer which is thermally very stable but insoluble in any solvents. DPAs with various groups (e.g.,p-Me₃Si,m-Me₃Ge, p-t-Bu,and_p-PhO) polymerize similarly. These polymers are soluble and their M¯_w's reach 1 × 10⁶ to 3 × 10⁶. Some of them are more gas-permeable than poly(dimethylsiloxane). Several acetylenes (e.g., ClC -n-C₆H₁₃ and HCUC-t-Bu) have been found to undergo living polymerization with MoOCl₄-n-Bu₄Sn-EtOH. Whereas phenylacetylene (PA) does not polymerize in a living fashion, ortho-substituents in PA more or less suppress termination and chain transfer. PAs with bulky ortho groups (e.g., CF₃ and Me₃Ge) especially undergo virtually ideal living polymerization.     

NMR Characterization of Substituted Aromatic Poly (Ether Sulofone)s

Abstract

The synthesis of a variety of substituted bisphenol A polysulfones, including nitro, amino, aminomethyl, ethyl, and methyl derivatives, is described. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (both proton and carbon, and several 2-D experiments) data confirm conclusions on the substitution site based on arguments on inductive effects in the phenyl rings. The proton ortho to the oxygen in the bisphenol A (BPA) residue is replaced in electrophilic substitution reactions. The degree of substitution was also calculated from the NMR results. The ethyl and methyl derivatives were expected, from the starting reactants, to each have a BPA ring substituted. The NMR data showed that, on the average, this is true. The nitro derivative also has substitution in every BPA ring, while the amino and aminomethyl derivatives have only intermittent BPA rings substituted. Measured degrees of substitution (DS) varied from 0.11 to 2.25.     

Case Studies With Mathematical Modeling of Free-Radical Multi-Component Bulk/Solution Polymerizations: Part 1

In part 1 of this series of two extensive overviews of multi-component polymerization case studies, we present mathematical modelling results with experimental confirmations. The case studies are from free-radical, bulk and/or solution polymerizations, covering the range from homo- to hexa-polymerization at both regular and elevated temperature levels, i.e., without and with possible depropagation steps. The model eventually tackles complex polymerization features, ranging from conversion-time histories to more esoteric multi-component composition and/or sequence length profiles. Part 2 of the series will describe more complicated situations with depropagation and composition control policies, all relying solely on a unique monomer/polymer database of physico-chemical properties and other characteristics, with no further parameter adjustment. These database items will be cited in tables in part 2 of the series.