Characterization of poly(3,3-bisethoxymethyl oxetane) and poly(3,3-bisazidomethyl oxetane) and their block copolymers

The homopolymers, poly(3,3-bisethoxymethyl oxetane) (polyBEMO), poly(3,3-bisazidomethyl oxetane) (polyBAMO), and triblock copolymers based on these homopolymers and a statistical copolymer center block composed of BAMO and 3-azidomethyl-3-methyl oxetane AMMO were synthesized and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, modulus-temperature, optical microscopy, membrane osmometry, and solution and melt viscosity. The values of K and a for the Mark-Houwink equation were found to be 7.29 × 10^?3 mL/g and 0.80, respectively, for polyBEMO at 25°C using number-average molecular weights. Glass transition temperatures were in the range ?25 to ?40°C and melting temperatures were between 65 and 90°C for all polymers. The melting temperature was found to increase as expected with molecular weight. Melt viscosities of triblock copolymers with polyBAMO end blocks were at least an order of magnitude lower than those with polyBEMO end blocks and clear optically, suggesting that the polyBAMO-based triblock copolymers formed one phase in the melt, while the polyBEMO-based triblock materials (milk white) phase separated. The addition of filler raised the melt viscosity to a level between that predicted by the Guth-Smallwood and the Mooney equations.     

Characterization of block copolymers based on poly[3,3-bis(ethoxymethyl)oxetane] and other novel polyethers

Diblock, triblock, and alternating block copolymers based on poly[3,3-bis(ethoxymethyl) oxetane] [poly(BEMO)] and a random copolymer center block poly(BMMO-co-THF) composed of poly[3,3-bis(methoxymethyl)oxetane] [poly(BMMO)], and poly(tetrahydrofuran) [poly(THF)] were synthesized and characterized with respect to molecular weight. Glass transition temperatures T_g and melting temperatures T_m were characterized via DSC, modulus–temperature, and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy (DMS). These polyethers had T_m between 70°C and 90°C, and T_g between ?55°C and ?30°C. The degree of crystallinity of poly(BEMO) was found to be 65% by X-ray powder diffraction. Tensile properties of the triblock copolymer, poly(BEMO-block-BMMO-co-THF-block-BEMO) were also studied. A yield point was found at 4.1 × 10⁷ dyn/cm² and 10% elongation and failure at 3.8 × 10⁷ dyn/cm² and 760 % elongation. Morphological features were examined by reflected light microscopy and the kinetics of crystallization were studied. Poly(BEMO) and its block copolymers were found to form spherulites of 2–10 μm in diameter. Crystallization was complete after 2–5 min.     

Thermal decomposition behavior of poly[3,3-bis(ethoxymethyl) oxetane] and related polyethers

The thermal decomposition behavior of poly[3,3-bis(ethoxymethyl)oxetane] (polyBEMO) was examined and compared to the decomposition of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(tetramethylene oxide) (polyTHF). Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies as a function of heating rates and at constant temperature as a function of time yielded activation energies of 45–50 kcal/mol, characteristic of polyether decomposition. First-order decomposition kinetics were found. The reaction is endothermic, with a heat of decomposition of 18.6 kcal/mol. Effusion mass spectroscopy on polyBEMO showed major peaks at 112, 140, 168, and 174 amu. A mechanism is proposed in which the thermal scission of the ether bonds in both the polymer chain and in the appendanges initiates the decomposition. The main decomposition reaction for polyBEMO can be written as where the appendages and main chain are cleaved in an unknown order.     

Synthesis of Poly(3,3‐Bis‐Azidomethyl Oxetane) via Direct Azidation of Poly(3,3‐Bis‐Bromo Oxetane)

In order to avoid using highly unstable and sensitive monomer 3,3‐bis‐azidomethyl oxetane, poly(3,3‐bis‐azidomethyl oxetane) (PBAMO) was successfully synthesized via azidation of poly(3,3‐bis‐bromo oxetane) (PBBrMO) in the aprotic and polar solvent cyclohexanone in the presence of a catalyst. It was found that the azidation proceeded very fast and almost completed in 6 h when the reaction temperature was up to 115 °C. PBAMO was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR).     

Characterization of the conformers in poly(3,3-diethyl oxetane) by vibrational spectroscopy

Summary The monoclinic and orthorhombic conformers of Poly(3,3-Diethyl oxetane) can be obtained depending on crystallization temperature. However, if the crystallization of a given modification is unaccomplished, the other modification can be crystallized from the amorphous phase. The molecular vibrations in the region 700–800 cm^–1, which are associated with the breathing mode, are highly dependent on the conformation of the polymer chain. This band is used to study the influence of the temperatures and times of crystallization on the structural modifications of this polymer.     

3,3‐Bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) Synthesis via Pentaerythritol Tosyl Derivates

3,3‐Bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) is the most widely known azido oxetane in terms of the number of its polymers and copolymers applied as energetic binders e.g. in rocket propellants and plastic formulations of explosive materials. However, this compound continues to be a rather expensive monomer today. The aim of this study was to find a suitable synthetic route to produce this monomer in a large scale and to optimize it. The chosen route of synthesis was based on the application of tosyl pentaerythritol derivatives as the starting material. The BAMO synthesis by this method involves three stages, namely: pentaerythritol tosylation, tritosylpentaerythritol cyclization to 3,3‐bis(tosylmethyl)oxetane (BTMO), and substitution of the BTMO tosyl groups with azido groups. In this work all the stages of the synthesis were optimized. BAMO was obtained in an overall yield of 61 %. The structure of the obtained compounds was verified by two techniques, namely: ¹HNMR and FT‐IR.     

Blends of poly[3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane] with poly(vinyl acetate). I. Thermal and mechanical properties

Blends of poly[3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane] (Penton) with poly(vinyl acetate) were prepared. Compatibility, morphology, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties of blends with various compositions were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical measurements (DMA), tensile tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DMA study showed that the blends have two glass transition temperatures (T_g). The T_g of the PVAc rich phase shifts significantly to lower temperatures with increasing Penton content, suggesting that a considerable amount of Penton dissolves in the PVAc rich phase, but that the Penton rich phase contains little PVAc. The Penton/PVAc blends are partially compatible. DSC results suggest that PVAc can act as a β-nucleator for Penton in the blend. Marked negative deviations from simple additivity were observed for the tensile strength at break over the entire composition range. The Young's modulus curve appeared to be S-shaped, implying that the blends are heterogeneous and have a two-phase structure. This was confirmed by SEM observations. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Simulation study on the liquid‐crystalline ordering and fluidity of energetic diblock copolymers based on poly[3,3‐bis(azidomethyl) oxetane]

The liquid‐crystalline ordering and fluidity of energetic diblock copolymers based on poly[3,3‐bis(azidomethyl) oxetane] (BAMO) and 3‐nitratomethyl‐3′‐methyloxetane (NMMO) were investigated by the dissipative particle dynamics method. The results show that these copolymers, with moderate BAMO block lengths (x's), experienced the disorder, nematic, and smectic phases with decreasing temperature. The nematic phase was suppressed when the rod length was too long or short. After the formation of the smectic phase, the fluidity had a sharp decline. The temperature forming the smectic phase was defined as the order–disorder transition temperature (T_ODT) and depended strongly on x. A simple scaling rule, T_ODT ≈ e^?x, between T_ODT and x was constructed. The effect of the soft NMMO block fraction on the fluidity emerged before the formation of the smectic phase. These results can help researchers design and synthesize new energetic copolymers with an appropriate melting temperature range for use as binders of solid propellants. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis and properties of cationic photopolymerizable hyperbranched polyesters with terminal oxetane groups by the couple-monomer polymerization of carboxylic anhydride with hydroxyl oxetane

The hyperbranched polyesters with terminal oxetane groups were synthesized via couple-monomer methodology based on carboxylic anhydride and hydroxyl oxetane. Two competitive reactions, ring-opening reaction of carboxylic group with oxetane group and esterification of carboxylic group with hydroxyl group, occurred synchronously during the polymerization. The results showed that the hyperbranched polyesters, poly(SA-EHO) and poly(SA-EHPO), were synthesized successfully when succinic anhydride (SA) was selected to react with 3-Ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane (EHO) and 3-ethyl-3-((4-hydroxymethyl)phenoxymethyl)oxetane (EHPO), respectively. The degree of branching was determined to be about 0.7 for poly(SA-EHO) from the ¹H NMR result, which was higher than those reported in literature, indicating that the esterification was dominant. The glass transition temperatures (T_g)s were measured as −11.5 °C for poly(SA-EHO) and 14.3 °C for poly(SA-EHPO) by DSC. The number average molecular weights were 1914 g/mol and 2108 g/mol with the polydispersity indices of 2.39 and 2.28 for poly(SA-EHO) and poly(SA-EHPO), respectively. Both poly(SA-EHO) and poly(SA-EHPO) were added to bisphenol A epoxy resin, EP828, with different contents and cured under UV exposure. From the DMTA and tensile results, the UV cured poly(SA-EHPO) showed higher T_g and tensile strength compared with poly(SA-EHO) because of the existence of phenyl group in poly(SA-EHPO) chain. Moreover, both the T_gs and mechanical strength decreased, whereas the elongation percents at break increased with poly(SA-EHO) and poly(SA-EHPO) increased. This indicates that the flexibility of cured films was improved by the addition of poly(SA-EHO) and poly(SA-EHPO) in the formulations.     

Probing the compatibility and interaction of energetic binders based on 3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane with some explosives: thermal,interfacial and simulation studies

Several polymer binders based on 3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) were studied to explore the compatibility and interaction of the energetic binders with three common energetic oxidants. The compatibilities were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and ratings were obtained according to evaluated standards. The results showed that all the binders based on BAMO had good compatibility with cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, cyclotetramethylenetetranitroamine and hexanitrohexazaiso‐wurtzitane. The work of adhesion (W_a) between binders and explosives was tested via measurement of contact angle and the results are in the following order: chain‐extended poly(3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane) (PBAMO) by isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI‐CE) with diethyl bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate (IPDI‐DBM‐CE) > chain‐extended PBAMO by IPDI‐CE > PBAMO. In addition, similar results were found in the binding energies reported by molecular dynamics, and the average values of E_binding for the IPDI‐DBM‐CE system were larger than E_binding for the other systems due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between –COOEt and –NO₂, which improve the bonding abilities. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal characteristics of energetic polymers based on tetrahydrofuran and oxetane derivatives

Thermal characteristics and decomposition behaviors of energetic polymers based on oxetane derivatives, 3,3'-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO), 3-azidomethyl-3'-methyloxetane (AMMO), 3-nitratomethyl-3'-methyloxetane (NMMO), and 3,3'-bis(ethoxymethyl)oxetane (BEMO), were studied by means of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). These polymers were found to exhibit low glass transition and large decomposition onthalpies which were brought about by the attached azide (? N₃) and nitrato (? ONO₂) groups. The decomposition enthalpies depended on the types and contents of the energetic substituents. The NMMO-based polymers exhibited relatively higher decomposition enthalpies and less thermal stability than the others. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the polymers was further improved by partial curing treatment. These results reveal that these polymers are potentially useful for application in energetic propellant binders. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Liquid induced crystallization of poly(ethylene naphthalate) oligomers

Amorphous poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) oligomer has been crystallized at room temperature by treating in liquids having solubility parameter, δ, in the range of 15-29 (J cm⁻³)^1/2. It has been observed that the liquids having δ in the range of 18.5-25 are able to crystallize PEN oligomer efficiently. A direct correlation has been observed between δ and crystallite size calculated from WAXS technique.     

Solubility parameters of poly(di-n-alkyl cyclohexyl-) and poly(di-n-alkyl phenyl itaconates)

Solubility parameters of poly(dicyclohexyl-), poly(diphenyl itaconate) and of the first three members of the poly(dialkyl cyclohexyl-) and poly(dialkyl phenylitaconate) homologous series were determined from limiting viscosity numbers in various solvents and solvent mixtures, differing in structure, polarity and composition. The values obtained are within limits of 19.0 and 16.7 (J^1/2. cm^-3/2). Phenyl groups in the substituents lead to slightly higher values than cyclohexyl rings and the introduction of alkyl groups in both series results in a progressive decrease of the solubility parameter. The experimental values are slightly lower than those obtained by calculation from molar attraction constants.     

3,3-双溴甲基氧丁环的合成

以三溴新戊醇(TBNPA)为原料,在碱作用下,分别采用以乙醇作溶剂的均相法和以溴化四丁基铵作相转移催化剂的两相法(甲苯/水)合成了3,3-双溴甲基氧丁环(BBMO)。相转移催化两相合成法的收率(90.8%)明显高于均相合成法(65.6%)。在均相法中,真空蒸馏残留物为未发生反应的三溴新戊醇,约占TBNPA投料质量的20%;而在相转移催化法中,真空蒸馏残留物主要是液态低聚醚,约占TBNPA投料质量的8%。     

Effect of quenching on the polymorphic crystallization of poly(oxetane)

Summary The crystallization from the glassy state of poly(oxetane) or poly(trimethylene oxide), after quenching the molten polymer in liquid nitrogen, has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results indicate that two crystalline modifications are obtained, depending on the crystallization temperature: the orthorhombic modification is produced when the temperature is higher than –30 °C, while the trigonal form is found below –45 °C, both forms coexisting at intermediate temperatures.     

Gas transport in poly(alkoxyphosphazenes)

The permeability of four structurally related poly(alkoxyphosphazenes), three isomers of poly(dibutoxyphosphazenes) (PBuP), and poly(di-neopentyloxyphosphazene) (Pneo-PeP), to 13 gases has been determined by the time-lag method. Systematic variations in chemical structure have shown a large effect of side chains on permeabilities and permselectivities. The permeability of poly(di-n-butoxyphosphazene) (Pn-BuP) is of the order of 10^?8 cm³ (STP) cm/(cm² s cmHg) for many gases, and the value for a large gas is higher than that for a smaller one. For small gases such as He and H₂, poly(di-sec-butoxyphosphazene) (Ps-BuP) is as permeable as Pn-BuP, but its diffusivities for larger gases such as Xe and C₃H₈ are about one order lower than those of Pn-BuP. While the permselectivity of Pn-BuP is determined by the solubility, that of Ps-BuP depends on both the diffusivity and solubility factors. The property of poly(diisobutoxyphosphazene) (Pi-BuP) is intermediate between them. These polymers are constitutionally identical, and the only difference is the arrangements of carbons in the side groups. As the side chains become bulky, the permeability decreases, whereas the permselectivity increases. Further decreases of diffusivity and then permeability are observed for Pneo-PeP, whose side groups have one more methyl group than does Pi-BuP. But the solubility data are not much different from other three polymers and the diffusivity factor becomes more significant in permselectivity. The diffusivity depends on the polymer structure much more than does the solubility. The relationships between chemical structure and gas diffusivity and solubility are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of new optically active and photolable poly (amide-imide)s from N,N ′-(3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic)-3,3′,4,4′-diimido-di-L-methionine and different diamines

Summary N,N^′-(3,3^′,4,4^′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic)-3,3^′,4,4^′-diimido-di-L-methionine (3) was prepared from the reaction of 3,3^′,4,4^′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic-3,3^′,4,4^′-dianhydride (1) with L-methionine (2) in a solution of (glacial acetic acid/pyridine) at refluxing temperature. The phosphorylation polycondensation of the diimide-diacid monomer (3) with 1,3-phenylenediamine (4a), 1,4-phenylenediamine (4b), 2,6-diaminopyridine (4c), 3,5-diaminopyridine (4d), 4,4^′-diaminobiphenyl (4e) and 4,4^′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (4f) was carried out in N-methyl-2-pyrolidone (NMP). The resulting poly (amide-imide)s showed admirable moderate inherent viscosities (0.23–0.48 dl g^-1), good thermal stability and improved optical activity. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new poly (amide-imide)s are presented.     

Bis(azidomethyl) oxetane/hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene/bis(azidomethyl) oxetane triblock copolymer: Synthesis and characterization

A copolymer consisting of bis(azidomethyl) oxetane and hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene was synthesized with different monomer ratios via an activated monomer mechanism. The copolymer thus obtained was characterized with Fourier transform infrared, ¹H‐NMR, molecular weight, and polydispersity measurements. Rhe‐ological and thermal studies were also carried out. The mechanical properties of the gum stock obtained through curing with toluene diisocyanate and crosslinking with pyrogallol at about 50°C were also determined. This was an attempt to combine the useful properties of hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (a nonenergetic binder providing excellent mechanical properties) and poly[bis(azidomethyl) oxetane] (an energetic binder). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Ru(0) complex catalyzed polyaddition New synthesis of poly(alkylenebenzoxazole) and poly(alkylenebenzimidazole)

Summary The reactions of α,ω-diyne, HC≡C(CH₂)_mC≡CH (m = 6 and 8), with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and with 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl in the presence of RU₃(CO)₁₂-PPh₃ catalyst give the corresponding poly(alkylenebenzoxazole)s and poly(alkylenebenzimidazole)s, respectively. The former polymers obtained from the equimolar reaction of the monomers are partly soluble in polar organic solvents such as DMF, DMSO, and NMP, while the poly(benzimidazole)s are soluble in these solvents. GPC measurement shows the molecular weights of the polymers, M _n of 4.8−14.1×10³ and M _w of 6.4−19.7×10³. Received: 24 November 1998/Revised version: 21 December 1998/Accepted: 24 December 1998     

Dilute solution properties of poly(benzyl methacrylate)

A series of fractions of poly(benzyl methacrylate) have been prepared with weight-average molecular weights ranging from 0.19 × 10⁶ to 1.74 × 10⁶ g/mol. A theta temperature of 73.2°C was obtained from phase separation studies in cyclopentanol. Intrinsic viscosities have been measured in toluene and methyl ethyl ketone over a range of temperatures, as well as under theta conditions. Unperturbed dimensions and their temperature coefficient have been determined by a number of procedures. A value for the polymer solubility parameter has been calculated from the enthalpy parameter obtained from phase separation data.