Using the new in–in method for the synthesis of polyisoprene/polystyrene heteroarm star polymers

The basis of the two‐step in–in method is as follows: star polymers with poly(divinyl benzene) cores, synthesized by the arm‐first method, include many unreacted double bonds in their core, and these double bonds can be attacked by the carbanions of some monomers such as styrene and dienes. In this work, linear polyisoprene chains were used to attack the double bonds existing in the poly(divinyl benzene) cores of polystyrene star polymers, so that a heteroarm star polymer with polystyrene and polyisoprene arms was synthesized. It was later well characterized with size exclusion chromatography, light scattering, viscometry, UV spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and ¹H NMR. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 135–142, 2003     

Peroxide-Initiated crosslinking of styrene-grafted polymers and copolymers of butadiene

Low molecular weight polymers and copolymers of butadiene were grafted with styrene. The graft products were then crosslinked by using dicumyl peroxide as initiator. The optimum peroxide concentration was established (5 phr). Infrared analysis showed that the reactivity of 1,2-vinyl and that of 1,4-trans double bonds in styrene-grafted polybutadiene is similar. Crosslinking of the graft product seems to involve a radical-chain polymerization of double bonds in the polymer. The reaction rate is proportional to the square root of peroxide concentration and to the concentration of polymer double bonds. Activation energy, reaction heat, reaction order, and crosslinking efficiency were also determined from DSC measurements. No relation was found between the activation energy of crosslinking and the molecular weight of backbone polymer or density of grafting. Crosslinking efficiency was to 25–50 crosslinks per molecule of decomposed peroxide. The crosslinking efficiency for grafted butadiene–styrene copolymers is somewhat lower than that for grafted polybutadienes. From thermogravimetric measurements it was found that the crosslinked grafted polymers show lower resistance to thermal degradation than ungrafted polymers.     

Linear polymers of vinyl aryl monomers containing another unsaturated group

The synthesis and the anionic polymerization of representative substituted styrenes, CH₂?CH? C₆H₄R′, where R′ is an ethylenic or acetylenic group attached directly or indirectly to the benzene ring, to linear polymers is described. In contrast, crosslinked polymers were obtained when radical and cationic initiators were used. The unpolymerized, unsaturated bonds in R′ in the resulting linear polymers were shown to be present by infrared spectroscopic methods and by the following post-reactions of these bonds: (1) the thermal- and radical-initiated crosslinking of the linear polymers through the unsaturated bonds in R′; (2) the post-bromination of these unsaturated bonds; (3) the post-copolymerization of these unsaturated bonds with vinyl monomers; and (4) the reaction of decaborane with the acetylenic bonds. The anionic copolymerizations of methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and styrene with these monomers were performed and confirmed their behavior as substituted styrenes. Block copolymerizations with styrene and methyl methacrylate were also performed and the expected results obtained. Post-bromination of the linear polymers afforded self-extinguishing polymers. The linear polymers and copolymers may be classified as “self-reactive” polymers which yield thermosetting polystyrenes.     

Time Programmed Feed of Semi-Batch Reactors with Non-Linear Radical Copolymerizations: An Experimental Study of the System Styrene + Divinylbenzene Using SEC/MALLS

Summary: The radical crosslinking copolymerization of mono and divinyl monomers was experimentally studied with a 2.5 dm³ semi-batch reactor using styrene + divinylbenzene as a model system. The analysis of products was carried out by SEC with a MALLS detector. The influence of the feed policy of divinylbenzene on the time evolution of the copolymer molecular weights and z-average mean square radius of gyration was assessed. A detailed kinetic model, in the absence of intramolecular reactions but taking into account the presence of the two isomers m- and p- in the commercial divinylbenzene and the different reactivities of the various radicals and double bonds was developed; most parameters have been collected from previous kinetic studies, and only two have been regressed using our measured molecular weights. These results can be used to improve the production of branched/crosslinked polymers with controlled molecular architecture.     

双烯化合物为支化单体的原子转移自由基聚合研究

分别以双甲基丙烯酸二缩三乙二醇酯和二乙烯苯为支化单体合成支化聚苯乙烯.用GC、1 H-NMR和三检测体积排除色谱( TD-SEC)对聚合反应过程、支化发展和聚合物的支化结构进行了详细的分析表征.两个聚合反应体系内单体转化速率几乎一样,相同单体转化率下,初级链的分子量近似相等.但是由于双甲基丙烯酸二缩三乙二醇酯与苯乙烯单...     

Preparation of reactive block copolymers and their transformation to hollowed nanostructures

A novel polymeric hollow nanostructure was generated using micellar template method through a three‐step procedure. First, the block copolymers were synthesized via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization by sequentially adding monomers 7‐oxanorborn‐5‐ene‐exo‐exo‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester and the mixture of norbornene and 2,3‐bis(2‐bromoisobutyryloxymethyl)‐5‐norbornene in chloroform, and also atom transfer radical polymerization of 4‐(3‐butenyl)styrene was carried out by using the as‐obtained block copolymer poly(7‐oxanorborn‐5‐ene‐exo,exo‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid dimethylester)‐block‐poly(norbornene‐co‐2,3‐bis(2‐bromoisobutyryloxymethyl)‐5‐norbornene as macroinitiator to afford a graft copolymer bearing poly(4‐(3‐butenyl)styrene) branch poly(7‐oxanorborn‐5‐ene‐exo,exo‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid dimethylester)‐block‐poly(norbornene‐co‐2,3‐bis(2‐bromoisobutyryloxymethyl)‐5‐norbornene)‐graft‐poly(4‐(3‐butenyl)styrene). Second, the shell‐crosslinked micelles were prepared by ruthenium‐mediated ring‐closing metathesis of poly(4‐(3‐butenyl)styrene) branches in intramicelle formed from the copolymers self‐assembly spontaneously in toluene. Finally, the hollowed spherical nanoparticles were presented by removing the micellar copolymer backbone through the cleavage of the ester bonds away from the crosslinked network of branches. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Linear polymers of acrylic monomers containing an acetylenic moiety

1-Acryloxy-2-butyne and 1-methacryloxy-2-butyne were synthesized and polymerized by means of anionic initiators to soluble linear polymers containing acetylenic bonds in the pendant side chains. In contrast, insoluble, crosslinked polymers were formed when cationic and radical initiators were used. The unpolymerized acetylenic bonds in the resulting linear polymers were shown to be present by infrared spectroscopic methods and by the following post-reactions of these bonds: (1) the thermal- and radical-initiated crosslinking of the linear polymers through the acetylenic bonds; (2) the post-bromination of the acetylenic bonds; and (3) the reaction of decaborane with the acetylenic bonds. The anionic copolymerization of both monomers with a number of selected monomers was performed and the copolymer reactivity ratios for several of the comonomer pairs were determined. Dibromination of the linear polymers affords self-extinguishing polymers with apparently good hydrolytic stability. Decarbonation of the linear polymers yields soluble polymers which do not soften up to 300°C. The linear polymers and copolymers, as well as their partially brominated and partially decaboronated products, may be classified as “self-reactive” polymers which yield thermosetting polymers.     

Copolymerization of divinyl and monovinyl monomers

The data on the free-radical and cationic copolymerization of divinyl and monovinyl monomers are surveyed. The monomer systems under consideration show promise for the production of crosslinked copolymers free of divinyl monomer blocks. Specific features of the gelation and kinetics of the three-dimensional copolymerization of divinyl monomers are considered. This information is necessary for characterization of crosslinked copolymers useful as matrices for the manufacture of sorbents.     

Expanding vinyl ether monomer repertoire for ring-expansion cationic polymerization: Various cyclic polymers with tailored pendant groups

Herein, we clarified the ring-expansion cationic polymerization with a cyclic hemiacetal ester (HAE)-based initiator was versatile in terms of applicable vinyl ether monomers. Although there was a risk that higher reactive vinyl ethers may incur β-H elimination of the HAE-based cyclic dormant species to irreversibly give linear chains, the polymerizations were controlled to give corresponding cyclic polymers from various alkyl vinyl ethers of different reactivities. Functional vinyl ether monomers were also available, and for instance a vinyl ether monomer carrying an initiator moiety for metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization in the pendant allowed construction of ring-linear graft copolymers through the grafting-from approach. Furthermore, ring-based gel was prepared via the addition of divinyl ether at the end of the ring-expansion polymerization, where multi HAE bonds cyclic polymers or fused rings were crosslinked with each other. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3082–3089     

Controlled synthesis and functionalization of PEGylated methacrylates bearing cyclic carbonate pendant groups

Homopolymer bearing cyclic carbonate (CC) group, ABA type triblock copolymers, and (AC)B(AC) type terpolymers with statistical arrangement of A and C monomers bearing side chain CC groups are reported here. Difunctional poly(ethylene glycol) macroinitiators (PEGMIs) were prepared from PEG of three different molecular weights. PEGMIs were subsequently used for the preparation of polymers bearing CC pendant groups from cyclic carbonate methacrylate (CCMA) under atom transfer radical polymerization to yield polymers with low polydispersity index. Homopolymer and ABA type triblock copolymers were obtained by polymerizing CCMA monomer and (AC)B(AC) type statistical terpolymers were obtained when methyl methacrylate was included as a comonomer. No polymer was obtained when styrene was used as comonomer. The cyclic carbonate groups were subjected to ring‐opening reaction with monoamine to yield side chain hydroxyurethane polymers with increased solubility and diamines to yield crosslinked insoluble materials. Changes in wettability characteristics were studied by following the water contact angle of the polymers before and after ring‐opening reaction involving the cyclic carbonate pendant group. The polymers which composed of electrolyte in the form of PEG and coordinating species in the form of pendant cyclic carbonate groups showed conductivity in the range of 2–5 × 10^?6 Scm^?1 at 23 °C after doping with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide as characterized by impedance spectroscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1622–1632, 2010     

用双官能团引发剂进行的原子转移自由基嵌段和无规共聚

原子转移自由基聚合［１］,可同时适用于非极性单体和极性单体,如苯乙烯、二烯烃类和（甲基）丙烯酸酯、丙烯腈类单体［１～３］,这是传统的活性聚合如阴离子聚合和基团转移聚合所不及的;可以用于制备包括无规、嵌段、星形与高支化物在内的诸多结构清晰的高分子化合物...     

Synthesis and characterization of new polymer systems containing very bulky tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl substituents as side chains

The 4-chloromethyl styrene (CMS) was copolymerized with different styrenic monomers such as methyl styrene, 4-methoxy styrene and α-methyl styrene by free radical polymerization method at 70 ± 1 °C using α,α^′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator and the copolymers I, II and III collected respectively. The very bulky tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl {trisyl} substituents were covalently attached to the obtained copolymers with replacement of all the chlorine atoms in CMS units. The polymers, obtained in quantitative yields, were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and GPC studies. All the polymers containing trisyl groups showed a high glass transition temperature (in the range 150-190 °C) in comparison with copolymers I-III (in the range 90-95 °C). The increase of the glass transition temperature reflects the substantial increase in rigidity of new polymers bearing very bulky substituents in side chains.     

Linear polymers of allyl acrylate and allyl methacrylate

Allyl acrylate and allyl methacrylate were polymerized by anionic initiators to soluble linear polymers containing allyl groups in the pendant side chains. The pendant unpolymerized allyl groups of the resulting linear poly(allyl acrylates) were shown to be present by: (1) the disappearance of the acrylyl and methacrylyl double bond absorptions in the infrared spectra in the conversions of monomers to polymers; (2) postbromination of the allyl bonds in the linear polymer; (3) the disappearance of the allyl groups absorptions in the infrared spectra of the brominated linear polymers; and (4) the thermal- and radical-initiated crosslinking of the linear polymers through the allyl groups. Allyl acrylate and allyl methacrylate show great reluctance to copolymerize with styrene under anionic initiation, but copolymerize readily with methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile. Block copolymers were prepared by reacting allyl methacrylate with preformed polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) anions. The linear polymers and copolymers of allyl acrylate may be classified as “self-reactive” polymers which yield thermosetting polymers. Bromination of the linear polymers offers a convenient method of producing self-extinguishing polymers.     

Star‐shaped cyclopolymers: A new category of star polymer with rigid cyclized arms prepared by controlled cationic cyclopolymerization and subsequent microgel formation of divinyl ethers

The combination of living/controlled cationic cyclopolymerization and crosslinking polymerization of bifunctional vinyl ethers (divinyl ethers) was applied to the synthesis of core‐crosslinked star‐shaped polymers with rigid cyclized arms. Cyclopolymerization of 4,4‐bis(vinyloxymethyl)cyclohexene ( 1 ), a divinyl ether with a cyclohexene group, was investigated with the hydrogen chloride/zinc chloride (HCl/ZnCl₂) initiating system in toluene at 0 °C. The reaction proceeded quantitatively to give soluble poly( 1 )s in organic solvents. The content of the unreacted vinyl groups in the produced polymers was less than ～3 mol%, and therefore, the degree of cyclization of the polymers was determined to be ～97%. The number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of the polymers increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion and further increased on addition of a fresh monomer feed to the almost completely polymerized reaction mixture, indicating that living cyclopolymerization of 1 occurred. The chain linking reactions among the formed living cyclopolymers with 1,4‐bis(vinyloxy)cyclohexane ( 3 ) as a crosslinker in toluene at 0 °C produced core‐crosslinked star‐shaped cyclopoly( 1 )s [star‐poly( 1 )s] in high yield (100%). Dihydroxylation of the cyclohexene double bonds of star‐poly( 1 ) gave hydrophilic water‐soluble star‐shaped polymers with rigid arm structure [star‐poly( 1 )‐OH] with thermo‐responsive function in water. T_gs of star‐poly( 1 ) and star‐poly( 1 )‐OH were 135 °C and 216 °C, respectively; these values are very high as vinyl ether‐based star‐shaped polymers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1094–1102     

Synthesis and characterization of allyl functionalized poly(α-hydroxy)acids and their further dihydroxylation and epoxidation

In this study, the synthesis of an allyl functionalized aliphatic polyester and the subsequent oxidation of the double bonds was investigated. Allylglycolide (3-allyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione) was synthesized and its homopolymer and copolymers with l-lactide were prepared by ring opening polymerization in the melt using benzyl alcohol and SnOct₂ as initiator and catalyst, respectively. The polymerizations proceeded with high yields and conversions and good control over molecular weights and copolymer composition. The obtained polymers were amorphous materials and their T_g increased with increasing lactide content. Dihydroxylation of the double bonds in poly(allylglycolide) and copolymers with lactide was attempted with osmiumtetroxide/4-methylmorpholine-4-oxide (OsO₄/NMO). However, particularly the polymers rich in allylglycolide could not be isolated after dihydroxylation because they likely underwent degradation during workup. Optimizing the reaction conditions gave partially dihydroxylated copolymers only for copolymers with high lactide content (50 and 75 mol%) with a conversion of the double bonds of only ∼60%. GPC analysis showed that chain scission had occurred during the dihydroxylation reaction and/or workup.The allyl groups of poly(allylglycolide) homopolymers and copolymers with lactide were oxidized using m-chloroperoxy benzoic acid (mCPBA) to yield the corresponding epoxidated polymers in high yield. NMR analysis showed that conversion of the double bonds to epoxides was quantitative, whereas GPC analysis showed that the epoxidation was not associated with chain scission. All epoxidated polymers were amorphous materials with a T_g depending on the composition.     

Polymers and Copolymers of Vinyl Monomers with Blocked Isocyanate Groups: Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

The polymerization of vinyl monomers containing blocked isocya-nate groups is reported. The blocking agents for the isocyanate groups of 2-isocyanato methacrylate were phenol, propanone oxime, benzophe-none oxime, and ecaprolactam. The ¹H-NMR and IR spectra of these polymers are discussed. Copolymerization reactivity ratios of the vinyl monomer blocked by phenol with styrene and methyl methacrylate have been determined. Glass transition temperatures of these polymers have been determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The homo– and copolymers were crosslinked in the presence of ethylene diamine, and the gels obtained were examined by IR spectra.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(butylene terephthalates) modified by hydroquinone bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ether

A series of thermoplastic poly(butylene-co-hydroquinone bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ether terephthalates) (PBHT), with different molar ratios of hydroquinone bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ether (HQEE)/1,4-butanediol 9/91, 18/82 and 27/73, were synthesized via melt polycondensation. The compositions, thermodynamics and crystallization properties of the obtained copolyesters were characterized in detail by ¹H NMR, differential scanning calorimeters (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These results showed that the PBHTs were successfully synthesized, and the incorporation of the HQEE group significantly improved thermal properties of the polymers. However, HQEE did not change the crystal structure of PBT. The T_m values of the copolymers decreased (from 208?°C to 174?°C) with increasing content of HQEE segments, on the contrary, T_g values increased (from 37?°C to 43?°C). The temperatures for 5% weight loss did not decrease and appeared at a range of 373–377?°C.     

Effects of the acid chain length and copolymer crosslinking on the acylation of N-hydroxysuccinimide copolymers with carbobenzoxyoligo-ϵ-aminocaproic acids

N-Hydroxysuccinimide-type soluble copolymer with styrene and three similar divinylbenzene (3–4 mole-%) crosslinked copolymers with styrene, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and N,N-dimethylacrylamide were prepared from their precursor copolymers of N-acetoxymaleimide. Acylation of these N-hydroxyl polymers with carbobenzoxyoligo-?-aminocaproic acids was conducted in dimethylformamide at room temperature by using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as condensing agent. The soluble styrene copolymer was acylated in good conversions (76–89%) in every case (n = 1–3), whereas the acylation of the crosslinked copolymers decreased slightly from n = 1 to n = 2, and dropped suddenly to only small conversions (4.7–7.4%) with n = 3, showing a marked inhibitory effect of crosslinking when the acids became longer. The effect of the microenvironment of the polymer did not appear significant. All the acyl polymers, including the precursor polymers, yielded the corresponding cyclohexylamides when treated with cyclohexylamine.     

Poly(ionic liquid)s derived from 3‐octyl‐1‐vinylimidazolium bromide and N‐isopropylacrylamide with tunable properties

A new series of linear and crosslinked copolymers, obtained from 3‐octyl‐1‐vinylimidazolium bromide (VImBr) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), were prepared by radical polymerization. Namely, VImBr was synthesized from 1‐bromooctane and an ionic liquid such as 1‐vinylimidazole. NIPAAm was used because it gives raise to well known thermoresponsive (co‐)polymers. The copolymers were thoroughly characterized by means of ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Besides, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were also used. Moreover, the swelling behavior and the thermoresponsive properties of the corresponding hydrogels were studied. It was found that the VImBr incorporation into the copolymers does have a dramatic influence on both the thermal properties of the dried materials and the lower critical solution temperature of the corresponding hydrogels. In detail, the glass transition temperature was dependent on the monomer ratios, and ranged from 5 to 155 °C. Analogously, the lower critical solution temperature of the resulting hydrogels ranged from less than 10 up to 38 °C, thus including the physiological temperature. NMR spectroscopies, which were performed on the linear polymers, indicated that the monomers exhibit an alternating tendency resulting in a microstructure in which blocks are not present, at least when the two monomers are in equimolar amounts. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3521–3532     

Synthesis and properties of hyperbranched polyurethanes,hyperbranched polyurethane copolymers with and without ether and ester groups using blocked isocyanate monomers

Starting from 3,5‐diamino benzoic acid, 2‐hydroxy propyl[3,5‐bis{(benzoxycarbonyl)imino}]benzyl ether, an AB₂‐type blocked isocyanate monomer with flexible ether group, and 2‐hydroxy propyl[3,5‐bis{(benzoxycarbonyl)imino}]benzoate, an AB₂‐type blocked isocyanate monomer with ester group, were synthesized for the first time. Using the same starting compound, 3,5‐bis{(benzoxycarbonyl)imino}benzylalcohol, an AB₂‐type blocked isocyanate monomer, was synthesized through a highly efficient short‐cut route. Step‐growth polymerization of these monomers at individually optimized experimental conditions results in the formation of hyperbranched polyurethanes with and without ether and ester groups. Copolymerizations of these monomers with functionally similar AB monomers were also carried out. The molecular weights of the polymers were determined using GPC and the values (M_w) were found to vary from 1.5 × 10⁴ to 1.2 × 10⁶. While hyperbranched polyurethanes having no ether or ester group were found to be thermally stable up to 217 °C, hyperbranched poly(ether–urethane)s and poly(ester–urethane)s were found to be thermally stable up to 245 and 300 °C, respectively. Glass transition temperature (T_g) of polyurethane was reduced significantly when introducing ether groups into the polymer chain, whereas T_g was not observed even up to 250 °C in the case of poly(ester–urethane). Hyperbranched polyurethanes derived from all the three different AB₂ monomers were soluble in highly polar solvents and the copolymers showed improved solubility. Polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether of molecular weight 550 and decanol were used as end‐capping groups, which were seen to affect the thermal, solution, and solubility properties of polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3877–3893, 2007