Synthesis and Characterization of Wormlike Three-Arm Poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) Star Polymers

Abstract

We have previously reported the use of titanium alkoxide complexes as initiators for the living polymerization of isocyanates. In this paper, we present the synthesis of a trimetallic initiator, 2, comprised of three titanium alkoxides connected to a central organic core and the use of this catalyst to form three-arm star polymers which contain rigid polyisocyanate arms. Kinetic and molecular weight experiments confirm that the trimetallic complex 2, like its monometallic analogue, 6, initiates the living polymerization of n-hexyl isocyanate and that the three-arm stars obtained from 2 are completely symmetrical. The number-average molecular weight of polymer obtained from 2 increases linearly with the monomer-to-catalyst ratio used, which indicates a lack of chain transfer during polymerization. A comparison of the rates of polymerization of n-hexyl isocyanate by 2 and 6 at fixed initial monomer and titanium concentrations (k 2 = (3.99 ± 0.2) x 10 -3 M min -1 , k 6 = (3.84 ± 0.1) x 10 -3 M min -1 ) demonstrates that all three titanium centers in 2 are active and propagate independently of one another. The solution properties of these new three-arm star polymers were examined through tandem GPC/light scattering and solution viscometry experiments. Light scattering shows that there is a 55% reduction in the mean-square radius of gyration (g = star / linear = 0.45 ± 0.05) of the three-arm star polyisocyanate from that of a linear polyisocyanate of the same molecular weight. The experimental value of g approaches the rod limit of g that indicates that the arms of the three-arm star can be construed as stiff, wormlike chains. Additionally, there is a 28% reduction in the intrinsic viscosity of three-arm polyisocyanate star from that of its linear equivalent. Finally, a 30% w/w solution of three-arm star polyisocyanate displays a nematic, lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophase.