Intramolecular Chain-transfer Reaction Research Articles

Nitroxide-Mediated Copolymerization of Itaconate Esters with Styrene

Replacing petro-based materials with renewably sourced ones has clearly been applied to polymers, such as those derived from itaconic acid (IA) and its derivatives. Di-n-butyl itaconate (DBI) was (co)polymerized via nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) to impart elastomeric (rubber) properties. Homopolymerization of DBI by NMP was not possible, due to a stable adduct being formed. However, DBI/styrene (S) copolymerization by NMP at various initial molar feed compositions fDBI,0 was polymerizable at different reaction temperatures (70–110 °C) in 1,4 dioxane solution. DBI/S copolymerizations largely obeyed first order kinetics for initial DBI compositions of 10% to 80%. Number-average molecular weight (Mn) versus conversion for various DBI/S copolymerizations however showed significant deviations from the theoretical Mn as a result of chain transfer reactions (that are more likely to occur at high temperatures) and/or the poor reactivity of DBI via an NMP mechanism. In order to suppress possible intramolecular chain transfer reactions, the copolymerization was performed at 70 °C and for a longer time (72 h) with fDBI,0 = 50%–80%, and some slight improvements regarding the dispersity (Ð = 1.3–1.5), chain activity and conversion (~50%) were observed for the less DBI-rich compositions. The statistical copolymers produced showed a depression in Tg relative to poly(styrene) homopolymer, indicating the effect of DBI incorporation.

A Bicyclo[4.2.0]octene-Derived Monomer Provides Completely Linear Alternating Copolymers via Alternating Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (AROMP).

Strained bicyclic carbomethoxy olefins were utilized as substrates in alternating ring-opening metathesis polymerization and found to provide low-dispersity polymers with novel backbones. The polymerization of methyl bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene-7-carboxylate with cyclohexene in the presence of the fast-initiating Grubbs catalyst (H2IMes)(3-Br-Pyr)2Cl2Ru=CHPh leads to a completely linear as well as alternating copolymer, as demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy, isotopic labeling, and gel permeation chromatography. In contrast, intramolecular chain-transfer reactions were observed with [5.2.0] and [3.2.0] bicyclic carbomethoxy olefins, although to a lesser extent than with the previously reported monocyclic cyclobutenecarboxylic ester monomers [SongA.; ParkerK. A.; SampsonN. S.J. Am. Chem. Soc.2009, 131, 344419275253]. Inclusion of cyclohexyl rings fused to the copolymer backbone minimizes intramolecular chain-transfer reactions and provides a framework for creating alternating functionality in a one-step polymerization.

Radical polymerization of di- n-butyl itaconate in the presence of Lewis acids

Intramolecular chain-transfer reaction takes place in polymerizations of itaconates at high temperatures and/or at low monomer concentrations. Polymerizations of di- n-butyl itaconate (DBI) were carried out at 60 °C in the presence of Lewis acids such as scandium trifluoromethansulfonate. Lewis acids hardly influenced the intramolecular chain-transfer reaction in bulk polymerizations. Polymerizations in methanol accompanied transesterification reaction catalyzed by Lewis acids. In polymerizations in toluene, catalytic amounts of Lewis acids were found to be effective in suppressing the intramolecular chain-transfer reaction. Lewis acids showed no significant influences on stereospecificity of polymerization, though isotactic-specificity increase in polymerizations of other acrylate monomers such as methyl methacrylate.

Cyclization and oxidation of isoprene oligomers during polymerization on kaolinite

The structure of isoprene oligomers prepared by cationic polymerization on kaolinite acid centrs was studied by PMR and IR spectroscopic methods. It was shown that during polymerization the oligomer undergoes cyclization, forming two- and three-cycle structures by an intramolecular chain transfer reaction. The oligoisoprene is easily oxidized, with additional cyclization taking place simultaneously with oxidation. Oxidation leads to the formation of a great variety of oxygen containing groups. A system of PMR signal assignment in cyclized and oxidized oligoisoprene was developed. A method for the calculation of the structure of cyclized low-molecular weight oligoisoprenes from PMR spectroscopic data is presented.

Molecular weight distribution and kinetic parameters during the anionic polymerization of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-5,5,7,7-tetraphenylcyclotetrasiloxane

A study has been made of the kinetic parameters and MWD during the anionic polymerization of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-5,5,7,7-tetraphenylcyclotetrasiloxane. It is shown that the polymerization process is accompanied by intramolecular chain transfer reactions already in the initial stages of polymerization. At the same time the MWD remains similar to Poisson distribution over the entire range of conversion examined.