Polymerization Of Cyclic Oligomers Research Articles

Improved dispersion of clay platelets in poly(butylene terephthalate) nanocomposite by ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic oligomers: Effect of the processing conditions and comparison with nanocomposites obtained by melt intercalation

AbstractPoly(butylene terephthalate) nanocomposites with organically modified montmorillonites have been prepared by in‐situ ring opening polymerization of PBT cyclic oligomers. High molecular weight polymers can be obtained by choosing the proper polymerization conditions and catalyst in very short polymerization time (10 min) and low temperature (205°C). A better dispersion of the clay and a consistently higher Mw have been obtained by this method respect to the standard melt intercalation approach, leading to improved thermo‐mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

Ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic aryl ether ketone oligomers containing the 1,2-dibenzoylbenzene moiety

Facile ring-opening polymerization of cyclic aryl ether oligomers containing the 1,2-dibenzoylbenzene moiety to form high molecular weight linear polymers in the presence of a nucleophilic initiator is described. The polymerization can be initiated in the melt in the presence of a nucleophilic initiator such as potassium carbonate, cesium fluoride, and alkali phenoxides. Various alkali phenoxides were investigated as potential nucleophilic initiators. The polymerization reaction rate in the melt increases in the order of K+ > Na+ > Cs+, and in the order of −OPhPhO− > PhO− > PhOPhO− > PhPhO−. However, the polymerization in an aprotic dipolar solvent is faster in the presence of cesium phenoxide than in the presence of potassium phenoxide. Polymerization of the cyclic oligomers in solution demonstrates that the ring-opening polymerization proceeds via a chain-growth mechanism and involves a transetherification reaction between linear and cyclic aryl ether oligomers. The ring-chain equilibrium is much more favorable towards linear polymers. Since little or no ring strain exists in the cyclic system, the transetherification reactions are indiscriminate with regards to cyclic or linear chains and the interchain equilibration is also a facile process during polymerization. This intermolecular transetherification has been demonstrated by using low molecular weight aryl ethers to control the molecular weight of the polymer formed via ring-opening polymerization. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Preparation of crystalline and solvent resistant polycarbonates via ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic oligomers

AbstractA route to solvent‐resistant polycarbonates which may also be crystalline has been achieved through the intermediacy of cyclic oligomeric carbonates. Mixed oligomeric cyclics of a variety of bisphenols were prepared via the carefully controlled hydrolysis‐condensation of their bischloroformates. Following ring‐opening polymerization, the polymers were evaluated for potential solvent resistance. Copolymers of hydroquinone and bisphenol A containing ratios of hydroquinone to BPA between 50/50 and 70/30 were found to be insoluble in CH2Cl2, tetrahydrofuran, and CHCl3, as well as other organic solvents. Polymers containing ratios of hydroquinone/BPA greater than 60/40 show a crystalline melting point by DSC at about 310°C and a glass transition temperature at 154°C.