Studies on the Self-condensing Vinyl Living Radical Polymerization of a Novel Acrylate Inimer

A novel acrylate inimer, 2-（2-chloroacetyloxy） ethyl acrylate, was prepared by the reaction of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate with chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. The self-condensing vinyl living radical polymerization of the inimer was studied and the hyperbranched macromolecules containing ester linkages on their backbone were prepared. All the polymerization products were characterized by 1H NMR. The polymerization degree and the branching parameter were calculated based on the 1H NMR spectra. It has been shown that this inimer exhibits a very distinctive polymerization behavior. Similar to step-growth polymerization, the polymerization degree of the products formed increased exponentially during the early stage of the polymerization, and then the increasing rate slowed down. However, the inimer remained present throughout the polymerization consistent with conventional free radical polymerization. Also, if much longer polymerization time was used, the polymerization system would become gel due to the crosslinking reaction derived from radical-radical recombination. As a result of the unequal reactivity of -CH2Cl and >CHCl, an almost linear product was obtained at a molar ratio of bipy to inimer=0.05, while a relatively high ratio of bipy to inimer 1 favored the formation of the branched structure. The macromolecules formed at a high ratio of bipy to inimer 1 exhibited an excellent solubility in organic solvents such as acetone.

AMPHIPHILIC STAR-BLOCK COPOLYMERS BY IODIDE-MEDIATED RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

Amphiphilic star-block copolymers composed of polystyrene and poly（acrylic acid） were synthesized by iodide- mediated radical polymerization. Firstly, free radical polymerization of styrene was carried out with AIBN as initiator and 1,1,1-trimethyolpropane tri（2-iodoisobutyrate） as chain transfer agent, giving iodine atom ended star-shaped polystyrene with three arm chains, R（polystyrene）3. Secondly, tert-butyl acrylate was polymerization using polystyrene obtained as macro-chain transfer agent, and star-block copolymer, R（polystyrene-b-poly（tert-butyl acrylate））3 with controlled molecular weight was obtained. Finally, amphiphilic star-block copolymer, R（polystyrene-b-poly（acrylic acid））3 was obtained by hydrolysis of R（polystyrene-b-poly（tert-butyl acrylate））3 under acidic condition.

A NOVEL PHOTO-INITIATING SYSTEM FOR ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE

A novel photo-induced initiating system, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA)/ferric tri(NN-diethyldithiocarbamate) [Fe(DC)(3)], was developed and used for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene in toluene. The polymerization proceeds with DMPA as photo-initiator, Fe(DC)(3) as catalyst and DC as a reversible transfer group, while the halogen and ligands are free. Well-defined PSt was prepared and the polymerization mechanism revealed by end group analysis belongs to a reverse ATRP. Block copolymer was prepared by using thus obtained PSt as macroinitiator and Fe(DC)(2) as catalyst under UV light irradiation via a conventional ATRP process.

SYNTHESIS AND POLYMERIZATION OF α-METHACRYLYOXYLETHYLOXYCARBONYLMETHYL-ω-(N,N-DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMYL)POLYSTYRENE MACROMONOMERS

Polystyrene macromonomers with different molecular weight were prepared by radical polymerization of styrene(St) in benzene using β-methacryloxylethyl 2-N,N-diethyldithiocarbamylacetate (MAEDCA) as a monomer-iniferter.Characterization of the macromonomer by ~1H-NMR showed that the end groups were α-methacrylyoxylethyloxycarbonyl-methyl and ω-(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamyl). The macromonomer was difficult to homopolymerize, but it was easilycopolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by AIBN to form graft copolymers (PMMA-g-PSt) with PStbranches randomly distributed along the PMMA backbone. Copolymerization reaction and the structure of the graft copolymers were strongly affected by M_n and concentration of the macromonomer. The composition and M_n of the purified graft copolymer were determined by ~1H-NMR and GPC analysis.

Synthesis of α-Bromine-Terminated Polystyrene Macroinitiator and Its Initiation of MMA Polymerization by ATRP

In the present paper the synthesis of block copolymers via the transformation from living anionic polymerization (LAP) to atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was described. α-Bromine-terminated polystyrenes(PStBr) in the LAP step was prepared by using n-BuLi as initiator, tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the activator, α-methylstyrene (α-MeSt) as the capping group and liquid bromine (Br_2) as the bromating agent. The effects of reaction conditions such as the amounts of α-MeSt, THF, and Br_2 as well as molecular weight of polystyrene on the bromating efficiency (BE) and coupling extent (CE) were examined. The present results show that the yield of PStBr obtained was more than 93. 8% and the coupling reaction was substantially absent. PStBr was further used as the macroinitiator in the polymerization of methyl-methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of copper (I ) halogen and 2, 2' -bipyridine (bpy) complexes. It was found that the molecular weight of the resulted PSt-b-PMMA increased linearly with the increase of the conversion of MMA and the polydispersity was 1. 2-1.6. The structures of PStBr and P(St-b-MMA) were characterized by ~1H NMR spectra.

Studies on Rate Enhancement of Polymerization in NMRP

In NMRP, the polymerization of MMA, the polymerization of St and the copolymerization of MMA with St were distinctly accelerated by the addition of a small amount of MN. The polymerization proceeds in a living fashion as indicated by the increase in molecular weight with the increase of time and conversion and a relatively low polydispersity. It has been found that the addition of MN results in a nearly one hundred times higher rate of the polymerization of MMA, a nearly twenty times higher rate of the polymerization of St and a nearly fifteen times higher rate of the copolymerization of St and MMA.

Synthesis of Glutathione Imprinted Polymer Particles via Controlled Living Radical Precipitation Polymerization

A general protocol was described for fabricating uniform molecularly imprinted polymer （MIP） particles via controlled living radical precipitation polymerization at ambient temperature. By adopting glutathione as model template, benzyl dithiocarbamate as iniferter agent, 4-vinylpyridine as monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker, it is demonstrated that the polymerization parameters including the iniferter concentration, monomer loading and molar ratio of cross-linker to functional monomer have profound effect on the final particle size and recognition property of the MIP particles. The batch static binding experiments were carried out to estimate the adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms and selective recognition of the MIP particles. The adsorption behavior followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model, revealing that the process was chemically carried out. Two adsorption isotherm models were applied to analyze equilibrium data, obtaining the best description by Langmuir isotherm model. In addition, the MIP particles also could selectively recognize glutathione over similar analogs, indicating the possibility for the separation and enrichment of the template from complicated matrices.

Recent advances in “living”/controlled radical polymerization of phosphorus-containing monomers and their potential applications

Special research attention has been paid to phosphorus-containing materials and their corresponding applications. This mini review considers recent publications devoted to the "living"/controlled radical(co)polymerization of phosphorus-containing monomers. In addition, different properties of the polymers involved in the phosphonate group in various chemical environments are demonstrated, and their potential applications are briefly discussed.

Architecture of Star-block Copolymers Consisting of Triblock Arms via a N,N-diethyldi-thiocarbamate-mediated Living Radical Photo-polymerization and Application for Nanocomposites by Using as Fillers

1 Results Highly branched poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) stars were prepared by one-pot approach based on N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate-(DC) mediated living radical photo-polymerization.Soluble alternating hyperbranched microgel formation was initiated fast with preferential consumption of inimer 4-vinylbenzyl N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (VBDC) and 4,4′-bismaleimidediphenylmethane (BMIM) in the presence of an excess of methyl methacrylate (MMA),PMMA arms could then grow from DC groups of microgel as macro...

Molar Mass Dispersity Control by lodine-mediated Reversibledeactivation Radical Polymerization

Dispersity(D)of polymers has a great effect on the properties of polymeric materials,and therefore how to control θ is very important but still a huge challenge in polymer synthesis,especially for reversible-deactivation radical polymerization(RDRP)strategy.Herein,we successfully developed a novel strategy to adjust D of polymers by visible light-controlled reversible complexation mediated living radical polymerizatio n(RCMP)and combi nation of single-electron transfer-degenerative chain tran sfer living radical polymerization(SET-DTLRP)at room temperature.In RCMP system,2-iodo-2-methylpropionitrile(CP-I)and ethyl 2-iodo-2-phenylacetate(EIPA)were used as alkyl iodide initiators,by using methyl methacrylate(MMA)as the model monomer and n-butylacrylate(BA)as the end-capping reagent to regulate D of polymers.Subsequently,we successfully prepared the block copolymer PMMA-b-PBA with adjustable D by reactivating the polymer end-chains via SET-DTLRP in the presence of copper wire,fully dem on strati ng that it is a promising strategy that can keep the"living"feature of polymers while regulating their molar mass dispersities easily.

INVESTIGATION OF THE ATRP OF n-BUTYL METHACRYLATE USING THE Cu(I)/N,N,N',N",N"-PENTAMETHYLDIETHYLENETRIAMINE CATALYST SYSTEM

The polymerization of n-butyl methacrylate was investigated using the Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization technique with CuBr and CuCl/N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine catalytic systems. Various combinations of catalyst systems and initiators were utilized in order to optimize the polymerization conditions and to obtain well-defined polymers (i.e. controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities). It has been found that the optimal initiator for this system is a chlorine-based initiator, when the catalyst used is a salt in conjunction with the N,N,N',N',N'- pentamethyldiethylenetriamine ligand. Bromine-based initiators tend to result in large amounts of initial termination, leading to polymers with less than ideal chain end functionality, even if CuCl is used as the species to invoke the halogen exchange. Additionally, the effects of the polymerization temperature, species and the initiator structure were determined.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GRAFT COPOLYMERS BASED ON POLY(p-PHENYLENE TEREPHTHALAMIDE) BACKBONE AND WELL-DEFINED POLYSTYRENE SIDE CHAINS

A novel dualfunctional monomer, 2-（2＇,2＇,6＇,6＇-tetramethyl-piperidinyl-1＇-oxy）methylbenzene-1,4-dioyl chloride hydrochloride, with two acid chloride groups for step-growth polymerization and a nitroxide group for the mediation of living radical polymerization was synthesized. It was first copolymerized with terephthaloyl chloride and p- phenylenediamine at a feed molar ratio of 1：3：4 in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone containing 10 wt% calcium chloride at -10℃ to yield a poly（p-phenylene terephthalamide） based macroinitiator, which initiated radical polymerization of styrene at 125℃ to obtain a series of poly（p-phenylene terephthalamide）-g-polystyrenes. A combinatory analysis of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elementary analysis, thermogravimetry and gel permeation chromatography indicated that the macroinitiator induced the radical polymerization of styrene to proceed in a well- controlled way. The molecular weight of side-chains increased with an increase of monomer conversion, and the molecular weight distribution index remained lower than 1.5. The graft copolymers showed a remarkably improved solubility in N- methyl-2-pyrrolidone and much depressed crystallinity in bulk.

SELF-ASSEMBLY OF ROD-COIL DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS——INFLUENCE OF THE ROD LENGTH

The self-assembly of five narrowly distributed novel rod-coil diblock copolymers, poly(styrene-block-(2, 5-bis[4-methoxy-phenyl]oxycarbonyl) styrene) (PS-b-PMPCS), in p-xylene, a selective solvent at room temperature, was studied. Therod-coil copolymers, which have the same PS length but different PMPCS length, were synthesized by 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-I-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) mediated living free radical polymerization. The influence of the rod length on the self-assemblymorphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At a concentration of 2.0 mg/mL, those copolymerswith relatively shorter PMPCS length (copolymers 1 and 2) form individual spherical micelles; those with relatively longerPMPCS length (copolymer 3 and 4) form 'pearl chains' coexisting with individual spherical micelles; the ones with longestPMPCS length form 'pearl chains' coexisting with occasionally formed nanofibers. The diameter of all the morphologieswas controlled by the rod length. This gives us a way to govern the self-assembly morphology by altering the length of oneblock in the block copolymer.

RAFT Copolymerization of Glycidyl Methacrylate and N,N-Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate

In this work, copolymerization of two functional monomers, glycidyl methacrylate （GMA） and N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate （DMAEMA）, was firstly carried out via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer （RAFT） polymerization successfully. The copolymerization kinetics was investigated under the molar ratio of n[GMA＋DMAEMA]o/n[AIBN]o/n[CPDN]o=300/1/3 at 60℃. The copolymerization showed typical ＂living＂ features such as first-order polymerization kinetics, linear increase of molecular weight with monomer conversion and narrow molecular weight distribution. The reactivity ratios of GMA and DMAEMA were calculated by the extended Kelen-Tudos linearization methods. The epoxy group of the copolymer PGMA-co-PDMAEMA remained intact under the conditions of RAFT copolymerization and could easily be post-modified by ethylenedia- mine. Moreover, the modified copolymer could be used as a gene carrier.

Synthesis of Stimuli-Responsive Block Copolymers and Block Copolymer Nano-assemblies

Block copolymers have aroused much interest,and their application has been rapidly expanded.In recent years,our group has committed to exploring synthesis and self-assembly of block copolymers.We have designed and synthesized several new thermo-responsive polymers and photo-responsive polymers by living/controlled radical polymerization(LCRP)and investigated their stimuli-responsive properties.Aiming at convenient and efficient synthesis of block copolymer nano-assemblies,we have developed several methods based on polymerization-induced self-assembly(PISA).Herein,we give a short summary of our research in these years.The aim of this account is to stimulate innovative synthesis strategies of block copolymer nano-assemblies,and promote more scientific research cooperation to face the exciting opportunities and challenges encountered in block copolymers.