Ring-opening Copolymerization of Adipic Anhydride and Propylene Oxide Catalyzed by Yttrium Triflates

The ring-opening copolymerization of adipic anhydride with propylene oxide was carried out with yttrium triflates as a catalyst. Poly（propylene adipate） could be synthesized by controlling the copolymerization conditions. The copolymerization procedure was tracked by ^1H NMR analyses.

Dendritic Macroinitiator for the Ring-Opening Polymerization of γ-Benzyl L-Glutamate N-Carboxyanhydride

By using OH-terminated polyarylether dendrimer and N-Fmoc-glycine as raw materials, the dendritic polyarylether 2-aminoacetate (G3-NH2) was synthesized via two step reactions. G3-NH2 as a macroinitiator for the ring-opening polymerization of -benzyl L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride was investigated. It is found that the resulting copolymers possessed relatively high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (1.12< Mw/Mn<1.28).

Highly active organocatalyst from a trivalent phosphazenium salt for ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides enhanced by hydrogen bonding interactions

It is highly desirable to develop simple organocatalysts for the controlled ring-opening alternating copolymerization(ROAC)of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides,leading to high molecular weight polyesters.Hence,a phosphazenium salt,namely tri[tris(dimethylamino)phosphoranylidenamino]phosphonium chloride(P_(4)^(+)Cl^(-)),is developed as a catalyst for the ROAC of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides.Surprisingly,the combination of P_(4)^(+)Cl^(-)with a protonic initiator,such as 1,4-benzenedimethanol(BDM)exhibited high efficiency in the copolymerization of propylene oxide(PO)and phthalic anhydride(PA).This led to the production of polyester with an exceptional high molecular weight(M_n)of up to 126 k Da,which represented a rare example of poly(PO-alt-PA)with Mnsurpassing 100 k Da.Note that the core P atom is trivalent status and the tris[tris(dimethylamino)]phosphoranyl group will share one proton in the P_(4)^(+)Cl^(-)salt.Once combined with protonic species,the P_(4)^(+)Cl^(-)will not only serve as a proton acceptor but also as a hydrogen bonding donor for the cyclic anhydrides.Therefore,it was assumed that the P_(4)^(+)plus proton served dual role in mimic of base/urea pair to effectively catalyze ROAC,which was supported by density functional theory(DFT)calculations.

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF TRIMETHYLENE CARBONATE CATALYZED BY NOVEL SINGLE COMPONENT RARE EARTH CALIXARENE COMPLEXES

In this paper,ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate(TMC)with rare earth(Nd,Y,La)ρ-tert- butylcalix[n]arene(n=4,6,and 8)complexes as catalysts has been studied.Poly(trimethylene carbonate)(PTMC)with M_v of 21,400 was produced by bulk polymerization under the conditions as follows:[TMC]_0/[Nd](molar ratio)=1000,80℃, 8 h.Mechanism study reveals that the polymerization proceeds via a coordination mechanism.

Ring-opening Polymerization ofε-Caprolactone Using Lanthanide Tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s as a Single-component Initiator

The ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone (CL) initiated by novel single lanthanide tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s [Ln(OTBP)3] is reported. Single-component La(OTBP)3 can effectively prepare polycaprolactone (PCL) with over 90% yield and viscosity average molecular weight about 60 x 10 under quite mild conditions: molar ratio of CL to initiator is 1000, 60 C, 2 h in toluene. Mechanism study indicates that the monomer inserts into the growing chain via the break of acyl-oxygen bond of CL.

CONTROLLED RADICAL COPOLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE AND MALEIC ANHYDRIDE UNDER GAMMA RADIATION IN THE PRESENCE OF BENZYL DITHIOBENZOATE

The copolymerization of styrene (St) with maleic anhydride (MAh) under gamma radiation at room temperature in the presence of benzyl dithiobenzoate (BDTB) was found to display 'living' nature evidenced by constant concentration of chain radicals during the copolymerization, linear evolution of molecular weights with conversion and narrow molecular weight distribution (M-w/M-n = 1.23-1.35). The compositional analysis and the sequence structural information of the copolymers obtained from DEPT (Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer) experiments demonstrate that the copolymers obtained also possess strictly alternating structure.

RING OPENING COPOLYMERIZATION OF SUCCINIC ANHYDRIDE-ETHYLENE OXIDE BY Al(Ⅲ) ORGANOMETALLIC CATALYSTS

Ring opening copolymerization of succinic anhydride (SA) with ethylene oxide (EO)was successfully carried out by using a series of aluminum-based catalyst in 1,4-dioxane at62±2℃. The results showed that in-situ AlR_3-H_2O (R=ethyl, iso-butyl) catalysts gavehigher molecular weight (M_w～10~4), while Al(OR)_3 catalysts gave the higher alternatingcopolymer structure with slightly lower molecular weight. The in-situ AlR_3-H_2O systemshave been evaluated in more detail for the reaction which showed the optimum H_2O/Almolar ratio to be 0.5. The copolymers with different composition (F_(SA)/F_(EO)= 36/64to 45/55 mol/mol) were synthesized by using different monomer feed ratio. The melt-ing point (T_m), glass transition temperature (T_g) and enthalpy of fusion (ΔH_f) of thesecopolymers are depended on the copolymer composition and in the range of 87～102℃,-12～-18℃, and 37～66J/g, respectively. The second heating scan of DSC also in-dicated that the higher alternating copolymer was more easily recrystallized. The onsetdecomposition temperature was more than 300℃ under nitrogen and influenced by thecopolymer composition.

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OFε-CAPROLACTONE USING LANTHANIDE TRIS(N-PHENYL-3,5-DI-T-BUTYLSALICYLALDIMINATO)S AS SINGLE COMPONENT CATALYST

Ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone has been carried out by using rare earth Schiff base complexes： lanthanide tris（N-phenyl-3,5-di-t-butylsalicylaldiminato）s [Ln（OPBS）3] as single component catalyst for the first time. The influences of different rare earth elements, monomer and catalyst concentration as well as reaction time on the polymerization were investigated. Mechanism studies showed that monomer inserts into the active site with the acyl-oxygen bond scission rather than the break of alkyl-oxygen bond.

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLIC (ARYLENE PHOSPHONATE) OLIGOMERS

A series of cyclic (arylene phosphonate) oligomers were prepared by reaction of phenylphosphonic dichloride (PPD) with various bisphenols under pseudo-high dilution conditions via interfacial polycondensation. The yield of cyclic (arylene phosphonate) oligomers is over 85% by using hexadecyltrimethylammoniun bromide as phase transfer catalyst (PTC) at 0 'C . The structures of the cyclic oligomers were confirmed by a combination of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and IR analysis. These cyclic oligomers undergo facile ring-opening polymerization in the melt by using potassium 4,4'-biphenoxide as the initiator to give linear polyphosphonate. Free-radical ring-opening polymerization of cyclic(arylene phosphonate) oligomers containing sulfur linkages was also performed in the melt using 2,2'-dithiobis(benzothiazole) (DTB) as the initiator at 270 °C and the resulting polymer had a Mw, of 8 × 103 with a molecular weight distribution of 4. Ring-opening copolymerization of these cyclic oligomers with cyclic carbonate oligomers was also achieved. The average molecular weight of the resulting copolymer is higher than the corresponding homopolymer and the thermal stability of the copolymer is better than the corresponding homopolymer.

SYNTHESIS OF POLY(5,5-DIMETHYL-1,3-DIOXAN-2-ONE)BY LIPASE-CATALYZED RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION

Porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) and PPL immobilized on narrow distributed micron-sized glass beads wereemployed successfully for the ring-opening polymerization of 5, 5-dimethyl-1, 3-dioxan-2-one (DTC) for the first time.Different polymerization conditions such as enzyme concentration and reaction temperature were studied. Immobilized PPLexhibits higher activity than native PPL. Along wth the increasing enzyme concentration, the molecular weigh of resultingPDTC decreases. PPL immobilized on narrow distributed micron-sized glass beads has outstanding recyclability. For thethird recycle time, immobilized PPL exhibits the highest catalytic activity and with high activity even after the fifth recyletime for the synthesis of PDTC. The ~1H-NMR spectra indicate that decarboxylation does not occur during the ring-openingpolymerization.

Calcium chloride doped zinc-cobalt metal-cyanide complex:Unexpected highly activity towards ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxide

Highly active calcium chloride（CaCl2） doped Zn-Co^Ⅲdouble metal-cyanide（Ca-DMC） catalysts were firstly reported.Ca-DMCs presented a very higher polymer yield（54 kg polymer/g catalyst） at relative low temperature（80-115℃） toward ringopening polymerization（ROP） of propylene oxide（PO） than did DMC catalysts without modification.

A Series of Rare Earth Phenolates Substituted by Alkyl Groups for D,L-Lactide Ring-Opening Polymerization

Single component rare earth phenolates substituted by various alkyl groups have been prepared and the correlation between the aryloxides＇ structure and catalytic activity in the ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide has also been investigated.The catalytic activity of all rare earth aryloxides,characteristics of the ring-opening polymerization as well as polymerization kinetics and mechanism were investigated.The results showed that both phenolates＇ catalytic activities and polymerization characteristics changed regularly,keeping in good concordance with variations in substitutents＇ number on phenol and structure of aryloxide ligands.The stronger ability of electron-donation of alkyl groups,the higher catalytic activity.Moreover,the more numbers of substituted alkyl on phenyl ring,the higher catalytic activity.The analyses of polymer ends revealed that the polymerization proceeded via a coordination-acyl-oxygen bond cleavage-insertion mechanism.

Tetrahydrosalen backboned gadolinium complex as initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

Tetrahydrosalen ligand was employed in the synthesis of gadolinium complex. The ligand was deprotoned by LiBu, and the afforded lithium salt was reacted with anhydrous GdCl3 to produce the gadolinium complex through salt metathesis. This complex was successfully used to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. The initiation conditions in different temperature, monomer-to-initiator ratio and time were investigated. Under the condition： [ε-caprolactone]：[catalyst] = 600, 56 ℃, toluene： 2 ml, poly（ε-caprolactone） （PCL） with Mw = 11,2782 and PDI = 1.96 was achieved.

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF TRIMETHYLENE CARBONATE BY CALIX[8]ARENE-NEODYMIUM

Ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with a rare earth calixarene compound as catalyst has been studied for the first time. The effect of TMC/Nd (molar ratio) and polymerization conditions were investigated in detail. It was found that calix[8]arene-neodymium is a highly effective catalyst for the bulk polymerization of TMC and gives high molecular weight (M-v = 60,000) polymer. The optimum conditions of TMC polymerization were found to be as follows:TMC/Nd (molar ratio) = 2,000, 80 degrees C, 16 h. The polymers were characterized by NMR, GPC and DSC. Studying the mechanism by NMR showed that the polymerization of TMC catalyzed by calix[8]arene-neodymium proceeds via a cationic mechanism.

SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL BI-FUNCTIONAL COPOLYMER BEARING STERICALLY HINDERED PHENOL AND HINDERED AMINE GROUPS VIA RING-OPENING METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION

Norbornene derivatives exo,endo-2-[2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-acetoxy]methyl-5-norbornene(M1) and 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl 5-norbornene-exo,endo-2-carboxylate(M2)were synthesized and polymerized by RuCl_2(=CHPh)(PCy_3)_2 to prepare a novel kind of bi-functional polymer bearing sterically hindered phenol(SHP)and hindered amine(HLAS)groups via ring-opening metathesis polymerization(ROMP).The resulting copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography(GPC),~1H-NMR and differen...

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane in ionic liquids

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis（chloromethyl）oxacyclobutane catalyzed by BF3.OEt2 was carded out in ionic liquids [bmim]BF4 and [bmim]PF6. The influences of BCMO concentration and molar ratio of BCMO/BF3.OEt2 on the molecular weights and yield of PBCMO were investigated. The polymerization in ionic liquids proceed to high conversions, although molecular weights are limited, similar to polymerization in organic solvent such as CH2Cl2. Follow a viewpoint of green chemistry, we feel ionic liquid [bmim]BF4 is superior to [bmim]PF6. Extracting [bmim]PF6 from the product using organic solvent as extractant limits its advantage as a green reaction media.

RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF l,4-DIOXAN-2-ONE INITIATED BY LANTHANUM TRIS(2,6-DI-TERT-BUTYL-4-METHYLPHENOLATE)

The ring-opening polymerization of 1,4-dioxan-2-one （PDO） was carried out by lanthanum tris（2,6-di-tert-butyl-4- methylphenolate） （La（OAr）3） as novel single component initiaLor. The influences of polymerization reaction temperature and the molar ratio of monomer to initiator on the monomer conversion and molecular weight of poly（1,4-dioxan-2-one） （PPDO） were explored. PPDO with high viscosity average molecular weight of 1.95×10^5 can be prepared at 40℃ when [PDO]/ [La（OAr）3] molar ratio was 800. Mechanism investigation shows that the polymerization proceeds through a ＂coordination- insertion＂ mechanism with selective rupture of acyl-oxygen be,nd of PDO.

Mononuclear and Dinuclear Yttrium Complexes Supported by Pyrrolide Ligands： Syntheses, Structures and Catalytic Behaviors towards the Ring-opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone

The syntheses, structures and catalytic activities of two yttrium complexes supported by pyrrolide ligands are reported. Treatment of Y（N（Si Me3）2）3 with one equivalent of H3bptd（H3bptd = 1,9-bis（2-pyrrolyl）-2,5,8-triazanona-1,8-diene） in THF gave a complex of composition [Y（bptd）（THF）]2（1）. Reaction of Y（N（Si Me3）2）3 with one equivalent of H3tpa（H3tpa = tris（pyrrolyl-α-methyl）amine） in THF generated [Y（tpa）（THF）3]（2） in good yield. Complexes 1and 2 have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses and NMR spectroscopy. Complex 1 is dinuclear. The two metal centers are doubly bridged by two amine nitrogen atoms to form a Y–N–Y–N four-membered rhombus ring. The geometries of Y^3＋ ions in 1and 2 are well described as pentagonal bipyramid and capped octahedron, respectively. The ring-opening polymerization reactions of ε-caprolactone initiated by 1 and 2, respectively, were investigated. They both exhibited good catalytic activity for the polymerization of ε-caprolactone. All of the obtained polymers have high molecular weights and relatively narrower PDIs. The polymers generated by 2 possessed polydispersity close to 1.1. The good catalytic activities of 1 and 2 reveal their potential applications in polymer industry.

THE EFFECTS OF MONOMER STRUCTURE OF CYCLIC KETENE ACETALS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CONTROLLED RADICAL RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION

Polymerization of three cyclic ketene acetals: i.e., 5,6-benzo-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (BMDO), 2-methylene-4phenyl-1,3-dioxolane (MPDO) and 4,7-dimethyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (DMMDO) were carried out in the presence of ethyl alpha -bromobutyrate/CuBr/2,2'-bipyridine respectively. The structures of poly(BMDO), poly(MPDO) and poly(DMMDO) were characterized by H-1 and C-13-NMR spectra. The effects of monomer structure on the behavior of atom transfer free radical ring-opening polymerization were investigated and the mechanism of controlled free radical ring-opening polymerization was discussed.