Effect of solvent on the initiation mechanism of living anionic polymerization of styrene:A computational study

For living anionic polymerization(LAP),solvent has a great influence on both reaction mechanism and kinetics.In this work,by using the classical butyl lithium-styrene polymerization as a model system,the effect of solvent on the mechanism and kinetics of LAP was revealed through a strategy combining density functional theory(DFT)calculations and kinetic modeling.In terms of mechanism,it is found that the stronger the solvent polarity,the more electrons transfer from initiator to solvent through detailed energy decomposition analysis of electrostatic interactions between initiator and solvent molecules.Furthermore,we also found that the stronger the solvent polarity,the higher the monomer initiation energy barrier and the smaller the initiation rate coefficient.Counterintuitively,initiation is more favorable at lower temperatures based on the calculated results ofΔG_(TS).Finally,the kinetic characteristics in different solvents were further examined by kinetic modeling.It is found that in benzene and n-pentane,the polymerization rate exhibits first-order kinetics.While,slow initiation and fast propagation were observed in tetrahydrofuran(THF)due to the slow free ion formation rate,leading to a deviation from first-order kinetics.

Anion exchange membranes with a semi-interpenetrating polymer network using 1,6-dibromohexane as bifunctional crosslinker

An anion exchange membrane(AEM)is generally expected to possess high ion exchange capacity(IEC),low water uptake(WU),and high mechanical strength when applied to electrodialysis desalination.Among different types of AEMs,semi-interpenetrating polymer networks(SIPNs)have been suggested for their structural superiorities,i.e.,the tunable local density of ion exchange groups for IEC and the restrained leaching of hygroscopic groups by insolubility for WU.Unfortunately,the conventional SIPN AEMs still struggle to balances IEC,WU,and mechanical strength simultaneously,due to the lack of the compact crosslinking region.In this work,we proposed a novel SIPN structure of polyvinylidene difluoride/polyvinylimidazole/1,6-dibromohexane(PVDF/PVIm/DBH).On the one hand,DBH with two cationic groups of imidazole groups are introduced to enhance the ion conductivity,which is different from the conventional monofunctional modifier with only one cationic group.On the other hand,DBH has the ability to bridge with PVIm,where the mechanical strength of the resulting AEM is increased by the increase of crosslinking degree.Results show that a low WU of 38.1%to 62.6%,high IEC of 2.12—2.22 mmol·g^(-1),and excellent tensile strength of 3.54—12.35 MPa for PVDF/PVIm/DBH membrane are achieved.This work opens a new avenue for achieving the high-quality AEMs.

Synthesis and Characterization of Star-branched Polyisobutylene by Combination of Anionic Polymerization and Cationic Polymerization

A star-shaped multifunctional styrene-isoprene copolymer was synthesized with n-BuLi as initiator, divinyl benzene as coupling agent, cyclobexane as solvent by living anionic polymerization. Using this polymer as grafting agent, a novel star-shaped branched polymer, containing several polyisobutylene, was prepared via cationic ~aolymerization. The star PS-b-PI and star-branched polyisobutylene were characterized by GPC, ＇HNMR and FT-IR, and the effects of different adding order and the amount of grafting agent were investigated.

TRANSAMIDATION IN THE in situ BLENDING OF POLYAMIDE 1212 WITH POLYAMIDE 6 THROUGH ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF CAPROLACTAM

20 wt% polyamide 12 （PA1212） pellets were dissolved in molten caprolactam. The caprolactam was then catalyzed at 180℃ and polymerized by means of anionic ring-opening polymerization to produce in situ blends of the resultant polyamide 6 （PA6） and PA 1212. Mechanical blends with same ingredient were prepared through melt blending on a twin-screw extruder. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） observation revealed that contrary to the mechanical blends with small spherulites embedded in the matrix, no phase-separation existed in the in situ blends. The results of thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） showed that single melting peak and crystallization peak existed for the in situ blends, while two melting and crystallization peaks appeared for the mechanical blends. The in situ blend film and the mixed blend film, both cast from a dilute formic acid solution with a concentration of 0.5 g/L, remained similar crystallization and melting behavior as above. It is proved by solution 13C-NMR analysis that transamidation took place during the in situ blending, and it is suggested that the combination of temperature increasing and the basic surrounding derived from NaOH during polymerization resulted in the occurrence of transamidation. Furthermore, it is proposed that the interchange reaction between PA 1212 and PA6 also resulted from the degradative reaction during the anionic polymerization.

Lithium Camphor initiated Anionic Polymerization of C_(60) and Styrene

A simple new method for the syntheses of a highly soluble noncross linked C 60 styrene copolymers by means of lithium camphor initiated anionic polymerization reaction is demonstrated.

SYNTHESIS AND ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF 2-METHYL-2-METHOXY CARBONYL-5-METHYLENE-1, 3-DIOXOLAN-4-ONE

A new cyclic monomer, 2-methyl-2-methocycarbonyl-5-methylene 1,3-dioxlan-4-one,wassynthesized successfully. The monomer and intermediate were characterized by ~1H NMR,^(13)C NMR, INEPT (Intensive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer) technique, IR andelemental analysis. Anionic polymerization of the monomer was carried out in anhydrous THF at.70℃, and 9-fluorenyllithium was used as initiator. The polymer strucure was determined byIR, NMR and elemental analysis. Molecular weight of the polymer was estimated by viscositymeasurement in DMSO at 30℃.

SYTHESIS AND ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF 2-METHYL-2-METHOXYCARBONYL-5-METHYLENE-1, 3-DIOXOLAN-4-ONE

A new cyclic monomer, 2-methyl-2-methoxycarbonyl-5-methylene-1,3-dioxolan-4-one,was synthesized successfully. The monomer and intermediate were characterized by ~1H NMR, ^(13)CNMR, INEPT(Intensive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer) technique, IR and elementalanalysis. Anionic polymerization of the monomer was carried out in anhydrous THF at -70℃,and 9-fluorenyllithium was used as initiator. The polymer structure was determined by IR, NMRand elemental analysis. Molecular weight of the polymer was estimated by viscosity measurementin DMSO at 30℃.

SYNTHESIS OF BLOCK COPOLYMER BY INTEGRATED LIVING ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION-ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION(ATRP)

Alpha-trichloroacetoxy terminated polystyrene oligomer (PS-CH2CH2OCOCCl3) and poly-(styrene-b-butadiene) oligomer [P(S-b-B)-CH2CH2OCOCCl3)] were synthesized by living anionic polymeri-zation using n-butyllithium as initiator. Then the PS-CH2CH2OCOCCl3 (PS-Cl-3) or P(S-b-B)-CH2CH2O-COCCl3 (PSB-Cl-3) was used as the macroinitiator in the polymerization of(meth)acrylates in the presence of CuX/bpy. AB diblock and ABC triblock copolymers were prepared by the integrated living anionic polymerization (LAP)-atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The structures of the PSB-Cl-3 and the P(S-b-MMA) were identified by FTIR and H-1-NMR spectrum, respectively. A new way to design block copolymers (the combination of LAP and ATRP) was developed.

ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF ALKYL METHACRYLATES INITIATED BY nBuCu(NCy_2)Li

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), n-butyl methacrylate (nBMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) initiated by nBuCu(NCy2)Li (1) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at -50 degrees C to -10 degrees C was investigated. It was found that the polymerization of MMA and nBMA initiated by 1 proceeded quantitatively in THF to afford PMMA and PBMA with polydispersity index 1.15-1.30 and nearly 100% initiator efficiencies at -10 degrees C. The molecular weights increased linearly with the ratio of [monomer]/[1]. However, a post-polymerization experiment carried out on this system revealed a double polymer peak by GPC when fresh monomer was added after an interval of 10 min. Polymerization of styrene could be initiated by 1, but the initiator efficiency was low.

Silazyl-Lithiums: A kind of new Initiators for the Anionic Non- equilibrium Ring-opening Polymerization of Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D_4)

The initiation reactions in the anionic non-equilibrium polymerization of octamethy- lcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) initiated by silazyllithiums were investigated. It was found that the structure of the substituents on the Si atom had great influences on the initiation activity of silazyllithiums.

SYNTHESIS OF CHIRAL BINAPHTHYL CROWN ETHERS AND THEIR USE IN ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE AS INITIATOR LIGANDS

Some chiral binaphthyl crown ethers were synthesized. The anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in the presence of t-BuOK, Ph2CHK or Ph2CHNa (RM), and RM coordination initiator by using chiral binaphthyl crown ethers as ligands, respectively. The results showed that in the former case the PMMA obtained has mainly isotactic structure but without optical activity, while in the later case the PMMA produced predominately has syndiotactic structure also without optical activity.

Studies on the Self-condensing Vinyl Polymerization of a Novel Maleimide Inimer

The self-condensing vinyl polymerization(SCVP) of a novel maleimide inimer(initiator-monomer) 1, N-(4-α-bromobutyryloxy phenyl) maleimide with the complex of CuBr/Bipy(2, 2′-bipyridine) as the catalyst was studied. GPC was used to determine the molecular weight and the results show that the molecular weight increases exponentially with polymerization time during the first hour, and then the rate of increase molecular weight slows down. The molecular weight also increases with increasing dosage of the catalyst. The coincidence of the molecular weights determined by 1H NMR and GPC proves that the polymer obtained from the SCVP of inimer 1 has a linear structure, which is further verified by 13C NMR spectrum. A hyperbranched polymer was obtained by the copolymerization of inimer 1 and styrene.

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.

The Kinetic Study on the Anionic Polymerization of Isoprene

The kinetic study of the anionic polymerization of isoprene is carried out in tetrahy-drofuran(THF), using n-BuLi as initiator. Kinetic parameters are obtained, which comprise chain propagation rate constant, kp, and partial rate constants, k3 and k4 + k5, propagation orders with respect to monomer and active species concentrations, α and β, real activation energy, E, as well as partial activation energies, E3 and E4+5 and so on. The relationship between the microstruc-ture of polyisoprene and the ratio of [THF]/[n-BuLi] has been investigated. On the basis of the studies mentioned above, a reasonable mechanism of the anionic polymerization of isoprene in THF is proposed.

Synthesis of Highly Branched Poly(ε-caprolactone) by Self-condensing Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Macroinimers

Branched poly（ε-capmlactone） was synthesized by self-condensing atom transfer radical polymerization of macroinimer, α-acryloyoxy-ω-2-bromopropionyloxy poly（ε-caprolactone）, which was prepared by enzyme-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with 2-hydroxylethyl acrylate as initiator and esterification of the ω-hydroxyl group of the obtained poly（ε-caprolactone） by 2-bromopropionyl bromide.

Crystalline Morphology and Crystallization Characteristics of In-situ Blends of Anionic Polyamide 6 with Noncrystallizable Semiaromatic Polyamide Copolymer

A noncrystallizable semiaromatic polyamide copolymer（NSAP） was dissolved in molten caprolactam, and PA6/ NSAP blends were produced in-situ via the anionic ring-opening polymerization of caprolactam. The presence of a single loss tangent（tanS） peak measured by means of dynamic mechanical analysis（DMA） proves the miscibility between PA6 and NSAP in the blends. It was found that there existed drastic changes in the crystallographic form and crystallization kinetics for the in-situ blends, e.g. , when 20% NSAP was added, nearly all crystallites existed in the ,y form and the crystallization could hardly occur upon cooling even at a rate of 2.5 ℃/min. Moreover, cold crystallization appears during the subsequent heating, and its melting point is 40 ℃ lower than that of the virgin system. On the other hand, the size of the spherulites only decreases modestly. It is suggested that the introduction of irregular stiff segments originated from NSAP into PA6 macromolecule chain, which resulted from transamidation during the polymerization play a dominant role in the drastic change of crystallization kinetics and the resultant morphology of the in-situ blends.

Anion competition for Li^(+)solvated coordination environments in poly(1,3 dioxolane)electrolyte to enable high-voltage lithium metal solid-state batteries

Gel-based polymer electrolytes are limited by the polarity of the residual solvent,which restricts the coupling-breaking behaviour during Li^(+)conduction,resulting in the Li^(+)transport kinetics being greatly affected.Here,we designed anion competitive gel polymer electrolyte(ACPE)by introducing lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate(LiDFOB)anion into the 1,3-dioxolane(DOL)in situ polymerisation system.ACPE enhances the ionic dipole interaction between Li^(+)and the solvent molecules and synergizes with Li^(+)across the solvation site of the polymer ethylene oxide(EO)unit,combination that greatly improves the Li^(+)transport efficiency.As a result,ACPE exhibits 1.12 mS cm^(−1)ionic conductivity and 0.75 Li^(+)transfer number at room temperature.Additionally,this intra-polymer solvation sheath allows preferential desolvation of DFOB−,which contributes to the formation of kinetically stable anion-derived interphase and effectively mitigates side reactions.Our results demonstrate that the assembled Li||NCM622 solid-state battery exhibits lifespan of over 300 cycles with average Coulombic efficiency of 98.8%and capacity retention of 80.3%.This study introduces a novel approach for ion migration and interface design,paving the way for high-safety and high-energy-density batteries.

STUDY ON THE POLYMERIZATION DEGREE OF SILICATE ANIONS IN THE SILICATE GLASS BY TRIMETHYLSILYLATION METHOD

In the present paper,a mixed solvent method is applied to the trimethylsilylation of silicate glass,and the polymerization degree and its distribution of silicate anions in the silicate glass are measured by means of the analyses of gas chromatography-mass spectrography.

STUDIES ON THE POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLONITRILE INITIATED BY METAVANADATE-CONTAININ G ANION EXCHANGER-THIOUREA REDOX SYSTEM

The polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) in aqueous nitric acid initiated by metavanadate-containing anion exchange resin (PV)-thiourea (TU) redox system at 20—40℃. has been investigated. The overall rate of polymerization (R_p) is given byR_p=1.92×10~4e^(-6.860/RT) [AN]^(1.2) [PV]^(0.44) [TU]^(1.0)[HNO_3]^(1.0)The kinetic parameters differed from those of V^(5+)-TU system indicated that the generation of the primary radicals is mainly a difffusion-controlled reaction. The effect of macromolecular field arisen from the polymer matrix exerts a great influence on the polymerization process.

Persistent radical anion of perylene dianhydride:an emerging metal-free photocatalyst for near-infrared photocontrolled RAFT polymerization

Developing a new type of photocatalyst(PC) and catalytic mechanism for near-infrared(NIR) photocontrolled reversibledeactivation radical polymerization(RDRP) system is charming but challenging.Herein,a novel PC of the persistent radical anion(PRA)(possessing the properties of both radical and anion) was developed for NIR photocontrolled reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer(RAFT) polymerization,enabling successful polymerization while gaining a deep insight into the mechanism of photo-induced electron transfer RAFT(PET-RAFT) polymerization.Different from the conventional and wellaccepted reductive quenching(RQ) pathway,in which the radical anion intermediates of PCs(PCs^(·-)) must be generated in an excited state(ES),here,the PRA(3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride radical anion(PTCDA^(·-))) could generate conveniently in situ in the ground state(GS) and subsequently serve as highly efficient PC in the NIR region(740–850 nm).The successful implementation of this strategy elucidates the peculiar role played by light and the real way of electron transfer behaviors.In fact,the transfer of a single electron from PRA to chain transfer agent(CTA) and cleavage of the C–S bonds is a process from ES to GS,rather than always from GS(PCs^(·-)) to GS(CTA) in the RQ pathway as is well known to all.In addition,the excellent spatial-temporal control and powerful penetration ability of the NIR light were also confirmed by this PRAcatalyzed polymerization system.