Nitroxide-Mediated Photo-Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization of Methacrylic Acid

The photo-controlled/living radical polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) was performed at room temperature by irradiation with a high-pressure mercury lamp using azo initiators and 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl as the mediator in the presence of (4-tert-butylphenyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate (tBuS) as the accelerator. Whereas the bulk polymerization yielded polymers with a bimodal molecular weight distribution in both the absence and presence of tBuS, the solution polymerization in methanol produced unimodal polymers with the molecular weight distribution of 2.0 - 2.3 in the presence of tBuS. The molecular weight distribution of the resulting poly (MAA) decreased with an in- crease in tBuS. The dilution of the monomer concentration also reduced the molecular weight distribution. The use of the initiator with a low 10-h half-life temperature also effectively controlled the molecular weight. The livingness of the polymerization was confirmed by obtaining linear increases in the first-order conversion versus time, the molecular weight versus the conversion, and the molecular weight versus the reciprocal of the initiator concentration.

CONTROLLED/"LIVING" RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE IN AN AQUEOUS DISPERSION SYSTEM

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene catalyzed by cuprous (CuX)/1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and CuX/CuX2/Phen was conducted in an aqueous dispersed system. A stable latex was obtained by using ionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfonate (SLS) or composite surfactants, such as SLS/polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether (OP-10), SLS/hexadecanol and SLS/OP-10/hexadecanol, Among which SLS and SLS/OP-10/hexadecanol systems established better dispersed effect during the polymerization, It was found that Phen was a more suitable ligand than N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) to maintain an appropriate equilibrium of the activator Cu(I) and the deactivator Cu(II) between the organic phase and the water phase, The effect of several initiators (such as EBiB, CCl4 and 1-PEBr) and the temperature on such a kind of ATRP system was also observed. The number-average molar mass (M-n) of polystyrene (PS) increased with the conversion and the molar mass distribution (M-w/M-n) remained narrow. These experimental data show that the polymerization could be controlled except for the quick increase of monomer conversion and the number-average molar mass of PS in the initial stage of polymerization. Furthermore, the initiator efficiency was found to be low (similar to57%) in CuX/Phen catalyzed system. To overcome this problem, Cu(II)X-2 (20 mol%-50 mol% based on CuX) was introduced into the polymerization system. In this case, higher initiator efficiency (60%-90%), low M-w/M-n of PS (as low as 1.08) were achieved and the molar masses of the PS fit with the theoretical ones.

“LIVING”/CONTROLLED RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYL METHYLACRYLATE WITH 2,2’-AZOBISISOBUTYRONITRILE/FERRIC CHLORIDE/TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE INITIATION SYSTEM

'Living'/controlled radical polymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) was carried out with a 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/ferric chloride (FeCl_3)/triphenylphosphine (PPh_3) initiation system at 85℃. Thc numberaverage molecular weight (M_n) increases linearly with monomer conversion and the rate of polymerization is first order withrespect to monomer concentration. The M_w of PEMA ranges from 3900 to 17600 and the polydispersity indices are quitenarrow (1.09～1.22). The conversion can reach up to～100% and M_w of the polymers obtained is close to that designed. Thepolymerization mechanism belongs to the reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymer was end-functionalized by chlorine atom, which acts as a macroinitiator to proceed extension polymerization in the presence ofCuBr/bipy catalyst system via an ATRP process. The presence of ω-chlorine in the PEMA obtained was identified by ~1H-NMR spectrum.

Controlled Radical Polymerization of Styrene in the Presence of Different Copper Complexes and Organic Halides

The polymerization behaviors of Styrene (St) in the presence of CuX/L [X=Cl or Br; L= 2,2 bipyridine (bpy), 1,10 phenanthroline (phen) or 4,7 diphenyl 1,10 phenanthroline (DPP) ] and R X (R=trichloromethyl, benzyl or allyl; X=Cl or Br) have been studied and examined. In a CuCl/bpy/RCl/St system, a bimodal GPC peak at the early stage of polymerization was observed, and a concept of multi active species was proposed to explain this phenomenon. In a CuCl/phen (DPP)/RCl/St system, the \%M\%\-n of polystyrene (PS) increased linearly with St conversion and ln[M] o/[M] also increased linearly with time, indicating the living nature of this system. Furthermore, the stability of the propagating active species in a CuBr/phen/RBr/St system is higher than that in the CuBr/phen/RBr/St system.

AQUEOUS STABLE FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES

An overview of aqueous polymerizations, which include emulsion, miniemulsion and suspension polymerizations, under stable free radical polymerization (SFRP) conditions is presented. The success of miniemulsion and suspension SFRP polymerizations is contrasted with the difficulties associated with obtaining a stable emulsion polymerization. A recently developed unique microprecipitation technique is referenced as a means of making submicron sized particles that can be used to achieve a stable emulsion SFRP process.

"LIVING" FREE RADICAL SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL RODCOIL DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS WITH POLYSTYRENE AND MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER SEGMENTS

The synthesis of rod-coil diblock copolymers was achieved for the first time by TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of styrene and 2,5-bis [(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl] styrene(MPCS). The block architecture of the two diblock copolymers thus prepared, MPCS-b-St(5400/2400) and MPCS-b-St(10800/8700), was confirmed by GPC, DSC studies and the formation of multimolecular micelles. (Author abstract) 10 Refs.

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.

NITROXIDE-MEDIATED FREE RADICAL SYNTHESIS OF MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS

The first TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of liquid crystalline monomer, 2, 5-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]styrene (MPCS), was carried out at 130 degrees C with BPO as an initiator. The molecular weight of the polymer can be varied from rather low values to high values while maintaining narrow polydispersity. It was observed that the polymerization of MPCS proceeded much faster than that of styrene. A tentative explanation for this fast polymerization was suggested.

REVERSE ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE WITH COPPER-BASED CATALYST

'Living'/controlled radical polymerization of styrene was carried out with diethyl 2,3-dicyano-2,3-diphenylsuccinate (DCDPS)/CuCl2/bipyridine (bipy) initiation system at 120 degreesC. The molecular weights of resultant PSt increased with the monomer conversion and the polydispersities were in the range of 1.37 similar to1.52. A linear ln([M](o)/[M]) versus time plot was also obtained indicating the constant concentration of growing radicals during the polymerization with this initiation system. End group analysis by H-1-NMR spectroscopic studies showed that the end groups of the polymer obtained is omega -functionalized by a chlorine group from the catalyst and alpha -functionalized by a (carbethoxy-cyano-phenyl)methyl group from the fragments of the initiator. Having CI atom at the chain end, the PSt obtained can be used as a macroinitiator to promote a chain-extension reaction with fresh St and block copolymerization reaction with a second monomer, such as methyl methacrylate, in the presence of CuCl/bipy catalyst via a conventional ATRP process.

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.

Mechanism study and molecular design in controlled/“living” radical polymerization

This tutorial review summarizes recent progress in the research field of controlled/"living" radical polymerization (CLRP) from Soochow University.The present paper gives a broad overview of the mechanism study and molecular design in CLRP.The mechanism study in CLRP aided by microwave,initiated by γ-radiation at low temperature,mediated by iron,in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and the mechanism transfer between different CLRP processes are reviewed and summarized.The molecular design in CLRP,especially in RAFT polymerization for mechanism study,and in achieving tailor-made functional polymers is studied and discussed in the later part.

Controlled free radical polymerization of styrene initiated from the alkoxyamine-functionalized silicon surface

We describe a new method of fabricating a brush-like polystyrene layer anchored on the surface of the silicon substrate, which involves three steps, namely (i) the attachment of 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane onto the silicon surface; (ii) the reaction of vinyl moiety at another extremity of the anchored 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane to 4-Hydroxyl-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (HTEMPO?) catalyzed by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN); (iii) living free radical grafting polymerization of styrene in the presence of HTEMPO?. The controllable living free radical polymerization permits accurate control of both the molecular weight and the polydispersity. X-photoelectron spectroscopy measurement proved that the alkoxyamine initiator layer forms on the silicon surface. XPS and Ellipsometry measurements showed that the poly-styrene chains were covalently anchored onto the silicon surface. The thickness of the grafted polymer layer can be accurately manipulated by altering the polymerization time. The new method allows synthesizing random copolymer and block copolymers by the sequential growth of monomers from the substrate surface.

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.

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.

Mechanistic Transformations Involving Radical and Cationic Polymerizations

Mechanistic transformation approach has been widely applied in polymer synthesis due to its unique feature combining structurally different polymers prepared by different polymerization mechanisms.Reported methods for the formation of block and graft copolymers through mechanistic transformation involve almost all polymerizations modes.However,certain polymerization processes require extensive purification processes,which can be time-consuming and problematic.Recent developments on controlled/living polymerizations involving radical and cationic mechanisms with the ability to control molecular weight and functionality led to new pathways for mechanistic transformations.In this mini-review,we systematically discussed relevant advances in the field through three main titles namely(i)from radical to cationic mechanism,(ii)from cationic to radical mechanism,and(iii)application of specific catalyst systems for both radical and cationic polymerizations.

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.

镍催化可控/活性自由基聚合反应研究进展

可控/活性自由基聚合是近年来发展的温和、聚合反应进程可控、分子结构可设计性强的自由基聚合反应技术,其核心在于活性自由基中间体与催化剂/链转移剂的可逆活化/失活过程,常用于极性单体聚合制备结构多样的有机高分子材料。镍催化剂具有多变的中心金属价态及多样的聚合反应机理,在可控/活性自由基聚合领域存在独特的优势。对近年来原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)和有机金属控制的活性自由基聚合(OMRP)中的镍催化剂结构、聚合反应机理、反应行为和产物结构特征进行了综述,并对镍催化的可控/活性自由基聚合未来发展方向和应用前景进行了展望。

稳定自由基存在下苯乙烯聚合的加速剂

研究了稳定自由基存在下苯乙烯的活性聚合 .发现在β-酮酸酯 [乙酰乙酸乙酯 ( AAE) ,乙二酸二乙酯( DEM) ],1 ,3-二酮 [乙酰丙酮 ( AAT) ]及强酸酐 [三氟乙酸酐 ( TFA) ]的少量存在下 ,苯乙烯聚合速率显著增加 ,分子量可控 ,分子量分布较窄 .而有机强酸 [氯乙酸 ( CAA) ,溴乙酸 ( BAA) ,2 ,4 ,6-三硝基苯酚 ( TNP)

Fe_3O_4表面原位引发可控/“活性”聚合制备磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子

采用化学共沉淀方法合成了Fe3O4纳米粒子,用3-甲基丙烯酰氧基丙基三甲氧基硅烷(3-MPS)对其进行表面接枝修饰,然后以苯乙烯(St)为单体,过氧化苯甲酰(BPO)为引发剂,4-羟基-2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-1-氧化物自由基(HTEMPO·)为稳定自由基介质,采用可控“/活性”自由基聚合技术在修饰后的Fe3O4纳米粒子表面原位引发聚合,制备了粒径小、分布窄、磁含量高的磁性聚苯乙烯(PS)纳米粒子.X射线衍射(XRD)研究表明,所合成的Fe3O4粒子为尖晶石结构.凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)分析表明,聚苯乙烯的分子量与反应时间呈较好的线性关系.透射电镜(TEM)观察表明,所制备的磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子的粒径在20-30nm之间.热重(TG)分析得到磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子的磁含量为62.6%.振动样品磁强计(VSM)测试结果表明,磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子的比饱和磁化强度为31.7emu·g-1,呈现单磁畴结构.