Block copolymers transformation reactions

RAFT is effective with a wide range of monomers, but distinguishes itself from SFRP and ATRP in that it can polymerize carboxylic acid-containing monomers such as methacrylic acid [46]. The polymerizations are performed at temperatures of 100 °C or less with typical polydispersities in the 1.1 1.25 range under either bulk, solution or emulsion conditions. Initially formed homopolymers can readily be chain extended or transformed into block copolymers by reaction with a second monomer [47]. 

It has been shown that transformation reactions could be carried out on anionic living polymers to generate polymeric cations which were then able to propagate with a second monomer to form block copolymers. These reactions involved the formation of an intermediate bromide, by reaction either with excess bromine... 

The reactions of polymeric anions with appropriate azo-compounds or peroxides to form polymeric initiators provide other examples of anion-radical transformation (e.g. Scheme 7. 6). ""7i However, the polymeric azo and peroxy compounds have limited utility in block copolymer synthesis because of the poor efficiency of radical generation from the polymeric initiators (7.5.1). 

Many block and graft copolymer syntheses involving transformation reactions have been described. These involve preparation of polymeric species by a mechanism that leaves a terminal functionality that allows polymerization to be continued by another mechanism. Such processes are discussed in Section 7.6.2 for cases where one of the steps involves conventional radical polymerization. In this section, we consider cases where at least one of the steps involves living radical polymerization. Numerous examples of converting a preformed end-functional polymer to a macroinitiator for NMP or ATRP or a macro-RAFT agent have been reported.554 The overall process, when it involves RAFT polymerization, is shown in Scheme 9.60. 

The preparation of a functional segmented block copolymer was also investigated (scheme ll).15 First hydroboration polymerization of the oligomer using thexylborane was carried out. Then the obtained organoboron polymer was subjected to a chain-transformation reaction (DCME rearrangement). DCME and lithium alkoxide of 3-ethyl-3-pentanol in hexane was added to a THF solution of the polymer at 0°C. 

A general strategy developed for the synthesis of supramolecular block copolymers involves the preparation of macromolecular chains end-capped with a 2,2 6/,2//-terpyridine ligand which can be selectively complexed with RUCI3. Under these conditions only the mono-complex between the ter-pyridine group and Ru(III) is formed. Subsequent reaction with another 2,2 6/,2"-terpyridine terminated polymer under reductive conditions for the transformation of Ru(III) to Ru(II) leads to the formation of supramolecular block copolymers. Using this methodology the copolymer with PEO and PS blocks was prepared (Scheme 42) [ 107]. 

The transformation of the chain end active center from one type to another is usually achieved through the successful and efficient end-functionalization reaction of the polymer chain. This end-functionalized polymer can be considered as a macroinitiator capable of initiating the polymerization of another monomer by a different synthetic method. Using a semitelechelic macroinitiator an AB block copolymer is obtained, while with a telechelic macroinitiator an ABA triblock copolymer is provided. The key step of this methodology relies on the success of the transformation reaction. The functionalization process must be 100% efficient, since the presence of unfunctionalized chains leads to a mixture of the desired block copolymer and the unfunctionalized homopolymer. In such a case, control over the molecular characteristics cannot be obtained and an additional purification step is needed. 

The above data prove that the polystyrene-h-polybutadiene prepolymer is quantitatively transformed into block copolymers with perfluorinated side chains. The narrow molecular-weight distribution (I) = MW/MN) of the prepolymers is maintained by the described reaction sequence. 

Starting from a hyperbranched polyester based on 4,4 -bis(hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid, terminal -OH groups were derivatized to yield the hyperbranched macroinitiator. The Hgand precursor was introduced as the first block in the grafting from reaction, followed by 2-methyl-2-oxazoHne polymerization to give the second block and allow for water-soluble polymers. The triphenylphosphine-functionalized am-phiphihc star block copolymer was obtained after transformation of the iodoaryl... 

Another approach to block copolymers involves changing the type of propagating center part way through the synthesis via a transformation reaction [Burgess et al., 1977 Richards, 1980 Souel et al., 1977 Tung et al., 1985]. For example, after completion of the living anionic polymerization of monomer A, the carbanion centers are transformed into carbocations... 

The potential of transformation reactions for synthesizing a wider range of block copolymers has not been realized because either the reactions are not quantitiative or deterimental side reactions occur. Thus coupling of two propagating carbanions by one phosgene competes with the 1 1 transformation in Eq. 5-123. The anionic-to-radical transformation in Eq. 5-124 involves the formation of trimethyllead radical, which initiates homopolymerization of monomer B. 

Most of the methods for synthesizing block copolymers were described previously. Block copolymers are obtained by step copolymerization of polymers with functional end groups capable of reacting with each other (Sec. 2-13c-2). Sequential polymerization methods by living radical, anionic, cationic, and group transfer propagation were described in Secs. 3-15b-4, 5-4a, and 7-12e. The use of telechelic polymers, coupling and transformations reactions were described in Secs. 5-4b, 5-4c, and 5-4d. A few methods not previously described are considered here. 

Various types of well-defined block copolymers containing polypropylene segments have been synthesized by Doi et al. on the basis of three methods (i) sequential coordination polymerization of propylene and ethylene 83-m>, (ii) transformation of living polypropylene ends to radical or cationic ones which initiate the polymerization of polar monomers 104, u2i, and (iii) coupling reaction between iodine-terminated monodisperse polypropylene and living polystyrene anion 84). In particular, the well-defined block copolymers consisting of polypropylene blocks and polar monomer unit blocks are expected to exhibit new characteristic properties owing to the effect of microphase separation. 

Transformation of epoxy resins, which are viscous liquids or thermoplastic solids, into network polymers is a result of interaction with alkali or acid substances by means of to polyaddition and ionic polymerization mechanisms.10 A resin solidified by to the polyaddition mechanism, is a block copolymer consisting of alternating blocks of resin and a hardener or curing agent. A resin solidified by the ionic mechanism is a homopolymer. Molecules of both resin and hardener contain more than one active group. That is why block copolymer formation is a result of multiple reactions between an epoxy resin and a curing agent.11... 

The synthesis of poly(MMA-fr-IB-fr-MMA) triblock copolymers has also been reported using the site-transformation method, where a,site-transformation technique provides a useful alternative for the synthesis of block copolymers consisting of two monomers that are polymerized only by two different mechanisms. In this method, the propagating active center is transformed to a different kind of active center and a second monomer is subsequently polymerized by a mechanism different from the preceding one. The key process in this method is the precocious control of a or co-end functionality, capable of initiating the second monomer. Recently a novel site-transformation reaction, the quantitative metalation of DPE-capped PIB carrying methoxy or olefin functional groups, has been reported [90]. This method has been successfully employed in the synthesis of poly(IB-fr-fBMA) diblock and poly (MMA-fc-IB-fo-MMA) triblock copolymers [91]. 

The first (partly) successful attempts to prepare block copolymers by double cationic initiation involved the preparation of the first block, its isolation and transformation into a macroinitiator and the subsequent blocking with the second monomer. Thus, Jolivet and Peyrot reported in 1973 the synthesis of a poly(isobutene7>-styrene) based on the preparation of a terminally benzylated polyisobutene, the chloromethyla-tion of the aromatic end groups and the polymerisation of styrene onto these —CHjCl moieties catalysed by diethylahiminium chloride. The yield of block copolymer was limited due to transfer reactions in both the first and the second polymerisation, i.e. appreciable amounts of homopolymers were also obtained. A similar procedure was used by Kermedy and Melby a few years later to prepare the same type of copolymer. 

The second route (87, 98) to block copolymers is the anion to Zie-gler-Natta transformation reaction. Living anionic polymerizations (polymerizations that do not terminate) of styrene and isoprene are treated with... 

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