Chain polymerization copolymerization

Despite numerous efforts, there is no generally accepted theory explaining the causes of stereoregulation in acryflc and methacryflc anionic polymerizations. Complex formation with the cation of the initiator (146) and enoflzation of the active chain end are among the more popular hypotheses (147). Unlike free-radical polymerizations, copolymerizations between acrylates and methacrylates are not observed in anionic polymerizations however, good copolymerizations within each class are reported (148). 

In contrast to ionic chain polymerizations, free radical polymerizations offer a facile route to copolymers ([9] p. 459). The ability of monomers to undergo copolymerization is described by the reactivity ratios, which have been tabulated for many monomer systems for a tabulation of reactivity ratios, see Section 11/154 in Brandrup and Immergut [14]. These tabulations must be used with care, however, as reactivity ratios are not always calculated in an optimum manner [15]. Systems in which one reactivity ratio is much greater than one (1) and the other is much less than one indicate poor copolymerization. Such systems form a mixture of homopolymers rather than a copolymer. Uncontrolled phase separation may take place, and mechanical properties can suffer. An important ramification of the ease of forming copolymers will be discussed in Section 3.1. 

In this section, the important concepts related to the formation of hydrogels by free radical copolymerization/cross-linking are examined. Greater depth beyond the scope of this chapter can be obtained from textbooks on polymer chemistry and the papers cited herein. As stated earlier, almost all gels produced from monomers for pharmaceutical applications are synthesized by free radical chain polymerizations. 

The synthesis of elastomers by step, chain, and ring-opening polymerizations is reviewed. These reactions are characterized as to the process variables which must be controlled to achieve the synthesis and crosslinking of an elastomer of the required structure. Both radical and ionic chain polymerizations are discussed as well as the structural variations possible through copolymerization and s tereoregularity. 

Polymers produced by chain-reaction polymerization Copolymerization Kinetics... 

For most step polymerizations, for example, in the synthesis of polyl hexamethylene adipa-mide) or polyethylene terephthalate), two reactants or monomers are used in the process, and the polymer obtained contains two different kinds of structures in the chain. This is not the case for chain polymerizations, where only one monomer need be used to produce a polymer. However, chain polymerizations can be carried out with mixtures of two monomers to form polymeric products wiht two different structures in the polymer chain. This type of chain polymerization process in which two monomers are simultaneously polymerized is termed a copolymerization, and the product is a copolymer. It is important to stress that the copolymer is not an alloy of two homopolymers hut contains units of both monomers incorporated into each copolymer molecule. The process can be depicted as... 

The two monomers enter into the copolymer in overall amounts determined by their relative concentrations and reactivities. The simultaneous chain polymerization of different monomers can also be carried out with mixtures of three or more monomers. Such polymerizations are generally referred to as multicomponent copolymerizations the term terpolymerization is specifically used for systems of three monomers. 

Chain copolymerization is important from several considerations. Much of our knowledge of the reactivities of monomers, free radicals, carbocations, and carbanions in chain polymerization comes from copolymerization studies. The behavior of monomers in copolymerization reactions is especially useful for studying the effect of chemical structure on reactivity. Copolymerization is also very important from the technological viewpoint. It greatly increases the ability of the polymer scientist to tailor-make a polymer product with specifically desired properties. Polymerization of a single monomer is relatively limited as to the number of different products that are possible. The term homopolymerization is often used to distinguish the polymerization of a single monomer from the copolymerization process. 

Comparison of the Two Reactions Step-Growth Polymerization in More Detail Making PET in the Melt Interfacial Poly condensation Chain-Growth Polymerization in More Detail Free Radical Chain Polymerization Going One Step Better Emulsion Polymerization Copolymerization Ionic Chain Polymerization It Lives ... 

In addition to their synthetic utility, copolymerization studies provide a method for determining relative monomer reactivities and relative reactivities of the resulting active centers in chain polymerizations. That is,... 

Post-polymerization fimctionalization has been used to this end, but most research has been directed toward the copolymerization of ethylene with polar monomers. In this manner, inexpensive monomers can be used to create novel polymeric materials with a wide range of applications. The major drawback to this methodology is the inherent difference in reactivity between ethylene and other vinyl monomers during chain polymerization. This phenomenon is known to yield copolymers with low polar monomer incorporation and increased branch content arising from chain transfer events caused by side reactions with polar and/or protic functionaUties [45]. 

More industrial polyethylene copolymers were modeled using the same method of ADMET polymerization followed by hydrogenation using catalyst residue. Copolymers of ethylene-styrene, ethylene-vinyl chloride, and ethylene-acrylate were prepared to examine the effect of incorporation of available vinyl monomer feed stocks into polyethylene [81]. Previously prepared ADMET model copolymers include ethylene-co-carbon monoxide, ethylene-co-carbon dioxide, and ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol [82,83]. In most cases,these copolymers are unattainable by traditional chain polymerization chemistry, but a recent report has revealed a highly active Ni catalyst that can successfully copolymerize ethylene with some functionalized monomers [84]. Although catalyst advances are proving more and more useful in novel polymer synthesis, poor structure control and reactivity ratio considerations are still problematic in chain polymerization chemistry. 

Now we come to a subject where we will employ what we have learned in applying both kinetics and statistics to polymerizations copolymerization. In our discussion of chain microstructure, we have already discussed the various types of copolymers that can be formed, and these are illustrated in Figure 6-1. We ll start by briefly considering some examples, to give you a feel for the range of materials produced commercially. 

Kinetic aspects of step-growth copolymerization have been examined in Section 10.2.2. The principal features of chain-growth copolymerization are very different, but are alike for all types of chain growth, that is, for free-radical, anionic, cationic, and coordination polymerization. 

Many chain-growth copolymerizations include dienes such as divinyl benzene or divinyl adipate that act as crosslinking agents and lead to gel formation. Polymerization kinetics in such cases are complex and are beyond the scope of a book on homogeneous reactions. Here, only binary copolymerization of monofunctional monomers will be examined. For an excellent and extensive treatment that includes copolymerization of more than two monomers as well as crosslinking by bifunctional monomers, the reader is refer to Odian s book [123]. 

While the copolymer equation is universal in that it applies to all kinds of chain-growth copolymerization, an equally universal equation for the polymerization rate cannot be arrived at. For assessing the composition of the copolymer, only the ratio of the monomer consumption rates was needed, and that ratio was found to be a unique function of the monomer concentrations and rate coefficients. In contrast, the polymerization rate is composed of the absolute values of the monomer consumption rates, and these depend also on the concentrations of the propagating centers and thereby indirectly on the mechanism and rate of termination. 

Reactivity of a monomer in chain-growth copolymerization cannot be predicted from its behavior in homopolymerization. Thus, vinyl acetate polymerizes about twenty times as fast as styrene in a free radical reaction, but the product is almost pure polystyrene if an attempt is made to copolymerize the two monomers under the same conditions. Similarly, addition of a few percent of styrene to a polymerizing vinyl acetate mixture will stop the reaction of the latter monomer. By contrast, maleic anhydride will normally not homopoly merize in a free-radical system under conditions where it forms one-to-one copolymers with styrene. 

---