Polymer cleavage

Xie, T. and Hayden, C. A. 2007. A kinetic model for the chemical degradation of perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers Weak end groups versus side chain cleavage. Polymer 48 5497-5506. 

Begin by recognizing that a molecule containing x of the head-to-head links will be cleaved into x + 1 molecules upon reaction. Hence if N is the number of polymer molecules in a sample of mass w, the following relations apply before and after cleavage = (x l)Nj, or w/M = (x + l)(w/Mj,). Solving for x and... 

One potential approach extends the idea of chemical amplification introduced in our preceding description of dry-film resists. In 1982, Ito and co-workers (37,38) recognized that if a photosensitizer producing an acidic product is photolyzed in a polymer matrix containing acid-labile groups, the acid will serve as a spatially localized catalyst for the formation or cleavage of chemical bonds. 

Sonochemistry is also proving to have important applications with polymeric materials. Substantial work has been accomplished in the sonochemical initiation of polymerisation and in the modification of polymers after synthesis (3,5). The use of sonolysis to create radicals which function as radical initiators has been well explored. Similarly the use of sonochemicaHy prepared radicals and other reactive species to modify the surface properties of polymers is being developed, particularly by G. Price. Other effects of ultrasound on long chain polymers tend to be mechanical cleavage, which produces relatively uniform size distributions of shorter chain lengths. 

In the commercial Gorham process (2), the extremely reactive PX is conveniendy generated by the thermal cleavage of its stable dimer, Vo-di- -xyljIene (DPX), a [2.2]paracyclophane [1633-22-3] (3). In many instances, substituents attached to the paracyclophane framework are carried through the process unchanged, ultimately becorning substituents of the polymer in the coating. 

Only one exception to the clean production of two monomer molecules from the pyrolysis of dimer has been noted. When a-hydroxydi-Zvxyljlene (9) is subjected to the Gorham process, no polymer is formed, and the 16-carbon aldehyde (10) is the principal product in its stead, isolated in greater than 90% yield. This transformation indicates that, at least in this case, the cleavage of dimer proceeds in stepwise fashion rather than by a concerted process in which both methylene—methylene bonds are broken at the same time. This is consistent with the predictions of Woodward and Hoffmann from orbital symmetry considerations for such [6 + 6] cycloreversion reactions in the ground state (5). 

PVF is more thermally stable than other vinyl halide polymers. High molecular weight PVF is reported to degrade in an inert atmosphere, with concurrent HF loss and backbone cleavage occurring at about 450°C (71,72). In air, HF loss occurs at about 350°C, followed by backbone cleavage around 450°C. 

The diacids for these polymers are prepared via different processes. A2elaic acid [123-99-9] for nylon-6,9 [28757-63-3] is generally produced from naturally occurring fatty acids via oxidative cleavage of a double bond in the 9-position, eg, from oleic acid [112-80-1] ... 

When the polymers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the activated ketone functionahties can fragment by two different mechanisms, known as Norrish types I and II. The degradation of polymers with the carbonyl functionahty in the backbone of the polymer results in chain cleavage by both mechanisms, but when the carbonyl is in the polymer side chain, only Norrish type II degradation produces main-chain scission (37,49). A Norrish type I reaction for backbone carbonyl functionahty is shown by equation 5, and a Norrish type II reaction for backbone carbonyl functionahty is equation 6. 

Other examples illustrating the effect of substituent distribution on properties include (/) enzymatic stabiUty of hydroxyethjlceUulose (16,17) (2) salt compatibihty of carboxymethylceUulose (18,19) and (J) thermal gelation properties of methylceUulose (20). The enzymatic stabUity of hydroxyethylceUulose is an example where the actual position of the substituents within the anhydroglucose units is considered important. Increasing substitution at the C2 position promotes better resistance toward enzymatic cleavage of the polymer chain. Positional distribution is also a factor in the other two examples. 

Fig. 3. Mechanisms for polymer degradation. The illustration is a schematic representation of three degradation mechanisms I, cleavage of cross-links II, hydrolysis, ionisa tion, or protonation of pendent groups III, backbone cleavage. Actual biodegradation may be a combination of these mechanisms.

In the pendent chain systems, the dmg is chemically bound to a polymer backbone and is released by hydrolytic or enzymatic cleavage of the chemical bond. The dmg may be attached directiy to the polymer or may be linked via a spacer group. The spacer group may be used to affect the rate of dmg release and the hydrophilicity of the system. These systems allow very high dmg loadings (over 80 wt %) (89) which decrease the cost of the polymeric materials used ia the systems. These systems have beea examiaed by many iavestigators (111,112). 

Polyisobutylene has the chemical properties of a saturated hydrocarbon. The unsaturated end groups undergo reactions typical of a hindered olefin and are used, particularly in the case of low mol wt materials, as a route to modification eg, the introduction of amine groups to produce dispersants for lubricating oils. The in-chain unsaturation in butyl mbber is attacked by atmospheric ozone, and unless protected can lead to cracking of strained vulcanizates. Oxidative degradation, which leads to chain cleavage, is slow, and the polymers are protected by antioxidants (75). 

The principal mechanism of polymer degradation during aging is the acid-catalyzed cleavage of the ether linkage in the backbone. The acid acceptor. 

Chlorination of thiiranes in hydroxylic solvents gives /3-chloroethylsulfonyl chlorides due to further oxidation of the intermediate sulfenyl chloride by chlorine or hypochlorous acid (Scheme 40). Polymer is usually obtained also unless the reaction is done in concentrated hydrochloric acid, which causes rapid ring cleavage to 2-chloroethylthiols which are subsequently oxidized to the sulfonyl chlorides. An 85% yield of (37) is obtained in concentrated hydrochloric acid-HCl(g) whereas only a 15% yield is obtained in CCI4-H2O. 

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