P -Xylylene

PX forms j xylylene when heated above 1200°C. The stmctuie of J-xylylene is represented by a i)-quinoid stmcture or as a i)-ben2enoid brtadical. Condensation yields poly(p-xylylene) (19—22) (see Xylene polymers). 

Moreover, where i r-acetjldi- -xyljlene [10029-00-2]( is pyroly2ed, by adjusting temperatures in the deposition region, it is possible to isolate two different polymeric products, ie, poly(acetyl-/)-xylylene) [67076-72-6] (8) and poly(p-xylylene) (PPX) (2). This of course requires the cleavage of the original dimer into two fragments. 

The linear polymer of PX, poly(p-xylylene) (PPX) (2), is formed as a VDP coating in the parylene process. The energetics of the polymerization set it apart from all other known polymerizations and enable it to proceed as a vapor deposition polymerization. 

Although the first two materials discussed in this chapter, the polyphenylenes and poly-p-xylylenes, have remained in the exotic category, most of the other materials have become important engineering materials. In many cases the basic patents have recently expired, leading to several manufacturers now producing a polymer where a few years ago there was only one supplier. Whilst such competition has led in some cases to overcapacity, it has also led to the introduction of new improved variants and materials more able to compete with older established plastics materials. 

This polymer first appeared commercially in 1965 (Parylene N Union Carbide). It is prepared by a sequence of reactions initiated by the pyrolysis of p-xylene at 950°C in the presence of steam to give the cyclic dimer. This, when pyrolysed at 550°C, yields monomeric p-xylylene. When the vapour of the monomer condenses on a cool surface it polymerises and the polymer may be stripped off as a free film. This is claimed to have a service life of 10 years at 220°C, and the main interest in it is as a dielectric film. A monochloro-substituted polymer (Parylene C) is also available. With both Parylene materials the polymers have molecular weights of the order of 500 000. 

A. p-Xylylene-bis(lriphenylphosphonium chloride). A mixture of 262 g. (1.0 mole) of triphenylphosphine (Note 1) and 84 g. (0.48 mole) of J)-xylylene dichloride (Note 2) in 1 1. of dimethyl-formamide is heated at reflux with stirring for 3 hours (Note 3). The mixture is then allowed to cool to room temperature with stirring, and the white crystalline solid is collected, washed with 100 ml. of dimethylformamidc followed by 300 ml. of ether, and... 

Polybenzyls polyphenethyls Parylenes (poly-p-xylylene) Fusible, soluble, and stable at 400°C (752°F) low molecular weight. Melt above 520°C (968°F) insoluble capable of forming films poor thermal stability in air stable to 400-525° C (752-977°F) in inert atmosphere. 

Zur kathodischen Elektro-polymerisation von l,4-Bis-[difluor-brom-mcthyl]-benzoi unter Debromicrurvg s.Lit.3. Zur Polymerisation von l,4-Bis-[brommethyl]-benzol zu Poly-p-xylylen s.Lit.4. 

Figure 5.3. Formation of o- and p-xylylene by deprotonation of benzyl cations.

Hehre and co-workers have used this approach for the investigation of biradicals and other reactive neutral molecules. For example, by using the bracketing approach, they were able to determine the proton affinities of o- and p-xylylene (o- and p-quinodimethane (lo and Ip) Figure 5.3), from which they were able to determine the enthalpies of formation of the reactive, Kekule molecules. They found the proton affinity of the meta isomer to be too high to be measured directly by bracketing, but were able to assign a lower limit, and subsequently a lower limit to the enthalpy of formation of the m-xylylene diradicals. 

Errede, L. A. Hoyt, J. M. Chemistry of xylylenes. III. Some reactions of p-xylylene that occur by free radical intermediates. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1960, 82, 436-439. 

Benzyl AT-ethyldithiocarbamate (44) and p-xylylene bis(N-ethyldithiocarba-mate) (45) were also prepared as mono- and difunctional photoiniferters, respectively [171,172], consisting of a structure similar to 7 and 8. The polymerization of St with 44 under ultrasonic irradiation was also reported [173]. 

Paralene [para-xylene] Also called Gorham and also spelled parylene. A process for coating articles with poly-p-xylene. The vapor of di-p-xylylene is pyrolyzed at 550°C, yielding p-xylyl free radicals, -CHj-CgH CH, which deposit and polymerize on cooled surfaces. Developed by W. F. Gorham at Union Carbide Corporation. 

The best developed example of a material produced by VDP is poly(p-xylylene) designated as Parylene-N by the Union Carbide Corporation. Poly(/i-xylylene) was discovered by Szwarc12 in 1957 and then commercialized by Gorham at Union Carbide.13,14 (Scheme 1). Gorham has reported that di-p-xylylene is quantitatively cleaved by vacuum vapor-phase pyrolysis at 600°C to form two molecules of the reactive intermediate /i-xylylene, which subsequently polymerizes on the cold substrate. In a system maintained at less than 1 Torr, p-xylylene spontaneously polymerizes on surfaces below 30°C to form... 

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