Phase transfer free radical polymerization,

More recently, Kunieda has described ( ) a new aspect of phase transfer free radical polymerization. 

Until recently, the most detailed kinetic investigations of phase transfer free radical polymerizations were those of Jayakrishnan and Shah (11, 12). Both of these studies have been conducted in two phase aqueous/organic solvent mixtures with either potassium or ammonium persulfate as the initiator, and have corroborated our earlier conclusions (2, 3)... 

While PTC has become a powerful tool for the synthetic organic chemist, it has also had tremendous Impact in the field of polymer science. Numerous examples of polymer modification and functionalization reactions employing phase transfer catalysts have been described. Even more striking, however, has been the role of PTC in actual anionic polymerization reactions, where dramatic effects on polymerization rates, yields, and microstructure can be attributed to the catalyst. Condensation poly merizations have also been facilitated in the presence of phase transfer catalysts. Only recently we reported the first examples of phase transfer initiated free radical polymerization.The present article will detail the features of phase transfer free radical polymerizations and will also describe some of the characteristics of the polymers formed. 

PHASE TRANSFER FREE RADICAL REACTIONS POLYMERIZATION OF... 

The process of phase transfer free radical pol)mierization extends the use of typically organic insoluble free radical initiators into solution and bulk processes, whereas previously they could only be used in water based systems such as in emulsion polymerizations This is advantageous since the Initiators in question are generally more stable and therefore present fewer storage and handling problems as opposed to typical organic-soluble initiators, many of which require refrigeration, etc. 

Reversible atom transfer free radical polymerization of n-butyl acrylate was conducted in miniemulsion systems using the water-soluble initiator 2,2 -azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (V-50) and the hydrophobic ligand 4,4 -di(5-nonyl)-4,4 -bipyridine to form a complex with the copper ions [67, 80]. The resultant Cu(II) complex has a relatively large solubility in the continuous aqueous phase, but this should not impair its capability of controlling the free radical polymerization. This is because the rapid transport of the Cu(II) complex between the dispersed organic phase and the continuous aqueous phase assures an adequate concentration of the free radical deactivator. As a consequence, the controlled free radical polymerization within the homogenized monomer droplets can be achieved. 

Phase-transfer techniques are widely used for the preparation of polymers. For example, potassium fluoride is used to produce poly(etherketone)s under phase-transfer conditions (Scheme 10.18). Use of this reagent allows the chloroaro-matics to be used as starting material as opposed to the more expensive flu-oroaromatics that are usually employed [23]. This method is suitable for the synthesis of high molecular weight semicrystalline poly(ether ketone)s, although the presence of excess potassium fluoride in the reaction mixture can lead to degradation reactions. The use of a phase transfer catalyst can allow the use of water-soluble radical initiators, such as potassium peroxomonosulfate used to promote the free-radical polymerization of acrylonitrile [24],... 

Rasmussen and co-workers. Chapter 10, have shown that many free-radical polymerizations can be conducted in two-phase systems using potassium persulfate and either crown ethers or quaternary ammonium salts as initiators. When transferred to the organic phase persulfate performs far more efficiently as an initiator than conventional materials such as azobisisobutyronitrile or benzoyl peroxide. In vinyl polymerizations using PTC-persulfate initiation one can exercise precise control over reaction rates, even at low temperatures. Mechanistic aspects of these complicated systems have been worked out for this highly useful and economical method of initiation of free-radical polymerizations. 

A critical survey of the literature on free radical polymerizations in the presence of phase transfer agents indicates that the majority of these reactions are initiated by transfer of an active species (monomer or initiator) from one phase to another, although the exact details of this phase transfer may be influenced by the nature of the phase transfer catalyst and reaction medium. Initial kinetic studies of the solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate utilizing solid potassium persulfate and Aliquat 336 yield the experimental rate law ... 

In 1981 we reported (2, 3) the first examples of free radical polymerizations under phase transfer conditions. Utilizing potassium persulfate and a phase transfer catalyst (e.g. a crown ether or quaternary ammonium salt), we found the solution polymerization of acrylic monomers to be much more facile than when common organic-soluble initiators were used. Somewhat earlier, Voronkov and coworkers had reported (4) that the 1 2 potassium persulfate/18-crown-6 complex could be used to polymerize styrene and methyl methacrylate in methanol. These relatively inefficient polymerizations were apparently conducted under homogeneous conditions, although exact details were somewhat unclear. We subsequently described (5) the... 

In conclusion, several examples of free radical polymerizations under phase transfer conditions have been described in the literature since the initial reports in 1981. In all of these cases it is apparent that transfer of an active species from one phase to a second phase is intimately involved in the initiation step of the polymerization. However, it is also clear that these are complex reactions mechanistically, and one general kinetic scheme may not be sufficient to describe them all. The extent of phase transfer and the exact species transferred will depend to a large extent upon the nature of the two phases, upon the... 

As mentioned in Section 9.3, Jackson (141) has obtained estimates of the chain-transfer coefficient of the growing radical with polymer in the free-radical polymerization of ethylene, C,p, by choosing the value so as to fit the MWD. As the polymerization conditions for the polymers mentioned in Table 10.1 are not disclosed, it is necessary to choose typical conditions 220° C and 2000 atm will be selected. Under these conditions Ctp, the ratio of the rate constant for attack on polymer (per monomer unit) to that for propagation, in a homogeneous phase, was found to be about 4.0 x 10 3. This is in good agreement with the known transfer coefficients for the lower alkanes (160), when allowance is made for the differences in pressure and temperature (100). The relation between Ctp and k is ... 

These methods are based on the idea of establishing equilibrium between the active and dormant species in solution phase. In particular, the methods include three major techniques called stable free-radical polymerization (SFRP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and the degenerative chain transfer technique (DCTT) [17]. Although such syntheses pose significant technical problems, these difficulties have all been successively overcome in the last few years. Nevertheless, the procedure of preparation of the resulting copolymers remains somewhat complicated. 

Ethylene is compressed to 2,700 bar and a free-radical initiator, e.g., trace amounts of oxygen or a peroxide, is injected into the feed stream to promote the free-radical polymerization. The polyethylene polymer that is formed remains dissolved in the supercritical ethylene phase at the operating temperature, which ranges from 140 to 250°C. The heat of reaction is removed by through-wall heat transfer when the tubular reactor is used and by regulating the rate of addition of initiator when the autoclave reactor is used. 

Balakrishnan, T., and K. Arivalagan, Phase Transfer Catalyzed Free-Radical Polymerization of Acrylonitrile, J.Poly. ScL, Part A Poly. Chem., 32, 1909 (1994). 

The hkelihood of each of these events depends on the particular conditions of the system (e.g., number of polymer particles, emulsifier concentration, initiator concentration, monomer type and concentration,. ..). Within the polymer particles, polymerization fohows the same mechanisms as in bulk free-radical polymerization. These mechanisms involve chain transfer to smah molecules (e.g., monomers and CTAs), that yield small radicals. These small radicals may exit the polymer particles diffusing into the aqueous phase. Figure 6.2 illustrates the case in which monomer radicals are the exiting species. 

---