Polymerization routes

The sulfonium precursor route may also be applied to alkoxy-substituted PPVs, but a dehydrohalogenation-condensation polymerization route, pioneered by Gilch, is favored 37]. The polymerization again proceeds via a quinomethide intermediate, but die syndicsis of the conjugated polymer requires only two steps and proceeds often in improved yields. The synthesis of the much-studied poly 2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-l,4-phenylene vinylene], MEH-PPV 15 is outlined in Scheme 1-5 33, 35]. The solubility of MEH-PPV is believed to be enhanced by the branched nature of its side-chain. 

ADMET is quite possibly the most flexible transition-metal-catalyzed polymerization route known to date. With the introduction of new, functionality-tolerant robust catalysts, the primary limitation of this chemistry involves the synthesis and cost of the diene monomer that is used. ADMET gives the chemist a powerful tool for the synthesis of polymers not easily accessible via other means, and in this chapter, we designate the key elements of ADMET. We detail the synthetic techniques required to perform this reaction and discuss the wide range of properties observed from the variety of polymers that can be synthesized. For example, branched and functionalized polymers produced by this route provide excellent models (after quantitative hydrogenation) for the study of many large-volume commercial copolymers, and the synthesis of reactive carbosilane polymers provides a flexible route to solvent-resistant elastomers with variable properties. Telechelic oligomers can also be made which offer an excellent means for polymer modification or incorporation into block copolymers. All of these examples illustrate the versatility of ADMET. 

Ring-opening polymerization of 2-methylene-l,3-dioxepane (Fig. 6) represents the single example of a free radical polymerization route to PCL (51). Initiation with AIBN at SO C afforded PCL with a of 42,000 in 59% yield. While this monomer is not commercially available, the advantage of this method is that it may be used to obtain otherwise inaccessible copolymers. As an example, copolymerization with vinyl monomers has afforded copolymers of e-caprolactone with styrene, 4-vinylanisole, methyl methacrylate, and vinyl acetate. 

Beside the polymerization routes of 1,3-cyclohexadiene derivatives repetitive Diels-Alder polyadditions were widely used to prepare arylated PPPs. Stille et al. developed a set of suitable monomers (1,4-diethynylbenzene and 1,4-phenyl-ene-bis(triphenylcyclopentadienone) derivatives) to generate phenylated PPPs (e.g. 17) with molecular weights of 20,000-100,000 [31]. Unfortunately, the repetitive polyadditon does not proceed regioselectively polymers containing para-as well as mefa-phenylene units within the main chain skeleton are formed. 

Three approaches have been developed for the synthesis of polyphosphazenes. These are (1) The macromolecular substitution route (2) The cyclic trlmer or tetramer substitution/polymerization route, and (3) Direct synthesis from organosllylphosphazene monomers. This last method Is described In detail In another Chapter and will not be considered further In this review. 

A radical initiator based on the oxidation adduct of an alkyl-9-BBN (47) has been utilized to produce poly(methylmethacrylate) (48) (Fig. 31) from methylmethacrylate monomer by a living anionic polymerization route that does not require the mediation of a metal catalyst. The relatively broad molecular weight distribution (PDI = (MJM ) 2.5) compared with those in living anionic polymerization cases was attributed to the slow initiation of the polymerization.69 A similar radical polymerization route aided by 47 was utilized in the synthesis of functionalized syndiotactic polystyrene (PS) polymers by the copolymerization of styrene.70 The borane groups in the functionalized syndiotactic polystyrenes were transformed into free-radical initiators for the in situ free-radical graft polymerization to prepare s-PS-g-PMMA graft copolymers. 

Figure 31 The radical initiator (47) based on the oxidation adduct of an alkyl-9-BBN used for the production of poly(methyhnethacrylate) (48) from methylmethacrylate monomer by the radical polymerization route. (Adapted from ref. 69.)...

At AWE, the Lewis acid-catalyzed bulk polymerization route has been the main synthesis route to poly(m-carborane-siloxane) elastomers. Our selection has been based on considerations of safety, availability of key reagents, and ease of scale-up operations. An understanding of the physical and chemical properties of these materials, and how these properties can be modified through the synthesis process, is essential in order to develop materials of controlled characteristics. 

The English experience eventually developed into the high-pressure polymerization route to Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The German experiment was the forerunner of the low-pressure route to High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). 

One of the polymerization routes involves polymerization of one or the other of the double bounds in the usual manner. The other route involves the two double bonds acting in a unique and concerted manner. Thus addition of an initiating radical to a 1,3-diene such as 1,3-butadiene yields an allylic radical with the two equivalent resonance forms LI and LII... 

Isomeric polymers can also be obtained from a single monomer if there is more than one polymerization route. The head-to-head placement that can occur in the polymerization of a vinyl monomer is isomeric with the normal head-to-tail placement (see structures III and IV in Sec. 3-2a). Isomerization during carbocation polymerization is another instance whereby isomeric structures can be formed (Sec. 5-2b). Monomers with two polymerizable groups can yield isomeric polymers if one or the other of the two alternate polymerization routes is favored. Examples of this type of isomerism are the 1,2- and 1,4-polymers from 1,3-dienes (Secs. 3-14f and 8-10), the separate polymerizations of the alkene and carbonyl double bonds in ketene and acrolein (Sec. 5-7a), and the synthesis of linear or cyclized polymers from non-conjugated dienes (Sec. 6-6b). The different examples of constitutional isomerism are important to note from the practical viewpoint, since the isomeric polymers usually differ considerably in their properties. 

The second strategy for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of block copolymers from enzymatic macroinitiators employs an individual modification step of the enzymatic block with an initiator for the chemical polymerization (route B in Fig. 4). This strategy has the advantage that it does not depend on a high incorporation rate of the dual initiator. On the other hand, quantitative end-functionalization becomes more... 

Poly(amic dialkyl amides), which represent the other type of derivatized polyfamic acid) have been prepared by derivatization of poly(isoimide) [57] as well as monomer derivatization and subsequent polymerization [60]. Whereas the poly(isoimide) derivatization route has a pronounced tendency to produce poly(amic amides) with significant levels of imidization, the monomer derivatization and polymerization route reported in the literature is also not amenable to preparing well-defined polyfamic amides). The use of thionyl chloride to... 

ODA). These polymers are characterized by excellent high temperature properties with Tgs typically above 270 °C and continuous service temperatures of about 230 °C. The PAIs utilized here for blending studies were prepared by a simple solution polymerization route, i.e., by reacting trimellitic anhydride acid chloride and 6FDA and diamine monomer (ODA and MDA) in an appropriate solvent (e.g., DM Ac). 

Synthesis, The first Fully alkyl/aryl-subsiiluted polymers were reported in 1980 via a condensation-polymerization route. In addition lo providing fully alkyl/aryl-Mihsiiuiled poly pliospha/enes. the versatility of ihe process has allowed the preparation of various functionalized polymers and copolymers. 

The principal type of polymerization of PVC is the suspension polymerization route. The morphology formed during polymerization strongly influences the processibdity and physical properties. 

Synthesis. The first fully alkyl/aryl-substituted polymers were reported in 1980 via a condensation—polymerization route. The method involves, first, the synthesis of organophosphine-containing alkyl or aryl substituents, followed by the ready oxidation of the phosphine to a phosphorane with leaving groups suitable for a 1,2-ehmination reaction. This phosphorane is then thermally condensed to polymers in which all phosphoms atoms bear alkyl or aryl substituents. This condensation synthesis is depicted in Figure 2 (5—7,64). 

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