Polymer step-growth polymerization

It is the third of these criteria that offers the most powerful insight into the nature of the polymerization process for this important class of materials. We shall frequently use the terms step-growth and condensation polymers as synonyms, although by the end of the chapter it will be apparent that step-growth polymerization encompasses a wider range of reactions and products than either criteria (1) or (2) above would indicate. 

Discussion of ladder polymers also enables us to introduce a step-growth polymerization that deviates from the simple condensation reactions which we have described almost exclusively in this chapter. The Diels-Alder reaction is widely used in the synthesis of both ladder and semiladder polymers. In general, the Diels-Alder reaction occurs between a diene [XVI] and a dienophile [XVll] and yields an adduct with a ring structure [XVlll] ... 

This expression gives the number fraction or mole fraction of n-mers in the polymer and is thus equivalent to Eq. (5.25) for step-growth polymerization. 

I ovolac Synthesis and Properties. Novolac resins used in DNQ-based photoresists are the most complex, the best-studied, the most highly engineered, and the most widely used polymers in microlithography. Novolacs are condensation products of phenoHc monomers (typically cresols or other alkylated phenols) and formaldehyde, formed under acid catalysis. Figure 13 shows the polymerization chemistry and polymer stmcture formed in the step growth polymerization (31) of novolac resins. 

The neat resin preparation for PPS is quite compHcated, despite the fact that the overall polymerization reaction appears to be simple. Several commercial PPS polymerization processes that feature some steps in common have been described (1,2). At least three different mechanisms have been pubUshed in an attempt to describe the basic reaction of a sodium sulfide equivalent and -dichlorobenzene these are S Ar (13,16,19), radical cation (20,21), and Buimett s (22) Sj l radical anion (23—25) mechanisms. The benzyne mechanism was ruled out (16) based on the observation that the para-substitution pattern of the monomer, -dichlorobenzene, is retained in the repeating unit of the polymer. Demonstration that the step-growth polymerization of sodium sulfide and /)-dichlorohenzene proceeds via the S Ar mechanism is fairly recent (1991) (26). Eurther complexity in the polymerization is the incorporation of comonomers that alter the polymer stmcture, thereby modifying the properties of the polymer. Additionally, post-polymerization treatments can be utilized, which modify the properties of the polymer. Preparation of the neat resin is an area of significant latitude and extreme importance for the end user. 

Lee, Y.-M. and Lee, L.J., 1987. Effect of mixing and reaction on a fast step growth polymerization. International Polymer Processing, 1, 144-152. 

Thiol-ene polymerization was first reported in 1938.220 In this process, a polymer chain is built up by a sequence of thiyl radical addition and chain transfer steps (Scheme 7.17). The thiol-ene process is unique amongst radical polymerizations in that, while it is a radical chain process, the rate of molecular weight increase is more typical of a step-growth polymerization. Polymers ideally consist of alternating residues derived from the diene and the dithiol. However, when dienes with high kp and relatively low A-, monomers (e.g. acrylates) are used, short sequences of units derived from the diene are sometimes formed. 

The remainder of this introductory chapter covers a few general but important parameters of step-growth polymerization. References are provided throughout the chapter if further information is desired. Further details of specific polymers made by step-growth polymerization are provided in subsequent chapters within this book. 

Even within a particular class of polymers made by step-growth polymerization, monomer composition can be varied to produce a wide range of polymer properties. For example, polyesters and polyamides can be low-Tg, amorphous materials or high-Tg, liquid crystalline materials depending on the monomer composition. 

Nearly all of the polymers produced by step-growth polymerization contain heteroatoms and/or aromatic rings in the backbone. One exception is polymers produced from acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization.22 Hydrocarbon polymers with carbon-carbon double bonds are readily produced using ADMET polymerization techniques. Polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, and polyurethanes can be produced from aliphatic monomers with appropriate functional groups (Fig. 1.1). In these aliphatic polymers, the concentration of the linking groups (ester, carbonate, amide, or urethane) in the backbone greatly influences the physical properties. 

Monomers of die type Aa B. are used in step-growth polymerization to produce a variety of polymer architectures, including stars, dendrimers, and hyperbranched polymers.26 28 The unique architecture imparts properties distinctly different from linear polymers of similar compositions. These materials are finding applications in areas such as resin modification, micelles and encapsulation, liquid crystals, pharmaceuticals, catalysis, electroluminescent devices, and analytical chemistry. 

Dendrimers produced by divergent or convergent methods are nearly perfectly branched with great structural precision. However, the multistep synthesis of dendrimers can be expensive and time consuming. The treelike structure of dendrimers can be approached through a one-step synthetic methodology.31 The step-growth polymerization of ABx-type monomers, particularly AB2, results in a randomly branched macromolecule referred to as hyperbranch polymers. 

Hyperbranched polymers are characterized by their degree of branching (DB). Hie DB of polymers obtained by the step-growth polymerization of AB2-type monomers is defined by Eq. (2.1) in which dendritic units have two reacted B-groups, linear units have one reacted B-group, and terminal units have two unreacted B-groups191 ... 

Assuming that no intramolecular or side reactions take place and that all groups are equireactive, the polydispersity index, 7P, of hyperbranched polymers obtained by step-growth polymerization of ABX monomers is given by Eq. (2.2), where pA is die conversion in A groups.196 Note that the classical Flory relationship DPn = 1/(1 — pa) holds for ABX monomer polymerizations ... 

At about die same time, die application of the Suzuki coupling, the crosscoupling of boronic acids widi aryl-alkenyl halides in die presence of a base and a catalytic amount of palladium catalyst (Scheme 9.12),16 for step-growth polymerization also appeared. Schliiter et al. reported die synthesis of soluble poly(para-phenylene)s by using the Suzuki coupling condition in 1989 (Scheme 9.13).17 Because aryl-alkenyl boronic acids are readily available and moisture stable, the Suzuki coupling became one of die most commonly used mediods for die synthesis of a variety of polymers.18... 

Recently developed catalyst systems make it possible to construct carbon (.v/>2 )-catbon (sp3) bonds and carbon-nitrogen bonds under mild conditions (Scheme 9.14).19,20 These new developments have also been incorporated into step-growth polymerization. Kanbara et al. reported the synthesis of polyanilines and related polymers in 1996 (Scheme 9.15).21 Wang and Wu reported the synthesis of polyketones in 1999 (Scheme 9.16).22... 

Like other step-growth polymerization methods, factors such as the monomer purity, ratio of the monomers, conversion, temperature, and concentration will greatly influence the transition metal coupling polymerization. These factors have to be taken into account when higher molecular weight polymers need to be prepared.33... 

Step-growth polymer industry, 2 Step-growth polymerization processes, design of, 13 Step-growth polymers applications for, 2 histoiy of, 1 -2... 

Step growth polymerization. Important polymers manufactured by step growth are polyamides (nylons), polyesters, and polyurethanes. 

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