Polyphenylene

This polymer is completely aromatic in character. Polymerization of benzene to polyphenylene was therefore investigated quite thoroughly. Benzene and other aromatic 

The yield of polymers reaches a maximum value (close to quantitative) at an aluminum chloride to cupric chloride molar ratio of 2 1. ° Solvents, concentrations, and temperatures affect the molecular weights of the products. Other Lewis acids that are effective in benzene polymerizations are MoCb, 

and MoOCU. The products, however, t Theoretical considerations indicate  

Syntheses also include formations of copolymers with other aromatics compounds that lack substituents. The polymers with hexyl or longer side chains are soluble in toluene. 

This polymer is completely aromatic in character [182]. Polymerization of benzene to polyphenylene was, therefore, investigated quite thoroughly [184,185]. Benzene [186] and other aromatic structures [184, 185] polymerize by what is believed to be a radical-cationic mechanism. In this type of polymerization, benzene polymerizes under mild conditions in the presence of certain Lewis acids combined with oxidizing agents [186-188]  

Theoretical considerations indicate [183] that during the polymerizatirm the benzene rings become associated in a stacked end to end arrangement. As a result, the radical-cation becomes delocalized over the entire chain  

The CT bond formation shown above can also be accompanied by simultaneous depropagation and loss of benzene molecules. Chain buildup stops when the radical-cation on the terminal phenyl group becomes too small to promote further association. 

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Polyphenylene polymers can be prepared by this coupling. For example, the preparation of poly(/i-quaterphenylene-2,2 -dicarboxylic acid) (643) was carried out using aqueous NaHCO and a water-soluble phosphine ligand (DPMSPP)[5I I]. Branched polyphenylene was also prepared[5l2). 

In polymers such as polystyrene that do not readily undergo charring, phosphoms-based flame retardants tend to be less effective, and such polymers are often flame retarded by antimony—halogen combinations (see Styrene). However, even in such noncharring polymers, phosphoms additives exhibit some activity that suggests at least one other mode of action. Phosphoms compounds may produce a barrier layer of polyphosphoric acid on the burning polymer (4,5). Phosphoms-based flame retardants are more effective in styrenic polymers blended with a char-forming polymer such as polyphenylene oxide or polycarbonate. 

Triphenyl phosphate [115-86-6] C gH O P, is a colorless soHd, mp 48—49°C, usually produced in the form of flakes or shipped in heated vessels as a hquid. An early appHcation was as a flame retardant for cellulose acetate safety film. It is also used in cellulose nitrate, various coatings, triacetate film and sheet, and rigid urethane foam. It has been used as a flame-retardant additive for engineering thermoplastics such as polyphenylene oxide—high impact polystyrene and ABS—polycarbonate blends. 

Trilialophenols can be converted to poly(dihaloph.enylene oxide)s by a reaction that resembles radical-initiated displacement polymerization. In one procedure, either a copper or silver complex of the phenol is heated to produce a branched product (50). In another procedure, a catalytic quantity of an oxidizing agent and the dry sodium salt in dimethyl sulfoxide produces linear poly(2,6-dichloro-l,4-polyphenylene oxide) (51). The polymer can also be prepared by direct oxidation with a copper—amine catalyst, although branching in the ortho positions is indicated by chlorine analyses (52). 

Polyphenylene oxide)s. Properties Comparison Chart, General Electric Co., Pittsfield, Mass., 1969. 

Polymerization Solvent. Sulfolane can be used alone or in combination with a cosolvent as a polymerization solvent for polyureas, polysulfones, polysUoxanes, polyether polyols, polybenzimidazoles, polyphenylene ethers, poly(l,4-benzamide) (poly(imino-l,4-phenylenecarbonyl)), sUylated poly(amides), poly(arylene ether ketones), polythioamides, and poly(vinylnaphthalene/fumaronitrile) initiated by laser (134—144). Advantages of using sulfolane as a polymerization solvent include increased polymerization rate, ease of polymer purification, better solubilizing characteristics, and improved thermal stabUity. The increased polymerization rate has been attributed not only to an increase in the reaction temperature because of the higher boiling point of sulfolane, but also to a decrease in the activation energy of polymerization as a result of the contribution from the sulfonic group of the solvent. 

Common conductive polymers are poly acetylene, polyphenylene, poly-(phenylene sulfide), polypyrrole, and polyvinylcarba2ole (123) (see Electrically conductive polymers). A static-dissipative polymer based on a polyether copolymer has been aimounced (124). In general, electroconductive polymers have proven to be expensive and difficult to process. In most cases they are blended with another polymer to improve the processibiUty. Conductive polymers have met with limited commercial success. 

A-Substituted polypyrazoles can also be obtained by using A-alkylhydrazines, and it should be noted that these polymers consist of a random mixture of head-to-head and head-to-tail structures. Other syntheses of polypyrazoles have been described in the literature. Thus polyphenylene pyrazoles (742) and (743) occurred when m- or p-diethynyl-benzene (DEB) reacted with 1,3-dipoles such as sydnones or bis(nitrilimines) (Scheme 64). 

Polypropylene has a chemical resistance about the same as that of polyethylene, but it can be used at 120°C (250°F). Polycarbonate is a relatively high-temperature plastic. It can be used up to 150°C (300°F). Resistance to mineral acids is good. Strong alkalies slowly decompose it, but mild alkalies do not. It is partially soluble in aromatic solvents and soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons. Polyphenylene oxide has good resistance to ahphatic solvents, acids, and bases but poor resistance to esters, ketones, and aromatic or chlorinated solvents. 

Polyphenylene suLtide (PPS) has no known solvents below 190 to 205°C (375 to400°F) mechanical properties of PPS are unaffected by exposures in air at 230°C (450°F). It is resistant to aqueous inorganic salts and bases. 

When chloroform or methanol is used as the solvent for the oxidation of phenols, other products, originating from coupling of aryloxy radicals, e.g., polyphenylene ethers and/or diphenoquinones, are also formed. ... 

Negative mass spectrum from polyphenylene sulfide, 0-250 amu. 

Polymers containing oxazoline groups are obtained either by grafting the 2-oxazoline onto a suitable existing polymer such as polyethylene or polyphenylene oxide or alternatively by copolymerising a monomer such as styrene or methyl methacrylate with a small quantity (<1%) of a 2-oxazoline. The grafting reaction may be carried out very rapidly (3-5 min) in an extruder at temperatures of about 200°C in the presence of a peroxide such as di-t-butyl peroxide Figure 7.13). 

The uses of blends of polystyrene with the so-called polyphenylene oxide polymers are discussed in Chapter 21. 

The polyetherimides are competitive not only with other high-performance polymers such as the polysulphones and polyketones but also with polyphenylene sulphides, polyarylates, polyamide-imides and the polycarbonates. 

The successful development of polyfethylene terephthalate) fibres such as Dacron and Terylene stimulated extensive research into other polymers containing p-phenylene groups in the main chain. This led to not only the now well-established polycarbonates (see Chapter 20) but also to a wide range of other materials. These include the aromatic polyamides (already considered in Chapter 18), the polyphenylene ethers, the polyphenylene sulphides, the polysulphones and a range of linear aromatic polyesters. 

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. 

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