Stepwise addition polymerization

For the synthesis of block copolymers chain addition polymerization (ionic or radical) as well as condensation polymerization and stepwise addition polymerization can be used. 

Condensation polymerization and stepwise addition polymerization are, for example, applied for the preparation of block polyesters. The synthesis concepts are different from those of chain polymerization in that at least one monomer is an oligomer with one or two functional end groups, for example polytetrahy-drofurane with a molecular weight of several hundred and OH-end groups (see Example 3-23). If this oligomer partially replaces butandiol in the condensation polymerization with terephthalic acid (compare examples 4-1 and 4-2), a po-ly(ether ester) is obtained with hard ester segments and soft ether segments and with the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer. 

Stepwise addition polymerization is used in the preparation of segmented polyurethanes (compare Sect. 4.2.1), e.g., poly(ester ether) urethanes which also find application in thermoplastic elastomers. Here, both blocks are preformed separately and are linked together by reaction with isocyanates ... 

Thus, it is assumed that the reactivity is independent of molecular weight. This principle of equal reactivity holds true for both condensation and stepwise addition polymerizations. It means that there is no difference in the reactivity of the end groups of monomer, dimer, etc. and, therefore, that the rate constant is independent of the degree of polymerization over the total duration of reaction. 

Table4.1. Degree of polymerization P and number-average molecular weight M (assuming a structural element of molecular weight 100) as a function of conversion in condensation and stepwise addition polymerizations...

If the equilibrium constant K has a value between 1 and 10, less than a thousandth of the total amount of water formed in the reaction mixture is sufficient to prevent the formation of really high-molecular-weight condensation polymers. Hence it follows that it is extremely important to remove as completely as possible the low-molecular-weight reaction products, for example, water, eliminated during a polycondensation. In principle, these equilibriums are also known in stepwise addition polymerizations (polyaddition) like the back-reactions of urethane groups. Since they mostly occur at higher temperatures only, they can be neglected. 

First Reaction (Stepwise Addition Polymerization) Preparation of the Polyfamide Acid)... 

Polyurethanes are macromolecules in which the constitutional repeating units (CRUs) are coupled with one another through urethane (oxycarbonylamino) groups. They are prepared almost exclusively by stepwise addition polymerization reactions of di- or polyfunctional hydroxy compounds with di- or polyfunctional isocyanates ... 

Many homogeneous catalytic processes, in particular of anionic nature, are known, in which the polymerization takes place by stepwise addition (polymerization of ethylene oxide (34) of ethylene at low pressure and temperature with ALfia (7, 35), of styrene by Szwarc catalysts (36), for which the growth of the macromolecule can last for a very long time). This led some researchers to talk of a life of macromolecules and of living molecules (37). 

The process of synthesizing high-molecular-weight copolymers by the polymerization of mixed cyclics is well established and widely used in the silicone industry. However, the microstructure which depends on several reaction parameters is not easily predictable. The way in which the sequences of the siloxane units are built up is directed by the relative reactivities of the monomers and the active chain-ends. In this process the different cyclics are mixed together and copolymerized. The reaction is initiated by basic or acidic catalysts and a stepwise addition polymerization kinetic scheme is followed. Cyclotrisiloxanes are most frequently used in these copolymerizations since the chain growth mechanism dominates the kinetics and redistribution reactions involving the polymer chain are of negligible importance. Several different copolymers may be obtained by this process. They will be monodisperse and free from cyclics and their microstructure can be varied from pure block to pure random copolymers. 

Table 4.2 Degree of polymerization P as a function of the ratio of the functional groups A and B in condensation and stepwise addition polymerizations (conversion 100% with respect to A, i.e., component A has completely reacted) ...

Stepwise addition polymerizations (polyaddition) or condensation polymerizations (polycondensation) are possible polyreacticais for the first step. The two latter combinations attained interest in the technical synthesis of polyimides and polybenzimidazoles. 

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