Vinyl oligomers

In a previous work [1,2], we were interested in the calculation of second order hyperpolarizabilities of eonjugated systems including substituted benzenes, pyridine N-oxydes and vinyl oligomers, in relation with non linear optical activity [3]. We showed that MNDO ealeulations were in good agreement with SCF ab initio results obtained using a double zeta basis set plus polarization and diffuse orbitals. 

Figure 3. Synthesis of ethylene oxide-based multifunctional acrylic vinyl oligomers.

Synthesis of Tetramethyldisiloxane-based Multifunctional Vinyl Oligomers. The... 

Figure 7. Idealized representation of a vinyl oligomer showing intramolecular cyclization and crosslinking.

Many polymers have been analysed by SFC, namely styrene and vinyl oligomers, polysiloxanes, polysaccharides, polyethers, polyesters, polyolefins and waxes, and low-molecular mass epoxy, acrylate and isocyanate oligomers. Each type of polymer will be dealt with in a separate subsection. A summary of polymer applications by SFC is listed in Table 9.3. 

Zhao, T, Zheng, Y., Poly, J., Wang, W. Controlled multi-vinyl monomer homopolymerization through vinyl oligomer combination as a universal approach to hyperbranched architectures. Nat. Commun. 4, Article number 1873 (2013)... 

Anionic oligomerization with slow chain initiation or transfer Oligo-styrene and other vinyl oligomers 10" - 10 ... 

With Lewis acids as catalysts, compounds containing more than one alkoxy group on a carbon atom add across vinyl ether double bonds. Acetals give 3-alkoxyacetals since the products are also acetals, they can react further with excess vinyl ether to give oligomers (228—230). Orthoformic esters give diacetals of malonaldehyde (231). With Lewis acids and mercuric salts as catalysts, vinyl ethers add in similar fashion to give acetals of 3-butenal (232,233). 

Polyester composition can be determined by hydrolytic depolymerization followed by gas chromatography (28) to analyze for monomers, comonomers, oligomers, and other components including side-reaction products (ie, DEG, vinyl groups, aldehydes), plasticizers, and finishes. Mass spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy can provide valuable composition information, including end group analysis (47,101,102). X-ray fluorescence is commonly used to determine metals content of polymers, from sources including catalysts, delusterants, or tracer materials added for fiber identification purposes (28,102,103). 

A second type of uv curing chemistry is used, employing cationic curing as opposed to free-radical polymerization. This technology uses vinyl ethers and epoxy resins for the oligomers, reactive resins, and monomers. The initiators form Lewis acids upon absorption of the uv energy and the acid causes cationic polymerization. Although this chemistry has improved adhesion and flexibility and offers lower viscosity compared to the typical acrylate system, the cationic chemistry is very sensitive to humidity conditions and amine contamination. Both chemistries are used commercially. 

Vinyl ethers can also be formulated with acryHc and unsaturated polyesters containing maleate or fumarate functionaHty. Because of their abiHty to form alternating copolymers by a free-radical polymeri2ation mechanism, such formulations can be cured using free-radical photoinitiators. With acryHc monomers and oligomers, a hybrid approach has been taken using both simultaneous cationic and free-radical initiation. A summary of these approaches can be found in Table 9. 

Newer silicone adhesives having solids levels up to 97% are also commercially available [109]. Instead of using silanol condensation reactions, they rely on addition chemistry between vinyl functional silicone oligomers and silicon hydride terminated silicones. This addition reaction is typically facilitated with platinum derived catalysts. This hydrosilation process can be run at reduced oven temperatures, but the finished products typically do not yield the same balance of properties as seen for condensation cure materials. 

Liquid organic rubbers with reactive functionality can be prepared by several methods. End-functional oligomers are preferred. Chains attached to the network at only one end do not contribute as much strength to the network as those attached at both ends [34], Urethane chemistry is a handy route to such molecules. A hydroxy-terminated oligomer (commonly a polyester or a polyether) can be reacted with excess diisocyanate, and then with a hydroxy methacrylate to form a reactive toughener [35]. The methacrylate ends undergo copolymerization with the rest of the acrylic monomers. The resulting adhesive is especially effective on poIy(vinyl chloride) shown in Scheme 2. 

Stoicescu and Dimonie103 studied the polymerization of 2-vinylfuran with iodine in methylene chloride between 20 and 50 °C. The time-conversion curves were not analysed for internal orders but external orders with respect to catalyst and monomer were both unity. Together with an overall activation energy of 2.5 kcal/mole for the polymerization process, these were the only data obtained. Observations about the low DP s of the products, their dark colour, their lack of bound iodine and the presence of furan rings in the oligomers, inferred by infrared spectra (not reported), completed the experimental evidence. The authors proposed a linear, vinylic structure for the polymer, and a true cationic mechanism for its formation and discussed the occurrence of an initial charge-transfer complex on the... 

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