Przemysław Kubisa

Cationic activated monomer polymerization of heterocyclic monomers

Abstract In the first part of this review the meaning of activation is discussed and selected examples of polymerizaton processes in which activation of monomer is required prior to actual propagation are presented. In some systems, activation of monomer proceeds with such a strong interaction between an activator and monomer that a new chemical entity is derived from the monomer. To describe the mechanism of such a process, the term ‘Activated Monomer Mechanism’ has been coined. The main part of the review is concerned with cationic Activated Monomer (AM) polymerization of cyclic ethers. In this process, cyclic ether is activated by formation of protonated species in the presence of a protic acid. Reaction of the protonated (activated) cyclic ether with hydroxyl group containing compounds leads to ring opening reforming the hydroxyl group. Several repetitions of such a reaction constitute a chain process. Thus, in AM polymerization of cyclic ethers hydroxyl group containing compounds act as initiator, protic acid is a catalyst, growing chain end is fitted with hydroxyl group and the charged species is a protonated monomer. The important feature of such a polymerization mechanism is that due to the absence of charged species at the growing chain end, back-biting leading to the formation of macrocyclics can be eliminated. The mechanism and kinetics of AM polymerization of cyclic ethers is discussed and the approach allowing one to determine the rate constant for propagation involving activated monomer species is outlined. The application of the AM concept to the copolymerization of cyclic ethers as well as to the polymerization of monomers containing both initiating (hydroxyl groups) and propagating (cyclic ether) functions within one molecule are presented. In the subsequent parts of the review, examples of cationic AM polymerization of other types of heterocyclic monomers, including cyclic acetals, cyclic esters (lactones), amines and amides (lactams), are given. Finally, the polyaddition of oxiranes to derivatives of phosphoric acid is discussed. Although this system does not conform to the AM polymerization scheme, it bears formal resemblance to earlier systems in such a sense that the activation of the cyclic ether is required for the reaction to occur.

Terminology for biorelated polymers and applications (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)

Like most of the materials used by humans, polymeric materials are proposed in the literature and occasionally exploited clinically, as such, as devices or as part of devices, by surgeons, dentists, and pharmacists to treat traumata and diseases. Applications have in common the fact that polymers function in contact with animal and human cells, tissues, and/or organs. More recently, people have realized that polymers that are used as plastics in packaging, as colloidal suspension in paints, and under many other forms in the environment, are also in contact with living systems and raise problems related to sustainability, delivery of chemicals or pollutants, and elimination of wastes. These problems are basically comparable to those found in therapy. Last but not least, biotechnology and renewable resources are regarded as attractive sources of polymers. In all cases, water, ions, biopolymers, cells, and tissues are involved. Polymer scientists, therapists, biologists, and ecologists should thus use the same terminology to reflect similar properties, phenomena, and mechanisms. Of particular interest is the domain of the so-called “degradable or biodegradable polymers” that are aimed at providing materials with specific time-limited applications in medicine and in the environment where the respect of living systems, the elimination, and/or the bio-recycling are mandatory, at least ideally.

Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization of Acrylates in an Ionic Liquid

The atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylates in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was investigated. The solubility of the acrylates in the ionic liquid depends on the substituent. The homogeneous polymerization of methyl acrylate gives polymers with Mn close to the calculated value and relatively narrow polydispersity. In heterogeneous polymerizations of higher acrylates, with the catalyst present in the ionic liquid phase, deviations from ideal behavior are observed although the polymerization of butyl acrylate approaches the conditions of a controlled polymerization.

Branched polyether with multiple primary hydroxyl groups: polymerization of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane

Cationic polymerization of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane gives branched, soluble macromolecules with multiple glycolic end groups. There are approximately 3–4 “normal” units per one branched unit.

Terminology of polymers and polymerization processes in dispersed systems (IUPAC Recommendations 2011)

A large group of industrially important polymerization processes is carried out in dispersed systems. These processes differ with respect to their physical nature, mechanism of particle formation, particle morphology, size, charge, types of interparticle interactions, and many other aspects. Polymer dispersions, and polymers derived from polymerization in dispersed systems, are used in diverse areas such as paints, adhesives, microelectronics, medicine, cosmetics, biotechnology, and others. Frequently, the same names are used for different processes and products or different names are used for the same processes and products. The document contains a list of recommended terms and definitions necessary for the unambiguous description of processes, products, parameters, and characteristic features relevant to polymers in dispersed systems.

Studies of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylates by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl, butyl and tert-butyl acrylates was studied at conditions when low molecular weight polymers (M n ≅ 2 . 10 3 ) are formed, i.e., at relatively high concentration of initiator (ethyl 2-bromopropionate) and calatyst (CuBr/amine). MALDI TOF analysis of the polymer samples isolated at different stages of polymerization revealed that in the course of polymerization potentially active macromolecules terminated with bromine are gradually converted into inactive macromolecules devoid of terminal bromine. A possible transfer mechanism, involving amine is a component of the catalytic system, is proposed. It was shown that quantitative analysis of the MALDI TOF spectra allows one to estimate the ratio of apparent rate constants of propagation and degradative transfer, providing quantitative information to what extent the system conforms to the controlled polymerization scheme.

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS RELATING TO REACTIONS OF POLYMERS AND TO FUNCTIONAL POLYMERIC MATERIALS (IUPAC Recommendations 2003)

The document defines the terms most commonly encountered in the field of polymer reactions and functional polymers. The scope has been limited to terms that are specific to polymer systems. The document is organized into three sections. The first defines the terms relating to reactions of polymers. Names of individual chemical reactions are omitted from the document, even in cases where the reactions are important in the field of polymer reactions. The second section defines the terms relating to polymer reactants and reactive polymeric materials. The third section defines the terms describing functional polymeric materials.

Synthesis of block copolymers by atom transfer radical polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate with poly(oxyethylene) macroinitiators

Poly(oxyethylene)s terminated at both ends with 2-bromopropionate end-groups were prepared and characterized by means of MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. It was shown, that atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate with a poly(oxyethylene) macroinitiator in bulk proceeds with low initiation efficiency while polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate proceeds with practically quantitative initiation, leading to ABA block copolymers. Originally formed tert-butyl acrylate blocks contain terminal bromine, as expected for the ATRP mechanism. MALDI TOF analysis indicates, however, that in the later stages of polymerization side reactions lead to elimination of terminal bromine.

Terminology of polymers containing ionizable or ionic groups and of polymers containing ions (IUPAC Recommendations 2006)

This document defines the terms most commonly encountered in the field of polymers containing ionizable or ionic groups and polymers containing ions. The scope of the document has been limited to organic polymers. Inorganic materials, such as certain phosphates, silicates, etc., which also may be considered ionic polymers, are excluded from the present document. The terms selected are those that are widely used in the field of polymers containing ionizable or ionic groups and polymers containing ions. Only those terms that could be defined without ambiguity are considered. The terms are listed in alphabetical order, and cross-references to definitions given in other documents are provided.

Cationic copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran with ethylene oxide in the presence of diols: Composition, microstructure, and properties of copolymers

Cationic copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) with ethylene oxide (EO) in the presence of diols leads to dihydroxy terminated telechelic copolymers. In the present article the influence of copolymerization conditions on the copolymer structure was studied in view of conclusions derived from studies of copolymerization kinetics and mechanism. It was shown that according to established copolymerization mechanism, the number average molecular weights increase linearly with conversion up to M n ≅ 2500, hydroxyl end groups are bound exclusively to EO units and copolymers are composed of [EO]-[THF] y segments. Microstructure of copolymers may be to some extent regulated by changing reaction conditions. Some physical properties of copolymers also were studied.