Computer simulation of reactive extrusion processes for free radical polymerization

The reactive extrusion for polymerization is an integrated polymer processing technology. A new semi-implicit iterative algorithm was proposed to deal with the complicated relationships among the chemical reaction, the macromolecular structure and the chemorheological property. Then the numerical computation expressions of the average molecular weight, the monomer conversion, and the initiator concentration were deduced, and the computer simulation of the reactive extrusion process for free radical polymerization was carried out, on basis of which reactive processing conditions can be optimized.

Synthesis of a (sic)-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and living anionic polymerization

The functionalization of monomer units in the form of macroinitiators in an orthogonal fashion yields more predictable macromolecular architectures and complex polymers. Therefore, a new there exists E-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer, (PMMA)(2)-PEO-(PS)(2)-PEO-(PMMA)(2) [where PMMA is poly(methyl methacrylate), PEO is poly (ethylene oxide), and PS is polystyrene], has been designed and successfully synthesized by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and living anionic polymerization. The synthesis of meso-2,3-dibromosuccinic acid acetate/diethylene glycol was used to initiate the polymerization of styrene via ATRP to yield linear (HO)(2)-PS2 with two active hydroxyl groups by living anionic polymerization via diphenylmethylpotassium to initiate the polymerization of ethylene oxide. Afterwards, the synthesized miktoarm-4 amphiphilic block copolymer, (HO-PEO)(2)-PS2, was esterified with 2,2-dichloroacetyl chloride to form a macroinitiator that initiated the polymerization of methyl methacrylate via ATRP to prepare the there exists E-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer.

Achiral lanthanide alkyl complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalysis of highly heteroselective ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide

Alkane elimination reactions of amino-amino-bis(phenols) H2L1-4, Salan H2L5, and methoxy-beta-diimines HL6,7 with lanthanide tris(alkyl) s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) (Ln = Y, Lu), respectively, afforded a series of lanthanide alkyl complexes 1-8 with the release of tetramethylsilane. Complexes 1-6 are THF-solvated mono( alkyl) s stabilized by O, N, N, O-tetradentate ligands. Complexes 1-3 and 5 adopt twisted octahedral geometry, whereas 4 contains a tetragonal bipyramidal core. Bearing a monoanionic moiety L-6 (L-7), complex 7 ( 8) is a THF-free bis(alkyl). In complex 7, the O, N, N-tridentate ligand combined with two alkyl species forms a tetrahedral coordination core. Complexes 1, 2, and 3 displayed modest activity but high stereoselectivity for the polymerization of rac-lactide to give heterotactic polylactide with the racemic enchainment of monomer units P-r ranging from 0.95 to 0.99, the highest value reached to date. Complex 5 exhibited almost the same level of activity albeit with relatively low selectivity. In contrast, dramatic decreases in activity and stereoselectivity were found for complex 4. The Salan yttrium alkyl complex 6 was active but nonselective. Bis(alkyl) complexes 7 and 8 were more active than 1-3 toward polymerization of rac-LA, however, to afford atactic polylactides due to di-active sites. The ligand framework, especially the "bridge" between the two nitrogen atoms, played a significant role in governing the selectivity of the corresponding complexes via changing the geometry of the metal center.

Rare earth metal alkyl complexes bearing N,O,P multidentate ligands: Synthesis, characterization and catalysis on the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide

Alkane elimination reactions of rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 (Ln = Y, Lu) with the multidentate ligands HL1-4, afforded a series of new rare earth metal complexes. Yttrium, complex I supported by flexible amino-intino phenoxide ligand HL1 was isolated as homoleptic product. In the reaction of rigid phosphino-imino phenoxide ligand HL 2 with equintolar Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, HL 2 was deprotonated by the metal alkyl and its imino C=N group was reduced to C-N by intramolecular alkylation, generating THF-solvated mono-alkyl complexes (2a: Ln = Y; 2b: Ln = Lu). The di-ligand chelated yttriurn complex 3 without alkyl moiety was isolated when the molar ratio of HL 2 to Y(CH,SiMe3)3(THF)2 increased to 2: 1. Reaction of steric phosphino beta-ketoiminato ligand HL 3 with equimolar Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 afforded di-ligated mono-alkyl complexes (4a: Ln = Y; 4b: Ln = Lu) without occurrence of intramolecular alkylation or formation of homoleptic product. Treatment of tetradentate methoxy-amino phenol HL 4 with Y(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 afforded a monomeric yttrium bis-alkyl complex of THF-free. The resultant complexes were characterized by IR, NMR spectrum and X-ray diffraction analyses.All alkyl complexes exhibited high activity toward the ring-opening polymerization Of L-lactide to give isotactic polylactide with controllable molecular weight and narrow to moderate polydispersity.

Pyrrolide-supported lanthanide alkyl complexes. Influence of ligands on molecular structure and catalytic activity toward isoprene polymerization

The N,N- bidentate ligands 2- {( N- 2,6- R) iminomethyl)} pyrrole ( HL1, R) dimethylphenyl; HL2, R) diisopropylphenyl) have been prepared. HL1 reacted readily with 1 equiv of lanthanide tris( alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), affording lanthanide bis(alkyl) complexes L(1)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)(n) (1a, Ln= Lu, n = 2; 1b, Ln = Sc, n = 1) via alkane elimination. Reaction of the bulky ligand HL2 with 1 equiv of Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)( THF)(2) gave the bis(pyrrolylaldiminato) lanthanide mono(alkyl) complexes L(2)(2)Ln- (CH2SiMe3)(THF) (2a, Ln) Lu; 2b, Ln = Sc), selectively. The N,N- bidentate ligand HL3, 2- dimethylaminomethylpyrrole, reacted with Ln( CH2SiMe3) 3( THF) 2, generating bimetallic bis( alkyl) complexes of central symmetry ( 3a, Ln = Y; 3b, Ln = Lu; 3c, Ln = Sc). Treatment of the N,N,N,N- tetradentate ligand H2L4, 2,2'-bis(2,2-dimethylpropyldiimino) methylpyrrole, with equimolar Lu(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) afforded a C-2- symmetric binuclear complex ( 4). Complexes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 4 represent rare examples of THF- free binuclear lanthanide bis( alkyl) complexes supported by non- cyclopentadienyl ligands. All complexes have been tested as initiators for the polymerization of isoprene in the presence of AlEt3 and [ Ph3C][B(C6F5)(4)]. Complexes 1a, 1b, and 3a show activity, and 1b is the most active initiator, whereas 2a, 2b, 3b, 3c, and 4 are inert.

Pyrrolide-ligated organoyttrium complexes. Synthesis, characterization, and lactide polymerization behavior

The N,N-bidentate ligand 2-{(N-2,6-diisopropylphenyl)iminomethyl)}pyrrole (L-1) and the N,N,P-tridentate ligand 2-{(N-2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)iminomethyl)}pyrrole (L-2) have been prepared. Their reactions with homoleptic yttrium tris(alkyl) compound Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) have been investigated. Treatment of Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) with 1 equiv of L-1 generated a THF-solvated bimetallic (pyrrolylaldiminato)yttrium mono(alkyl) complex (1) of central symmetry. In this process, L-1 is deprotonated by metal alkyl and its imino CN group is reduced to C-N by intramolecular alkylation, generating dianionic species that bridge two yttrium alkyl units in a unique eta(5)/eta(1):kappa(1) mode. The pyrrolyl ring behaves as a heterocyclopentadienyl ligand. Reaction of Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) with 2 equiv of L-1 afforded the monomeric bis(pyrrolylaldiminato)yttrium mono(alkyl) complex (2), selectively. Amination of 2 with 2,6-diisopropylaniline gave the corresponding yttrium amido complex (3). In 3 the pyrrolide ligand is monoanionic and bonds to the yttrium atom in a eta(1):kappa(1) mode. The homoleptic tris(eta(1):kappa(1)-pyrrolylaldiminato)yttrium complex (4) was isolated when the molar ratio of L-1 to Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) increases to 3:1. Reaction of L-2 with equimolar Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) afforded an asymmetric binuclear complex (5).

Mixed ligands supported yttrium alkyl complexes: Synthesis, characterization and catalysis toward lactide polymerization

Treatment of yttrium tris(alkyl)s, Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), by equimolar H(C5Me4)SiMe3(HCp') and indene (Ind-H) afforded (eta(5)-Cp')Y(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF) (1) and (eta(5)-Ind)Y(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF) (2) via alkane elimination, respectively. Complex 1 reacted with methoxyamino phenols, 4,6-(CH3)(2)-2-[(MeOCH2CH2)(2)-NCH2]-C6H2-OH (HL1) and 4,6-(CMe3)(2)-2-[(MeOCH2CH2)(2)-NCH2]-C6H2OH (HL2) gave mixed ligands supported alkyl complexes [(eta(5)-Cp')(L)]Y(CH2SiMe3) (3: L = L-1; 4: L = L-2). Whilst, complex 2 was treated with HL2 to yield [(eta(5)-Ind)(L-2)]Y(CH2SiMe3) (5). The molecular structures of 3 and 5 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction to be mono(alkyl)s of THF-free, adopting pyramidal and tetragonal-bipyramidal geometry, respectively. Complexes 3 and 5 were high active initiators for the ring-opening polymerization Of L-lactide to give isotactic polylactide with high molecular weight and narrow to moderate polydispersity.

Rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes bearing amino phosphine ligands: Synthesis and catalytic activity toward ethylene polymerization

Reactions of neutral amino phosphine compounds HL1-3 with rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), afforded a new family of organolanthanide complexes, the molecular structures of which are strongly dependent on the ligand framework. Alkane elimination reactions between 2-(CH3NH)-C6H4P(Ph)(2) (HL1) and Lu(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) at room temperature for 3 h generated mono(alkyl) complex (L-1)(2)Lu(CH2SiMe3)(THF) (1). Similarly, treatment of 2-(C6H5CH2NH)-C6H4P(Ph)(2) (HL2) with Lu(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) afforded (L-2)(2)Lu(CH2SiMe3)(THF) (2), selectively, which gradually deproportionated to a homoleptic complex (L-2)(3)Lu (3) at room temperature within a week. Strikingly, under the same condition, 2-(2,6-Me2C6H3NH)-C6H4P(Ph)(2) (HL3) swiftly reacted with Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) at room temperature for 3 h to yield the corresponding lanthanide bis(alkyl) complexes L(3)Ln(CH2SiMC3)(2)(THF)(n) (4a: Ln = Y, n = 2; 4b: Ln = Sc, n = 1; 4c: Ln = Lu, n = 1; 4d: Ln = Yb, n = 1; 4e: Ln = Tm, n = 1) in high yields. All complexes have been well defined and the molecular structures of complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4b-e were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The scandium bis(alkyl) complex activated by AlEt3 and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)(4)], was able to catalyze the polymerization of ethylene to afford linear polyethylene.

Yttrium bis(alkyl) and bis(amido) complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalytic activity towards ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide

Methoxy-modified beta-diimines HL1 and HL2 reacted with Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl)s [(LY)-Y-1(CH2SiMe3)(2)] (1) and [(LY)-Y-2(CH2SiMe3)(2)] (2), respectively. Amination of 1 with 2,6-diisopropyl aniline gave the bis(amido) counterpart [(LY)-Y-1{N(H)(2,6-iPr(2)-C6H3)}(2)] (3), selectively. Treatment of Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) with methoxy-modified anilido imine HL3 yielded bis(alkyl) complex [(LY)-Y-3(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)] (4) that sequentially reacted with 2,6-diisopropyl aniline to give the bis(amido) analogue [(LY)-Y-3{N(H)(2,6-iPr(2)-C6H3)}(2)] (5). Complex 2 was "base-free" monomer, in which the tetradentate beta-diiminato ligand was meridional with the two alkyl species locating above and below it, generating tetragonal bipyramidal core about the metal center. Complex 3 was asymmetric monomer containing trigonal bipyramidal core with trans-arrangement of the amido ligands. In contrast, the two cis-located alkyl species in complex 4 were endo and exo towards the 0,N,N tridentate anilido-imido moiety. The bis(amido) complex 5 was confirmed to be structural analogue to 4 albeit without THF coordination. All these yttrium complexes are highly active initiators for the ring-opening polymerization Of L-LA at room temperature.

(R,R)-DPEN-modified Ru/gamma-Al2O3 - An efficient heterogeneous catalyst for enantioselective hydrogenation of acetophenone

An efficient enantioselective catalyst of 5 wt.% Ru/-gamma-Al2O3 modified with R,R-1,2-diphenylethylene-diamine ((R,R)-DPEN) for the hydrogenation of a non-activated aromatic ketone of acetophenone has been investigated, a relatively high enantiomeric excess (ee) of 60.5% was obtained at both the conversion and selectivity larger than 99%, it was about three times higher than the ee values reported up to now for acetophenone hydrogenation with the supported transition metal catalysts modified by chiral reagents. The influences of some reaction parameters such as phosphine ligand, substrate/catalyst/modifier molar ratios, base, solvent, pressure and reaction temperature have been discussed. The chiral modifier of (R,R)-DPEN was very important in controlling the enantioselectivity through adsorption competing with other substrates on the surface of active metal species. The phosphine ligand and base were also important and indispensable in the present reaction.

Stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte block copolymer brushes synthesized from the si wafer via atom-transfer radical polymerization

Surface-tethered oppositely charged weak polyelectrolyte block copolymer brushes composed of poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were grown from the Si wafer by atom-transfer radical polymerization. The P2VP-b-PAA brushes were prepared through hydrolysis of the second PtBA block to the corresponding acrylic acid. The P2VP-b-PAA brushes with different PAA block length were obtained. The P2VP-b-PAA brushes revealed a unique reversible wetting behavior with pH. The difference between the solubility parameters for P2VP and PAA, the changes of surface chemical composition and surface roughness, and the reversible wetting behavior illustrated that the surface rearrangement occurred during treatment of the P2VP-b-PAA brushes by aqueous solution with different pH value. The reversible properties of the P2VP-b-PAA brushes can be used to regulate the adsorption of the sulfonated PS nanoparticles.