Polymer Obtained by Emulsion Polymerization Method

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Polymer Obtained by Emulsion Polymerization Method Europaisches Patentamt (19) J European Patent Office Office europeen des brevets (11) EP 0 931 795 A1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC (43) Date of publication: (51) Intel6: C08F2/22, C08F 12/00, 28.07.1999 Bulletin 1999/30 C08F 20/00, C08F2/38, (21) Application number: 96933610.6 C08L 101/00, C08L 25/00, C08L 33/00 (22) Date of filing: 11.10.1996 (86) International application number: PCT/JP96/02941 (87) International publication number: WO 98/16561 (23.04.1998 Gazette 1 998/1 6) (84) Designated Contracting States: • MASUDA, Hiroshi DE FR GB IT Nippon Carbide Kogyo K.K. Sano-ryo Tochigi 327-0818 (JP) (71) Applicant: . SERIZAWA, Hiroshi NIPPON CARBIDE KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA Saitama 347-0032 (JP) Tokyo 100-0005 (JP) (74) Representative: (72) Inventors: Albrecht, Thomas, Dr. • YOSHIDA, Eiichi Kraus, Weisert & Partner Nippon Carbide Inogashira-ryo, Patent- und Rechtsanwalte Tokyo 181-0001 (JP) Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 15 • OGAWA, Manabu, 80539 Munchen (DE) Nice Urban Hiratsuka Sogokoen 202, Kanagawa 254-0017 (JP) (54) POLYMER OBTAINED BY EMULSION POLYMERIZATION METHOD (57) A polymer of a low molecular weight having a very little odor is produced by emulsion-polymerizing a radical-polymerizable unsaturated monomer at a tem- perature of 1 15°C or higher in the presence or absence of a chain transfer agent. LO co O Q_ LU Printed by Xerox (UK) Business Services 2.16.7/3.6 EP 0 931 795 A1 Description Technical Field 5 [0001 ] The present invention relates to a polymer of a low molecular weight obtained by an emulsion polymerization method, more specifically to a polymer of a low odor and a low molecular weight obtained by an emulsion polymeriza- tion method and a production process for the same. Background Art 10 [0002] A size of a molecular weight of a polymer exerts a strong influence on the chemical properties and the physical properties of the polymer. [0003] In general, as the molecular weight of a polymer grows larger, shown are tendencies such as an increase in the strength of the polymer, a reduction in blocking and an improvement in the weatherability. On the other hand, as the 15 molecular weight of a polymer decreases, shown are tendencies such as an improvement in a heat-melting property, a heat fluidity, an adhesive property to various materials and a penetrability of the polymer and a gloss of the paint film formed. [0004] Making use of these characteristics of polymers having a low molecular weight, the polymers having a low molecular weight are used in large quantities for molding resins having a good fluidity, electrophotographic toners, base 20 materials for hot melt type coating agents, coating resin-modifying agents having good penetrability and wetting prop- erty against substrates, and tackifiers. Further, since the polymers having a low molecular weight have a good mixing property or dispersibility in various materials, they are useful for specific uses such as pigment dispersants, mineral dis- persants, water-treating agents in boilers, cooling tower, reverse osmosis treatment, sugar refining, paper making, geo- thermal treatment, oil wells and the like, and detergent additives acting as builders, film-forming preventives, 25 sequestering agents and adhesion-inhibiting agents. [0005] Such polymers having a low molecular weight are obtained by polymerizing various monomers by methods such as bulk polymerization, solution polymerization, suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization and the like, and they are produced preferably by emulsion polymerization because of the reasons that polymerization can easily be control led and the resulting polymers are easy to handle. 30 [0006] Usually, when polymers having a low molecular weight are obtained by emulsion polymerization, the polymer- ization has so far been carried out in the coexistence of a chain transfer agent in order to reduce the molecular weight. In general, in this case, aliphatic mercaptan base and halogenated hydrocarbon base chain transfer agents are mainly used as chain transfer agents for industrial purposes. [0007] However, a polymer dispersion obtained in the presence of mercaptans has undesired specific odor even if the 35 remaining mercaptan content is small. When halogenated organic compounds (for example, carbon tetrachloride, bro- moform, bromotrichloromethane and the like) are used as a chain transfer agent, the content of the chain transfer agent remaining in the polymer dispersion is relatively much remained, so that problems on air pollution and toxicity are brought about. [0008] A principal object of the present invention is to produce a polymer of a low molecular weight having no or little 40 odor by an emulsion polymerization method. [0009] Intensive researches continued by the present inventors have resulted in finding that a polymer of a low molec- ular weight having no or little odor can readily be produced by emulsion-polymerizing a radical-polymerizable unsatu- rated monomer on a higher polymerization temperature condition than a polymerization temperature usually used for emulsion polymerization, and thus have come to complete the present invention. 45 Disclosure of Invention [0010] Thus, the present invention provides a polymer obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a radical-polymerizable unsaturated monomer in the presence or absence of a chain transfer agent, wherein the above polymer has a weight so average molecular weight falling in a range shown by the following equation (1): 3s|0g Mw<1. 50 - 1.18 x log (S + 0.001) (1) wherein 55 Mw represents the weight average molecular weight of the polymer, and S represents an equivalent number of a polyatomic radical part of the chain transfer agent bonded to the end of the polymer chain per 100 g of the polymer. 2 EP 0 931 795 A1 [001 1 ] Further, the present invention provides a production process for a polymer, characterized by emulsion-polym- erizing a radical-polymerizable unsaturated monomer at a temperature of 1 15°C or higher in the presence or absence of a chain transfer agent, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight falling in a range shown by the following equation (2): 5 3§logMw<4.11 -0.93 x log (T + 0.1) (2) wherein 10 Mw represents the weight average molecular weight of the resulting polymer, and T represents parts by weight of the chain transfer agent used for the polymerization per 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated monomer. [001 2] The polymer and the production process according to the present invention shall be explained below in detail. 15 [001 3] The polymer of the present invention is produced by emulsion polymerization in the absence of a chain transfer agent or the presence of a small amount, though used, of the chain transfer agent, and it is characterized by having a low molecular weight and a small content of chain transfer agent fragments introduced into the polymer as compared with those of polymers produced by conventional emulsion polymerization methods. [0014] That is, the polymer of the present invention has a weight average molecular weight and a content of a polya- 20 tomic radical part of the chain transfer agent falling in a range in which a relation shown by the following inequality is set up between the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and an equivalent number (S; S = 0 when the chain transfer agent is not used in emulsion polymerization) per 1 00 g of the polymer, of a polyatomic radical part (hereinafter referred to as a chain transfer agent fragment) of the remaining chain transfer agent bonded to the end of the polymer chain as a result of emulsion polymerization: 25 3s|0g Mw<1. 50 - 1.18 x log (S + 0.001) (1) preferably 30 3.18s|0g Mw<1. 24- 1.18 x log (S + 0.001) (1-1) and more preferably 3.3§|0g Mw<1 .06 - 1 .18 x log (S + 0.001) (1 -2) 35 [0015] The chain transfer agent is splitted at a part where it is most easily cleaved in a chain transfer reaction and is turned into a monoatomic radical and a polyatomic radical which is composed of plural atoms, or two polyatomic radi- cals, wherein one of them is bonded to a polymer radical to terminate a chain propagation reaction, and the other becomes a starting point for a new chain propagation reaction to be bonded to a newly formed polymer. "S" used in the 40 inequality described above is an equivalent number per 100 g of the polymer, of ra polyatomic radical] bonded to the polymer as a result of such reaction. In general, it falls preferably in a range of 0 to 0.05, particularly 0 to 0.015 and above all, 0 to 0.005. [0016] For example, trichloromethane (CHCI3) is cleaved at a part of C-H in emulsion polymerization into a mono- atomic radical (H •) and a polyatomic radical (CCI3 •)■ When emulsion polymerization is carried out using as a chain 45 transfer agent, mercaptans (RCH2SH) or dimercaptans (RCH2S-SCH2R'), bromotrichloromethane (CCI3Br) or carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), or dichlorodibromomethane (CCI2Br2), polyatomic radical parts (chain transfer agent fragments) r introduced into the chain terminals of the resulting polymer are RCH2S • J , rCCI3 • J and rCCL2Br • j respectively. [001 7] An amount of the chain transfer agent fragments bonded to the chain terminals of the polymer of the present invention can be determined in the following manner. so [0018] First, a polymer dispersion is left for standing at -20°C through one night to be frozen and then molten at a room temperature. Further, the polymer is separated by means of a ultracentrifuge. The separated polymer is dissolved or swollen in a good solvent such as toluene and then precipitated again in a poor solvent such as methanol or water and washed.
Recommended publications
  • Cationic/Anionic/Living Polymerizationspolymerizations Objectives
    Chemical Engineering 160/260 Polymer Science and Engineering LectureLecture 1919 -- Cationic/Anionic/LivingCationic/Anionic/Living PolymerizationsPolymerizations Objectives • To compare and contrast cationic and anionic mechanisms for polymerization, with reference to free radical polymerization as the most common route to high polymer. • To emphasize the importance of stabilization of the charged reactive center on the growing chain. • To develop expressions for the average degree of polymerization and molecular weight distribution for anionic polymerization. • To introduce the concept of a “living” polymerization. • To emphasize the utility of anionic and living polymerizations in the synthesis of block copolymers. Effect of Substituents on Chain Mechanism Monomer Radical Anionic Cationic Hetero. Ethylene + - + + Propylene - - - + 1-Butene - - - + Isobutene - - + - 1,3-Butadiene + + - + Isoprene + + - + Styrene + + + + Vinyl chloride + - - + Acrylonitrile + + - + Methacrylate + + - + esters • Almost all substituents allow resonance delocalization. • Electron-withdrawing substituents lead to anionic mechanism. • Electron-donating substituents lead to cationic mechanism. Overview of Ionic Polymerization: Selectivity • Ionic polymerizations are more selective than radical processes due to strict requirements for stabilization of ionic propagating species. Cationic: limited to monomers with electron- donating groups R1 | RO- _ CH =CH- CH =C 2 2 | R2 Anionic: limited to monomers with electron- withdrawing groups O O || || _ -C≡N -C-OR -C- Overview of Ionic Chain Polymerization: Counterions • A counterion is present in both anionic and cationic polymerizations, yielding ion pairs, not free ions. Cationic:~~~C+(X-) Anionic: ~~~C-(M+) • There will be similar effects of counterion and solvent on the rate, stereochemistry, and copolymerization for both cationic and anionic polymerization. • Formation of relatively stable ions is necessary in order to have reasonable lifetimes for propagation.
    [Show full text]
  • Living Free Radical Polymerization with Reversible Addition – Fragmentation
    Polymer International Polym Int 49:993±1001 (2000) Living free radical polymerization with reversible addition – fragmentation chain transfer (the life of RAFT) Graeme Moad,* John Chiefari, (Bill) YK Chong, Julia Krstina, Roshan TA Mayadunne, Almar Postma, Ezio Rizzardo and San H Thang CSIRO Molecular Science, Bag 10, Clayton South 3169, Victoria, Australia Abstract: Free radical polymerization with reversible addition±fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT polymerization) is discussed with a view to answering the following questions: (a) How living is RAFT polymerization? (b) What controls the activity of thiocarbonylthio compounds in RAFT polymeriza- tion? (c) How do rates of polymerization differ from those of conventional radical polymerization? (d) Can RAFT agents be used in emulsion polymerization? Retardation, observed when high concentra- tions of certain RAFT agents are used and in the early stages of emulsion polymerization, and how to overcome it by appropriate choice of reaction conditions, are considered in detail. Examples of the use of thiocarbonylthio RAFT agents in emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization are provided. # 2000 Society of Chemical Industry Keywords: living polymerization; controlled polymerization; radical polymerization; dithioester; trithiocarbonate; transfer agent; RAFT; star; block; emulsion INTRODUCTION carbonylthio compounds 2 by addressing the following In recent years, considerable effort1,2 has been issues: expended to develop free radical processes that display (a) How living is RAFT polymerization?
    [Show full text]
  • Polymer Chemistry
    Polymer Chemistry Properties and Application Bearbeitet von Andrew J Peacock, Allison Calhoun 1. Auflage 2006. Buch. XIX, 399 S. Hardcover ISBN 978 3 446 22283 0 Format (B x L): 17,5 x 24,5 cm Gewicht: 1088 g Weitere Fachgebiete > Chemie, Biowissenschaften, Agrarwissenschaften > Biochemie > Polymerchemie Zu Inhaltsverzeichnis schnell und portofrei erhältlich bei Die Online-Fachbuchhandlung beck-shop.de ist spezialisiert auf Fachbücher, insbesondere Recht, Steuern und Wirtschaft. Im Sortiment finden Sie alle Medien (Bücher, Zeitschriften, CDs, eBooks, etc.) aller Verlage. Ergänzt wird das Programm durch Services wie Neuerscheinungsdienst oder Zusammenstellungen von Büchern zu Sonderpreisen. Der Shop führt mehr als 8 Millionen Produkte. Produktinformation Seite 1 von 1 Polymer Chemistry Allison Calhoun, Andrew James Peacock Properties and Application ISBN 3-446-22283-9 Leseprobe Weitere Informationen oder Bestellungen unter http://www.hanser.de/3-446-22283-9 sowie im Buchhandel http://www.hanser.de/deckblatt/deckblatt1.asp?isbn=3-446-22283-9&style=Leseprobe 05.05.2006 2 Polymer Chemistry 2.1 Introduction In this chapter, we will see how polymers are manufactured from monomers. We will explore the chemical mechanisms that create polymers as well as how polymerization methods affect the final molecular structure of the polymer. We will look at the effect of the chemical structure of monomers, catalysts, radicals, and solvents on polymeric materials. Finally, we will apply our molecular understanding to the real world problem of producing polymers on a commercial scale. 2.2 Thermoplastics and Thermosets Thermoplastics consist of linear or lightly branched chains that can slide past one another under the influence of temperature and pressure.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Chain Transfer to Polymer in Conventional and Living Emulsion Polymerization Process
    processes Article Effect of Chain Transfer to Polymer in Conventional and Living Emulsion Polymerization Process Hidetaka Tobita ID Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui 910-8507, Japan; [email protected]; Tel.: +81-776-27-8767 Received: 28 December 2017; Accepted: 5 February 2018; Published: 7 February 2018 Abstract: Emulsion polymerization process provides a unique polymerization locus that has a confined tiny space with a higher polymer concentration, compared with the corresponding bulk polymerization, especially for the ab initio emulsion polymerization. Assuming the ideal polymerization kinetics and a constant polymer/monomer ratio, the effect of such a unique reaction environment is explored for both conventional and living free-radical polymerization (FRP), which involves chain transfer to the polymer, forming polymers with long-chain branches. Monte Carlo simulation is applied to investigate detailed branched polymer architecture, including 2 the mean-square radius of gyration of each polymer molecule, <s >0. The conventional FRP shows a very broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), with the high molecular weight region conforming to the power law distribution. The MWD is much broader than the random branched 2 polymers, having the same primary chain length distribution. The expected <s >0 for a given MW is much smaller than the random branched polymers. On the other hand, the living FRP shows a much narrower MWD compared with the corresponding random branched polymers. Interestingly, 2 the expected <s >0 for a given MW is essentially the same as that for the random branched polymers. Emulsion polymerization process affects branched polymer architecture quite differently for the conventional and living FRP.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Weight Control in Emulsion Polymerization by Catalytic Chain Transfer : Aspects of Process Development
    Molecular weight control in emulsion polymerization by catalytic chain transfer : aspects of process development Citation for published version (APA): Smeets, N. M. B. (2009). Molecular weight control in emulsion polymerization by catalytic chain transfer : aspects of process development. Technische Universiteit Eindhoven. https://doi.org/10.6100/IR642709 DOI: 10.6100/IR642709 Document status and date: Published: 01/01/2009 Document Version: Publisher’s PDF, also known as Version of Record (includes final page, issue and volume numbers) Please check the document version of this publication: • A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers. Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal.
    [Show full text]
  • Kinetic Study of Coordinative Chain Transfer Polymerization of Ethylene by Neodymium Metallocene Catalysts
    Kinetic study of coordinative chain transfer polymerization of ethylene by neodymium metallocene catalysts Rodolfo André da Costa Fialho Ribeiro Thesis to obtain the Master of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering Supervisors Prof.ª Dr.ª Maria do Rosário Gomes Ribeiro Dr. Christophe Boisson Examination Committee Chairperson: Prof. Dr. Carlos Manuel Faria de Barros Henriques Supervisor: Prof.ª Dr.ª Maria do Rosário Gomes Ribeiro Member of the Committee: Prof. Dr. João Carlos Moura Bordado November 2015 This page was intentionally left blank. ii Abstract Ethylene polymerizations at 70-90ºC in toluene were performed using a combination of ∗ Cp2NdCl2Li(OEt2)2 (Cp* = C5Me5) or {Me2SiFlu2Nd(µ-BH4)[(µ-BH4)Li(THF)]}2 (Flu = C13H8) neodymium complexes with n-butyl-n-octyl-magnesium used as both alkylating and chain transfer agent. Kinetic studies were performed for the two catalytic systems by varying the Mg/Nd ratio, which is a critical parameter for polymerization control. Both systems were able to perform a controlled polymerization of ethylene and displayed the same phases on the kinetic profiles, reflecting the Coordinative Chain Transfer Polymerization mechanism. The effect of the polymerization temperature was studied for the determination of the propagation activation energy using the Arrhenius equation. A -1 ∗ value of 17.3 kcal.mol was obtained for the Cp2NdCl2Li(OEt2)2/n-butyl-n-octyl-magnesium system. The {Me2SiFlu2Nd(µ-BH4)[(µ-BH4)Li(THF)]}2/n-butyl-n-octyl-magnesium system did not display a linear Arrhenius plot and consequently the activation energy was not determined for this catalyst. Specific molar masses were targeted in order to evaluate the polymerization control efficiency.
    [Show full text]
  • 1.1 Basic Polymer Chemistry 1.2 Polymer Nomenclature 1.3 Polymer
    1.1 Basic Polymer Chemistry 1.2 Polymer Nomenclature Polymers are the largest class of soft materials: over Polymer = 100 billion pounds of polymers made in US each year Monomer = Classification systems Polymer = Typical physical state? Mechanisms of chain growth Oligomer = Typical physical state? Polymerization = 1.3 Polymer Synthesis 1.4 Chain Growth Polymerization Two synthetic methods Addition polymerization Chain growth/addition polymerization One molecule adds to another with no net loss of atoms (high atom economy) Individual steps are typically rapid (msec, sec) Discrete steps Step growth polymerization Propagation rate >> termination rate What happens if the reaction runs longer? Do the chains get longer? Do you just get more chains? 1 1.5 Chain Growth Polymerization 1.6 Monomers for Chain Growth Addition polymerization Polymers form by… What’s in the polymerization mixture? Defining features Useful monomers for chain growth CH3 Cl CH2 CH CH CH Monomer Polymer H2C H2C H2C H2C ethylenepropylene styrene vinyl chloride nCH2 CH (CH2 CH)n X X O N X X C O O-CH3 CH2 O CH3 C HC C nCH2 CH (CH2 CH O)n CH C CH CH CH O H2C H2C 3 H2C H2C vinyl acetate methyl methacrylate butadiene acrylonitrile 1.7 Chain Growth Polymerization 2.1 Radical Polymerization Mechanisms to link monomers together Three steps to radical polymerization Radical Initiation Cationic (1) RO OR 2RO Anionic Transition metal catalysis (2) RO + H2C CH RO CH2 CH R R Propagation RO CH2 CH + H2C CH RO CH2 CH CH2 CH R R R R Termination 2 2.2 Radical
    [Show full text]
  • Hyperbranched Polymers with Step-Growth Chemistries from Transfer-Dominated Branching Radical Telomerisation (TBRT) of Divinyl Monomers Polymer Chemistry
    Volume 11 Number 48 28 December 2020 Polymer Pages 7575-7730 Chemistry rsc.li/polymers ISSN 1759-9962 PAPER Steve P. Rannard et al. Hyperbranched polymers with step-growth chemistries from transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT) of divinyl monomers Polymer Chemistry View Article Online PAPER View Journal | View Issue Hyperbranched polymers with step-growth chemistries from transfer-dominated branching Cite this: Polym. Chem., 2020, 11, 7637 radical telomerisation (TBRT) of divinyl monomers† Savannah R. Cassin,a,b Pierre Chambona,b and Steve P. Rannard *a,b The commercial synthesis of polymers is generally limited to two main mechanisms that are typically con- sidered to be mutually exclusive, namely step-growth and chain-growth polymerisation. This also defines the vast number of academic advances in macromolecular synthesis including the increasingly studied reversible deactivation radical polymerisation techniques (chain-growth) and complex polymer architec- tures such as dendrimers (step-growth). We report here a new synthetic strategy that utilises conventional free radical chain-growth chemistry, under modified telomerisation conditions, to form branched poly- Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. mers containing chemistries conventionally formed under step-growth conditions. Telomerisation is typi- cally limited to small molecule synthesis and employs addition across the unsaturated bond of a substrate, whilst minimising intermolecular reaction between substrates. Through the careful manipulation of reac- Received 12th September 2020, tion conditions, we have created a ‘transfer dominated branching radical telomerisation’ mechanism that Accepted 15th November 2020 creates branched polymers containing step-growth motifs from multi-vinyl monomers, with molecular DOI: 10.1039/d0py01309a weights in excess of 1000 kg mol−1, using industrially relevant free radical chain-growth chemistry.
    [Show full text]
  • Kinetics of Chain Transfer Agents in Photopolymer Material
    Kinetics of Chain Transfer Agents in Photopolymer Material Jinxin Guo1, Michael R. Gleeson2, and John T. Sheridan1* 1School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Communications and Optoelectronic Research Centre, The SFI-Strategic Research Cluster in Solar Energy Conversion, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. 2Department of Computer Science, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland. *Corresponding author: [email protected]; Tel: +353 (0)1 716 1927 ABSTRACT The Non-local Photo-Polymerization Driven Diffusion (NPDD) model was introduced to describe the observed drop-off in the material’s response for higher exposing spatial frequencies. Recent work carried out on the modeling of the mechanisms which occur in photopolymers during- and post-exposure, has led to the development of a tool, which can be used to predict the behaviour of these materials under a wide range of conditions. In this article, based on the chemical reactions of chain transfer agents, we explore this extended NPDD model, illustrating some of the useful trends, which the model predicts and we analyse their implications on the improvement of photopolymer material performance. Keywords: Holography, photopolymer material, chain transfer agent. 1. INTRODUCTION Photopolymer materials are being actively studied for practical applications such as holographic data storage, hybrid optoelectronics, photo embossing, including the manufacture of refractive and diffractive optical elements, and the self- trapping of light.1-4 Generally, in photopolymers, the photosensitizer absorbs light of an appropriate wavelength, becoming excited and causing the production of primary radicals, R•. In free radical polymerization systems, the generation of R• leads to monomer being polymerized.
    [Show full text]
  • Computational Study of Chain Transfer to Monomer Reactions In
    Article pubs.acs.org/JPCA Computational Study of Chain Transfer to Monomer Reactions in High-Temperature Polymerization of Alkyl Acrylates † ‡ § ∥ † Nazanin Moghadam, Shi Liu, Sriraj Srinivasan, Michael C. Grady, Masoud Soroush,*, ‡ and Andrew M. Rappe † Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States ‡ The Makineni Theoretical Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States § Arkema Inc., 900 First Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406, United States ∥ DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19898, United States *S Supporting Information ABSTRACT: This article presents a computational study of chain transfer to monomer (CTM) reactions in self-initiated high-temperature homopolymerization of alkyl acrylates (methyl, ethyl, and n-butyl acrylate). Several mechanisms of CTM are studied. The effects of the length of live polymer chains and the type of monoradical that initiated the live polymer chains on the energy barriers and rate constants of the involved reaction steps are investigated theoretically. All calculations are carried out using density functional theory. Three types of hybrid functionals (B3LYP, X3LYP, and M06- 2X) and four basis sets (6-31G(d), 6-31G(d,p), 6-311G(d), and 6-311G(d,p)) are applied to predict the molecular geometries of the reactants, products and transition sates, and energy barriers. Transition state theory is used to estimate rate constants. The results indicate that abstraction of a hydrogen atom (by live polymer chains) from the methyl group in methyl acrylate, the methylene group in ethyl acrylate, and methylene groups in n-butyl acrylate are the most likely mechanisms of CTM.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 051110 Quiz 7 Introduction to Polymers (Chemistry)
    051110 Quiz 7 Introduction to Polymers (Chemistry) 1) Termination of chain growth can occur by coupling/disproportionation or through a variety of chain transfer reactions. a) What does chain transfer mean? b) Does chain transfer affect the rate of consumption of monomers (rate of propagation)? c) Chain transfer to initiator [I2] involves the reaction, P· + I2 => PI + I· (1) write an expression for the rate of chain transfer to initiator using the initiator concentration [I2] and the concentration of propagating species [P·]. 1/2 d) At steady state [P·] ~ [I2] . Write an expression for the kinetic chain length, ν = Rp/Rt, where Rt includes all reactions that end chain growth. e) Explain why 1/ν is a more useful function that ν from part d. f) Write an equation for the rate of chain transfer to polymer and explain why this might be important to the quality of polymer product. 2) Critique the following polymerization of polystyrene (PS) that contains BHT (butylated hydroxyl toluene or t-butylcatechol): To a small amount of PS we add benzyl peroxide (DBP) and expose at room temperature to UV radiation. a) What is BHT and why/how can it be removed? b) Does DBP initiate when exposed to UV? How is DBP initiated? c) When bulk polymerization of PS was successful a viscous liquid with about 60% conversion and a molecular weight of about 4000 g/mole resulted. Is this surprising? Explain the problems with bulk polymerization that can lead to this result. d) When adding solvent to polymerization of MMA, below, the conversion versus time shows several characteristic features.
    [Show full text]
  • Living Radical Polymerization: a Review
    Tran DF sfo P rm Y e Y r B 2 B . 0 A Click here to buy w w m w co .A B BYY. 141 Journal of Scientific Research Vol. 56, 2012 : 141-176 Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi ISSN : 0447-9483 LIVING RADICAL POLYMERIZATION: A REVIEW Vivek Mishra and Rajesh Kumar* Organic Polymer Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] 1. Introduction Free radical polymerization is one of the most widely employed polymerization techniques. This technique is applied to prepare latexes to be used in paints, high ® molecular weight poly (methyl methacrylate) for safety glass (Plexiglas ), or foamed poly (styrene) to be applied in coffee cups. Some advantages of radical polymerizations, with respect to other techniques, are the relative insensitivity to impurities, the moderate reaction temperatures and the multiple polymerization processes available, e.g., bulk, solution, precipitation or emulsion polymerization. Some disadvantages related to the mechanism of free radical polymerization is the poor control of the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution, and the difficulty (or even impossibility) of preparing well-defined copolymers or polymers with a predetermined functionality. To overcome these disadvantages new techniques were developed based on either reversible deactivation of polymer radicals or a degenerative transfer process, called ‘living’ or controlled radical polymerizations (CRP). It will be worthwhile to discuss the significance of the living radical polymerization process because of which it was selected for the present investigation. Controlled radical polymerizations, like atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRP) [1], reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) [2, 3], and nitroxide-mediated polymerizations (NMP) [4] represent key strategies for the preparation of polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions.
    [Show full text]