Diene/polar monomer copolymers, compatibilisers for polar/non-polar polymer blends. A controlled block copolymerisation with a single-site component samarocene initiator

A well-controlled two-step process, the polymerisation of isoprene or isoprene/hex-1-ene copolymerisation followed by e-caprolactone polymerisation, affords trans-polyisoprene or (trans-polyisoprene/hex-1-ene copolymer)–poly(e-caprolactone) diblocks of various lengths. The single component initiator is an allylsamarocene compound. An atomic force microscopy study shows that these copolymers are efficient compatibilisers for poly(e-caprolactone) and polyisoprene blends. Poly(e-caprolactone) chain growth from Sm–polyisoprene chain.

New aromatic diamines containing a multiring flexible skeleton for the synthesis of thermally stable polyimides

Abstract Multi-ring aromatic diamines bearing a long alkyl chain (C 6 , C 8 or C 16 ) were obtained from the corresponding dinitro compounds synthesized by a Friedel–Crafts alkylation of substituted mesitylenes by paranitrobenzyl chloride. The bismaleimide synthesized from the diamine bearing a C 16 chain formed a thermostable polyimide.

Highly trans-stereospecific Isoprene Polymerization by Neodymium Borohydrido Catalysts

Highly stereospecific polymerization of isoprene was achieved using borohydridoneodymium complexes. In combination with stoichiometric amounts of dialkylmagnesium, Nd(BH4)3(THF)3 (1) and Cp*‘Nd(BH4)2(THF)2 (2) (Cp*‘ = C5Me4nPr) afford very efficient catalysts. The activity reaches 37300 (g of polyisoprene/mol of Nd)/h. Half-lanthanidocene 2 gives rise to polyisoprene, 98.5% trans-regular, the highest content yet described for a homogeneous organometallic catalyst. NMR experiments argue for the formation of bimetallic Nd(μ-BH4)Mg active species.

Synthesis and degradation of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-graft-poly (ε-caprolactone) copolymers

Abstract Poly (e-caprolactone) macromonomers carrying a methacryloyl end groups were synthesized using different lanthanide derivatives as catalysts, and characterized by SEC and 1 H NMR. Hydrophilic–hydrophobic copolymers from macromonomers and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were obtained by solution free radical polymerization. Depending on the feed ratio of the two components, different copolymer structures were obtained. The expected graft structure of the copolymers was confirmed by 1 H NMR. Thermal properties of the copolymers were determined by DSC and TGA. Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradations of the materials were performed. Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)- graft -poly (e-ca…

Mono(cyclooctatetraenyl)samarium Complexes: the Return of the Normally “Inaccessible” Bis(trimethylsilyl)amido Derivative

Nanoscale Blends between Immiscible Polymers via Simultaneous Non-Interfering Polymerisation

An important topic in polymer science seeks to improve the performances of polymer blends using nanoscale phase segregation. Here, blends between polystyrene and polycaprolactone are realised by a chemical route. The non-interfering character of the radical polymerisation of styrene and the lanthanide halide initiated ring-opening polymerisation of caprolactone is assessed. The molecular weights range from 2 000 to 3 500 for polycaprolactone and up to 140 000 for polystyrene, with reasonable polydispersity indexes. From calorimetry measurements, it is shown that polystyrene and low molecular weight polycaprolactone are immiscible. The morphology of the blends between the two immiscible poly…

Lanthanides benzimidinates: initiators or real catalysts for theɛ-caprolactone polymerization

Diene/olefin/polar monomer copolymerisation: unprecedented functional polymers from a rare earth catalyst

An ansasamarocene allyl system is an efficient initiator which polymerises 1,3-dienes, copolymerises dienes and long-chain α-olefins or α,ω-dienes to give functionalisable polymers. It also polymerises caprolactone and allows the controlled diblock copolymerisation of isoprene or isoprene/ α-olefin copolymer and caprolactone.

Organolanthanides as single component homogeneous catalysts for isoprenehex—1-ene co-polymerisation

Abstract Bisallylansalanthanide complexes act as single component catalysts of diene polymerisation; from an equimolar mixture of isoprene and hex-1-ene, a co-polymer hex-1-ene/isoprene = 1:10 is obtained, this copolymer is essentially formed of 1,4- trans polyisoprene blocks separated by only one inserted hexyl group.

Organolanthanides, catalysts for specific olefin-diene copolymerization: access to new materials

Abstract Non-hindered ansa dicyclopentadienylallyl complexes of samarium, [(CMe2C5H4)2Sm(allyl)]n, and (CMe2C5H4)2Sm(allyl)L (L=THF or allylLi) polymerize isoprene without an aluminum cocatalyst. The polymerizations are highly stereospecific, affording nearly quantitatively 1–4 trans polyisoprene. In the presence of linear 1-olefins, copolymers are formed, with 6–10% of olefin inserted; the 1–4 trans structure of the polyisoprene chain is not altered, and only one olefin molecule is inserted between two polyisoprene fragments. In the common initiator of these three catalytic systems, the (CMe2C5H4)2Sm(allyl) moiety, only one vacant site would be available. As a consequence of the presence o…

New Viscoelastic Materials Obtained by Insertion of anα-Olefin in atrans-Polyisoprene Chain with a Single-Component Organolanthanide Catalyst

Copolymerisation of isoprene with C 6 -C 18 a-olefins by a single component organolanthanide catalyst affords poly(trans-1,4-isoprene) containing 6-10% of inserted olefin. The mechanical properties of highly crystalline transpolyisoprene are dratically modified after insertion of the alkyl chains, leading to quasi-amorphous viscoelastic materials.

Stereospecific Polymerization of Isoprene with Nd(BH4)3(THF)3/MgBu2 as Catalyst

The neodymium trisborohydride Nd(BH 4 ) 3 - (THF) 3 (THF = tetrahydrofuran) has been used as a catalyst precursor for isoprene polymerization for the first time. Associated to an excess of Al(Et) 3 , the resulting catalyst is moderately active, giving a mixture of cis- and trans- polymer. Addition of a stoichiometric amount of MgBu 2 to Nd(BH 4 ) 3 (THF) 3 affords a stereospecific catalyst providing trans-1,4-polyisoprene, more than 96% regular. That dual component Nd/Mg system also shows a better efficiency and good control of the molecular weights. A molecular structure is tentatively attributed to a bimetallic active species, based on 1 H NMR experiments.

Synthesis of polycaprolactone by microwave irradiation ? an interesting route to synthesize this polymer via green chemistry

Poly(e-caprolactone) has become an important biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. Indeed, due to its multiple biomedical applications, the synthesis of polycaprolactone has received increased attention in the past few decades. Moreover, microwave irradiation is a very clean modern technique widely used for green chemistry. Here, several polymers were synthesized by microwave irradiation, without any solvent, using nontoxic, biologically acceptable lanthanide halides as initiators. Reaction times varied between 2 and 90 min. The molecular weights of the obtained polymer products were between 3,000 and 16,000 g/mol. After polymerization, the polycaprolactone polymers were functionalized b…

Effect of the remaining lanthanide catalysts on the hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of poly-(ε-caprolactone)

Poly-(e-caprolactone) is a biodegradable polymer, which can be used for both medical and environmental applications. Due to its multiple applications the synthesis of such a polymer has been attracting an increasing attention in the past few decades. In our work, the polymers were synthesised by bulk polymerisation, using different lanthanide halides as initiators. The lanthanide derivatives are known as very active catalysts in the ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic esters. Moreover, they are not toxic in comparison of catalysts, which are usually used for this synthesis. In this paper, the influence of the lanthanides on both the hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of the PCL obtained…

Nouveaux complexes organométalliques monocyclopentadiényles de lanthanides

Non-hindered ansasamarocenes, versatile catalysts for diene/olefin/polar monomer copolymerisations. What is really the active species?

Abstract Catalytic systems containing an ansabiscyclopentadienyllanthanide core and lithium and/or magnesium salts are obtained by reaction of the chloride precursors with allyllithium. These allyl complexes lead to the same active species which polymerises 1,3-dienes, copolymerises 1,3-dienes and α-olefin or α,ω-dienes or allows the controlled diblock polyisoprene/polycaprolactone copolymerisation. The exact nature of this active species and of the allyl precursors is investigated here.

Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structures of (C5HiPr4)Ln(BH4)2(THF)(Ln = Nd and Sm), Versatile Precursors for Polymerization Catalysts

The new half metallocenes [(C5HiPr4)Ln(BH4)2(THF)] [Ln = Sm (1) and Nd (2)], and [(C5HiPr4)U(BH4)3] (3) have been synthesized. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 and of the metallocenes [(C5HiPr4)2Ln(BH4)] [Ln = Sm (4) and Nd (5)] have been determined. The substitution of the BH4 groups of 1 and 2 by a nitrogen-based ligand is possible. In the presence of butyllithium, these complexes show an activity in isoprene and styrene polymerization.

An Easy Way Towardɛ-Caprolactone Macromonomers by Microwave Irradiation Using Early Lanthanide Halides as Catalysts

Poly(e-caprolactone) macromonomers were synthesized under microwave irradiation from commercial caprolactone, using commercial hydrated lanthanide halides as catalysts. The molecular weight of the polymers was in the range 3 000–5 000. Higher molecular weights (5 000–20 000) and lower polydispersity indices were obtained with THF adducts of the lanthanide halides as catalysts and also by applying longer reaction times or using diethylene glycol as a coupling reagent.

UraniumIV and uranyle salts, efficient and reusable catalysts for acylation of aromatic compounds

Abstract Uranium tetrachloride, uranyle chloride, fluoride and also nitrate or acetate are very efficient homogeneous catalysts for the Friedel–Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds. With uranyle salts, the reaction, carried under dry air, is highly specific and the mono- or bisacylation products are obtained in high yield. Uranyle catalyst can be quantitatively recovered and reused and the organic products are obtained free of uranium.

The Mechanism of Diene Polymerisation by Organolanthanide Catalysts Deduced from Microwave Experiments

Isoprene polymerisation performed under microwave irradiation with [Nd(BH 4 ) 3 (THF) 3 ]/Mg(Bu) 2 and [Nd-(BH 4 ) 3 (THE) 3 ]/Al(Et) 3 showed an enhancement in reactivity, with selectivity being only slightly modified. An explanation of the observed effect is proposed based on our current knowledge of the catalytic mechanism and by considering the alkylated complex as an ion pair. An analogy is proposed with the pseudoanionic polymerisation of oxygenated monomers. Finally, depolymerisation is observed under microwave irradiation at high temperature.

Lanthanide bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amides vs. trifluoromethylsulfonates as catalysts for Friedel–Crafts acylations

Abstract The use of catalytic amounts: 1 mol% or less of perfluoroalkyl lanthanide salts as homogeneous catalysts for Friedel–Crafts acylations in non-hazardous solvents is thereafter investigated. Lanthanide bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amides are better catalysts than the triflate analogues towards the acetylation of activated aromatic rings.

Organometallic early lanthanide clusters: syntheses and X-ray structures of new monocyclopentadienyl complexes.

The reaction of Ln(BH(4))(3)(THF)(3) or LnCl(3)(THF)(3) with 1 equiv of KCp*' ligand (Cp' = C(5)Me(4)n-Pr) afforded the new monocyclopentadienyl complexes Cp*'LnX(2)(THF)(n) (X = BH(4), Ln = Sm, n = 1, 1a, Ln = Nd, n = 2, 1b; X = Cl, Ln = Sm, n = 1, 3a) and [Cp*'LnX(2)](n') (X = BH(4), n' = 6, Ln = Sm, 2a, Ln = Nd, 2b; X = Cl, Ln = Nd, 4b). All these compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and (1)H NMR. Crystals of mixed borohydrido/chloro-bridged [Cp*'(6)Ln(6)(BH(4))(12-x))Cl(x)(THF)(n')] (x = 10, n' = 4, Ln = Sm, 2a', Ln = Nd, 2b'; x = 5, n = 2, Ln = Sm, 2a' ') were also isolated. Compounds 2a, 2b, 2a', 2b', and 2a'' were structurally characterized; they all exhibit a hexameric…

Early lanthanide organometallic hydrides: electronic and steric control of the stability

Abstract Steric and electronic effects on the stability of early lanthanide, neodymium and samarium, organometallic hydrides are discussed. The instability of (tmp)2SmH (tmp=tetramethylphospholyl) is attributed to electronic factors and the low stability of (tBuC5H4)2SmH is related to steric reasons. The analogous neodymium hydride (tBuC5H4)2NdH, could not be obtained, whereas the more hindered triethylborohydride was formed. Access to bisphospholyl bridged heterobimetallic ruthenium–lanthanide hydrides is also related to the size of the lanthanide atom. The bimetallic structures are accessible for lanthanides of ionic radii smaller than 1 A. The role of organometallic hydrides versus alkyl…

Catalytic activity of solvated and unsolvated lanthanide halides in Friedel–Crafts acylations

Abstract Anhydrous lanthanide halides — chlorides and bromides — can act as homogeneous catalysts of Friedel–Crafts acylations. The catalytic activity is related to the solubility of these anhydrous salts. More soluble THF or dioxane (Diox.) neodymium and samarium adducts are more active catalysts.