A Monte Carlo algorithm has been established for multi-dispersive copolymerization system, based on the experimental data of copolymer molecular weight and dispersion via GPC measurement. The program simulates the insertion of every monomer unit and records the structure and microscopical sequence of every chain in various lengths. It has been applied successfully for the ring-opening copolymerization of 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) with δ-caprolactone (δ-CL). The simulation coincides with the experimental results and provides microscopical data of triad fractions, lengths of homopolymer segments, etc., which are difficult to obtain by experiments. The algorithm presents also a uniform frame for copolymerization studies under other complicated mechanisms.
Copolymerization of styrene (St) with N-phenylmaleimide (NPMI) was studied with rare earth coordination catalyst Nd(naph)3-AlEt3 in toluene. Characterization of the copolymers showed that the copolymers possess an alternating structure.
Copolymerization of styrene (St) and isoprene (IP) was carried out with a catalyst system composed of anhydrous lanthanide chloride hexamethyl phosphoramide complex (LnCl3HMPA) and aluminum organic compound (AOC). Among the catalysts examined, catalyst NdCl3HMPA/Al(i-Bu)3 showed a high activity in the copolymerization under certain conditions giving copolymers (5%15% St content) with high cis-1,4 microstructure in IP units (>95%). The effects of HMPA/Nd molar ratio, Al/Nd molar ratio, monomer/Nd molar ratio, St feed ratio, and the reaction time on copolymerization were examined with this catalytic system. The obtained copolymers were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and gel-permeation chromatography (GPC).
The ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone (CL) initiated by novel single lanthanide tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s [Ln(OTBP)3] is reported. Single-component La(OTBP)3 can effectively prepare polycaprolactone (PCL) with over 90% yield and viscosity average molecular weight about 60 x 10 under quite mild conditions: molar ratio of CL to initiator is 1000, 60 C, 2 h in toluene. Mechanism study indicates that the monomer inserts into the growing chain via the break of acyl-oxygen bond of CL.
Cui Ping YU, Li Fang ZHANG, Zhi Quan SHEN Institute of Polymer Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027
