Polymerizations of methyl methacrylate and rac-lactide by 4-coordinate cobalt(II) complexes supported by N′-substituted N,N′,N-bis((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)amine derivatives

Development of Synthesis and Application of High Molecular Weight Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is widely used in aviation, architecture, medical treatment, optical instruments and other fields because of its good transparency, chemical stability and electrical insulation. However, the application of PMMA largely depends on its physical properties. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, fracture surface energy, shear modulus and Young’s modulus are increased with the increase in molecular weight. Consequently, it is of great significance to synthesize high molecular weight PMMA. In this article, we review the application of conventional free radical polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and coordination polymerization for preparing high molecular weight PMMA. The mechanisms of these polymerizations are discussed. In addition, applications of PMMA are also summarized.

Synthesis, structures, and catalytic efficiency in ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide with tridentate vs. bidentate cobalt(ii), zinc(ii), and cadmium(ii) complexes containing N-substituted N,N-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)amine ligands

A series of Co(ii), Zn(ii), and Cd(ii) complexes supported by 1-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)methanamine (L_A) and N,N-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-4-isopropylaniline (L_B) were synthesized. The direct chelation of CoCl₂·6H₂O, ZnCl₂, and CdBr₂·4H₂O by the ligands produced [L_nMX₂] (L_n = L_A or L_B; M = Zn or Co, with X = Cl; M = Cd, with X = Br) complexes in high yields. Structural studies revealed that [L_BCoCl₂] and [L_BZnCl₂] adopted distorted tetrahedral geometries, as L_B coordinated the metal centers in a bidentate fashion, while L_A coordinated the metal centers in a tridentate fashion through the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole and amine moieties, so that [L_ACoCl₂] and [L_AZnCl₂] exhibited trigonal bipyramidal geometries and [L_ACdBr₂] a square pyramidal geometry. [L_BCdBr₂] has two Cd-containing structures per unit cell, whereby one Cd center adopted a distorted tetrahedral geometry and the other exhibited square bipyramidal geometry. The in situ-generated alkyl derivatives of the synthesized complexes were assessed in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide. Heterotactic polylactides (PLAs) were furnished with all complexes. The [L_BZnCl₂]/MeLi system produced PLA with a superior heterotactic bias (P_r up to 0.94) at −25 °C. PLAs with wide-ranging polydispersity indices (1.16–2.23) and low molecular weights were produced in all cases, irrespective of the specific M(II) center and ancillary ligand utilized.

Co(ii), Zn(ii), and Cd(ii) complexes supported by bis-pyrazolyl ligands were applied to the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide to produce heterotactic polylactides (PLAs) with superior heterotactic bias i.e. P_r up to 0.94 at −25 °C.

Stereoselective polymerization of methyl methacrylate and rac-lactide mediated by iminomethylpyridine based Cu(ii) complexes

Iminomethylpyridine based copper(ii) complexes [LnCuCl2] (L_n = LA, LC–LF) and [LBCu(μ-Cl)Cl]2 have been synthesized and characterized.

Dinuclear iminophenoxide copper complexes in rac-lactide polymerisation

Dinuclear bis(R'-(R''-iminomethyl)phenoxide) copper complexes L2Cu2(μ-OR)2 were prepared from the reaction of copper methoxide with ROH and LH (ROH = dimethylaminoethanol or pyridylmethanol, R' = H, 4,6-tBu, 1,3-Cl, R'' = benzyl, cyclohexyl, diphenylmethyl and 2,6-dimethylphenyl). Preparation was complicated by formation of homoleptic L2Cu and only 9 of the 24 possible combinations could be prepared. All complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and crystallized as dinuclear penta-coordinated complexes. Homoleptic complexes L2Cu were inactive in lactide polymerization at room temperature. Most heteroleptic complexes showed modest to good activities with full conversion in less than 6 h at room temperature. Complexes with R' = H showed poor molecular weight control, complexes with R' = Cl were inactive in polymerization. In pyridylmethoxide-containing complexes, only one alkoxide initiated chain growth. All complexes produced atactic polymer.