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The Influence of Hydrogen Bonding on the Propagation Rate Coefficient in Free‐Radical Polymerizations of Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate
Author(s) -
Beuermann Sabine,
Nelke Dorit
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.200390013
Subject(s) - tetrahydrofuran , chemistry , activation energy , toluene , polymer chemistry , methyl methacrylate , polymerization , solvent , solvent effects , hydrogen bond , polymer , molecule , organic chemistry
Abstract The propagation rate coefficient k p was determined for hydroxypropyl methacrylate by applying pulsed laser initiated polymerizations and subsequent analysis of the polymer by size‐exclusion chromatography. k p data were derived for polymerizations in bulk and in several solvents: toluene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), benzyl alcohol, and supercritical CO 2 . With the exception of THF, no solvent influence on k p was observed. For polymerizations in THF k p values 40% below the corresponding bulk data were obtained. In addition, the activation energy of k p for polymerizations in THF is higher than for the other systems. The results are explained by a complexation of the OH group contained in the ester group with THF. As a consequence, H bonds between OH groups and carbonyl O atoms, which occur in the other systems, are not formed in the presence of THF. This explanation is supported by Raman spectra, which show that association of carbonyl groups does not occur for systems containing THF, whereas for all other systems the occurrence of two peaks at 1 703 cm −1 and 1 720 cm −1 is indicative of the vibrations of two different – associated vs. not associated – types of carbonyl groups. Based on the change in activation energy it is suggested that a true kinetic solvent effect occurs.Temperature dependence of k p for HPMA polymerizations in bulk and in solution of THF. The literature data for bulk polymerizations are taken from ref. 22. Open symbols refer to ν rep = 10 Hz and filled symbols to ν rep = 25 Hz.