ABSTRACT SYNTHESIS OF MONOMERS FOR NEW CONJUGATED POLYMERS This dissertation addresses the problem of synthesis of different monomers for donor and acceptor polymers in photovoltaic applications. In general, functionalization of conjugated polymers and understanding of molecular packing of electron donors and electron acceptors are very important to produce efficient solar cells. As a result, it is important to design and synthesize novel monomers which will require making new π-conjugated donors and acceptors polymers and understand the influence of these new polymers in bulk heterojunction to design polymer solar cells. In this study, two different monomers were synthesized. The first monomer was designed and synthesized to investigate the effect of π-conjugated linker directly attached to the polymer backbone where the polymer backbone was based on thiophene unit and conjugated linker was 1,2,3-triazole. In a different study, a conjugated monomer based on benzthiadiazole was designed and synthesized in order to synthesize new acceptor homopolymers and alternating copolymers. Two different monomers with different alkyl side chains based on benzthiadiazole were synthesized and subject to Suzuki and Stille polymerization to get respective polymers.

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The anionic synthesis of alkyl methacrylates has received sparse attention in comparison to the synthesis of nonpolar hydrocarbon monomers such as styrene or the dienes. The two major reasons for the sluggish synthetic development of this class of polar monomers are the protic impurities present in most commercially available grades of monomer and the inherent side reactions associated with the ester functionality during anionic polymerization. However, by very carefully controlling various synthetic parameters and utilizing rigorously purified monomers, one can take advantage of the "living" nature of this polymerization to synthesize a variety of well-defined polymeric materials. Small variations in polymerization conditions drastically affect the properties of the polymers obtained. However, the effects depend largely upon the size of the ester alkyl group involved. The subtle relationships among such variables as ester alkyl group size, polymerization temperature, polymerization solvent and initiator have been explored and are discussed. Extensive thermal, microstructural and mechanical characterization reveal very interesting effects on the resulting polymer properties. Styrene-acrylic, acrylic-acrylic and diene-acrylic block copolymers have been synthesized demonstrating predictable molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions and controlled composition. These novel block copolymers preparation selective also serve as of acid- and hydrolysis excellent precursors for the ion- containing polymers. By of certain labile poly(alkyl methacrylate) esters and subsequent neutralization, metal carboxylates were introduced into a variety of block copolymers. In addition to the preparation of surfactant-like macromolecules and blend compatibilizers, novel ion-containing block copolymers were synthesized. / Ph. D.

Depuis une dizaine d'années, les polymères hyperbranchés sont apparus dans la littérature. Ils possèdent un grand nombre de branchements ainsi qu'un grand nombre de groupes terminaux. La structure globulaire des polymères hyperbranchés les empêche de former des enchevêtrements. Il en résulte un avantage décisif pour leur application sous forme de revêtement de surface: les polymères hyperbranchés ont une viscosité plus faible à l'état fondu que les polymères linéaires. Cela permet aisément de les étaler sous forme de films minces sans utiliser de solvant. De plus, les polymères hyperbranchés possèdent un grand nombre de groupes terminaux qui peuvent être fonctionnalisés avec des monomères photoréticulables. Le but du travail de thèse est d'obtenir de nouveaux revêtements de surface, à partir de polymères hyperbranchés ou de polymères fortement branchés, qui trouveront leur application dans l'industrie chimique. La thèse s'articule autour de trois chapitres de synthèse suivis d'un chapitre traitant de la photoréactivité des oligomères linéaires, fortement branchés, et hyperbranchés. La première approche de synthèse envisagée est la copolymérisation alternante radicalaire. Divers maléimides ont été engagés dans des copolymérisations radicalaires avec des allyléthers sans succès. Lorsque ces derniers sont remplacés par des vinyls éthers, une copolymérisation alternante est observée. Néanmoins, une importante irreproductibilité est constatée, certains batchs donnant lieu à une gélification. La seconde voie de synthèse étudiée est l'approche classique de polycondensation de monomères de type AB2 . Le monomère AB2 est obtenu par addition de Michael de la diéthanolamine sur l'acrylate de méthyle. La polycondensation est concomitante avec l'acrylation des fonctions alcools. La compétition entre ces deux réactions limite les masses molaires accessibles bien que les réactions de transestérification soient catalysées par des dérivés du Zr et que la stoechiométrie ait été variée. La troisième voie de synthèse se base aussi sur la réaction de Michael. Des oligomères fortement branchés sont obtenus à partir de 1,6-hexanedioldiacrylate et d'éthylènediamine. Leurs analogues linéaires sont synthétisés en remplaçant l'éthylènediamine par la propylamine. Lors de ces synthèses, il est apparu que les oligomères fortement branchés ont une viscosité supérieure à celle des oligomères linéaires! Les oligomères hyperbranchés et acrylés, les oligomères linéaires et leurs analogues fortement branchés ont été étudiés du point de vue de leur photoréticulation sous rayonnement UV. Contrairement à ce qui était attendu, ils se sont montrés moins réactifs que les produits les plus performants de Cytec-Surface Specialties. Lors de cette étude, l'effet bénéfique des mines tertiaires sur l'inhibition par l'oxygène est apparu plus complexe que décrit dans la littérature.

The objectives of this work are to measure phase equilibria in the carbon dioxide + pyrrole system and to correlate and predict the phase behavior of this system with a thermodynamic model. This binary system is of interest due to the growing applications of supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent or reaction medium for pyrrole. Polypyrrole is an electrically conducting polymer of interest in a number of applications such as anti-static coatings. Pyrrole has also been used as a reactant in enzymatic reaction. Knowledge of the phase behavior of carbon dioxide + pyrrole system is therefore necessary for evaluating optimal conditions and feasibility of such applications. Phase equilibria in the carbon dioxide + pyrrole system were measured at 313 K, 323 K, and 333 K using a synthetic method. Liquid-vapor (LV) phase behavior and liquid-liquid (LL) phase behavior were observed. The pressure in the experiments ranged from 84 to 151.1 bar. The Patel-Teja equation of state and the Mathias-Klotz-Prausnitz mixing rule with two temperature independent parameters was able to correlate the phase equilibrium data satisfactorily and was used to predict the phase behavior at other temperatures. A pressure-temperature diagram was then constructed from these calculations and suggests that the carbon dioxide + pyrrole system exhibit type IV phase behavior in the classification of Scott and van Konynenburg.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Controlled free radical polymerisation techniques offer several practical and theoretical advantages compared to many other polymerisation techniques. Living polymerisation techniques such as anionic polymerisations require the total exclusion of impurities such as oxygen and moisture. Controlled free radical polymerisations, however, do not require such stringent methods of practice. This is very advantageous for industrial purposes. Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ATRP) is a form of a controlled/living free radical polymerisation technique by which one is able to synthesize controlled architectural structures and predetermine the molecular weights of macromolecules. The monomers that were investigated for this research project include methyl methacrylate (MMA), 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA). The latter two monomers (4VP and LMA) are not commonly used in ATRP-mediated reactions. The synthesis of block copolymers ofMMA and LMA were attempted. The homopolymerisation of 4VP did not give the control expected when polymerising by means of ATRP. This prompted an investigation into possible side reactions that could take place with 4VP in this specific ATRP system. This included possible quatemization of 4VP with the alkyl halide initiator species. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Beheerde vrye-radikaalpolimerisasietegnieke bied verskeie praktiese en teoretiese voordele bo verskeie ander vrye-radikaalpolimerisasietegnieke. Lewende polimerisasietegnieke soos anioniese polimerisasie, vereis die totale uitsluiting van onsuiwerhede soos suurstof en water. Beheerde vrye-radikaalpolimerisasies vereis egter nie sulke streng reaksiekondisies nie. Hierdie is baie voordelig vir industriële doeleindes. Atoomoordragradikaalpolimerisasie (ATRP) is 'n tipe beheerde/lewende vryeradikaalpolimerisasietegniek wat dit moontlik maak om die samestelling en struktuur van makromolekules asook die molekulêre massa presies te beheer. In hierdie studie is die monomere metielmetakrilaat (MMA), 4-vinielpiridien (4VP) en laurielmetakrilaat (LMA) bestudeer. Laasgenoemde twee monomere (4VP en LMA) word beskou as ongewone monomere om in ATRP-sisteme te gebruik. Daar is gepoog om blok kopolimere van MMA en LMA te sintetiseer. Die homopolimerisasie van 4VP het minder beheer gelewer as wat by beheerde vrye-radikaal sisteme soos hierdie verwag word. Na aanleiding van hierdie resultate is 'n ondersoek geloods om die moontlike newereaksies van 4VP in hierdie spesifieke ATRP-sisteem te ondersoek. Daar is gepoog om te bewys dat die alkielchloriedinisieerder verdwyn deur kwatemisasie met 4VP.

Thesis (DSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbsoch, 2006. / The synthesis and characterization of a new tertiary alcohol (2-octyl-2-dodecanol) and “bushy-tailed”, hydrophobic acrylic monomer (2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate) from a 1-decene dimer (2-octyl-1-dodecene) precursor that was synthesized with metallocene technology is reported. Some preliminary applications of the newly synthesized 2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate were investigated. These applications included the use of 2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate as a reactive hydrophobe in mini-emulsion polymerizations, and as a reactive (internal) plasticizer. In an attempt to selectively dimerize 1-decene, the effect of various factors on the oligomerization of 1-decene was investigated. These factors include the following: i. Different temperatures: 5, 35, 70 and 90°C ii. Different co-catalyst [methylaluminoxane (MAO)] concentrations iii. Different catalysts: bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2) and bis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnium dichloride (Cp2HfCl2) iv. Different reaction times. In all instances the final product obtained, under the abovementioned conditions, was a mixture of residual monomer, the dimer and trimer of 1-decene. These findings were corroborated with GC-MS and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The isolation and further processing of the dimer of 1-decene (2-octyl-1-dodecene) was investigated. The efficiency, in terms of the final product-composition for the amount of catalyst used and reaction time, of Cp2ZrCl2 compared to bis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnium dichloride (Cp2HfCl2; hafnocene) as catalyst for the oligomerization of 1-decene is also reported on. The results obtained indicated that Cp2ZrCl2 is the more efficient catalyst for the oligomerization of 1-decene. The effect of different reaction times (1, 3, 6, 24 hours) on the final product-composition for the oligomerization of 1-decene was also investigated. Longer reaction times (24 hours) seemed to be excessive. A reaction time of 6 hours was optimal. The purified 1-decene dimer (2-octyl-1-dodecene) was converted to the new tertiary alcohol (2-octyl-2-dodecanol) using the oxymercuration-demercuration procedure. The 2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate was synthesized by the esterification of the tertiary alcohol with acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. The new tertiary alcohol and acrylate were characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Stable polymer latex particles were successfully synthesized with the novel reactive hydrophobe 2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate in the mini-emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and styrene. Phase-separation experiments showed that the presence of 2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate in the dispersed phase retards Ostwald ripening. The novel acrylic monomer, 2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate, was copolymerized with styrene via conventional free radical polymerization. Both low and high molecular weight copolymers were prepared. Thermal analysis of the copolymers showed that 2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate does act as a reactive (internal) plasticizer. Blends of commercial virgin polystyrene and the synthesized low and high molecular weight copolymers were prepared. Partially miscible blends were obtained. Decreases in the glass transition temperatures of the blends compared to the virgin polystyrene were observed. The higher molecular mass styrene/2-octyl-dodecyl acrylate copolymers produced larger decreases in glass-transition temperatures.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Finding use for byproducts from the chemical industry holds many advantages for a country's economy. Synthesis of new monomers from such byproducts adds value to otherwise otherwise low-value material. The synthesis of a new olefin-modified acrylate monomer, 1-methyl-1-propyl-hexyl acrylate (1-MPHA), derived from 1-pentene, is reported. Homopolymerisation of the monomer 1-MPHA was carried out in both benzene and in toluene. The products of full-conversion of the homopolymer poly-(1-MPHA) were characterised by GPC, NMR, TGA and DMA. Kinetic studies of the homopolymerisation process of 1- MPHAwere also undertaken. The monomer 1-methyl-1-propyl-hexyl acrylate (1-MPHA) was copolymerised with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Samples obtained from full conversion copolymerisations at various 1-MPHAIMMAfeed ratios were characterised by GPC, NMR, TGA and DMA. Reactivity ratios of the two monomers were obtained from in situ 1H NMR kinetic studies. 1-MPHA was also copolymerised with vinyl acetate (VAc). Samples obtained from full conversion copolymerisation with a 1-MPHA content ranging from 2 to 16 wt% were characterised by GPC, NMR, TGA and DMA. The solubility parameter and the hydrophobicity of the VAc/1-MPHA copolymers were also determined. Reactivity ratios of the two monomers were obtained from in situ 1HNMR kinetic studies. Further copolymerisation studies with styrene and glycidyl methacrylate as comonomers were undertaken. The chemical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis of the copolymers are reported. In conclusion, the use of 1-methyl-1-propyl-hexyl acrylate as a comonomer results in a reduction in the glass transition temperature, better thermal stability, increased hydrophobicity with an insignificant loss in stiffness of the copolymers. These properties are due to the long and branched chain structure of the 1-MPHA monomer. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gebruik van byprodukte van die chemiese nywerheid hou groot voordele in vir die land se ekonomie. Sintese van nuwe monomere vanuit sulke byprodukte dra by tot waardetoevoeging tot andersins lae-waarde byprodukte. Die sintese van 'n nuwe olefien-gewysigde akrilaatmonomeer afkomstig van 1-penteen, naamlik 1-metiel-1-propiel-heksielakrilaat (1-MPHA), word hier beskryf. Homopolimerisasie van die monomeer 1-MPHA is uitgevoer in beide benseen en tolueen. Die produkte van die volledige omskakeling van die homopolimeer is met behulp van GPC, KMR, TGA en DMA gekarakteriseer. Die reaksiekinetika van die homopolimerisasie van 1-MPHA is ook ondersoek. Die monomeer 1-MPHA is met metielmetakrilaat (MMA) gekopolimeriseer. Monsters van die volledig omgeskakelde kopolimere met verskeie 1- MPHNMMA voerverhoudings is m.b.v. GPC, KMR,' TGA en DMA gekarakteriseer. Die reaktiwiteitsverhoudings van die twee monomere is vanaf 1HKMR-studies bepaat. 1-MPHA is ook met vinielasetaat (VAc) gekopolimeriseer. Monsters van die produk van die volledige kopolimerisasie met 1-MPHA , met 'n inhoud van 2- 16 massa 0/0, is ook m.b.v. GPC, KMR, TGA en DMA gekarakteriseer. Die 1- MPHA het die hidrofobisiteit van VAc/1-MPHA aansienlik verhoog. Die reaktiwiteitsverhoudings van die twee monomere is vanaf in situ 1H KMRstudies bepaal. Verdere kopolimerisasiestudies met stireen en glisidielmetakrilaat as komonomere is onderneem. Chemiese- en termogravimetriese analises van die kopolimere is gedoen en gerapporteer. Ter afsluiting, die gebruik van 1-metiel-1-propiel-heksielakrilaat as komonomeer het 'n verlaging in die glasoorgangstemperatuur, verhoogde termiesestabiliteit, verhoogde hidrofobisiteit, en 'n klein verlies in die stewigheid (Eng. stiffness) van die kopolimeer tot gevolg. Hierdie eienskappe is as gevolg van die lang, vertakte kettingstruktuur van die 1-MPHA monomeer.

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