The introduction of a nanoscopic reinforcing phase to a polymer matrix offers great possibilities of obtaining improved properties, enabling applications outside the boundaries of traditional composites. The majority of the work in this thesis has been devoted to polymer/clay nanocomposites in coating applications, using the hydroxyl-functional hyperbranched polyester Boltorn® as matrix and montmorillonite clay as nanofiller. Nanocomposites with a high degree of exfoliation were readily prepared using the straightforward solution-intercalation method with water as solvent. Hard and scratch-resistant coatings with preserved flexibility and transparency were obtained, and acrylate functionalization of Boltorn® rendered a UV-curable system with similar property improvements. In order to elucidate the effect of the dendritic architecture on the exfoliation process, a comparative study on the hyperbranched polyester Boltorn® and a linear analogue of this polymer was performed. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the superior efficiency of the hyperbranched polymer in the preparation of this type of nanocomposites. Additionally, an objective of this thesis was to investigate how cellulose nanofibers can be utilized in high performance polymer nanocomposites. A reactive cellulose “nanopaper” template was combined with a hydrophilic hyperbranched thermoset matrix, resulting in a unique nanocomposite with significantly enhanced properties. Moreover, in order to fully utilize the great potential of cellulose nanofibers as reinforcement in hydrophobic polymer matrices, the hydrophilic surface of cellulose needs to be modified in order to improve the compatibility. For this, a grafting-from approach was explored, using ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) from microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), resulting in PCL-modified MFC. It was found that the hydrophobicity of the cellulose surfaces increased with longer graft lengths, and that polymer grafting rendered a smoother surface morphology. Subsequently, PCL-grafted MFC film/PCL film bilayer laminates were prepared in order to investigate the interfacial adhesion. Peel tests demonstrated a gradual increase in the interfacial adhesion with increasing graft lengths. / QC20100621

Synthetic and degradable polymers are an attractive choicein many areas, since it is possible to control the way in whichthey are manufactured; more specifically, pathways tomanipulate the architecture, the mechanical properties and thedegradation times have been identified. In this work,L-lactide, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one and ε-caprolactone were usedas monomers to synthesize polymers with different architecturesby ring-opening polymerization. By using novel initiators,triblock copolymers, functionalized linear macromonomers andstar-shaped aliphatic polyesters with well-defined structureshave been synthesized. To synthesize triblock copolymers,cyclic germanium initiators were studied. The polymerizationproceeded in a controlled manner although the reaction rateswere low. To introduce functionality into the polymer backbone,functionalized cyclic tin alkoxides were prepared and used asinitiators. During the insertion-coordination polymerization,the initiator fragment consisting mainly of a double bond wasincorporated into the polymer backbone. The double bond wasalso successfully epoxidized and this gave unique possibilitiesof synthesizing graft polymers with precise spacing. Themacromonomer technique is a very effective method for producingwell-defined graft polymers. Spirocyclic tin initiators weresynthesized and used to construct star-shaped polymers. Thestar-shaped polymers were subsequently crosslinked in apolycondensation reaction. These crosslinked structures swelledin water, and swelling tests showed that by changing thestructure of the hydrogel network, the degree of swelling canbe altered. A first evaluation of the surface characteristicsof the linear triblock copolymers was also performed. AFManalysis of the heat-treated surfaces revealed nanometer-scalefibers and tests showed that keratinocytes were able to growand proliferate on these surfaces. / QC 20100602

<p>This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization ofbranched semi-crystalline polymers. Included in this work isthe SEC characterization of a series of dendrimers. Thebranched semi-crystalline polymers were synthesized in order toinvestigate the concept of their use as powder coatings resins.This concept being that the use of branched semi-crystallinepolymers in a UV-cured powder coating system may offer a lowertemperature alternative thus allowing the use of heat sensitivesubstrates and the added benefit of a reduced viscositycompared to linear polymers.</p><p>A series of branched poly(ε-caprolactone)’s (PCL)(degree of polymerization: 5-200) initiated from hydroxylfunctional initiators were synthesized. The final architectureswere controlled by the choice of initiator structure;specifically the dendritic initiators yielded starbranchedPCL’s while the linear initiator yielded comb-branchedPCL’s. The dendritic initiators utilized were: (1) a3rd-generation Boltorn H-30, commercially availablehyperbranched polyester with approximately 32 hydroxyl groups,(2) a 3rd-generation dendrimer with 24 hydroxyl groups, and (3)a 3rd-generation dendron with 8 hydroxyl groups. Linear PCL wassynthesized for comparison. All dendritic initiators are basedon 2,2- bis(methylol) propionic acid. The comb-branchedpolymers were initiated from a modified peroxide functionalpolyacrylate. The resins were end-capped withmethylmethacrylate in order to produce a cross-linkable system.The polymers and films were characterized using 1H NMR, 13CNMR, SEC, DMTA, DSC, FT-IR, FT-Raman, rheometry and a rheometercoupled to a UV-lamp to measure cure behavior.</p><p>The star-branched PCL’s exhibited considerably lowerviscosities than their linear counterparts with the samemolecular weight for the molecular region investigated (2-550kg mol-1). It was also found that the zero shear viscosityincreased roughly exponentially with M.</p><p>The PCL star-branched resins are semi-crystalline and theirmelting points (Tm) range from 34-50°C; films can beformed and cured below 80°C. The viscoelastic behaviourduring the cure showed that the time to reach the gel point, afew seconds, increased linearly with molecular weight. Thecrossover of G’and G’’was used as the gelpoint. Measurement of mechanical properties of films showedthat the low molecular weight polymers were amorphous whilethose with high molecular weight were crystalline after cure.The polymerization of 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-2-one (NPC) fromoligo- and multifunctional initiators was evaluated utilizingcoordination and cationic polymerization. Two tin basedcatalysts, stannous(II) 2-ethylhexanoate and stannous(II)trifluoromethane sulfonate, were compared with fumaric acid.Fumaric acid under bulk conditions resulted in lowerpolydispersity and less chance of gelling. The synthesis ofstar-branched polymers was confirmed by SEC data. The starpolymers exhibited a Tg at 20-30°C and a Tm at about100°C.</p><p>All semi-crystalline resins exhibited a fast decrease inviscosity at Tm. Blends of combbranched semi-crystalline resinsand amorphous resins exhibited a transition behavior inbetweenthat of pure semi-crystalline resins and that of amorphousresins.</p><p>The SEC characterization of a series of dendrimers withdifferent cores and terminal groups showed that the core had animpact on the viscosimetric radius of the core while theterminal groups appeared to have no effect.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>star-branched, semi-crystalline,comb-branched, ring-opening polymerization,poly(ε-caprolactone), dendritic, thermoset, lowtemperature curing, powder coating, UVcuring,poly(5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-2-one), size exclusionchromatography, rheology, dendritic aliphatic polyester</p>

This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization ofbranched semi-crystalline polymers. Included in this work isthe SEC characterization of a series of dendrimers. Thebranched semi-crystalline polymers were synthesized in order toinvestigate the concept of their use as powder coatings resins.This concept being that the use of branched semi-crystallinepolymers in a UV-cured powder coating system may offer a lowertemperature alternative thus allowing the use of heat sensitivesubstrates and the added benefit of a reduced viscositycompared to linear polymers. A series of branched poly(ε-caprolactone)’s (PCL)(degree of polymerization: 5-200) initiated from hydroxylfunctional initiators were synthesized. The final architectureswere controlled by the choice of initiator structure;specifically the dendritic initiators yielded starbranchedPCL’s while the linear initiator yielded comb-branchedPCL’s. The dendritic initiators utilized were: (1) a3rd-generation Boltorn H-30, commercially availablehyperbranched polyester with approximately 32 hydroxyl groups,(2) a 3rd-generation dendrimer with 24 hydroxyl groups, and (3)a 3rd-generation dendron with 8 hydroxyl groups. Linear PCL wassynthesized for comparison. All dendritic initiators are basedon 2,2- bis(methylol) propionic acid. The comb-branchedpolymers were initiated from a modified peroxide functionalpolyacrylate. The resins were end-capped withmethylmethacrylate in order to produce a cross-linkable system.The polymers and films were characterized using 1H NMR, 13CNMR, SEC, DMTA, DSC, FT-IR, FT-Raman, rheometry and a rheometercoupled to a UV-lamp to measure cure behavior. The star-branched PCL’s exhibited considerably lowerviscosities than their linear counterparts with the samemolecular weight for the molecular region investigated (2-550kg mol-1). It was also found that the zero shear viscosityincreased roughly exponentially with M. The PCL star-branched resins are semi-crystalline and theirmelting points (Tm) range from 34-50°C; films can beformed and cured below 80°C. The viscoelastic behaviourduring the cure showed that the time to reach the gel point, afew seconds, increased linearly with molecular weight. Thecrossover of G’and G’’was used as the gelpoint. Measurement of mechanical properties of films showedthat the low molecular weight polymers were amorphous whilethose with high molecular weight were crystalline after cure.The polymerization of 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-2-one (NPC) fromoligo- and multifunctional initiators was evaluated utilizingcoordination and cationic polymerization. Two tin basedcatalysts, stannous(II) 2-ethylhexanoate and stannous(II)trifluoromethane sulfonate, were compared with fumaric acid.Fumaric acid under bulk conditions resulted in lowerpolydispersity and less chance of gelling. The synthesis ofstar-branched polymers was confirmed by SEC data. The starpolymers exhibited a Tg at 20-30°C and a Tm at about100°C. All semi-crystalline resins exhibited a fast decrease inviscosity at Tm. Blends of combbranched semi-crystalline resinsand amorphous resins exhibited a transition behavior inbetweenthat of pure semi-crystalline resins and that of amorphousresins. The SEC characterization of a series of dendrimers withdifferent cores and terminal groups showed that the core had animpact on the viscosimetric radius of the core while theterminal groups appeared to have no effect. Keywords:star-branched, semi-crystalline,comb-branched, ring-opening polymerization,poly(ε-caprolactone), dendritic, thermoset, lowtemperature curing, powder coating, UVcuring,poly(5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-2-one), size exclusionchromatography, rheology, dendritic aliphatic polyester / <p>NR 20140805</p>

Ces travaux de thèse traitent de la polymérisation anionique combinée à deux méthodologies différentes d’activation du monomère visant à contrôler les réactivités des monomères et/ou des espèces actives lors de la propagation pour la synthèse de polyéthers et de polyamide-3. L’étude de nouveaux systèmes efficaces d’amorçage/propagation à base de magnésium et d’aluminium pour la polymérisation anionique par ouverture de cycles des époxydes substitués est présentée. Deux types de polyéthers réticulables ont également été synthétisés par l’utilisation de bromure de tétraoctylammonium et de triisobutyl-aluminium. Dans le premier cas, l’objectif est d’incorporer des fonctions furane pendantes le long des chaînes polyéthers. Dans le second cas il s’agit d’introduire des doubles liaisons au sein même du squelette polyéther. Les réticulations ont ensuite été effectuées thermiquement par le biais d’une chimie réversible de type Diels-Alder entre groupement furane et maléimide pour le premier cas et par vulcanisation pour le deuxième. Enfin, une étude menant à une compréhension mécanistique a été conduite sur la synthèse de polyamide-3 en masse par polymérisation par transfert d’hydrogène à partir de l’acrylamide. / The studies presented in this thesis report on the use of the anionic polymerization with two different methodologies of monomer activation aiming to control the reactivity of monomers and/or growing species for the synthesis of polyethers and polyamide-3. New magnesium/aluminium active systems efficient for the anionic ringopening polymerization of substituted epoxides are proposed and developed. Cross-linkable polyethers were also synthesized by using the combination of tetraoctylammonium bromide with triisobutylaluminum. Furan groups or double bonds were introduced as pendant or inchain functions respectively in polyether-based materials. The so-formed polymers were cross-linked using reversible Diels-Alder reaction between furan and maleimide, and vulcanization for the double bonds. Finally, we investigated the mechanism of the hydrogentransfer polymerization of acrylamide in bulk conditions as a sustainable route to get polyamide-3.

Le sujet de cette thèse concerne l’élaboration de copolymères greffés possédant un squelette poly(1,4-butadiène) et une haute densité de greffons polaires. La synthèse de copolymères à squelette strictement poly(1,4-butadiène) et possédant une haute densité de greffons selon un enchaînement strictement tête-à-tête a été réalisée par polymérisation par ouverture de cycle par métathèse (ROMP) de monomères cyclobutène 3,4-disubstitués. Le choix des greffons polaires s’est porté sur des poly(Ɛ-caprolactone)s (PCL) et des poly(L-lactide)s (PLLA) obtenus par polymérisation par ouverture de cycle (ROP). Ces polyesters aliphatiques qui présentent une biocompatibilité élevée et une (bio)dégradation rapide, sont utilisés dans de nombreuses applications biomédicales. De plus, les copolymères greffés à greffons polyester peuvent donner accès à des nanomatériaux poreux suite à leur organisation en solution ou à l’état solide, suivie de l’hydrolyse des chaînes polyester.Les copolymères greffés poly(1,4-butadiène)-g-polyester ont été synthétisés selon les stratégies grafting through et grafting from, à partir d’inimers (initiator-monomer) cyclobutène portant une ou deux fonctionalités alcool, capable d’amorcer la ROP du L-lactide ou de l’ Ɛ-caprolactone. La stratégie grafting through a, dans un premier temps, été étudiée. Des macromonomères polyester de type PCL ou PLLA ont été synthétisés. La ROMP de ces macromonomères a conduit à des copolymères greffés poly(1,4-butadiène)-g-polyesters en forme d’étoile de structure définie et dont la densité des greffons est parfaitement contrôlée. La stratégie grafting from a, quant-à-elle, permis d’accéder à des copolymères greffés en forme de peigne. L’organisation des architectures macromoléculaires obtenues a été visualisée par microscopie à force atomique (AFM) et microscopie électronique à transmission (TEM). / The objective of this work was the preparation of graft copolymers with a poly(1,4-butadiene) backbone and a high density of polar grafts. We used a consecutive Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)/Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) route to prepare poly(1,4-butadiene)-g-polyesters from cyclobutenyl macromonomers bearing one or two polyester segment(s) derived from L-lactide (L-LA) or Ɛ-caprolactone (Ɛ-CL). Poly(L-lactide)s (PLLA) or poly(Ɛ-caprolactone)s (PCL) are important polymers as they are easily (bio)degradable and have tremendous applications as engineering plastics and within the biomedical field. An attractive feature of polyester-grafted copolymers is their potential to act as building blocks for nanomaterials synthesis thanks to the hydrolytically degradable polyester grafts. Cyclobutenyl polyester macromonomers bearing one and two PCL or PLLA arms have been successfully prepared by organocatalyzed ROP of Ɛ-CL or L-LA from a cyclobutenyl alcohol acting as an initiator. Subsequent "grafting through" by ROMP using Grubbs’ second generation catalyst afforded poybutadiene brushes featuring pendant polyester (PLLA or PCL) side-chains. This efficient ROP/ROMP two-step approach has thus allowed the synthesis of well-defined poly(1,4-butadiene)-g-polyester copolymers. The synthesis of graft copolymers via the grafting from approach by ROMP and ROP was also studied. ROMP of 3,4-disubstituted cyclobutenes containing one and two initiating hydroxyl sites for ROP was first investigated with ruthenium initiators. The resulting well-defined poly(1,4-butadiene)s were then used as macroinitiators for the ROP of L-LA or Ɛ-CL. After the ROP, brush copolymers with high molecular weight have been obtained and characterized by microscopy.

Medicínské aplikace tvoří z biodegradabilních alifatických polyesterů na bázi polylaktonů, polylaktidů a jejich kopolymerů velmi atraktivní skupinu materiálů. Metody přípravy těchto polymerů jsou založeny na polymeraci za otevření kruhu laktonů a laktidů. Mnoho organokovových sloučenin se vyznačují jako účinné a vysoce selektivní katalyzátory těchto polymerací, avšak je známo, že deriváty těžkých kovů jsou škodlivé pro lidský organismus. Z tohoto důvodu je v dnešní době rostoucí zájem o vývoj účinných „green“ polymeračních systémů pro syntézu biodegradabilních alifatických polyesterů. Předložená disertační práce se věnuje přípravě alifatických polyesterů založených na polykaprolaktonu, polylaktidu, polyglykolidu a zejména jejich kopolymeru pomocí organického katalyzátoru náležícího do skupiny N-heterocyklických karbenů (NHC) bez přítomnosti centrálního atomu těžkého kovu. Literární rešerše je zaměřená na pokroky v polymeraci za otevření kruhu (ROP) cyklických esterů (laktonů a laktidů) pomocí organických "metal-free" katalyzátorů. Nicméně, nebyly nalezeny žádné studie, kde se pro přípravu polyglykolidu nebo jeho kopolymerů využívá polymerace za otevření kruhu pomocí karbenových katalyzátorů. Experimentální část práce popisuje přípravu a vlastnosti 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazol-2-ylidenu (NHC-tBu) karbenu připraveného z jeho stabilní chloridové soli. Další část je zaměřena na přípravu polyesterů z cyklických monomerů, jmenovitě L-laktidu, D, L-laktidu, glykolidu a -kaprolaktonu pomocí NHC-tBu jako katalyzátoru. Byla zkoumána nová metoda přípravy termosenzitivního amfifilního triblokového kopolymeru na bázi biodegradabilního hydrofobního polylaktidu, polyglykolidu a biokompatibilního hydrofilního polyethylenglykolu (PLGA–PEG–PLGA) pomocí připraveného NHC-tBu. Dále byly studovány podmínky polymerace (například: přečištění monomeru, teploty polymerace, různé typy rozpouštědel, poměry rozpouštědla ku monomeru a nebo různé poměry iniciátoru ku katalyzátoru). Na závěr byl připravený PLGA–PEG–PLGA kopolymer srovnán s kopolymerem připraveným pomocí Sn(II)2-ethylhexanoátu. NHC-tBu se v přítomnosti PEG projevil jako účinný katalyzátor polymerace za otevření kruhu laktonu a laktidů. Připravené kopolymery dosahovaly vysoké konverze monomeru (70 – 85%) s polydisperzitou (Mw/Mn okolo 1,2). Byl připraven PLGA–PEG–PLGA kopolymer se dvěma fázovými přechody (sol-gel a gel suspenze) a gelační teplotou v rozmezí 35 – 43 °C. Změny polymeračních podmínek neměly ve většině případů zásadní vliv na chemické vlastnosti kopolymeru, jako jsou molekulová hmotnost nebo polydisperzita, ale měly významný vliv na visko-elastické vlastnosti.

La copolymérisation radicalaire par ouverture de cycle contrôlée par les nitroxydes entre les esters méthacryliques et les acétals de cétène cycliques a permis de synthétiser des copolymères vinyliques bien contrôlés et dégradables contenant des fonctions esters le long de la chaine polymère. Plus précisément, des copolymérisations entre le 2-méthylène-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane (MPDL) et l’oligo(éthylène glycol) méthyl éther méthacrylate (OEGMA) ou le méthacrylate de méthyle (MMA) ont été amorcées par une alkoxyamine basée sur le nitroxyde SG1. Des copolymères de type P(OEGMA-co-MPDL) et P(MMA-co-MPDL) ont été obtenus et dégradés hydrolytiquement en conditions accélérées ou physiologiques. Leurs cinétiques de dégradation furent également comparées à celles de polyesters traditionnels (e.g., PLGA, PLA and PCL) où il a été montré que la dégradation des copolymères de P(OEGMA-co-MPDL) pouvait être ajustée par la stœchiométrie initiale en monomères et qu’elle se situait entre celles du PLA et du PCL. En revanche, les copolymères de P(MMA-co-MPDL), plus hydrophobes, ont présenté une hydrolyse très lente, bien inférieure à celle du PCL. Dans un deuxième temps, une nouvelle famille de prodrogues polymères dégradable a été synthétisé par copolymérisation radicalaire par ouverture de cycle contrôlée par les nitroxydes entre le MPDL et l’OEGMA ou le MMA, à partir d’un amorceur couplé à un principe actif (méthode du principe actif amorceur). Pour ce faire, la Gemcitabine, un principe actif anticancéreux, a été couplé à une alcoxyamine à base SG1 qui fut ensuite utilisée pour amorcer la réaction de copolymérisation. Les copolymères ainsi obtenus ont montré des propriétés de libération de la Gem et des activités cytotoxiques sur différentes lignées cellulaires en relation avec la nature de l’ester méthacrylique utilisé, la nature de la liaison entre la Gem et le copolymère ainsi que le taux de MPDL dans le copolymère. Cette étude nous a permis d’extraire des relations de type structure-activité importantes pour des développements futurs. / Nitroxide-mediated radical ring-opening copolymerization of methacrylic esters and cyclic ketene acetals was investigated and enabled the synthesis of well-defined degradable vinyl copolymers containing ester groups along the main chain, whose amount was readily adjusted by changing the initial comonomer feed. More specifically, the copolymerizations of 2-methylene-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane (MPDL) and either oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) were initiated by an alkoxyamine initiator based on the SG1 nitroxide. It led to a library of P(OEGMA-co-MPDL) and P(MMA-co-MPDL) materials that were hydrolytically degraded under both accelerated and physiological conditions. Their hydrolytic degradation kinetics were also benchmarked against traditional polyesters (e.g., PLGA, PLA and PCL) where P(OEGMA-co-MPDL) copolymers showed tunable degradation rates as function of the MPDL content, being in between those of PLA and PCL. Conversely, the more hydrophobic P(MMA-co-MPDL) copolymers exhibited much slower hydrolysis than that of PCL. In a second step, a new class of degradable polymer prodrugs was developed by nitroxide-mediated radical ring-opening copolymerization of MPDL with OEGMA or MMA, from a drug-bearing initiator (‘drug-initiated’ method). To do so, Gemcitabine, an anticancer drug, was derivatized with a SG1-based alkoxyamine to initiate the copolymerization reaction. The resulting degradable polymer prodrugs exhibited interesting characteristics in terms of drug release and in vitro cytotoxicity, depending on the nature of the methacrylic ester used, the nature of the linker between the drug and the polymer and the MPDL content. This study enabled us to extract important structure-activity relationships of great importance for further development.

Les poly(silméthylènesiloxane)s, aussi dénommés silicones hybrides, sont constitués d’un squelette portant un groupement méthylène entre 2 unités SiOSi. La synthèse de ces polymères par polycondensation ne permet pas d’atteindre des masses molaires très élevées, contrairement aux produits issus de la polymérisation par ouverture de cycle. Ce manuscrit décrit la procédure choisie pour aboutir à une synthèse contrôlée de poly(silméthylènesiloxane)s, des précurseurs (monomères, amorceurs) aux polymères. Le monomère cyclique silméthylène a été préparé par cyclisation de le 1,3-dichlorotetraméthylsilméthylène. Ce dernier peut être généré par redistribution de sous-produits de l’industrie de type halogénures d’alkylsilanes. Deux voies de redistribution ont été étudiées, la méthylation par le méthyllithium, et la dismutation des chlorosilanes en présence d’AlCl3 et de tétraméthylsilane. Cette dernière méthode conduit à une nouvelle distribution de chlorosilanes et chlorosilméthylènes jamais obtenue auparavant. La polymérisation par ouverture de cycle en présence d’acide triflique du 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7-octamethyl-2,6-dioxa-1,3,5,7-tetrasilacyclooctane conduit à des poly(silméthylènesiloxane)s terminés silanol. Suivant la pureté du monomère, différentes masses molaires peuvent être atteintes. La température réactionnelle joue un rôle crucial afin d’éviter toute cyclisation des chaînes. Par comparaison avec des monomères organiques conventionnels (ether, oxiranes, etc...), le mécanisme de polymérisation implique deux espèces en équilibre, un ion silyl-oxonium et un ester silyl-triflate. Une augmentation de la température de réaction déplace cet équilibre vers les espèces ioniques, responsables des réactions de rétroscission. Ainsi la température optimale de réaction a été localisée à 25°C. La polymérisation par ouverture de cycle a été également testée en présence de catalyseur (acide triflique) et d’un amorceur (molécule portant une (des) fonction(s) silanol). Dans les conditions de température données, des polymères de masses molaires et de fonctionnalités contrôlées sont obtenus. Ces expériences ouvrent la porte à de nouvelles voies de polymérisation des cyclosiloxanes, mettant en lumière la compétition entre deux mécanismes de polymérisation, la propagation par bouts de chaînes activés (ACE) et par monomères activés (AM). / Polysilmethylenesiloxanes are belonging to the “hybrid” silicone family. The presence of a methylene group into the polymer backbone enhances their thermal stability, which is particularly interesting in high-tech applications. The synthesis of such polymers by polycondensation did not so far lead to high molar mass polymers, contrary to those prepared by ring-opening polymerization. The synthesis of such polymers is described in this manuscript, from the monomer to the macromolecule. The silmethylene cyclic dimer, the monomer of interest, is synthesized by cyclization of 1,3-dichlorotetramethylsilmethylene. This latter can be generated from the disproportionation of the direct process residue, a by-product of the silicone industry. The disproportionation proceeds either by methylation with methyl lithium, or by Me/Cl interchange reaction catalyzed by AlCl3 in presence of tetramethylsilane. This latter led to a selective dechlorination of chlorosilanes and chlorosilmethylenes in mild conditions, which has not been yet observed with the DPR. Cationic ring-opening polymerization in presence of triflic acid of such silmethylene cyclic dimer led to bis-silanol polysilmethylenesiloxanes. Depending on the purity of monomer, high molar masses can be targeted. The reaction temperature also plays a critical role in order to avoid any cyclization of the growing chains. While triflic acid plays a role of catalyst, it does not allow controlling molar masses. Comparisons with conventional organic monomers were made to identify the polymerization mechanism which involves two propagating species in equilibrium, a silyl-oxonium ion and a silyltriflate ester. An increase of the reaction temperature shifts this equilibrium towards ionic species, responsible of back- and end-biting reactions. Thus the optimal reaction temperature of ROP of the silmethylene cyclic dimer has been set at 25°C previously and confirmed here. The ROP reaction of the silmethylene cyclic dimer in presence of triflic acid and silanol molecule allows designing the obtained molar masses, while keeping a certain control of end-groups. Variations of molar masses with the silanol content speaks for a polymerization occurring through an activated monomer mechanism. Experiments done to confirm this mechanism open routes to the polymerization of other cyclosiloxanes where the competition between the activated chain end (ACE) and the activated monomer (AM) mechanisms could be controlled.

No description available.