Microflow System Controlled Carbocationic Polymerization of Vinyl Ethers

Abstract

A "cation pool" of an N- acyliminium ion was found to serve as an effective initiator of cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers in a microflow system consisting of two micromixers (IMM micromixer) and two microtube reactors. The cationic polymerization of n-butyl vinyl ether in CH(2)Cl(2) at -78 degrees C led to very narrow molecular weight distribution (M(w)/M(n)=1.14). The molecular weight (M(n)) increased linearly with an increase in monomer/initiator ratio. The carbocationic polymer end was effectively trapped by allyltrimethylsilane. Additionally, the synthesis of block polymers was accomplished by the present microflow system controlled method. The polymerization was also conducted using commercially available trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) as an initiator. A high level of molecular weight control was attained even at -25 degrees C. The TfOH-initiated polymerization could be conducted using a microflow system based on T-shaped micromixers, which serves as a practical tool for microflow system controlled carbocationic polymerization.

Anionic polymerization of alkyl methacrylates using flow microreactor systems

“…It is also noteworthy that the continuous microreactor systems are suitable for producing libraries of polymers for high-throughput evaluation. Recently we have reported that cationic polymerization in a flow microreactor system led to high degree of molecularweight distribution control without the deceleration inherent in the dynamic equilibrium between active and dormant species in classical living polymerization [39][40][41]. The characteristic fea- * Corresponding author.…”

Aryllithium Compounds Bearing Alkoxycarbonyl Groups: Generation and Reactions Using a Microflow System

“…In summary, we have developed an effective method for the generation and reaction of aryllithium compounds having an alkoxycarbonyl group. The key features of the method are a very short residence time, together with fast mixing [18] and efficient temperature control in microflow systems. A wide range of alkoxycarbonyl groups including ethoxycarbonyl and methoxycarbonyl groups can tolerate the microflow conditions.…”

Polymerization Using Flow Microreactor System

“…10.5) [4,5]. An N-acyliminium ion generated and accumulated by the cation pool method was used as an initiator, which was mixed with a vinyl ether at high speed using a micromixer.…”