Tailoring Glass Transition Temperature in a Series of Poly(methylene-1,3-cyclopentane- stat-cyclohexane) Statistical Copolymers

ACS Macro Lett. 2023 Jan 17;12(1):101-106. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00706. Epub 2023 Jan 4.

Abstract

A systematic investigation of the synthesis and characterization of a new class of amorphous atactic cis, trans poly(methylene-1,3-cyclopentane-stat-cyclohexane) statistical copolymers (I) is reported. Production of different grades of I that vary with respect to the ratio of 5- and 6-membered cycloalkane repeat units was achieved through the living coordinative chain transfer cyclopolymerization of different initial feed ratios of 1,5-hexadiene and 1,6-heptadiene comonomers. It was determined that the glass transition temperature, Tg, of I can be systematically increased from -16 to 100 °C as a function of increasing 6-membered ring content, although not in a strictly linear fashion. It was further determined that a small level of 6-membered ring content is sufficient to disrupt the crystallinity of the limiting atactic cis, trans poly(methylene-1,3-cyclopentane) (PMCP) homopolymer that possesses a melting temperature, Tm, of 98 °C. These results establish a foundation for future potential technological applications of this unique class of polyolefin copolymers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cyclopentanes*
  • Poly A
  • Polymers*
  • Temperature
  • Transition Temperature

Substances

  • Cyclopentanes
  • Polymers
  • Poly A
  • carbene