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Rhodium Mediated (Co)Polymerization of Carbenes O O N 2 OR O n OR OR OR O O O R Annelie Jongerius 25-07-2008

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Page 1: Rhodium Mediated (Co)Polymerization of Carbenes · Rhodium Mediated (Co)Polymerization of Carbenes O O N 2 OR O n OR OR OR O O O R Annelie Jongerius 25-07-2008 . Rhodium Mediated

Rhodium Mediated

(Co)Polymerization

of Carbenes

O

ON2

ORO

n

OR

OR OR

O

O OR

Annelie Jongerius

25-07-2008

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Rhodium Mediated (Co)Polymerization of Carbenes

by Annelie Jongerius

Molecular Design, Synthesis and Catalysis

Supervisor:

Dr. Bas de Bruin

Daily Supervisor:

Drs. Erica Jellema

Second Reviewer:

Prof. Dr. C. J. Elsevier

Universiteit van Amsterdam

25-07-2008

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Abstract Ligand and substrate variation have been used to gain more insight in the mechanism of

rhodium catalyzed diazoalkane polymerization. A new rhodium complex is found to give

high yields as a catalyst precursor after being stored in air for several months. Thorough

characterization and kinetic analysis of both the new and the decomposed complex were

performed and indicated that repression of byproduct formation causes increased yields.

Variation of substrate leads to change in initiation efficiencies, suggesting that the

diazoalkane plays an important role in the initiation of the reaction. After using different

substrates, it was proved possible to prepare random and gradient block copolymers of

different diazoacetates. NMR effects indicate that π-stacking occurs in these new

materials, leading to the formation of microstructures in solution. Thermal analysis also

shows increased stability of polymers, again pointing to the presence of π-stacking.

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Samenvatting Het ligand en het substraat zijn gevarieerd met als doel om meer informatie te krijgen

over het mechanisme van de rhodium gekatalyseerde polymerisatie van diazoalkanen.

Een nieuw rhodiumcomplex gaf hoge polymerisatieopbrengsten nadat het enkele

maanden aan de lucht was bewaard. Na gedetailleerde karakterisatie van zowel het

nieuwe als het complex dat met lucht heeft gereageerd, alsmede kinetische analyse van de

polymerisatiereactie gekatalyseerd door beide complexen, bleek dat de hogere

opbrengsten waarschijnlijk worden veroorzaakt door onderdrukking van de vorming van

bijproducten. Substraatvariatie veroorzaakt significante verandering van de initiatie-

efficiëntie. Dit suggereert dat het diazoalkaan erg belangrijk is voor de initiatie van de

reactie. Nadat verschillende substraten zijn gebruikt voor de polymerisatie is ook

bewezen dat gradiënt-blok-copolymeren en copolymeren met willekeurige volgorden

verschillende diazoacetaten kunnen worden gemaakt. NMR-analyse wijst erop dat π-

stapeling optreedt in sommige van de nieuwe polymeren. Dit lijdt waarschijnlijk tot

vorming van microstructuren in oplossing. Thermische analyse laat zien dat de

polymeren waar π-stapeling is gevonden ook stabieler zijn dan de andere polymeren.

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Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Polymer synthesis 5

2.1 Introduction 5

2.2 Results and Discussion 5 2.2.1 Catalyst precursors 5 2.2.2 Polymerization of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) 6 2.2.3 Complex analysis 8

2.3 Subconclusion 12

3 (Co)polymerization of other diazo carbonyl compounds 13

3.1 Introduction 13

3.2 Results and discussion 13 3.2.1 Carbene polymerization reactions 13 3.2.2 Homopolymerization 14 3.2.3 Copolymerization 15

3.3 Subconclusion 18

4 Characterization of the new polymers 19

4.1 Introduction 19

4.2 Results and Discussion 19 4.2.1 NMR effects 19 4.2.2 Pyrolysis of copolymers containing tert-butyl acetate groups 21 4.2.3 Thermal analysis 23

4.3 Subconclusion 27

5 Conclusion 29

6 Future 31

7 Experimental 33

8 List of abbreviations 39

9 Acknowledgments 41

10 References 43

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1

1 Introduction Carbon backbone polymers are widely used in industry all over the world. They form an

important basis for many commercial materials like plastics, fibers, rubbers and coatings.

Development of functionalized polymers is important because functional groups on the

polymer backbone give rise to improved material properties like toughness, miscibility

and desirable surface properties like paintability and printability. Block copolymers

containing functional polymer blocks with different properties are able to phase separate

to form micellar structures.

In ‘traditional’ olefin polymerization various methods can be used. Addition

polymerization is a form of living polymerization where radical or ionic initiators are

added to a solution of monomers. A chain reaction is initiated and polymers are formed

until all monomers are used. The molecular weight can be tuned by changing the amount

of initiator; however, there is no control over stereoselectivity. The discovery of the

Ziegler-Natta catalysts, a combination of a Lewis acid and a transition metal salt co-

catalyst, made it possible to control the stereoselectivity and produce isotactic or

syndiotactic polymers. Later on with the introduction of metallocene catalysis

polymerization, control over tacticity got even better and also higher molecular weight

polymers could be obtained.1 However, due to the sensitivity of most early transition

metal catalysts towards polar functional groups, these catalysts have limited use. Late

transition metals tend to be less sensitive than early transition metals, and significant

progress has been made in particular with Ni and Pd catalysts.2,3,4 Nevertheless for the

formation of stereoregular polymers with high amounts of polar functionalities a lot of

work has to be done.

An alternative for the formation of functionalized polymers is polymerization of

substituted diazoalkanes.

Ihara and co-workers found that PdCl2 catalyzes the polymerization of alkyl

diazoacetates.5 In the presence of an amine like pyridine or triethylamine a polymeric

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2

product was obtained containing amine groups at both polymer ends. Spectroscopic data

indicated that a polymethylene having ethoxycarbonyl substituents on all backbone

carbon atoms was formed. During the propagation of the reaction, α-carbon atoms of

other diazoacetate monomers insert into the metal-carbon bond with elimination of N2. In

addition to polymerization of diazoacetates, this method can also be used for

polymerization and copolymerization of other diazocarbonyl compounds, thus creating

new polymers containing different functional groups. However, these polymers have

relatively low molecular weights, all under 3 kD.6,7,8

The polyhomologation reaction as introduced by Shea and co-workers uses the insertion

of ylides into a boron-carbon bond to make polymers build of C1 units.9 After performing

this reaction in preheated toluene solutions a low polydispersity of the product was

obtained. Because EDA was expected to react with BH3, Bai, Burke and Shea reported

this reaction and found not only the expected ethyl acetate but also oligomers consisting

of a carbon backbone with an ethylacetate group on every main chain carbon atom.10

The rhodium catalyzed polymerization of ethyldiazoacetate (EDA) as reported by de

Bruin and coworkers11,12 result in stereoregular highly functionalized high molecular

weight and low polydispersity polymers with polar ethylacetate groups on every main

chain carbon atom (Scheme 1). The radical polymerization of alkyl fumarates and

maleates reported by Otzu and co-workers also produces polymers with ethylacetate

groups on every main chain carbon atom. However, these methods give no control over

the polymer stereoproperties.13

O

ON2

cat 2 Mol%CHCl3

-N2

ORO

n

OR

OR OR

O

O OR

Scheme 1: Rhodium mediated polymerization of diazoacetates

PEA

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This method allows the introduction of functional groups on every carbon backbone atom

whereas traditional olefin polymerization produces polymers with functional groups on

every other carbon backbone atom. It is also possible to make highly stereoregular

polymers with large functional groups. Olefin polymerization metallocene catalysts do

not function properly in the presence of large steric bulk.1 Polymerization of carbenes

leads to a whole new class of polymers with yet to be investigated chemical and material

properties.

Diazocarbonyl compounds that serve as a substrate in this polymerization are easy to

make24 or commercially available and diazoesters are stable and safe to use, even in large

scale industrial synthesis. 14,15

With yields up to 50% and only minor knowledge on reaction proceedings like initiation,

propagation and termination, this subject leaves some room for improvement. The aim of

this research was to get higher yields and a deeper insight in the reaction by development

of new catalyst precursors. To explore the scope of the reaction, a number of different

diazocarbonyl compounds were investigated, and attempts to copolymerize them were

explored.

Here we report the formation of new highly functionalized polymers and gradient block

copolymers from diazoacetates. High yields are obtained by a new diene complex which

will be introduced and additional experiments will reveal new information on the

initiation and propagation of the reaction.

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2 Polymer synthesis

2.1 Introduction

Not much is known about the initiation and termination mechanism for the rhodium

catalyzed polymerization of carbenes from diazoesters. New results on the influence of

reaction temperatures, the presence of several rhodium species and the formation of the

active species are presented in this chapter. This will shed some light on the formation of

the active species of this reaction.

2.2 Results and Discussion

2.2.1 Catalyst precursors

All catalyst precursors for the rhodium catalyzed polymerization of EDA consist of a

rhodium atom with a diene and a N,O-ligand. Previous research suggested that the N,O-

ligand most probably dissociates from the metal during the initiation of the reaction,

because it has no influence on the polymer properties. Varying the diene ligand leads to

polymers with different polymer properties, like Mw and polydispersity.12 In this

research, catalyst precursors containing different diene ligands will be tested for the

polymerization of EDA.

Complex 1 and 3 were previously reported to act as catalyst precursors for the

polymerization of carbenes from alkyl diazoacetates. These catalyst precursors as well as

the new complexes 2 and 4 were used for the polymerization of carbenes from EDA. The

new complex 2 shows complex 1H and 13C NMR spectra due to the presence of 2

diastereoisomers 2a and 2b. Reaction of enantiopure L-proline with racemic [{(1,5-

dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene)Rh(µ-Cl)}2] in a 2:1 ratio is expected to result in formation

of two diastereomeric [(L-prolinate)Rh(dmcod)] species. According to 13C NMR, the

mixture contained mainly the 1,5-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene isomers 2a and 2b, and

signals at ~75 indicate only minor amounts of the1,6-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene

isomer.

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The spectroscopic difference between the species 2a and 2b is small, only a few of the

signals in 1H and 13C NMR can be appointed, belonging to either one of these species.

Due to strong metal-to-olefin π-back-donation to the olefin trans to the π-donating

prolinate O-donor, these olefins shift upfield in both 1H and 13C NMR. Further

characterization of this complex is can be found in the experimental part of this report.

The new complex 4 was made with enantiopure ligands, and thus no complications from

mixtures of diastereoisomers should arise. However, no NMR characterization was

performed because of the small amount of complex that was obtained so the presence of

side products, although unlikely, is still possible.

RhN

O ORh

N

O OMe

Me

RhN

O O1 2 3

RhN

O O

Bn

Bn4

Figure 1: Catalyst precursors

2.2.2 Polymerization of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA)

Standard polymerization reactions were carried out by addition of 50 equivalents of EDA

to a solution of the catalyst precursor in chloroform at room temperature. After 14 h the

solvent was evaporated and the polymer (poly(ethyl 2-ylidene-acetate), PEA) was

isolated as a white powder and washed with methanol. Yields up to 50 % are normal, the

other 50% consist of dimer and oligomer byproducts. It is likely that the polymer is made

by a different active species than the dimers.12

Table 1 shows the results of EDA polymerization with complexes 1-4. Although yields

obtained with the new complexes 2 and 4 are not high, both complexes produce high

molecular weight polymers with relative low polydispersities (Mw/Mn). A remarkable fact

was that polymer made by catalyst precursor 4 showed 2 separate peaks in size exclusion

chromatography (SEC) of which one gave extremely high molecular weight PEA (Mw =

1197 kD) and a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 2.7). This

indicates that at least two different active species are formed from catalyst precursor 4 in

the presence of EDA.

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Assuming that no chain transfer takes place (every polymer chain grows from a single

rhodium center, which dos not reinitiate chain growth after termination), the initiation

efficiency can be calculated from the number average molecular weight and the polymer

yield. Rhodium complexes tested previously for the polymerization of EDA all gave

initiation efficiencies of less than 5 percent.11,12 Presumably the rest of the rhodium is

active in dimerization and oligomerization. Also catalyst precursor 2 gives low initiation

efficiency and for complex 4 this calculation could not be made because of the bimodal

distribution.

Table 1: Polymerization of EDA

catalyst yield (%) Mw/Mn Mw (kD) Initiation (%)

1 50 5.3 147 5

3 30 2.0 540 0.3

2.7 1197 4 11

1.4 133

2 23 2.2 691 0.3

Figure 2 shows the SEC chromatograms of PEA obtained with different catalysts. On the

x axis, the retention time is shown; long polymers have a short retention time. The

difference in polymer length between polymers obtained with the cod complex and

polymers with the dmcod (2) and the dcp (3) complex is clear. The bimodal distribution

of the polymer obtained with dibenzylnorbonadiene complex (4) points to the presence of

two active species producing polymers of different length.

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0

500

1000

1500

2000

8 10 12 14 16 18

Retention time

Inte

nsity

1

2

3

4

Figure 2: SEC chromatogram of polymers from EDA using different catalysts

2.2.3 Complex analysis

[(dmcod)Rh(pro)] (2) stored in air partly decomposes within a few months and shows an

even more complicated and crowded 1H NMR spectrum, see Figure 3. However, when

using this partly decomposed ‘old’ rhodium complex in the polymerization of EDA,

higher yields are obtained than when a freshly made ‘new’ complex is used. There may

be several explanations for this behavior:

The decomposed complex reacts faster with EDA to form the active species for

polymerization.

The species responsible for dimerization decomposes, resulting in a higher

polymer yield.

The catalyst performs better at lower concentrations.

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In the first two cases it is beneficial to know what kind of decomposition takes place,

how many complexes are present in the reaction mixture and which complex forms the

active species.

Figure 3: 1H NMR spectra of new and old [(dmcod)Rh(pro)] in CDCl3 at RT

Because 1H and 13C NMR studies result in complicated spectra to such an extent that no

useful information can be gained from this technique (Figure 3), it was necessary to look

for different methods. With 103Rh NMR more than 14 different rhodium species were

found in the old complex, only 5 of these were also present in the new complex that

shows 6 different rhodium species. [(cod)Rh(pro)] (1) shows only one species in 103Rh

NMR.

These results together with MS-MS experiments of the old and new complex that show

fragmentation peaks due to loss of oxygen lead to the conclusion that reaction with

oxygen from the air causes decomposition of the complex. Results of elemental analysis

performed on the old complex also indicates the presence of oxygen.

New

Old

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In order to understand the decomposition process, several experiments to speed up the

decomposition of a freshly made new batch of complex 2 were performed. Imitation of

the decomposition process via heating and addition of water was tried and polymerization

results are shown in Table 2. Storing the compound in solid state under argon seems to

elongate the durability of the complex. Leaving the fresh complex in dissolved in CDCl3

under inert atmosphere at room temperature for several weeks also did not result in any

decomposition. Heating this solution to 100˚C resulted in proline loss and low

polymerization yields. Adding water to the reaction resulted in low yields and low

molecular weight polymers. Heating solid 2 to 100˚C in air resulted in a huge decrease in

solubility but increased the initiation efficiency. Polymer yield (41 %) did not increase

much although it was a bit higher. Also filtration of the heated complex before

polymerization resulted in yields up to 40 % just like heating the complex in absence of

oxygen.

Table 2: Polymers from EDA by [(dmcod)Rh(pro)] (2)

yield % PDI Mw (kD) Initiation % special

23 2.2 691 0.3 new

10 2.8 83 1.5 new + H2O

53 4.4 397 2.6 new 25 ml

65 5 500 2.7 old

62 4.4 326 3.7 old 25 ml

41 4.9 488 1.8 heated air

40 4.5 628 1.3 heated argon

42 2.3 900 0.5 heated air + filtered

Because addition of the dimers diethylmaleate and diethylfumarate to the reaction with

complex 1 mixture lowers polymer yield (~20%), it is likely that the dimer poisons the

active species for polymerization. In that case, catalysts that make a lot of dimer

automatically further reduce polymer yield. SEC data of polymers made at lower

concentrations of substrate and catalyst 1 show evidence for the existence of different

active species. These polymers give a bimodal distribution. Possibly one of more active

species is poisoned by dimer at higher concentrations. Also performing polymerization

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with the new complex 2 in 25 ml of chloroform instead of the usual 5, resulted in higher

polymer yields. Using a larger volume in combination with the old complex (2) had no

significant effect on the yield (Table 2).

Polymerization reactions can be followed in time with 1H NMR. The amounts of

polymer, dimer and monomer can be established from the integrals and concentrations of

oligomer can be calculated from the other concentrations. When comparing the integrals

with the isolated yields at the end of the reaction it appears that the amount of polymer is

underestimated by 10 to 15 percent in 1H NMR, subsequently the amount of oligomer is

overestimated.

Following the polymerization of EDA with both the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ complex (2) in

time reveals a significant difference in the amount of ethyl acetate-dimer formed by both

complexes (Figure 4 and Figure 5). Possibly, more dimer is formed because less EDA

was used for polymer formation. However, it is also possible that the species responsible

for dimer formation is more decomposed than species active in polymerization.

On the other hand, initiation efficiency is higher for the old than for the new complex (2)

which could also mean that this catalyst performs better at lower catalyst loadings. After

all, when a part of the complex is decomposed and ‘inactive’ the overall active catalyst

loading is lower. It is possible that when a low concentration of active catalyst precursor

is present, les dimer forming species will be formed. This results in a lower dimer

concentration and less catalyst poisoning.

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0 50 100 150 200 250 3000

20

40

60

80

100

Am

ount

(%)

Time (minutes)

EDA polymer dimer oligomer

0 50 100 150 200 250 3000

20

40

60

80

100

Am

ount

(%)

Time (minutes)

EDA polymer dimer oligomer

0 50 100 150 200 250 3000

20

40

60

80

100

Amou

nt (%

)

Time (minutes)

EDA polymer dimer oligomer

0 50 100 150 200 250 3000

20

40

60

80

100

Amou

nt (%

)

Time (minutes)

EDA polymer dimer oligomer

Figure 4: Polymerization of EDA with new

[(dmcod)Rh(pro)] (2) followed in time with 1H NMR

Figure 5: Polymerization of EDA with old

[(dmcod)Rh(pro)] (2) followed in time with 1H NMR

2.3 Subconclusion Two new precatalyst complexes are tested in the polymerization of EDA. Both

[(dmcod)Rh(pro)] (2) and [(dbn-nbd)Rh(pro)] (4) gave relatively low yields but high

molecular weight polymers. When [(dmcod)Rh(pro)] decomposes in the presence of

oxygen, initiation efficiency of the complex increases 9 times and polymer yields up to

65% are observed. Increased yields are possibly caused by repressing dimer formation.

Performing the reaction under dilute conditions for some catalyst precursors also leads to

higher yields suggesting that the lower dimer concentration (the dimers are a poison to

the catalyst) is beneficial.

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3 (Co)polymerization of other diazo carbonyl compounds

3.1 Introduction

Rhodium catalyzed polymerization of ethyldiazoacetate (EDA) is an interesting type of

polymerization because it leads to a highly functionalized polymers with a high amount

of polar functional groups.11,12 Only a limited amount of reactions are known to produce

polymers with polar functional groups or functional groups at every main chain carbon

atom like the radical initiated polymerization of alkyl fumarates reported by Otzu and co-

workers.13 To broaden the scope of the rhodium catalyzed polymerization of ethyl

diazoacetate it is interesting to look for other diazoalkanes that can be polymerized and

the possibility to copolymerize different diazoalkanes. In this way material properties of

the polymer, like solubility and toughness, may be tuned leading to polymers that may be

used in new materials.16 When different diazoalkanes are available in this reaction, it is

interesting to see if these can be copolymerized. Block copolymers containing immiscible

blocks may lead to phase separation and the formation of microstructures in solution or in

the bulk polymer. By adjusting the amount of each monomer, material properties can be

tuned.

3.2 Results and discussion

3.2.1 Carbene polymerization reactions

Until now all material reported on the rhodium mediated polymerization of carbenes from

diazoalkanes (Figure 6) focuses primarily on the use of EDA (a) as carbene precursor.

However, also other diazoacetates and diazoketones are known to form polymers in the

palladium mediated polymerization of diazoketones.5,6,7,8 Therefore, it is likely that also

other substrates (b-e) may be suitable to form polymerizable carbenes in the presence of

rhodium. These five carbene precursors were tested in the rhodium catalyzed

homopolymerization and copolymerization.

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Diazoacetates a and c are commercially available and b is easily produced in two steps.

Both diazoketones are produced by diazotransfer reactions.

N2

O O

F3CN2

O

O

O

O

O

O

N2 N2N2

a b c

d e

Figure 6: Diazoalkanes

3.2.2 Homopolymerization

Reactivity of EDA (a) was already described in the previous chapter. Diazoketones d and

e showed no reactivity in the presence of rhodium complex 1 and during the reaction with

the sterically demanding diazoacetate c, only dimeric species were formed. Treating

benzyldiazoacetate (BnDA, b) with catalyst 1 and 2 resulted in the formation of

stereoregular polybenzylacetate (PBnA). The polymers were analyzed by size exclusion

chromatography (SEC) calibrated with polystyrene samples (Table 3). In the

polymerization of EDA as well as in the polymerization of BnDA, the use of dmcod

catalyst precursor 2 gives much higher yields, lower polydispersity and much higher

molecular weight polymers (Mw = 438 kD) compared to the cod analogue 1 (Mw = 83

kD). Also in the polymerization of BnDA, much higher initiation efficiencies, up to 11.8

%, are observed compared to the polymerization of EDA. This indicates that both

substrate and diene ligand are needed to form the active species. Otherwise you would

expect no differences in polymerization of different diazo substrates and there would be

no explanation for the difference in yield, Mw, polydispersity and initiation efficiency for

polymerization of EDA and BnDA. The high initiation efficiency also indicates that at

lower catalyst concentration, higher yields and longer polymers can be obtained.

Table 3 Polymerization of BnDA (b)

catalyst yield (%) Mw/Mn Mw (kD) Initiation (%)

1 20 6.3 83 11.8

2 65 4 438 3.5

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3.2.3 Copolymerization

With the use of different substrates, it is possible to make copolymers. There are different

possibilities to copolymerize diazocarbonyl compounds.

Gradient block copolymerization

Block copolymers can be made by starting the reaction with one of the monomers and

wait until all of the first monomer has reacted. After that, the second monomer is added

and the reaction continues, elongating the polymer with a block of different monomers.

Because it is not clear if the polymerization is completely living and the possibility exists

that the catalyst dies in absence of substrate, making a defined block copolymer is

difficult. However, it is possible to initiate polymerization using only one substrate and

adding a second substrate after a period of time when most, but not all of the first

monomer has reacted (Scheme 2). This way a polymer is formed containing a block of

pure homopolymer followed by a gradient block containing both monomers and where

the concentration of the second monomer increases to the end of the polymer. (Figure 7)

These types of polymers are also called gradient block copolymers.17 Conditions for the

gradient block copolymerization have not been optimized. Therefore, it is probable that

higher yields can be obtained when using different catalyst loadings and lower

concentrations.

O

ON2

cat 2 Mol%CHCl3

-N2

OR1O

n

OR1

OR1 OR1

O

O O

R2

OR1O

n

OR1

OR2 OR2

O

O O

m

O

ON2

R1

Scheme 2: Formation of copolymers by rhodium mediated copolymerization of carbenes

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Figure 7: Gradient copolymer

Random copolymers

A second method for the formation of copolymers is random copolymerization. When

two or more different substrates are used to initiate the polymerization a random

copolymer is formed (Figure 8). The two different monomers are ordered in a random

fashion. The ratio of both monomers in the polymer can be tuned by changing the amount

of both substrates added to the precatalyst solution.

Figure 8: Random copolymer

Homo-polymerization of c is not possible because no initiation of the polymerization

takes place. However, the monomer can be built into a polymer once the reaction has

been initiated by another monomer. In this way it is possible to make gradient and

random copolymers containing monomer c in the second gradient block.

In these experiments, the ratio between the monomers added to the reaction mixture was

1:1.7 for gradient block copolymers and 1:1 for random copolymers. As can be seen in

Table 4, according to 1H NMR integrals the composition of some polymers differs from

what would be expected by the feed ratio. Where polymers containing ethylacetate and

benzylacetate groups show more or less the expected composition, polymers with tert-

butylacetate groups contain only low amounts of tert-butylacetate. A possible explanation

for this is the steric bulk of the tert-butyl group. Because addition of tert-

butyldiazoacetate (tBuDA, c) leads to faster termination of the reaction, yields of gradient

copolymers with tBuDA (c) are strongly dependent on the amount of tBuDA (c) added

and the moment on which it was added. Also during random copolymerization the

amount of tert-butyl groups incorporated into the polymer is lower than could be

Homo block Gradient block

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expected according to the ratio of monomers added to the reaction mixture. In

combination with BnDA (b), more tBuDA (c) is incorporated than when a copolymer of

EDA (a) with tBuDA is formed.

Not only in homo-polymerization but also in copolymerization, the initiation efficiency is

higher when precatalyst 1 or diazoacetate b is used. However, yields still seem dependent

on both catalyst and substrates used.

Monomer d and e could not be built into the polymer, not even after initiation with EDA.

Possibly, the electronic properties of the diazoketones stabilize the diazogroup so that the

reaction is unfavorable and less electron withdrawing diazoketones are needed for this

reaction.

Table 4: Copolymers of diazoacetates

Catalyst

yield

(%)

1H NMR

Mw/Mn

Mw

(kD)

Initiation

(%)

a - ab b (gradient) 2 13 1:1.7 2.1 224 1.2

a - ab c (gradient) 2 7 1:0.33 5.1 417 0.8

a - ab c (gradient) 1 20 1:0.22 3.4 137 5.2

b - bc c (gradient) 2 6 1:0.43 6.5 322 1.2

ab (random) 2 59 1:1 4.4 432 3.6

ab (random) 1 29 1:0.8 2.8 81 5.9

ac (random) 2 27 1:0.31 3.8 334 1.5

bc (random) 2 27 1:0.68 3.4 107 5.5

Figure 9 shows SEC chromatograms of the EDA-tBuDA gradient copolymer made with

catalyst 2 just before addition of the second monomer (c) and after finishing the reaction.

Just before addition of the second monomer, the growing polymer chain shows a bimodal

distribution and a high polydispersity. After addition of the second monomer (c), the

shortest polymer chains keep growing, incorporating the newly added monomer whereas

the longest polymer chains do not grow much further. That way polydispersity decreases

after adding the second monomer as the total length of the polymer increases (from 250

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to 400 kD). Other gradient copolymerizations from catalyst 2 show similar SEC

chromatograms.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Retention time

Inte

nsity

beforeafter

Figure 9: SEC chromatogram of growing polymer (precatalyst 2)

3.3 Subconclusion

After polymerization of different diazoacetates it appeared that initiation efficiency is

much dependent on the monomer that was used to initiate the reaction. Because no

diazoketones could be incorporated in the polymers, it is likely that the ester group is

important for the propagation of the reaction as well, but we cannot exclude an electronic

influence.

It proved possible to prepare random and gradient block copolymers of different

diazoacetates, leading to new polymers.

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4 Characterization of the new polymers

4.1 Introduction

There are various methods to characterize polymers. Apart from 1H and 13C NMR also

other NMR spectroscopy techniques like 2D NMR, thermal analysis (DSC and TGA) and

size exclusion chromatography (SEC) can be applied. For polymers with molecular

weights above 1000 dalton, it is not possible to use mass spectrometry. In this chapter,

the results of thermal analysis and NMR experiments on the new polymers will be

discussed.

4.2 Results and Discussion

4.2.1 NMR effects

Because of the different steric and electronic properties of benzyl acetate compared to

ethylacetate, this polymer is expected to show some change in material properties.

After comparing 13C NMR spectra of homo PBnA and homo PEA with data on

assignment of stereochemistry, the shifts at ~171 ppm (carbonyl) and 45.1 ppm (methine)

indicate that these polymers have the same tacticity (most likely syndiotactic).12

In 1H NMR the backbone protons of PBnA shift significantly compared to the same

protons in PEA, even though the 13C NMR signals of these polymers show the same shift

for the adjacent carbons. As can be seen in Figure 10 (middle spectrum, 1:1 mixture of

homo polymers PEA and PBnA), this difference is almost 0.5 ppm. When combining

EDA and BnDA in a random copolymer, backbone peaks of both monomers shift

towards each other (Figure 10 lower spectrum).

Backbone protons shift downfield on going from homopolymers of EDA via copolymers

of EDA/BnDA to homopolymers of BnDA, whereas the O-CH2-R signals shift upfield

with increasing content of BnDA. It is proposed that clustering of the phenyl groups via

π-π interactions, as shown in Figure 10, causes the deshielding of the backbone CH and

shielding of the O-CH2-R protons. The effects are maximized in homopolymers of

BnDA, and smaller in the copolymers of BnDA and EDA. In a gradient copolymer

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(Figure 10 upper spectrum) the first part of the polymer consists only of PEA and the last

part of the polymer consists mainly of PBnA. Therefore, the effect of the π stacking on

NMR chemical shifts is slightly less compared to the random copolymer. Because part of

the polymer chains stop growing after addition of the second monomer, also peaks of the

EDA homopolymer at δ 4.08 and δ 3.18 ppm are observed.

Figure 10: 1H NMR effects in PBnA containing polymers

A different method to see if folding of these polymers occurs is measuring the Nuclear

Overhauser Effect (NOE). When ethyl ester groups of one part of the polymer are placed

between two aromatic rings as shown in Figure 12, NOE couplings between aromatic and

ethyl protons should be present. However, when the ethyl ester and the benzyl ester are

neighboring monomers in the same polymer chain (Figure 11), also NOE interactions

between the ethyl group and the CH2 of the benzyl are expected. This is the case in the

random copolymer: NOE signals appear between the CH2 benzyl and the ethyl group. In

the gradient copolymer, there is coupling between the aromatic protons and the protons of

the ethyl but not between the benzyl CH2 and the ethyl. This suggests the polymer folds

back or two different polymer chains are folding into each other so that the ethyl groups

get close to the phenyl groups (Figure 12). Because the ethyl group is not close to the

benzyl-CH2 it is not possible that the monomers are just next to each other in the chain

(Figure 11).

Gradient block copolymer Mixed homopolymers Random copolymer

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Because of the possibility of two chains folding into each other it is also possible that the

molecular weight found by SEC is overestimated.

OOO

O

R

OOO

O

R

OO

OO

OO

R

Figure 11: Neighboring ethylacetate and

benzylacetate monomers

Figure 12: Folding of polymers

4.2.2 Pyrolysis of copolymers containing tert-butyl acetate groups

When heating poly tert-butylacetate containing polymers to high temperatures, isobutene

is eliminated from the polymer leaving poly acetic acid groups as was reported by Otzu et

al.18 (Scheme 3) In this way also other functional groups than esters can be incorporated

in the polymer and poly acetic acid containing copolymers are known to be able to form

microstructures in solution.19

R1R2 H

R2 H

R2H

R2 HR2 H

R2H

R1 H

R1 H

R1 H

R1H

R1 HR1 H

R1H

R1 H

H

R1R3

H

R3 H

R3H

R3 HR3 H

R3H

R1 H

R1H

R1 H

R1H

R1 HR1 H

R1H

R1 H

H

O

O

O

O

O

OH

- isobutene

R2 =R1 = R3 =

Scheme 3: Isobutene loss from tBuA containing polymer

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After heating a tBuA containing polymer to 180 ˚C for several hours under vacuum, the

polymer became partly insoluble even in mixtures of polar and apolar solvents and tBu

peaks disappeared from the 1H NMR spectra leaving only broad PEA signals. This

indicates that isobutene loss took place.

Solid state 13C NMR of this tBuA containing polymer before and after heating are shown

in Figure 13 and Figure 14. The relative intensity of all peaks in both spectra is the same,

only the tert-butyl peak is significantly decreased. Remarkable is that no extra carbonyl

peak formed. This could mean that croslinking between different polymer chains takes

place via formation of anhydrides. This would also explain the insolubility of the polymer

after heating (Scheme 4).

O

O OR

R

R

R

O OR

R

R

ROt-Bu t-BuO

Scheme 4: Possible formation of anhydride, crosslinking polymers after thermally induced isobutene loss

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Figure 13: Solid state NMR of the a – ac c gradient copolymer

Figure 14: Solid state NMR of the a – ac c gradient copolymer after isobutene loss

4.2.3 Thermal analysis

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a technique in which the difference in the

amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample is measured as a function

of temperature. There are several thermal transitions that can take place during the

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heating and the temperature at which they occur gives information about the crystallinity

and brittleness of the polymer. Glass transition temperature Tg is the temperature where

the amorphous part of the polymer goes from the glassy hard/brittle state to the rubbery

bendable state. Crystallization temperature Tc is the temperature where the polymer

crystallizes again when cooling from the melting point and the polymer chains move into

ordered arrangements. Only polymers that can crystallize have a crystallization

temperature. Melting temperature Tm is the point where the crystalline part of the

polymer melts, polymers with high melting points have stable crystal structures. Not all

polymers have a crystalline part, but all polymers have an amorphous part, even the

polymers with high crystallinity. Therefore, all polymers have Tg but not all polymers

have an Tc and Tm.17

Tg and Tc of PBnA are more clearly visible and appear at higher temperatures than those

of PEA, indicating the former polymer is more crystalline than PEA (Table 5). These data

support the supposed clustering of phenyl groups by π-π-stacking. Random polymers

show only a Tg and no Tc or Tm . This means that these polymers are purely amorphous

and contain no crystalline parts because only crystalline parts undergo melting. Gradient

copolymers containing PBnA have Tm higher than PEA but not as high as pure homo

PBnA. Examples of the DSC chromatograms of a random and a gradient copolymer are

shown in Figure 15 t/m Figure 17 on the next page.

Table 5: DSC data

Polymer Tg (˚C) Tc (˚C) Tm (˚C)

PEA 22 80 105

PBnA 50 165 190

random PEABnA 42 - -

gradient PEABnA 46 91 120*

random PEAtBuA 51 - -

gradient PEAtBuA n.d. 89 113*

random PBnAtBuA 62 - -

*weak signal

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Figure 15: Heating curve of the a – ab b gradient block copolymer

Figure 16: Cooling curve of the a – ab b gradient block copolymer

Figure 17: Heating curve of the ab random copolymer

Tg

Tm

Tc

Tg

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With thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) the change in weight of the polymer can be

studied in relation to the change in temperature. Thermal decomposition of pure PEA and

PBnA measured by TGA takes place in one step when heated to temperatures above 300

˚C. Gradient copolymers containing tert-butyl acetate show decomposition in several

steps (Figure 18), starting with a small weight loss at 250 ˚C which is consistent with

isobutene loss. Also thermal degradation of the rest of the polymer proceeds in two steps,

presumably because there are different decomposition temperatures for the poly ethyl

acetate and poly acetic acid part. Random copolymers also show weight loss at 250 ˚C

due to isobutene loss. This process occurs slower and less clear than with the gradient

block copolymers and is not visible when only small amounts of tBuDA are incorporated

in the polymer.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

200 300 400 500 600 700 800

temperature (˚C)

Wei

ght (

%)

PEAgradient PEAtBuArandom PBnAtBuA

Figure 18: TGA analysis of copolymers

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4.3 Subconclusion

PBnA containing polymers are able to form microstructures in solution and homo PBnA

is able to form stable crystalline structures in solid state which is proven by 1H NMR and

NOE NMR spectra together with DSC analysis. tBuA containing polymers show

isobutene loss when heated above 250 ˚C. The tert-butyl group is then cleaved of and

possibly an cross link between two polymer chains in the form of an anhydride is formed.

This could also explain the insolubility of the heated polymer.

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5 Conclusion Apart from EDA, also BnDA can be polymerized by a [(diene)Rh(pro)] complex forming

high molecular weight stereoregular polymers. Homopolymerization of tBuDA is not

possible; however, it can be build into a polymer chain when the polymerization reaction

is initiated by EDA or BnDA. This suggests that the diazoacetate is involved in initiation

of the reaction. TGA data shows a loss of isobutene from tert-butyl acetate containing

polymers at 250˚C, thermal decomposition of the rest of the polymer takes place above

300˚C. After loss of the isobutene group the polymer becomes insoluble. Possibly this is

caused by crosslinking between different polymers via formation of anhydrides.

Random and gradient copolymers can be made with different combinations of EDA,

BnDA and tBuDA. GPC data show elongation of the polymer chain after addition of a

second monomer to the reaction mixture.

Comparison of 1H NMR chemical shifts of PBnA and PEA to the 1H NMR chemical

shifts of gradient and random copolymers from PEA and BnDA suggest that BnA

containing polymers form microstructures in solution by π-stacking of the benzylic

groups. This theory is supported by NOE couplings between benzylacetate and

ethylacetate in random and gradient copolymers. The higher Tg and Tc led us to believe

that also in solid state π-stacking occurs.

Decomposition of [(dmcod)Rh(pro)] (2) in air leads to higher yields in polymerization of

EDA. It is not clear what causes this increase in activity; but possibly the old complex

represses formation of the ethylacetate dimer. It is clear that the decomposed complex

contains more than 14 different rhodium species and produces less dimer during the

polymerization of EDA

.

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6 Future For future research it is important that the reaction conditions for the copolymerization,

especially the gradient block copolymerization are optimized. Also the optimal

concentration for homo polymerization reactions should be reconsidered. From

economical and environmental perspective it is desirable to develop a catalyst that

performs at higher concentrations and low catalyst loadings in order to use less expensive

rhodium and less chlorinated solvents. Therefore it may be beneficial to screen more

catalysts and look for higher initiation efficiencies.

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7 Experimental General procedures

All manipulations were performed under an argon atmosphere using standard Schlenk

techniques. Toluene distilled from sodium was used for synthesis of [((R,R)-Bn-

nbd)Rh(Cl)]220

. Chemicals have been purchased from commercial suppliers and, if not

stated otherwise, used without further purification. NMR experiments were carried out on

a Varian Inova 500 spectrometer (500 and 125 MHz for 1H and 13C respectively), a

Varian Mercury 300 spectrometer (300, 75 and 280 MHz for 1H, 13C and 19F

respectively), a Bruker ARX 400 spectrometer (400 and 125 MHz for 1H and 13C

respectively) and a Bruker DRX 300 spectrometer (9.483 MHz for 103Rh). Assignment of

the signals was aided by COSY, NOESY, 13C HSQC and APT experiments. All 103Rh

NMR experiments were performed two times. Solvent shift reference for 1H NMR

spectroscopy: CDCl3: δH = 7.26, DMSO-d6: δH = 2.50. For 13C NMR spectroscopy:

CDCl3: δC = 77.0. High Resolution Mass Spectra were recorded at the Department of

Mass Spectrometry at the University of Amsterdam using FAB+ ionization on a JOEL

JMS SX/SX102A four sector mass spectrometer with 3-nitrobenzylalcohol as the matrix.

Elemental analysis (CHN) was performed by the Kolbe analytical laboratory in Mülheim

and der Ruhr (Germany). Molecular mass distributions were measured using size

exclusion chromatography (SEC) on a Shimadzu LC-20AD system with two PLgel 5µm

MIXED-C columns (polymer laboratories) in series columns and a Shimadzu RID-10A

refractive index detector, using dichloromethane as mobile phase at 1mL/min and T = 35

˚C. Polystyrene standards in the range of 760-1880000 g/mol (Aldrich) were used for

calibration. Thermal analysis (DSC and TGA) was measured at the University of

Groningen on a DSC Q1000 V9.8 from Universal V4.3A TA instruments.

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Synthesis of [(1,5-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene)Rh(pro)] (2)

A solution of proline (1 mmol) and NaOH (1mmol) in 10 ml MeOH

was added to a solution of rhodium 1,5-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene

chloride dimer (0.5 mmol) in 5 ml MeOH. 5 ml MeOH was added and

the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 90 minutes. The

solvent was evaporated and the remaining solid extracted with dichloromethane and

filtered over celite. After evaporation of DCM the complex was obtained in 90 % yield.

MS (FAB) calcd for RhC15H24O2N (M+H) 354.0940 Found 354.0932

Table 6: 1H (500 MHz) and 13C NMR (125 MHz) shift values (CDCl3, 292 K, δ in ppm) of 2

abc d

efgh

[(dmcod)Rh(pro)]

abc d

efgh

ij

[(dmcod)Rh(pro)]

proton 2a 2b carbon 2a 2b

a 4.05 a 100.23 and 99.83

b 3.48 3.20 b 85.84 and 84.79

c c 73.20 71.82

d 1.57, 1.46 and 1.40

d 79.58

e e

f f

g g

h

1.5 - 3.0 *

h

23 - 53 **

NH 3.97 and 3.38 i

COO-CH 4.03 3.71 j

30.44, 29.04, 28.21

and 27.58

NH-CH2 1.5 - 3.0 * COO 182.74 and 180.36

CH2-CH 1.5 – 3 * 2.14 COO-CH 65.16 63.42

COO-CH NH-CH2-CH2

NH-CH2-CH2 1.5 - 3.0 *

CH2-CH-COO

NH-CH2-CH2

23 - 53 **

* Indistinguishable signals, partially overlapping in this region ** indistinguishable signals

RhN

O OMe

Me

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Synthesis of [(C2H4)2Rh(Cl)]221

2 grams of RhCl3·3H2O (8 mmol) was dissolved in 3 ml H2O and transferred to a flask

with 50 ml MeOH. The content of the flask was freed from oxygen and repressurized

with ethylene to 1 atm. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 7 h after which a

brown solid was collected by filtration under argon. The product was washed with MeOH

and dried in vacuo yielding 400 mg (13%) of product.

Synthesis of [((R,R)-Bn-nbd)Rh(Cl)]220

86 mg of (R,R)-benzyl-norbornadiene (0.25 mmol) was

dissolved in 2,5 ml toluene and 50 mg of [(C2H4)2Rh(Cl)]2

(0.125 mmol) was added. The solution was stirred for 2h

under inert atmosphere, dried and purified over silica gel.

Synthesis of [(R,R)-Bn-nbd)Rh(pro)] (4)

A solution of proline (0.2 mmol) and NaOH (0.2 mmol) in 2 ml

MeOH was added to a solution of ((R,R)-Bn-nbd)Rh(Cl)]2 (0.1

mmol) in 1 ml MeOH. 1 ml MeOH was added and the reaction was

stirred at room temperature for 90 minutes. The solvent was

evaporated and the remaining solid extracted with DCM. After evaporation of DCM the

complex was obtained in 83 % yield.

Synthesis of Benzyl diazoacetate (b) 22,23

A roundbottom flask containing a solution of 3.75 gram glycine

(50 mmol) in 350 ml benzyl alcohol was cooled in ice. 11 ml of

thionylchloride was added dropwise. The mixture was heated to

110˚C for 5 h after which it was cooled to room temperature and the excess of

thionylchloride was evaporated in vacuo. Diethylether was added until some permanent

turbidity appeared. The mixture was stored at -22˚C for 36 h. A white solid was filtered

from solution, washed with cold Et2O and dried. Yielding 7.54 grams (75%) of white

solid. 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO d6) δ 8.56 (s, 3H), 7.37 (m, 5H), 5.20(s, 2H), 3.83 (s,

2H)

RhN

O O

Bn

Bn

Rh

Bn

Bn

Rh

Bn

BnCl

Cl

O

ONH3

Cl-

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This was dissolved in 9 ml of water and 20 ml of dichloromethane

and 8.12 mL 5M NaNO2 were added. The solution was cooled to

-10˚C and 3.11 mL 5% H2SO4 was added. The mixture was stirred for

1 h at -10˚C after which the layers were separated, the water layer was extracted with

DCM and the organic layer washed with NaHCO3 (aq). The organic layer was dried over

Na2SO3 and the solvent was evaporated. Yield, 6.09 gram of yellow oil (71%) 1H NMR

(300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.35 (m, 5H), 5.22 (s, 2H), 4.80 (s, 1H)

Synthesis of α-diazophenone (d) 24

α-bromoacetophenone (5 mmol) and N,N’-ditosylhydrazine (10 mmol)

were dissolved in 25 ml of THF and cooled to 0˚C. DBU (25 mmol) was

added dropwise and the reaction mixture was left stirring at 0˚C for 10

min. The reaction was quenched with NaHCO3, extracted with Et2O and washed with

brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO4 after which the solvent was evaporated.

The remaining solid was purified over silica with hexane:EtOAc 1:1. 1H NMR (300 MHz,

CDCl3) δ 7.75 (d, 2H) 3J = Hz, 7.53 (m, 1H), 7.42(m, 2H), 5.89 (s, 1H)

Synthesis of 1,1,1-trifluorodiazoacetone (e) 25

10 ml of trimethylsilyldiazomethane (2 M in ether) was dropped slowly into

1.4 ml trifloroacetocanhydride (10 mmol) solution in ether at 0˚C under inert

atmosphere. After removal of the solvent in vacuo the product was purified

by over silica with hexane:EtOAc 1:1 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 5.80 (s, 1H) ; 19F

NMR (280 MHz) δ -77.25 (s, 3F)

General procedure for polymerization of diazocompounds

Diazocompound (2 mmol) was added to a solution of catalyst precursor (0.04 mmol) in 5

ml chloroform. The reaction mixture was left stirring under argon during the night, after

which the solvent was removed under vacuo and the remaining polymer was washed with

MeOH and dried under vacuum.

Experiments in which the polymerization was followed in time were performed using

identical conditions (1H NMR: 300 MHz, CDCl3, 292 K).

N2

O

O

F3CN2

O

O

N2

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General procedure for gradient block copolymerization of diazocompounds

The first diazocompound (1.2 mmol) was added to a solution of catalyst precursor (0.04

mmol) in 5 ml chloroform. After 30 minutes the second diazocompound (2 mmol) was

added and the reaction mixture was left stirring under argon over night. The solvent was

removed and the polymer was washed with MeOH and dried under vacuum.

General procedure for random copolymerization of diazocompounds

Both diazocompounds (1 mmol) were added to a solution of catalyst precursor (0.04

mmol) in 5 ml chloroform. The reaction mixture was left stirring under argon during the

night, after which the solvent was removed under vacuo and the remaining polymer was

washed with MeOH and dried under vacuum.

OO

OO

OO

1

2

3

4

5 6

1 1

Table 7: 1H NMR shifts (CDCl3, 292K, δ in ppm) of polymers and copolymers

Polymer MHz 1 2 3 4 5 6

PEA 500 3.16 x x 4.06 1.21 x

BnEA 500 3.59 4.72 7.03 - 7.10 x x x

Random PEABnA 500 3.38 4.9 7 - 7.5 3.9 1.05 x

Random PEAtBuA 400 3.18 x x 4.07 1.23 1.43

Random PBnAtBuA 400 3.62 sh-r 4.79 6.9 - 7.4 x x 1.17

Gradient PBnAtBuA 400 3.61 4.74 6.9 - 7.5 x x 1.22, 1.35

Gradient PEAtBuA 500 3.16 x x 4.06 1.22 1.41

Gradient PEABnA 500 3.40, 3.17 4.87 7.0 - 7.5 4.07, 3.88 1.22, 1.01 x

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OO

OO

OO

a

b

c

d

ef

g

h

a a

b b

Table 8: 13C NMR shifts (CDCl3, 292K, δ in ppm) of polymers and copolymers

Polymer MHz a b c d e f g h

PEA 125 45 171 x x 61 14 x x

BnEA 125 45 171 67 135, 128, 127 x x x x

Random PEABnA 125 45 171 67 136, 128, 127 61 14 x x

Random PEAtBuA 100 45 171 x x 60 14 81 28

Random PBnAtBuA 100 x 171 67 136, 128, 127 x x x 28

Gradient PBnAtBuA 100 x 171 x 136, 128, 127 x x x 28

Gradient PEAtBuA 125 45 171 x x 61 14 81 28

Gradient PEABnA 125 45 171 67 136, 128, 127 61 14 x x

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8 List of abbreviations

EDA ethyldiazoacetate

BnDA benzyldiazoacetate

tBuDA tert-butyldiazoacetate

PEA poly(ethyl 2-ylidene-acetate)

PBnA poly(benzyl 2-ylidene-acetate)

cod 1,5-cyclooctadiene

dmcod 1,5-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene

pro L-prolinate

nbd 2,5-norbornadiene

dcp dicyclopentadiene

dbn-nbd (R’,R)-benzyl-norbornadiene

SEC Size Exclusion Chromatography

DSC Differential Scanning Colorimetry

TGA Thermo Gravimetric Analysis

NOE Nuclear Overhauser Effect

FAB Fast Atom Bombardment

Mw Weight distributed molecular weight

Mn/Mw polydispersity

Tg Glass transition point

Tm Melting temperature

Tc Crystallization temperature

s singlet

m multiplet

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9 Acknowledgments This work was supported by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research

(NWO-CW) and the University of Amsterdam. I want to thank B. de Bruin and E.

Jellema for their support and guidance during this project, prof. J. N.H. Reek for helpful

discussions, J.A.J. Geenevasen and J.M. Ernsting for their assistance with the NMR

measurements; J.W.H. Peeters for recording the high resolution mass spectra; G.O.R.

Alberda van Ekenstein for thermal analysis of the polymers and Guillaume Berthon for

providing the dibenzylnorbornadiene ligand.

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