Abstract:
Embodiments of the polymerization process of the present invention are directed to polymerizing free radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of a polymerization medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst and an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator. The polymerization medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the polymerization process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The polymerization process may further comprise reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state and a compound comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the polymerization process. Embodiments of the present invention comprise reacting a reducing agent with at least one of catalyst in an oxidized state and a compound comprising a radically transferable atom or group to initiate and/or maintain catalytic activity throughout the polymerization process.
Abstract:
A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.
Abstract:
A procedure for improved temperature control in controlled radical polymerization processes is disclosed. The procedure is directed at controlling the concentration of the persistent radical in ATRP and NMP polymerizations procedures and the concentration of radicals in a RAFT polymerization process by feeding a reducing agent or radical precursor continuously or intermittently to the reaction medium through one of more ports.
Abstract:
Polymers comprising a polymer backbone comprising one or more degradable units are described. The polymer may additionally comprise two or more polymer segments comprising radically (co)polymerizable vinyl monomer units. The degradable units may be independently selected from, but not limited to, at least one of hydrodegradable, photodegradable and biodegradable units between the polymer segments and dispersed along the polymer backbone. The degradable units may be derived from one or more monomers comprising a heterocyclic ring that is capable of undergoing radical ring opening polymerization, a coupling agent, or from a polymerization initiator, radically polymerizable monomers, as well as other reactive sources. Embodiments of the degradable polymer of claim are capable of degrading by at least one of a hydrodegradation, photodegradation or biodegradation mechanisms to form at least one of telechelic oligomer and telechelic polymeric fragments of the polymer. The degradable polymer may be able to degrade into polymer fragments having a molecular weight distribution of less than 5, or in certain applications it may be preferable for embodiments of the polymer to be capable of forming polymer fragments having a molecular weight distribution of the polymer fragments less than 3.0 or even less than 2.5. Embodiments of the present invention also include methods of producing degradable polymers.
Abstract:
A process for constructing multi-arm star macromolecules with uniform properties, high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution using free radical polymerization is described.
Abstract:
Functional gel particle formed from a crosslinked polymeric network including a fraction of stable crosslinks and a second fraction of cleavable crosslinks are disclosed. Functional compounds may be chemically or physically encapsulated within and/or released from the gel particle by selective cleavage of the cleavable crosslinks. The functional compounds may be delivered and released to a pre-selected target site. Peripheral or other accessible functionality on the surface of the gel particle allows attachment of a surface reactive agent, thereby modifying one or more surface properties of the gel particle. Processes of preparing the gel particles and processes of delivering the functional compounds to a target site are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Functional gel particle formed from a crosslinked polymeric network including a fraction of stable crosslinks and a second fraction of cleavable crosslinks are disclosed. Functional compounds may be chemically or physically encapsulated within and/or released from the gel particle by selective cleavage of the cleavable crosslinks. The functional compounds may be delivered and released to a pre-selected target site. Peripheral or other accessible functionality on the surface of the gel particle allows attachment of a surface reactive agent, thereby modifying one or more surface properties of the gel particle. Processes of preparing the gel particles and processes of delivering the functional compounds to a target site are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the process for the preparation of alkoxyamines of the present invention are directed to conducting a coupling reaction in a reaction medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst, an ATRP initiator and a nitroxide or nitroxide precursor. The reaction medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. In certain embodiments the reducing agent is the nitroxide precursor. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the coupling process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The coupling process may further comprises reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state further comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the coupling process. Embodiments of the present invention comprise reacting a reducing agent with at least one of catalyst in an oxidized state and an ATRP initiator to initiate and/or maintain catalytic activity throughout the coupling process between the formed radical and added nitroxide.
Abstract:
A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the process for the preparation of alkoxyamines of the present invention are directed to conducting a coupling reaction in a reaction medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst, an ATRP initiator and a nitroxide or nitroxide precursor. The reaction medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. In certain embodiments the reducing agent is the nitroxide precursor. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the coupling process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The coupling process may further comprises reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state further comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the coupling process. Embodiments of the present invention comprise reacting a reducing agent with at least one of catalyst in an oxidized state and an ATRP initiator to initiate and/or maintain catalytic activity throughout the coupling process between the formed radical and added nitroxide.