@article { ISI:000245763600001, title = {Anionic vinyl polymerization - 50 years after Michael Szwarc}, journal = {Progress in Polymer Science}, volume = {32}, number = {2}, year = {2007}, month = {FEB}, pages = {173-219}, publisher = {PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD}, type = {Article}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

We present a review on the present status of anionic polymerization of important non-polar and polar vinyl monomers. After presenting the historical background-the {\textquoteleft}{\textquoteleft}pre-Szwarc{\textquoteright}{\textquoteright} era-we discuss the mechanisms of this polymerization, in particular several types of carbanions, their ion-pairs and their aggregates occurring in the initiation and propagation of non-polar and polar monomers, including recent developments. Finally, we discuss some important scientific and industrial applications of anionic polymerization. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Anionic polymerization, carbanions, history, ion-pairs, kinetics, mechanisms}, issn = {0079-6700}, doi = {10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2007.01.003}, author = {Baskaran, Durairaj and Mueller, Axel H. E.} } @article { ISI:000245142200047, title = {Grafting reactions of living macroanions with multi-walled carbon nanotubes}, journal = {Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology}, volume = {7}, number = {4-5}, year = {2007}, month = {APR}, pages = {1560-1567}, publisher = {AMER SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHERS}, type = {Article}, address = {25650 NORTH LEWIS WAY, STEVENSON RANCH, CA 91381-1439 USA}, abstract = {

Grafting reactions of living polystyryllithium (PSLi) with acid chloride containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs-COCl) were performed under vacuum in benzene at room temperature. Covalent grafting of polystyrene (PS) was characterized using spectroscopic, microscopic, and thermogravimetric analyses. Grafting at different ratios of macroanion to acylchloride of the carbon nanotubes showed that the grafting efficiency was not dependent on the concentration of the macroanions. The mole percent of PS present in the MWNTs-g-PS samples was inversely proportional to the precursor molecular weight of PSLi. Direct reactions of PSLi, polybutadienyllithium and n-butyllithium with pristine MWNTs without any functional groups were also performed in the presence and in the absence of tetrahydrofuran in benzene. The grafting reactions of living macroanions either with MWNTs-COCl or with pristine MWNTs indicated a partial grafting of polymer on the carbon nanotubes in benzene at room temperature.

}, keywords = {Anionic polymerization, covalent functionalization, grafting, multi-walled carbon nanotubes}, issn = {1533-4880}, doi = {10.1166/jnn.2007.459}, author = {Baskaran, Durairaj and Sakellariou, Georgios and Mays, Jimmy W. and Bratcher, Matthew S.} } @article { ISI:000254135200020, title = {Synthesis of amphiphilic poly(methyl methacrylate-b-ethylene oxide) copolymers from monohydroxy telechelic poly(methyl methacrylate) as macroinitiator}, journal = {Journal of Polymer Science Part A-Polymer Chemistry}, volume = {46}, number = {6}, year = {2008}, month = {MAR}, pages = {2132-2144}, publisher = {JOHN WILEY \& SONS INC}, type = {Article}, address = {111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN, NJ 07030 USA}, abstract = {

The synthesis of well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PMMA-b-PEO) dibock copolymer through anionic polymerization using monohydroxy telechelic PMMA as macroinitiator is described. Living anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate was performed using initiators derived from the adduct of diphenylethylene and a suitable alkyllithium, either of which contains a hydroxyl group protected with tert-butyldimethylsilyl moiety in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at -78 degrees C in the presence of LiClO4. The synthesized telechelic PMMAs had good control of molecular weight with narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD). The H-1 NMR and MALDI-TOF MS analysis confirmed quantitative functionalization of chain-ends. Block copolymerization of ethylene oxide was carried out using the terminal hydroxyl group of PMMA as initiator in the presence of potassium counter ion in THF at 35 degrees C. The PMMA-b-PEO diblock copolymers had moderate control of molecular weight with narrow MWD. The H-1 NMR results confirm the absence of trans-esterification reaction of propagating PEO anions onto the ester pendants of PMMA. The micellation behavior of PMMA-b-PEO diblock copolymer was examined in water using H-1 NMR and dynamic light scattering. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

}, keywords = {Anionic polymerization, block copolymers, synthesis}, issn = {0887-624X}, doi = {10.1002/pola.22548}, author = {Dhara, Mahua Ganguly and Baskaran, Durairaj and Sivaram, Swaminathan} } @article { ISI:000267110100003, title = {Synthesis of hydroxy-functionalized star-branched PMMA by anionic polymerization}, journal = {Polymer Bulletin}, volume = {63}, number = {2}, year = {2009}, month = {AUG}, pages = {185-196}, publisher = {SPRINGER}, address = {233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA}, abstract = {

Living anionic polymerization has been exploited to synthesize hydroxy end-functionalized PMMA star-branched polymers. Protected hydroxy-functionalized alkyl lithium initiators have been used to initiate anionic polymerization of MMA. Subsequently the living chains with protected hydroxyl function have been used to cross-link ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in order to form star-branched polymers with cross-linked EGDMA core via {\textquoteleft}arm-first{\textquoteright} method. The linear arms and the star molecules have been characterized by (1)HNMR, GPC, and light scattering. Variation in the number of arms with arm molecular weight and cross-linker loading has been studied. Star-branched PMMA-OH with as many as similar to 10 arms could be successfully made. Increased molecular weight of PMMA-OH led to decrease in the number of arms incorporated due to increased steric hindrance on the core. Increase in EGDMA concentration slightly increased the arm incorporation.

}, keywords = {Anionic polymerization, Star polymers, Star-branched PMMA}, issn = {0170-0839}, doi = {10.1007/s00289-009-0082-7}, author = {Dhara, Mahua Ganguly and Sivaram, Swaminathan and Baskaran, Durairaj} }