Complexation of Syndiotactic Polystyrene with 12‐Crown‐4

Abstract

Solid-state complexation of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) with a crown ether compound, 1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-cyclododecane (12-crown-4), took place when a film of sPS/chloroform clathrate was subjected to a guest exchange procedure assisted with a plasticizing agent. The new guest 12-crown-4 molecules were incorporated into the crystalline region of the sPS film, without causing a large conformational change of host sPS helices. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric investigations showed that sPS/12-crown-4 complex had a clathrate complex structure which contained four 12-crown-4 molecules per unit cell. IR and Raman data suggested that 12-crown-4 took a C(i) -type conformation in the sPS complex phase.

Factors controlling the structure of syndiotactic polystyrene upon the guest exchange and guest extraction processes

“…However, some guest molecules can be easily exchanged with particular solvents by keeping the samples in the corresponding solvent atmosphere [55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62]. The rate of guest exchange depends on the interaction between the polymer and the guest and also on the size of the guest molecule [57].…”

Simultaneous Time‐Resolved SAXS and WAXS Study on Guest Exchange Process of Syndiotactic Polystyrene with Aromatic Compounds: Size and Shape Effects of Target Molecules

“…A new kind of functional materials would be developed by combining the characteristics of a host polymer lattice and those of a doped guest compound. The potential as novel functional polymer materials attracts strong attention, and many studies are actively being carried out …”

Simultaneous SAXS and WAXS Study on the Guest Exchange Process of Syndiotactic Polystyrene: Crystalline Complex Formation with Triethylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether

“…The polymer‐crystalline‐region‐based complex found in sPS is unprecedented in synthetic polymers with respect to considerable variety of guest molecules. The potential of sPS cocrystal states as new kinds of functional polymer materials attracts attention, and many studies are actively being carried out 12–23…”

“…The addition of an additive into the substitute significantly promotes the guest‐exchange process of sPS complexes. For example, the mixing of chloroform into a liquid n‐decane makes the uptake of n‐decane into the sPS lattice proceed much faster 13, 26. The additive‐assisted guest‐exchange method has extended the range of chemical compounds available as guests.…”

“…Recently, it has been found that chemical compounds having ethylene oxide (–CH 2 CH 2 O–) repeat units have a high affinity with sPS lattice and the formation of sPS cocrystals with crown ethers, and a series of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ethers can be achieved through the guest‐exchange procedure 13, 14, 22. How such relatively large molecules can intrude into the lattice of sPS cocrystals and replace the original guest is of interest.…”