# Synthesis of Polyethers Containing Triazole Units in the Backbone by Click Chemistry in a Tricomponent Reaction

Authors: Moslem Mansour Lakouraj; Vahid Hasantabar; Nazanin Bagheri
Journal: Journal of Polymers
 (2013)

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## Abstract

A series of linear aromatic polyethers containing triazole units were synthesized via the direct click reaction of dibromide and bisethynyl compounds in the presence of sodium azide as one pot reaction. The structures of polymers were approved by using IR and1H NMR techniques. The solubility experiments showed that polymers have good solubility in polar aprotic solvents such as DMSO, DMF, and NMP at higher temperatures. Thermal stability of the polymers was measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) which indicated that they possessed good thermal stability (T50 up to 558°C) and high Tg (191.7–260°C) under N2 atmosphere. All the polymers were amorphous according to the DSC and X-ray diffraction. These polymers exhibited strong UV-vis absorption maxima near to 400 nm and up to 500 nm in DMSO solution.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) are known as an important class of the high-performance polymeric materials which consist of aromatic rings and ether linkages [1]. So far, one of the most common and effective methods for the formation of aromatic ether linkages in polyether synthesis was nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reaction. Different poly(aryl ether)s including poly(ether sulfone)s, poly(ether ketone)s, and poly(ether imide)s have been prepared using the SNAr reaction and commercialized [2]. However, this method suffers from some serious limitations such as high temperature and harsh conditions. In addition, only appropriate monomers having electron-withdrawing groups at the ortho position to the leaving group could be polymerized.Recent innovations in synthetic methodology have improved polymer synthesis, enabling the custom design of a large variety of macromolecular architectures under incorporation of desired functional units [3, 4]. To find an outstanding polymerization reaction, polymer chemists and biotechnologists have increasingly turned towards advanced synthetic organic concepts. In this respect, the most interesting one is click chemistry well documented in the past decade. The applications of click reactions are wide in scope. The click reactions give excellent yields and generate inoffensive by-products that can be removed by convenient methods. The required process characteristics include simple reaction conditions, readily available reactants, solvent free reactions or using a solvent that is benign or easily removed, and simple product isolation [5].To date, the most popular reaction that satisfied these features is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, also known as Huisgen cycloaddition, between an azide and a terminal alkyne which affords the triazole moiety [6]. The applicability of this reaction is very high, since alkyne and azide components can be incorporated into a wide range of substituents [7]. Unfortunately, this reaction suffers from a lack of selectivity yielding a mixture of the 1,4- and the 1,5-regioisomers. Furthermore, this transformation requires heating and long reaction times to go to completion, and the mixtures of regioisomers are at times laborious to separate using classical chromatographic procedures [7]. Recently, it has been reported that copper(I) salts accelerate the reaction rate enormously. Surprisingly, the copper catalyst produces only the 1,4-regioisomer at room temperature in moderate heating [8, 9].Although, the applications of click reaction in materials science are especially interesting, most of them were focused on the preparation of dendronized polymers [10, 11] and conjugated polymers [12] or limited to incorporation of 1,2,3-triazole rings into polymers by graft polymerization [13–15]. According to our literature survey, it is found that the 1,2,3-triazole ring was rarely incorporated into the backbone of linear poly(arylene ether)s [16–19].In this paper, we wish to describe the synthesis and characterization of a novel class of linear aromatic and aliphatic polyethers such as poly(ether ketone)s, poly(ether sulfone)s, and fluorinated poly ether containing triazole units in the backbone via the in situ click reaction of bisethynyl and dibromide compounds in the presence of sodium azide as a tricomponents reaction.


## 2. Materials and Methods

Acetone was dried over CaH2 and distillated before use. Other reagents or materials were used as received. The chemicals used in this experiment were purchased from Merck (Germany).


### 2.1. Characterization

Melting points were measured by an Electrothermal 9100 apparatus.1H NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DRX-400. IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin Elmer FT-IR- 1710 spectrophotometer. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were recorded on a thermal science PLSTA 1500 system under nitrogen atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C min−1. Inherent viscosity at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL was measured with an Ubbelohde suspended-level viscometer at 25°C in DMSO solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were obtained at room temperature on a Rigaku D/Max-2550 powder diffractometer with a scanning speed of 5° min−1, and the patterns were recorded in the 2θ range of 5–50°. Relative molecular weights and distributions were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) system equipped with a Waters 1515 Isocratic HPLC pump, a Waters 2414 refractive index (RI) detector, a Waters 2487 dual wavelength λ absorbance detector, and a set of Waters Styragel columns (HR3, HR4, and HR5, 7.8 mm × 300 mm). GPC measurements were carried out at 35°C using DMF as eluent at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Ultraviolet-visible spectra were recorded on a Cecil 5503 (Cecil Instruments, Cambridge, UK) spectrophotometers using a dilute polymer solution (0.20 g/dL) in DMSO.


### 2.2. Synthesis of Bis Propargyl Ether of Bisphenol

Bisphenol (0.05 mol), potassium carbonate (0.15 mol), dry acetone (50 mL), and propargyl bromide (0.125 mol) were mixed in a round bottom flask equipped with a condenser and a heater stirrer. Then the mixture was kept at 80°C overnight. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was evaporated and the product was washed with 5% K2CO3 aq. and deionized water several times. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane/ethyl acetate (4 : 1) as eluent to give 1a–d. Then, it was recrystallized from ethanol twice to obtain crystalline monomers. Synthesis of bis propargyl ethers of bisphenols is shown in Scheme 1.Scheme 1
Synthesis of bis propargyl ethers.1a: Yield: 90%. m.p. 80–82°C [20].1b: Yield: 85%. m.p. 180–182°C [20].1c: Yield: 88%. m.p. 89-90°C [20].1d: Yield: 89%. Oil; IR (KBr, cm−1): 3299 (≡CH), 2127 (C≡C); 1247 (Ar–O); 1189 (O–CH2); 827 (–CF3); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 2.59 (tr, J=2.4 Hz, 2H, ≡CH), 4.79 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 4H, –CH2), 7.06 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 4H, –O–Ar–H), 7.82 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 4H, –C–Ar–H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 55.8, 66.3, 76.1, 77.8, 114.3, 131.3, 132.1, 160.7, 194.3. MS m/z (relative intensity) 412.


### 2.3. Synthesis of Polymer1a–d and 2a–d from Bis Propargyl Aryl Ethers and Dibromides

In a 25 mL flask, to a solution of bisethynyl compounds (0.50 mmol),  dibromide (146 mg, 0.50 mmol) and sodium azide (71.5 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (10 mL), was added a suspension of CuCl (9.85 mg, 20 mol %) in H2O (2 mL) in dropwise. Then NEt3 was added gradually until color of mixture changes from brown to light green. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. The reaction mixture was diluted by water (20 mL) and then concentrated ammonia (5 mL) was added and stirred for another 1 h. The mixture was filtered and the resulting solid material was washed with H2O, methanol, and THF. Finally, the obtained polymer was further purified using continuous extraction by soxhlet in THF.P1a: 90% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3180, 3085, 2929, 1650, 1604, 1508, 1430, 1307, 1226, 1180, 1018, 829, 688.  1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.11 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.63 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.11 (br, 4H, phenyl), 6.91 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.71 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.25 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.68 (s, 6H, CH3). Anal. Calc. for (C29H28N6O2)n: C 70.73, H 5.69, N 17.07. Found: C 71.25, H 5.56, N 17.81%.P1b: 93% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3140, 3058, 2920, 1592, 1494, 1459, 1294, 1253, 1177, 1149, 1106, 1050, 998. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.19 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.83 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.51 (br, 4H, phenyl), 6.95 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.83 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.05 (br, 4H, CH2–N). Anal. Calc. for (C26H22N6O4S)n: C 60.7, H 4.28, N 16.34. Found: C 61.23, H 5.1, N 16.93%.P1c: 89% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3255, 3056, 2948, 1644, 1598, 1508, 1455, 1423, 1311, 1247, 1166, 998, 927. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.01 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.52 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.21 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.01 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.64 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.44 (br, 4H, CH2–N). Anal. Calc. for (C27H22N6O3)n C 67.78, H 4.6, N 17.57. Found: C 68.34, H 4.86, N 18.01%.P1d: 83% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3139, 3045, 2958, 2875, 1614, 1515, 1461, 1427, 1249, 1170, 1051, 962, 825. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.16 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.43 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.25 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.08 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.75 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.25 (br, 4H, CH2–N). Anal. Calc. for (C29H22N6O2F6)n C 56.49, H 3.57, N 13.63. Found: C 55.63, H 4.03, N 14.05%.P2a: 91% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3180, 3042, 2962, 1606, 1508, 1459, 1363, 1297, 1242, 1182, 1011, 830. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.31 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.78 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.08 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.15 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.16 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.72 (s, 6H, CH3), 1.54 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C25H28N6O2)n C 67.56, H 6.3, N 18.91. Found: C 68.22, H 6.43, N 19.01%.P2b: 90% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3125, 3051, 2960, 1602, 1494, 1457, 1295, 1248, 1180, 1138, 1106, 1050, 998. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.21 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.82 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.18 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.20 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.36 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.74 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C22H22N6O4S)n C 56.65, H 4.72, N 18.02. Found: C 57.71, H 4.85, N 18.51%.P2c: 89% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3155, 3051, 2958, 1644, 1588, 1501, 1453, 1423, 1289, 1242, 1156, 988. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.08 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.63 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.01 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.31 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.19 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.65 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C23H22N6O3)n C 64.18, H 5.11, N 19.53. Found: C 65.11, H 5.61, N 19.27%.P2d: 85% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3129, 3055, 2978, 1624, 1505, 1451, 1407, 1239, 1159, 1045, 980, 827. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.23 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.12 (br, 4H, phenyl), 6.87 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.15 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.39 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.78 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C25H22N6O2F6)n C 54.34, H 3.98, N 15.21. Found: C 55.69, H 4.09, N 15.61%.


## 2.1. Characterization

Melting points were measured by an Electrothermal 9100 apparatus.1H NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DRX-400. IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin Elmer FT-IR- 1710 spectrophotometer. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were recorded on a thermal science PLSTA 1500 system under nitrogen atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C min−1. Inherent viscosity at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL was measured with an Ubbelohde suspended-level viscometer at 25°C in DMSO solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were obtained at room temperature on a Rigaku D/Max-2550 powder diffractometer with a scanning speed of 5° min−1, and the patterns were recorded in the 2θ range of 5–50°. Relative molecular weights and distributions were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) system equipped with a Waters 1515 Isocratic HPLC pump, a Waters 2414 refractive index (RI) detector, a Waters 2487 dual wavelength λ absorbance detector, and a set of Waters Styragel columns (HR3, HR4, and HR5, 7.8 mm × 300 mm). GPC measurements were carried out at 35°C using DMF as eluent at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Ultraviolet-visible spectra were recorded on a Cecil 5503 (Cecil Instruments, Cambridge, UK) spectrophotometers using a dilute polymer solution (0.20 g/dL) in DMSO.


## 2.2. Synthesis of Bis Propargyl Ether of Bisphenol

Bisphenol (0.05 mol), potassium carbonate (0.15 mol), dry acetone (50 mL), and propargyl bromide (0.125 mol) were mixed in a round bottom flask equipped with a condenser and a heater stirrer. Then the mixture was kept at 80°C overnight. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was evaporated and the product was washed with 5% K2CO3 aq. and deionized water several times. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane/ethyl acetate (4 : 1) as eluent to give 1a–d. Then, it was recrystallized from ethanol twice to obtain crystalline monomers. Synthesis of bis propargyl ethers of bisphenols is shown in Scheme 1.Scheme 1
Synthesis of bis propargyl ethers.1a: Yield: 90%. m.p. 80–82°C [20].1b: Yield: 85%. m.p. 180–182°C [20].1c: Yield: 88%. m.p. 89-90°C [20].1d: Yield: 89%. Oil; IR (KBr, cm−1): 3299 (≡CH), 2127 (C≡C); 1247 (Ar–O); 1189 (O–CH2); 827 (–CF3); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 2.59 (tr, J=2.4 Hz, 2H, ≡CH), 4.79 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 4H, –CH2), 7.06 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 4H, –O–Ar–H), 7.82 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 4H, –C–Ar–H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 55.8, 66.3, 76.1, 77.8, 114.3, 131.3, 132.1, 160.7, 194.3. MS m/z (relative intensity) 412.


## 2.3. Synthesis of Polymer1a–d and 2a–d from Bis Propargyl Aryl Ethers and Dibromides

In a 25 mL flask, to a solution of bisethynyl compounds (0.50 mmol),  dibromide (146 mg, 0.50 mmol) and sodium azide (71.5 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (10 mL), was added a suspension of CuCl (9.85 mg, 20 mol %) in H2O (2 mL) in dropwise. Then NEt3 was added gradually until color of mixture changes from brown to light green. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. The reaction mixture was diluted by water (20 mL) and then concentrated ammonia (5 mL) was added and stirred for another 1 h. The mixture was filtered and the resulting solid material was washed with H2O, methanol, and THF. Finally, the obtained polymer was further purified using continuous extraction by soxhlet in THF.P1a: 90% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3180, 3085, 2929, 1650, 1604, 1508, 1430, 1307, 1226, 1180, 1018, 829, 688.  1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.11 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.63 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.11 (br, 4H, phenyl), 6.91 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.71 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.25 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.68 (s, 6H, CH3). Anal. Calc. for (C29H28N6O2)n: C 70.73, H 5.69, N 17.07. Found: C 71.25, H 5.56, N 17.81%.P1b: 93% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3140, 3058, 2920, 1592, 1494, 1459, 1294, 1253, 1177, 1149, 1106, 1050, 998. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.19 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.83 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.51 (br, 4H, phenyl), 6.95 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.83 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.05 (br, 4H, CH2–N). Anal. Calc. for (C26H22N6O4S)n: C 60.7, H 4.28, N 16.34. Found: C 61.23, H 5.1, N 16.93%.P1c: 89% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3255, 3056, 2948, 1644, 1598, 1508, 1455, 1423, 1311, 1247, 1166, 998, 927. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.01 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.52 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.21 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.01 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.64 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.44 (br, 4H, CH2–N). Anal. Calc. for (C27H22N6O3)n C 67.78, H 4.6, N 17.57. Found: C 68.34, H 4.86, N 18.01%.P1d: 83% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3139, 3045, 2958, 2875, 1614, 1515, 1461, 1427, 1249, 1170, 1051, 962, 825. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.16 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.43 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.25 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.08 (br, 4H, phenyl), 4.75 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.25 (br, 4H, CH2–N). Anal. Calc. for (C29H22N6O2F6)n C 56.49, H 3.57, N 13.63. Found: C 55.63, H 4.03, N 14.05%.P2a: 91% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3180, 3042, 2962, 1606, 1508, 1459, 1363, 1297, 1242, 1182, 1011, 830. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.31 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.78 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.08 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.15 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.16 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.72 (s, 6H, CH3), 1.54 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C25H28N6O2)n C 67.56, H 6.3, N 18.91. Found: C 68.22, H 6.43, N 19.01%.P2b: 90% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3125, 3051, 2960, 1602, 1494, 1457, 1295, 1248, 1180, 1138, 1106, 1050, 998. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.21 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.82 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.18 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.20 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.36 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.74 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C22H22N6O4S)n C 56.65, H 4.72, N 18.02. Found: C 57.71, H 4.85, N 18.51%.P2c: 89% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3155, 3051, 2958, 1644, 1588, 1501, 1453, 1423, 1289, 1242, 1156, 988. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.08 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.63 (br, 4H, phenyl), 7.01 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.31 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.19 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.65 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C23H22N6O3)n C 64.18, H 5.11, N 19.53. Found: C 65.11, H 5.61, N 19.27%.P2d: 85% yield. IR (KBr, cm−1): 3129, 3055, 2978, 1624, 1505, 1451, 1407, 1239, 1159, 1045, 980, 827. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 400 MHz, ppm) δ: 8.23 (s, 2H, CH of triazole ring), 7.12 (br, 4H, phenyl), 6.87 (br, 4H, phenyl), 5.15 (br, 4H, CH2–O), 4.39 (br, 4H, CH2–N), 1.78 (br, 4H, CH2–CH2). Anal. Calc. for (C25H22N6O2F6)n C 54.34, H 3.98, N 15.21. Found: C 55.69, H 4.09, N 15.61%.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers

Since triazole ring is chemically inert toward oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis conditions and has an intermediate polarity [21], incorporation of such stable structural unit in polyethers can enhance their thermophysical properties. Traditionally, 1,2,3-triazoles were prepared from click reaction of azides and alkynes under Cu(I) catalysis which has been comprehensively reviewed [22]. However, low molecular weight organic azides may be unstable and should be handled with caution. Azides with a C/N ratio greater than one and no more than 3 can be synthesized and isolated but should be stored below room temperature at no more than 1 M concentration. Organic azides with C/N<1 should never be isolated and practically they were used without further purification [19]. Therefore, to avoid the use of azides, the polymers containing triazole unites, poly(triazole ether)s (P1a–d and P2a–d), were obtained from direct click reaction of corresponding dibromideswith bisethynyl compounds 1a–d in the presence of sodium azide (Scheme 2). The reactions were carried out in a 10 : 2 solvent ratio of DMF : H2O and using 20 mol% CuCl with NEt3 as base and stabilizing agent [23, 24] at room temperature. It is found that the reaction in dry DMF and/or in the absence of NEt3 gives polymers in low yield. It can be seen from the infrared spectra of P1a–d and P2a–d the strong absorption peaks about 3,300 and 2,100 cm−1 assigned to stretching vibrations of C≡C–H and –C≡C, respectively, disappeared, while new strong absorption peaks at 3042–3085 cm−1 corresponding to stretching vibration of C=C–H of the 1,2,3-triazole moiety appeared (Figure 1). Representative 1H NMR spectrum of monomer 1d and its aliphatic polymer P2d is shown in Figure 2. It is clear that the 1,2,3-triazole rings of the polymer were characterized by signals near 8.2 ppm corresponding to triazole protons. As seen in 1H NMR spectrum of the polymer P2d, it confirmed that the resulting polymers contain triazole units corresponding to IR analysis. These data indicate that direct polymerization between dibromide with bisethynyl compounds 1a–d in the presence of sodium azide via the click reaction was successful. In comparison with previous works for synthesis of these types of polymers [25], our method is novel, convenient, and in best agreement with click chemistry requirements (benign solvents, room temperature, simple isolation,…) and the most important feature of this method is the one pot synthesis that prevents from further purification and use of dangerous diazide compounds.Scheme 2
Synthesis of poly(triazole ether)s.Figure 1
IR of1d (up) and P2d (down) using the KBr tablets.Figure 2
400 MHz1H NMR of 1d in CDCl3 and P2d in DMSO-d6.


### 3.2. Consideration of Molecular Weights and Distributions of Polymers

The corresponding data of GPC analysis in DMF for polymers were showed in Table1. The results show that the polymerization via click chemistry produced polymers with adequately high molecular weights and narrow distributions. The number average molecular weights of them are between 17,300 and 24,800 and the distributions range is from 1.09 to 1.68. All polydispersities of polymers are less than 1.68 which is standard for polymerization reaction [26]. According to the high molecular weight and narrow distribution, it is found that the click chemistry is an effective route for polymerization.Table 1
Molecular weights and distributions of polymers.
Polymers
M
n
a
M
w
a
(
M
w
/
M
n
)
a
η
inh  (dl/g)
P1a
23,100
29,800
1.29
0.62
P1b
21,000
32,200
1.53
0.58
P1c
21,300
32,800
1.54
0.55
P1d
24,800
27,000
1.09
0.63
P2a
19,100
30,900
1.62
0.45
P2b
17,300
29,100
1.68
0.42
P2c
20,500
27,500
1.34
0.49
P2d
22,400
27,300
1.22
0.58
aGPC in DMF versus polystyrene in flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 35∘C.


### 3.3. Solubility Behavior of Polymers

The solubility of polymers was quantitatively determined in common organic solvents by dissolving 5.0 mg of solid polymers in 1.0 mL of solvents. In the solubility experiments, it was found that these polymers were completely insoluble in MeOH, THF, EtOAc, and toluene at room and high temperatures. But polymers showed low solubility in DMSO, DMF, and NMP at room temperature and good solubility at higher temperatures.


### 3.4. Thermal Properties of Polymers

Thermal stabilities ofP1a–d and P2a–d were evaluated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The resulting data are summarized in Table 2. The resulting polymers exhibited high resistance to thermal decomposition up to 558°C under nitrogen gas and decompose gradually above that temperature which is probably attributed to chain scission of ether linkage. It was seen from Figure 3 that rates of weight loss of aliphatic polymers were greater than aromatic polymers due to the decomposition of methylene groups. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymers, determined by DSC, ranged between 191.7 and 260°C and increased with the increase of conformational rigidity (Table 2). As was expected, since P1b has rigid sulfone groups in the polymer, backbone which restricts molecular rotation Tg of P1b is the highest. P2a was the lowest owing to higher flexibility of the methyl groups. The data reveal that Tg decreases with the nature of the aliphatic chain spacer. Absence of crystallization temperature in DSC curves (Figure 4) also shows the amorphous nature of the polymers, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Inherent viscosity ((η)inh=lnηrel/c) at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL was measured with an Ubbelohde suspended-level viscometer at 25°C in DMSO solution. Viscometry studies exhibited that polymers have moderate molecular weight (Table 1).Table 2
Thermal properties of polymers.
Polymers
T
5 (∘C)
T
10 (∘C)
T
50 (∘C)
Char yield (%)
T
g  (∘C)
P1a
249.6
321.4
499.5
46
210
P1b
274.2
313.8
556.7
48.3
260
P1c
271.3
309
—
54.46
220
P1d
302.2
310.9
558.8
44.3
212.5
P2a
327.1
345.6
390.9
25.6
191.7
P2b
287.4
319.1
410.2
32.9
196.7
P2c
261.7
316.05
469.64
42.7
208.3
P2d
175.2
297.5
370.8
18.7
196.8Figure 3
Thermogravimetric analysis under N2 atmosphere and heating rate of 10°C/min.Figure 4
Differential scanning calorimetric under N2 gas with heating rate of 10°C/min.


### 3.5. UV-Vis Properties of the Polymers

The photophysical properties of theP1a-d and P2a-d were investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy in DMSO solution. There are similar pair curves as can be seen in UV-vis diagrams (Figure 5) which exhibited strong absorption at 283 nm and 465 nm corresponding to phenyl and triazole rings of the polymer backbones, respectively. The presence of extra conjugation of –SO2 and –CO groups in the backbone of the polymer caused some blue shift. This effect has not be seen for the polymers bearing –(CH3)2– and –(CF3)2– spacer due to conjugation loss. Indeed, owing to the existence of different aromatic rings with different linkage between them, three characteristic absorption picks could be seen in P2b and P2c. The picks about 280 and 354 and about 480 nm are corresponding to arylenes and triazole rings, respectively [27, 28].Figure 5
UV-vis absorption spectra ofP1a–d and P2a–d were recorded using a dilute polymer solution (0.20 g/dL) in DMSO.


### 3.6. X-Ray Diffraction Studies of PolymerP1a–d and P2a–d

In order to further consider the crystallinity of these series of polymers, all polyether triazoles were characterized by X-ray diffractograms. The X-ray diffractogram curves of polymers were shown in Figure6. XRD of all polymers demonstrates broad halo at about 2θ at 15–30° in the wide angle region exhibiting that the polymers P1a–d and P2a–d are amorphous in nature which is in agreement with the DSC analysis. This result could be explained that the etheric linkage caused the flexibility of the polymer chain which restricted the ordered arrangement of polymer chains.Figure 6
X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns at room temperature on a powder diffractometer.


## 3.1. Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers

Since triazole ring is chemically inert toward oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis conditions and has an intermediate polarity [21], incorporation of such stable structural unit in polyethers can enhance their thermophysical properties. Traditionally, 1,2,3-triazoles were prepared from click reaction of azides and alkynes under Cu(I) catalysis which has been comprehensively reviewed [22]. However, low molecular weight organic azides may be unstable and should be handled with caution. Azides with a C/N ratio greater than one and no more than 3 can be synthesized and isolated but should be stored below room temperature at no more than 1 M concentration. Organic azides with C/N<1 should never be isolated and practically they were used without further purification [19]. Therefore, to avoid the use of azides, the polymers containing triazole unites, poly(triazole ether)s (P1a–d and P2a–d), were obtained from direct click reaction of corresponding dibromideswith bisethynyl compounds 1a–d in the presence of sodium azide (Scheme 2). The reactions were carried out in a 10 : 2 solvent ratio of DMF : H2O and using 20 mol% CuCl with NEt3 as base and stabilizing agent [23, 24] at room temperature. It is found that the reaction in dry DMF and/or in the absence of NEt3 gives polymers in low yield. It can be seen from the infrared spectra of P1a–d and P2a–d the strong absorption peaks about 3,300 and 2,100 cm−1 assigned to stretching vibrations of C≡C–H and –C≡C, respectively, disappeared, while new strong absorption peaks at 3042–3085 cm−1 corresponding to stretching vibration of C=C–H of the 1,2,3-triazole moiety appeared (Figure 1). Representative 1H NMR spectrum of monomer 1d and its aliphatic polymer P2d is shown in Figure 2. It is clear that the 1,2,3-triazole rings of the polymer were characterized by signals near 8.2 ppm corresponding to triazole protons. As seen in 1H NMR spectrum of the polymer P2d, it confirmed that the resulting polymers contain triazole units corresponding to IR analysis. These data indicate that direct polymerization between dibromide with bisethynyl compounds 1a–d in the presence of sodium azide via the click reaction was successful. In comparison with previous works for synthesis of these types of polymers [25], our method is novel, convenient, and in best agreement with click chemistry requirements (benign solvents, room temperature, simple isolation,…) and the most important feature of this method is the one pot synthesis that prevents from further purification and use of dangerous diazide compounds.Scheme 2
Synthesis of poly(triazole ether)s.Figure 1
IR of1d (up) and P2d (down) using the KBr tablets.Figure 2
400 MHz1H NMR of 1d in CDCl3 and P2d in DMSO-d6.


## 3.2. Consideration of Molecular Weights and Distributions of Polymers

The corresponding data of GPC analysis in DMF for polymers were showed in Table1. The results show that the polymerization via click chemistry produced polymers with adequately high molecular weights and narrow distributions. The number average molecular weights of them are between 17,300 and 24,800 and the distributions range is from 1.09 to 1.68. All polydispersities of polymers are less than 1.68 which is standard for polymerization reaction [26]. According to the high molecular weight and narrow distribution, it is found that the click chemistry is an effective route for polymerization.Table 1
Molecular weights and distributions of polymers.
Polymers
M
n
a
M
w
a
(
M
w
/
M
n
)
a
η
inh  (dl/g)
P1a
23,100
29,800
1.29
0.62
P1b
21,000
32,200
1.53
0.58
P1c
21,300
32,800
1.54
0.55
P1d
24,800
27,000
1.09
0.63
P2a
19,100
30,900
1.62
0.45
P2b
17,300
29,100
1.68
0.42
P2c
20,500
27,500
1.34
0.49
P2d
22,400
27,300
1.22
0.58
aGPC in DMF versus polystyrene in flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 35∘C.


## 3.3. Solubility Behavior of Polymers

The solubility of polymers was quantitatively determined in common organic solvents by dissolving 5.0 mg of solid polymers in 1.0 mL of solvents. In the solubility experiments, it was found that these polymers were completely insoluble in MeOH, THF, EtOAc, and toluene at room and high temperatures. But polymers showed low solubility in DMSO, DMF, and NMP at room temperature and good solubility at higher temperatures.


## 3.4. Thermal Properties of Polymers

Thermal stabilities ofP1a–d and P2a–d were evaluated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The resulting data are summarized in Table 2. The resulting polymers exhibited high resistance to thermal decomposition up to 558°C under nitrogen gas and decompose gradually above that temperature which is probably attributed to chain scission of ether linkage. It was seen from Figure 3 that rates of weight loss of aliphatic polymers were greater than aromatic polymers due to the decomposition of methylene groups. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymers, determined by DSC, ranged between 191.7 and 260°C and increased with the increase of conformational rigidity (Table 2). As was expected, since P1b has rigid sulfone groups in the polymer, backbone which restricts molecular rotation Tg of P1b is the highest. P2a was the lowest owing to higher flexibility of the methyl groups. The data reveal that Tg decreases with the nature of the aliphatic chain spacer. Absence of crystallization temperature in DSC curves (Figure 4) also shows the amorphous nature of the polymers, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Inherent viscosity ((η)inh=lnηrel/c) at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL was measured with an Ubbelohde suspended-level viscometer at 25°C in DMSO solution. Viscometry studies exhibited that polymers have moderate molecular weight (Table 1).Table 2
Thermal properties of polymers.
Polymers
T
5 (∘C)
T
10 (∘C)
T
50 (∘C)
Char yield (%)
T
g  (∘C)
P1a
249.6
321.4
499.5
46
210
P1b
274.2
313.8
556.7
48.3
260
P1c
271.3
309
—
54.46
220
P1d
302.2
310.9
558.8
44.3
212.5
P2a
327.1
345.6
390.9
25.6
191.7
P2b
287.4
319.1
410.2
32.9
196.7
P2c
261.7
316.05
469.64
42.7
208.3
P2d
175.2
297.5
370.8
18.7
196.8Figure 3
Thermogravimetric analysis under N2 atmosphere and heating rate of 10°C/min.Figure 4
Differential scanning calorimetric under N2 gas with heating rate of 10°C/min.


## 3.5. UV-Vis Properties of the Polymers

The photophysical properties of theP1a-d and P2a-d were investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy in DMSO solution. There are similar pair curves as can be seen in UV-vis diagrams (Figure 5) which exhibited strong absorption at 283 nm and 465 nm corresponding to phenyl and triazole rings of the polymer backbones, respectively. The presence of extra conjugation of –SO2 and –CO groups in the backbone of the polymer caused some blue shift. This effect has not be seen for the polymers bearing –(CH3)2– and –(CF3)2– spacer due to conjugation loss. Indeed, owing to the existence of different aromatic rings with different linkage between them, three characteristic absorption picks could be seen in P2b and P2c. The picks about 280 and 354 and about 480 nm are corresponding to arylenes and triazole rings, respectively [27, 28].Figure 5
UV-vis absorption spectra ofP1a–d and P2a–d were recorded using a dilute polymer solution (0.20 g/dL) in DMSO.


## 3.6. X-Ray Diffraction Studies of PolymerP1a–d and P2a–d

In order to further consider the crystallinity of these series of polymers, all polyether triazoles were characterized by X-ray diffractograms. The X-ray diffractogram curves of polymers were shown in Figure6. XRD of all polymers demonstrates broad halo at about 2θ at 15–30° in the wide angle region exhibiting that the polymers P1a–d and P2a–d are amorphous in nature which is in agreement with the DSC analysis. This result could be explained that the etheric linkage caused the flexibility of the polymer chain which restricted the ordered arrangement of polymer chains.Figure 6
X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns at room temperature on a powder diffractometer.


## 4. Conclusion

In this work, convenient tricomponent click polymerizations of dialkynes containing ether linkages and dibromides were achieved in the presence of sodium azide to synthesize various polyethers (P1a–d and P2a–d). This polymerization accompanied the formation of triazoles in the polyether main chain by a Cu(I) catalyst in excellent yields. It is found that triazole ring formation in the polyether main chain leads to improved thermal properties. This work is a report of convenient synthesis of polymers that the triazoles rings inserted into backbone of the polymers under mild conditions. These fundamental results provide a new guideline to synthesize frontier polyether-based materials.



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