IChO 2007 · Theory problem 8

ATRP allows new polymers

ATRP (Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization) is one of the most promising novel approaches towards polymer synthesis. This modification of radical polymerization is based on a redox reaction of organic halides with complexes of transition metals, Cu (I) in particular. The process can be described by the following scheme (M – monomer, Hal – halogen):

Figure 1

The reaction rate constants are:

\(k_{\mathrm{act}}\) - all activation reactions, \(k_{\mathrm{deact}}\) – all reversible deactivation reactions, \(k_p\) - chain propagation, and \(k_t\) - irreversible termination.

8.1 Write down expressions for the rates of ATRP elementary stages: activation (\(v_{\mathrm{act}}\)), deactivation (\(v_{\mathrm{deact}}\)), propagation (\(v_p\)) and termination (\(v_t\)). Write down generalized equation assuming just one reacting species \(\ce{R'X}\).

Consider that the total number of polymeric chains is equal to that of initiator molecules. Assume that at each moment throughout polymerization all chains are of the same length.

8.2 Compare the rate of deactivation to the rates of ATRP elementary stages.

Dependence of monomer concentration (\([\mathrm{M}]\)) on reaction time (\(t\)) for ATRP is:

\[ \ln\left(\frac{[\mathrm{M}]}{[\mathrm{M}]_0}\right) =-k_p[\ce{R^{\bullet}}]t, \]

\([\mathrm{M}]_0\) - initial monomer concentration, \(k_p\) – rate constant of propagation, \([\ce{R^{\bullet}}]\) – concentration of active radicals.

To prepare a polymer sample by using ATRP, catalytic amounts of \(\ce{CuCl}\), organic ligand (L) and 31.0 mmol of monomer (methylmethacrylate, or MMA) were mixed. The reaction was initiated by adding 0.12 mmol of tosyl chloride (TsCl). Polymerization was conducted for 1400 s. \(k_p\) is 1616 \(\mathrm{L\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\), and the steady state concentration of radicals is \(1.76\times10^{-7}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\).

Figure 2

8.3 Calculate mass (\(m\)) of the polymer obtained.

In another experiment the time of MMA polymerization was changed, all the rest reaction conditions being the same. The mass of the obtained polymer was 0.73 g. Then 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate, HEMA-TMS (23.7 mmol) was added to the mixture and polymerization was continued for another 1295 s. MMA and HEMA-TMS reactivities are the same under reaction conditions.

8.4 Calculate degree of polymerization (DP) of the obtained polymer.

8.5 Depict the structure of the obtained polymer (including end groups), showing MMA and HEMA-TMS units as A and B, respectively. If necessary, use the symbols in the copolymer structure representation: block (block), stat (statistical), alt (alternating), grad (gradient), graft (grafted). For example, \((\mathrm{A}_{65}\text{-graft-}\mathrm{C}_{100})\text{-stat-}\mathrm{B}_{34}\) means that chains of polymer C are grafted on units A in the statistic copolymer of A and B.

ATRP was applied to synthesize two block copolymers, \(P_1\) and \(P_2\). One block in both block-copolymers was the same and was synthesized from mono-(2-chloropropionyl)-polyethylene oxide used as a macroinitiator:

Figure 3

The other block in \(P_1\) consisted of styrene (C), and in \(P_2\) of p-chloromethylstyrene (D) units.

\({}^{1}\mathrm{H}\) NMR spectra of the macroinitiator, \(P_1\) and \(P_2\) are given below. Integral intensities of characteristic signals can be found in the table.

8.6 Assign \({}^{1}\mathrm{H}\) NMR signals to substructures given in the Answer Sheet.

8.7 Determine molar fractions of units C and D and molecular weights of \(P_1\) and \(P_2\).

8.8 Write down all possible reactions of activation occurring during the synthesis of \(P_1\) and \(P_2\). You may use R symbol to depict any unchanged part of the macromolecule, but you should specify what substructure you use it for.

8.9 Draw the structure of \(P_1\) and one of possible structures of \(P_2\) representing poly(ethylene oxide) chain by a wavy line and showing units of co-monomers as C and D, respectively.

signal Integral intensity
a -
b 40.2
c 13.0
d 10.4
e 1.2
f 2.75
g 40.2
Figure 4

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 8.1 \[ \begin{aligned} v_{\mathrm{act}}&=k_{\mathrm{act}}[\ce{R'X}][\ce{Cu^{I}X(L)_k}],\\ v_{\mathrm{deact}}&=k_{\mathrm{deact}}[\ce{R'^{\bullet}}][\ce{Cu^{II}X2(L)_k}],\\ v_p&=k_p[\ce{R'^{\bullet}}][\mathrm M],\\ v_t&=k_t[\ce{R'^{\bullet}}]^2. \end{aligned} \] Here \(v_t\) counts termination events; radical disappearance by termination is \(2v_t\). The activation–deactivation equation is \[ \ce{R'X + Cu^{I}X(L)_k <=> R'^{\bullet} + Cu^{II}X2(L)_k}. \]

  • 8.2 \[ \boxed{v_{\mathrm{deact}}\simeq v_{\mathrm{act}},\qquad v_{\mathrm{deact}}\gg v_p,\qquad v_{\mathrm{deact}}\gg v_t.} \]

  • 8.3 Including the retained initiator-derived end groups, \[ \boxed{m=1.04\ \mathrm g.} \] Neglecting their mass gives \(1.02\ \mathrm g\).

  • 8.4 Consistently including end-group mass, \[ \boxed{\mathrm{DP}\approx181.} \] The approximation that neglects end-group mass gives approximately \(183\).

  • 8.5 \[ \boxed{\mathrm{Ts}-\mathrm A_{59}\text{-block-} (\mathrm A_{61}\text{-stat-}\mathrm B_{61})-\ce{Cl}.} \] Subscripts are rounded average numbers of units. The initiating end is a tosyl group; the dormant growing end bears chlorine.

  • 8.6 a, b, g: PEO methylene protons; c: styrene aromatic protons; d: p-chloromethylstyrene aromatic protons; e: terminal benzylic \(\ce{-CH(Cl)-}\) protons; f: pendant benzylic \(\ce{-CH2Cl}\) protons.

  • 8.7 \[ \boxed{n_C\simeq n_D\simeq15,\qquad x_C=x_D\simeq0.205} \] and \[ \boxed{M(P_1)\simeq4.24\times10^3\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}},\qquad M(P_2)\simeq4.97\times10^3\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}.} \]

  • 8.8 Both syntheses permit activation of the macroinitiator’s α-chloroester and of dormant benzylic chain ends. \(P_2\) additionally permits activation of the benzyl chloride group in free D and in incorporated D units. The balanced reactions appear below.

  • 8.9 \(P_1\) is a linear PEO–polystyrene block copolymer, with approximately 58 EO and 15 C units. \(P_2\) can contain a branched, approximately 15-unit D portion attached to PEO, because pendant chloromethyl groups can initiate additional arms. An explicit idealized example is described below.

Solution

SMILES containing * describe fragments, with * marking attachment to the rest of a molecule. A statistical polymer does not have one unique finite SMILES; its repeat units and end groups must therefore be specified separately. Stereochemical configurations and polymer tacticity are not determined by the problem.

8.1 — Elementary reactions and rate laws

Let \(\ce{R'X}\) represent any dormant initiator or polymer chain, and let \(\ce{R'^{\bullet}}\) represent its active radical.

The elementary reactions are

\[ \ce{R'X + Cu^{I}X(L)_k ->[k_{act}] R'^{\bullet} + Cu^{II}X2(L)_k}, \]

\[ \ce{R'^{\bullet} + Cu^{II}X2(L)_k ->[k_{deact}] R'X + Cu^{I}X(L)_k}, \]

\[ \ce{R'^{\bullet} + M ->[k_p] R'M^{\bullet}}, \]

\[ \ce{2 R'^{\bullet} ->[k_t] R'-R'}. \]

Mass action gives

\[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} v_{\mathrm{act}}&=k_{\mathrm{act}}[\ce{R'X}] [\ce{Cu^{I}X(L)_k}],\\ v_{\mathrm{deact}}&=k_{\mathrm{deact}}[\ce{R'^{\bullet}}] [\ce{Cu^{II}X2(L)_k}],\\ v_p&=k_p[\ce{R'^{\bullet}}][\mathrm M],\\ v_t&=k_t[\ce{R'^{\bullet}}]^2. \end{aligned}} \]

These rates have units \(\mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\). With \(v_t\) defined as the number of coupling events per unit volume and time, the balance for the total active-radical concentration is

\[ \boxed{ \frac{d[\ce{R^{\bullet}}]}{dt} =v_{\mathrm{act}}-v_{\mathrm{deact}}-2v_t. } \]

Propagation does not appear in this balance because one radical enters and one radical leaves each propagation event.

The generalized reversible activation equation is

\[ \boxed{\ce{R'X + Cu^{I}X(L)_k <=> R'^{\bullet} + Cu^{II}X2(L)_k}.} \]

Neglecting termination, the overall chain-growth equation is

\[ \ce{R'X + n M ->[ATRP] R'M_nX}. \]

For the chloride system, copper(I) chloride has the ionic SMILES representation [Cu+].[Cl-], and copper(II) chloride [Cu+2].[Cl-].[Cl-]. These represent compositions, not the actual ligand-bound catalyst structures. Since L is unspecified, neither a complete catalyst SMILES nor its coordination geometry can be determined.

8.2 — Required relative rates

At steady radical concentration,

\[ v_{\mathrm{act}}=v_{\mathrm{deact}}+2v_t. \]

The assumption that the number of polymer molecules remains equal to the number of initiator molecules requires negligible coupling termination. Hence

\[ v_t\ll v_{\mathrm{deact}}, \qquad v_{\mathrm{act}}\simeq v_{\mathrm{deact}}. \]

For all chains to grow nearly equally, an activated chain should usually be deactivated before adding many monomers. Frequent activation–deactivation cycles distribute growth among the chains. Thus

\[ v_{\mathrm{deact}}\gg v_p. \]

Together,

\[ \boxed{ v_{\mathrm{deact}}\simeq v_{\mathrm{act}},\quad v_{\mathrm{deact}}\gg v_p,\quad v_{\mathrm{deact}}\gg v_t. } \]

These are comparisons of reaction rates, not simply of the corresponding rate constants.

8.3 — Mass of the first polymer

The relevant molecules are:

Molecule Formula SMILES Approximate molar mass
Methyl methacrylate, MMA; methyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate \(\ce{C5H8O2}\) C=C(C)C(=O)OC \(100.114\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\)
Tosyl chloride; 4-methylbenzenesulfonyl chloride \(\ce{C7H7ClO2S}\) Cc1ccc(S(=O)(=O)Cl)cc1 \(190.636\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\)

The effective first-order constant is

\[ k_{\mathrm{obs}} =k_p[\ce{R^{\bullet}}] =(1616)(1.76\times10^{-7}) =2.84416\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}. \]

After 1400 s, the fraction of MMA consumed is

\[ f_1=1-e^{-k_{\mathrm{obs}}t} =1-e^{-0.3981824} =0.328460. \]

Therefore,

\[ n_{\mathrm{MMA,consumed}} =(31.0\ \mathrm{mmol})(0.328460) =10.1823\ \mathrm{mmol}. \]

The mass contributed by the repeat units is

\[ m_{\mathrm{repeat}} =(10.1823\times10^{-3})(100.114) =1.01939\ \mathrm g. \]

In the supplied mechanism, the initiating organic group and the terminal chlorine are retained in the polymer. Their combined mass per chain equals the mass of one TsCl molecule. Thus

\[ m_{\mathrm{ends}} =(0.120\times10^{-3})(190.636) =0.022876\ \mathrm g, \]

and

\[ \boxed{ m=1.01939+0.022876 =1.04226\ \mathrm g \approx1.04\ \mathrm g. } \]

If end-group mass is neglected, the result is instead \(1.02\ \mathrm g\).

8.4 — Degree of polymerization after the second feed

The second monomer is 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate, HEMA-TMS, SMILES C=C(C)C(=O)OCCO[Si](C)(C)C.

The first-stage polymer mass in this experiment is 0.73 g. Subtracting the end-group contribution gives the amount of MMA already incorporated:

\[ n_{A,1} =\frac{0.730-0.022876}{100.114} =7.06318\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Thus the remaining MMA is

\[ n_{A,\mathrm{remaining}} =31.0-7.06318 =23.9368\ \mathrm{mmol}. \]

The newly added amount of B is 23.7 mmol.

Because the monomers have equal reactivities, each undergoes the same fractional conversion during the additional 1295 s:

\[ f_2 =1-e^{-(2.84416\times10^{-4})(1295)} =1-e^{-0.36831872} =0.308103. \]

Consequently,

\[ \Delta n_A =(23.9368)(0.308103) =7.37501\ \mathrm{mmol}, \]

\[ \Delta n_B =(23.7)(0.308103) =7.30205\ \mathrm{mmol}. \]

The total number of incorporated monomer units, expressed as an amount, is

\[ n_{\mathrm{units}} =7.06318+7.37501+7.30205 =21.7402\ \mathrm{mmol}. \]

There are 0.120 mmol of polymer chains, so

\[ \boxed{ \mathrm{DP} =\frac{21.7402}{0.120} =181.17 \approx181. } \]

For comparison, neglecting end-group mass and using \(M_{\mathrm{MMA}}\approx100\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\) gives

\[ n_{A,1}=7.30\ \mathrm{mmol}, \qquad n_{A,\mathrm{remaining}}=23.7\ \mathrm{mmol}, \]

and

\[ \mathrm{DP} =\frac{7.30+2(23.7)(0.308103)}{0.120} =182.53\approx183. \]

8.5 — Sequence and end groups

The average numbers of units incorporated per chain are

\[ N_{A,1}=\frac{7.06318}{0.120}=58.86, \]

\[ N_{A,2}=\frac{7.37501}{0.120}=61.46, \qquad N_{B,2}=\frac{7.30205}{0.120}=60.85. \]

The first segment contains only A. MMA remains present when B is added, so the second segment contains both monomers.

Equal reactivities mean that neither monomer is preferentially consumed. Their ratio remains constant during this stage, producing a statistical segment, approximately equimolar in A and B.

The polymer is therefore tosyl-initiated, chlorine-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate-stat-HEMA-TMS):

\[ \boxed{ \ce{p-CH3C6H4SO2}- \mathrm A_{58.86}\text{-block-} (\mathrm A_{61.46}\text{-stat-}\mathrm B_{60.85}) -\ce{Cl}. } \]

With rounded subscripts,

\[ \boxed{\mathrm{Ts}-\mathrm A_{59}\text{-block-} (\mathrm A_{61}\text{-stat-}\mathrm B_{61})-\ce{Cl}.} \]

The structures needed to draw it are:

Component Structure or meaning SMILES fragment
A, an MMA repeat unit \(\ce{-CH2-C(CH3)(C(=O)OCH3)-}\) *CC(C)(C(=O)OC)*
B, a HEMA-TMS repeat unit \(\ce{-CH2-C(CH3)(C(=O)OCH2CH2OSi(CH3)3)-}\) *CC(C)(C(=O)OCCO[Si](C)(C)C)*
Tosyl initiating end 4-Methylbenzenesulfonyl group, attached through sulfur Cc1ccc(S(=O)(=O)*)cc1
Chlorine-capped terminal A unit Chlorine bonded to the substituted backbone carbon *CC(C)(Cl)C(=O)OC
Chlorine-capped terminal B unit Same terminal arrangement, with the B ester substituent *CC(C)(Cl)C(=O)OCCO[Si](C)(C)C

Draw the tosyl sulfur bonded to the first backbone methylene. At the other end, attach chlorine to the substituted carbon of whichever monomer was incorporated last. The statistical sequence does not specify whether the final unit is A or B.

Under the end-group-mass-neglecting convention, the corresponding rounded notation is \(\mathrm{Ts}-\mathrm A_{61}\text{-block-}(\mathrm A_{61}\text{-stat-}\mathrm B_{61})-\ce{Cl}\).

8.6 — NMR assignments

The monomers in this part are:

  • Styrene, ethenylbenzene: C=Cc1ccccc1.
  • p-Chloromethylstyrene, 1-(chloromethyl)-4-ethenylbenzene: C=Cc1ccc(CCl)cc1.

Their polymerized repeat-unit fragments are:

  • C, a styrene unit: *CC(c1ccccc1)*.
  • D, a p-chloromethylstyrene unit with an unactivated pendant group: *CC(c1ccc(CCl)cc1)*.

The assignments are:

Signal Approximate shift Assignment and reasoning
a \(3.6\ \mathrm{ppm}\) PEO \(\ce{-OCH2CH2-}\) protons in the macroinitiator
b \(3.6\ \mathrm{ppm}\) The same PEO protons in \(P_1\)
c Around \(7\ \mathrm{ppm}\) The five aromatic protons per C unit
d Around \(7\ \mathrm{ppm}\) The four aromatic protons per para-disubstituted D ring
e About \(4.9\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Benzylic terminal methine, \(\ce{-CH2-CH(Cl)-Ar}\), one proton per such end
f About \(4.6\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Pendant benzyl chloride, \(\ce{Ar-CH2Cl}\), two protons per unactivated group
g \(3.6\ \mathrm{ppm}\) PEO protons in \(P_2\)

The PEO repeat fragment is *OCC*. A representative D-derived terminal chloromethine fragment is *CC(Cl)c1ccc(CCl)cc1; the pendant benzyl chloride substructure is *c1ccc(CCl)cc1.

Oxygen shifts the PEO methylene signals downfield from ordinary aliphatic protons. Aromatic protons occur around 7 ppm. Carbon bonded both to chlorine and to an aromatic ring gives the characteristic benzylic signals e and f.

8.7 — Composition and molecular weights

Each EO repeat contributes four protons to the PEO signal. Each C unit contributes five aromatic protons; each D unit contributes four.

For \(P_1\),

\[ \frac{N_C}{58} =\frac{I_c/5}{I_b/4}, \]

so

\[ N_C =58\frac{13.0/5}{40.2/4} =15.005\approx15. \]

For \(P_2\),

\[ \frac{N_D}{58} =\frac{I_d/4}{I_g/4}, \]

giving

\[ N_D =58\frac{10.4/4}{40.2/4} =15.005\approx15. \]

Therefore,

\[ \boxed{ x_C=\frac{15}{58+15}=0.2055,\qquad x_D=\frac{15}{58+15}=0.2055. } \]

Both copolymers contain approximately \(20.5\%\) styrene-derived repeat units on a molar basis.

The macroinitiator is monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol) 2-chloropropanoate, with the structure

\[ \ce{CH3(OCH2CH2)58OC(=O)CH(Cl)CH3}. \]

Its formula is \(\ce{C120H239ClO60}\), and its SMILES is:

COCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOC(=O)C(C)Cl

Its molar mass is approximately

\[ M_{\mathrm{macro}}=2677.6\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \]

Addition polymerization retains the atoms of the monomers, so

\[ M(P_1) =M_{\mathrm{macro}}+15M(\ce{C8H8}) =2677.6+15(104.14), \]

\[ \boxed{M(P_1)\approx4.24\times10^3\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}.} \]

Likewise,

\[ M(P_2) =M_{\mathrm{macro}}+15M(\ce{C9H9Cl}) =2677.6+15(152.61), \]

\[ \boxed{M(P_2)\approx4.97\times10^3\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}.} \]

Branching changes connectivity but does not change this mass sum, provided the initiator and monomer atoms are retained.

8.8 — All types of activation

Write

\[ Q=\ce{CH3(OCH2CH2)58}. \]

Thus \(Q\) denotes the unchanged methoxy-capped PEO portion up to the terminal ethylene carbon. In every equation below, the copper(I) chloride complex accepts chlorine and becomes the copper(II) dichloride complex.

Activation of the macroinitiator, common to \(P_1\) and \(P_2\):

\[ \boxed{ \ce{ Q-O-C(=O)-CH(Cl)-CH3 + Cu^{I}Cl(L)_k -> Q-O-C(=O)-CH^{\bullet}-CH3 + Cu^{II}Cl2(L)_k }. } \]

The radical is stabilized by the adjacent carbonyl group.

The dormant α-chloroester fragment is *OC(=O)C(C)Cl; the activated α-carbonyl radical fragment is *OC(=O)[CH]C.

Activation of dormant benzylic growing ends, common to both polymers:

\[ \boxed{ \ce{ R-CH2-CH(Cl)-Ar + Cu^{I}Cl(L)_k -> R-CH2-CH^{\bullet}-Ar + Cu^{II}Cl2(L)_k }. } \]

Here:

  • \(R\) is the entire unchanged chain preceding the terminal unit.
  • For \(P_1\), \(\ce{Ar}\) is phenyl.
  • For \(P_2\), \(\ce{Ar}\) is a para-substituted phenyl group bearing either an unreacted chloromethyl group or an already grown branch.

Representative SMILES pairs are:

End type Dormant fragment Activated radical fragment
Styrene-derived end *CC(Cl)c1ccccc1 *C[CH]c1ccccc1
D-derived end with pendant \(\ce{CH2Cl}\) *CC(Cl)c1ccc(CCl)cc1 *C[CH]c1ccc(CCl)cc1

For an already branched D ring, replace its CCl substituent by C*, where the second * denotes the branch.

Activation of the chloromethyl group of free D, possible in the \(P_2\) synthesis:

\[ \boxed{ \ce{ CH2=CH-C6H4-CH2Cl + Cu^{I}Cl(L)_k -> CH2=CH-C6H4-CH2^{\bullet} + Cu^{II}Cl2(L)_k }. } \]

The aromatic substituents are para. The product is the 4-vinylbenzyl radical, SMILES C=Cc1ccc([CH2])cc1.

The vinyl group remains intact during this activation. The benzyl radical can initiate a growing chain, while the retained vinyl group can subsequently participate in polymerization.

Activation of a pendant chloromethyl group in an incorporated D unit:

\[ \boxed{ \ce{ R_a-CH2-CH(C6H4-CH2Cl)-R_b + Cu^{I}Cl(L)_k -> R_a-CH2-CH(C6H4-CH2^{\bullet})-R_b + Cu^{II}Cl2(L)_k }. } \]

Here \(R_a\) and \(R_b\) are the unchanged backbone portions on either side of the selected D unit. Again, the aromatic substituents are para.

The dormant fragment is *CC(c1ccc(CCl)cc1)*; the activated pendant benzyl radical fragment is *CC(c1ccc([CH2])cc1)*.

Addition of monomer to this pendant radical starts a branch. These reactions explain why \(P_2\) need not have a linear D block.

8.9 — Structures of \(P_1\) and \(P_2\)

Define the initiator-derived attachment group

\[ E=\ce{CH3(OCH2CH2)58OC(=O)CH(CH3)-}. \]

For the requested drawings, replace the PEO chain in \(E\) by a wavy line, retaining its methoxy end and the ester linkage to \(\ce{-CH(CH3)-}\).

For \(P_1\), the PEO–polystyrene block copolymer, draw

\[ \boxed{E-\mathrm C_{15}-\ce{Cl}.} \]

The expanded connectivity is

\[ \ce{ CH3(OCH2CH2)58OC(=O)CH(CH3) -[CH2-CH(C6H5)]15-Cl }. \]

Chlorine is attached to the benzylic carbon of the last C unit. One 15-unit representative has SMILES:

COCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOC(=O)C(C)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(c1ccccc1)CC(Cl)c1ccccc1

For \(P_2\), PEO attached to branched poly(p-chloromethylstyrene), a branch grows through the former chloromethyl carbon:

\[ \ce{ backbone-C6H4-CH2-CH2-CH(C6H4CH2Cl)-\ldots }. \]

Thus a branch junction lies in the para side group of a D ring, rather than directly on its main-chain carbon.

An explicit idealized 15-D-unit example is:

  1. Draw eight D units along the main path attached to \(E\).
  2. From the para chloromethyl carbon of each of the first seven main-path D units, grow a branch containing one additional D unit.
  3. Cap the main growing end and all seven branch ends with chlorine.
  4. Retain the pendant \(\ce{CH2Cl}\) groups on the seven branch D units and on the eighth main-path D unit.

This contains \(8+7=15\) D units. Each branch-bearing main-path unit has the fragment SMILES

*CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)*.

The complete representative comb-shaped molecule has SMILES:

COCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOCCOC(=O)C(C)CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)CC(c1ccc(CCC(Cl)c2ccc(CCl)cc2)cc1)CC(Cl)c1ccc(CCl)cc1

This is an illustrative allowed connectivity. The spectrum does not uniquely determine the arrangement of the branches.

The solution was checked against the official solution. Where this solution differs from the official solution, the official solution contains an error or a misprint.