Precision Phosphonic Acid Functionalized Polyolefin Architectures

Polyethylene structures containing precisely placed phosphonic acids were synthesized varying both the frequency of acid appearance along the backbone and the architecture associated with each position. Single, geminal, and benzyl attachment schemes are described with symmetry of placement being an important feature. Altering these precision primary structures has a direct effect on secondary structure where changes in thermal behavior become obvious, particularly in terms of crystallization behavior. It is evident that strong interactions between polymer chains exist, effecting polymer crystallization and solubility depending upon both the length of methylene run-lengths between symmetrically placed acids and whether or not the acid group is protected as the ester or free to participate in hydrogen bonding, which directly influences interchain interaction.