Synthesis and characterization of new surface active azo initiators for radical reactions

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/50500730

The synthesis of a water soluble azo initiators from 2,2′- azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was performed in three steps: reaction of dinitrile with aromatic alcohols in the presence of HCl to form bisiminoesters hydrochlorides which are hydrolyzed to the esters and final regioselective sulfonation of the aromatic esters. The thermal decomposition of the azo initiators obtained leads to formation of two surface active radicals which can start the chain reaction.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/50500730

Molecules 2000, 5, 730-736
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
http://www.mdpi.org
Synthesis and Characterization of New Surface Active Azo
Initiators for Radical Reactions
Milos Sedlak*,1 and Klaus Tauer2
1Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Pardubice, Cs legii 565, 53210 Pardubice, Czech
Republic
Tel.: 420 40 603 7015, Fax: 420 40 603 7068, E-mail: Milos.Sedlak@upce.cz
2 Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Forschungcam-
pus Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
Tel.: 49 331 567 9511, Fax: 49 331 567 9502, E-mail: Klaus.Tauer@mpikg-golm.mpg.de
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 10 January 2000 / Accepted: 10 May 2000 / Published: 18 May 2000
Abstract: The synthesis of a water soluble azo initiators from 2,2’-azodiisobutyronitrile
(AIBN) was performed in three steps: reaction of dinitrile with aromatic alcohols in the
presence of HCl to form bisiminoesters hydrochlorides which are hydrolyzed to the esters
and final regioselective sulfonation of the aromatic esters. The thermal decomposition of the
azo initiators obtained leads to formation of two surface active radicals which can start the
chain reaction.
Keywords: Surface Active Azo Initiators, sulfonation, emulsion polymerization.
Introduction
One of the domains of free radical chemistry is industrial polymerization of alkenes. At present,
emulsion polymerization has become increasingly important because of replacement of organic solu-
tions by more environment-friendly aqueous dispersions [1]. On the other hand, however, despite
synthetic chemists’ skepticism, it was also proved that the radical reaction can lead to carbon-carbon
bond formation in chemoselective, regioselective, and even stereoselective ways [2]. For said radical
© 2000 by MDPI (http://www.mdpi.org). Reproduction is permitted for noncommercial purposes.

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Molecules 2000, 5
reactions to take place, it is necessary to synthesize water soluble initiators. The aim of this work is to
prepare water soluble azo initiators from 2,2’-azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN), the initiators having sur-
face activity necessary for stabilization of the latex particles [1].
Chemical modifications of AIBN must be based on reactions that can occur below 30°C to prevent
decomposition of the starting AIBN. The most appropriate reaction seems to be the Pinner synthesis
[3,4] consisting in reaction of the starting nitrile with excess anhydrous alcohol and hydrogen chloride
to give the respective iminoester hydrochloride. The latter can be subsequently hydrolyzed to ester.
The ester, which contains a benzene ring, can then be sulfonated in an anhydrous medium (Scheme 1).
Another possible modification of the nitrile group consists in its transformation into an amide group
via a Ritter reaction [5].
CH3
CH3
NC
C
N
N
C
CN
(AIBN)
CH3
CH3
Ph (CH2)nOH / HCl
0 - 5°C
CH3
CH3
ClH2N
NH2Cl
C
C
N
N
C
C
(CH2)n
O
O
(CH2)n
CH3
CH3
1a - 1c
H2O
5 - 10°C
CH3
CH3
O
O
O
O
C
C
N
N
C
C
(CH2)n
(CH2)n
CH3
CH3
2a -2c
1) SO3 / DCE ; 5°C
2) NH3 ; 10°C
CH3
CH3
O
O
C
C
N
N
C
C
NH4O3S
(CH2)n
O
O
(CH2)n
SO3NH4
CH3
CH3
3a - 3c
1a - 3a : n = 1
1b - 3b : n = 2
1c - 3c : n = 3
Scheme 1.

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Molecules 2000, 5
Results and Discussion
Bisiminoester hydrochlorides 1a-1c were prepared by reaction of 1 mol AIBN with 15 mol of the
corresponding alcohol (benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl-1-ethyl alcohol, 3-phenyl-1-propyl alcohol) saturated
with gaseous hydrogen chloride at 0-5°C. The separated crystalline hydrochlorides 1a-1c were col-
lected by filtration and immediately hydrolyzed to give the corresponding esters 2a-2c. The yield of
2,2’-azodiisobutyrate 2a was only 15%, 2,2’-azodiisobutyramide and benzyl chloride being isolated as
the side products. Our finding corresponds with the earlier described easy nucleophilic substitution of
stabilized carbocations with chloride ion, where the Pinner reaction of imidates from branched alco-
hols gives the respective amides and chloroderivatives [6]. The yields of bis(2-phenylethyl) 2,2’-
azodiisobutyrate (2b) and bis(3-phenylpropyl) 2,2’-azodiisobutyrate were 77 and 75%, respectively.
The esters thus prepared (2a-2c) were subsequently sulfonated in a chemo- and regioselective way,
viz. at the 4-position of the benzene ring, by treatment with sulfur trioxide in 1,2-dichlorethane at 5°C.
After removing excess sulfur trioxide, the resulting sulfonic acids (3a-3c) were transformed to their
ammonium salts: diammonium 2,2’-azobis[p-(2-methylpropanoyloxymethyl)benzene-sulfonate] (3a;
yield 67%), diammoniun 2,2’-azobis[p-(b-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)ethyl)benzene-sulfonate] (3b; yield
87%) and diammonium 2,2’-azobis[p-(c-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)propyl)-benzenesulfonate](3c; yield
52%). The other AIBN modification chosen made use of the Ritter reaction, consisting in the transfor-
mation of a suitable olefin or tertiary alcohol by treatment with sulfuric acid into the respective carbo-
cation, which is subsequently attacked by the free electron pair at the nitrogen atom of a nitrile group
and finally producesa an N-alkyl amide [5]. In order to introduce the solubilizing group in the same
reaction step, we adopted 3-methyl-2-butenoic acid as the source of the carbocation. After neutraliza-
tion and recrystallization from water, we isolated disodium 6,6’-azobis(3,3,6-trimethyl-4-aza-5-
oxopentanoate) (4) (Figure 1).
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
NaOOC CH2
C
NHCO
C
N
N
C
CONH
C
CH2 COONa
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
4
Figure 1.
The emulsion polymerization of styrene was studied in more detail with the help of a RM - 2S reac-
tion calorimeter. For instance, the phenetyl derivative 3b (n = 2) has been used to prepare mono-
disperse poly(styrene) latexes in the 200 nm size range. The rate of polymerization can be controlled
by the initiator concentration. The figure shows the heat flow- time curves for varying amounts of 3b.
It is clearly seen that with increasing amount of 3b a distinct gel peak appears in the last stage of the
polymerization. The overall enthalpy of polymerization was determined to be (58.50 ± 0.05) kJ/mol
which corresponds to the literature value [8].

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Molecules 2000, 5
Figure 2. Heat flow - time curves for the emulsion polymerization of styrene
with varying amounts of 3b.
Conclusion
It is possible to synthesize novel water soluble initiators for radical reaction from AIBN using clas-
sical organic chemistry. Surface active initiators (INISURF’s) fulfill two different tasks in an emulsion
polymerization: the start of the polymerization as well as the stabilization of the polymer particles. The
thermal decomposition of the azo-group leads to the formation of two surface active radicals which
start the chain reaction. However, the primary radical recombination is very fast due to the low mo-
bility of the adsorbed primary radicals. Nevertheless, our new INISURF’s can still be used to carry out
emulsion polymerizations.
Experimental
General
Unless otherwise stated, all the chemicals used were obtained from Aldrich and used without further
purification. Melting points were measured on a Kofler hot-stage instrument and are uncorrected. The

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Molecules 2000, 5
13
1H and C NMR spectra were measured on an AMX 360 Bruker spectrometer at 360.14 and 90.57
MHz, respectively at 25°C in hexadeuteriodimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d6) or in deuterium oxide
(D2O). In the cases where DMSO-d6 was used the chemical shifts are referred to the middle signal of
the solvent multiplet [d (1H) 2.55 and d(13C) 39.6]. The internal reference used for the deuterium oxide
solutions was sodium 4,4-dimethyl-4-silapentane-1-sulfonate (DSS).
General procedure of the reaction of the AIBN with alcohols
A mixture of AIBN (65.6 g, 0.4 mol) and an appropriate alcohol (6 mol) was saturated with HCl gas
at 3°C for 4 h (until no crystals occur). The mixture was stirred at 0°C for 24 h. After further cooling to
– 15°C the corresponding iminoesters 1a, 1b or 1c were separated by filtration and washed with cold
acetone. Dry iminoesters were decomposed with 4 L of ice-water mixture. After hydrolysis (overnight)
the crude esters 2a, 2b or 2c were recrystallized from acetone at 25°C.
Dibenzyl-2,2’-azodiisobutyrate (2a)
Yield 15%, m.p. 44 - 46°C (dec.); TLC : silica gel plates, ethyl acetate, RF = 0.47; 1H NMR (DMSO-
13
d6) d: 1.35 (s; 6H, CH3); 5.09 (s; 2H, CH2); 7.30 (m; 5H-arom). C NMR (DMSO-d6) d: 22.5 (CH3);
66.1 (CH2); 75.0 (Cq); 127.0 (CH-arom); 136.1 (Cq-arom); 171.9 (C=O). Calculated for C22H26N2O4
(382.5): 69.09%C, 6.85%H, 7.32%N. Found: 69.14%C, 6.81%H, 7.46%N.
2,2’-Azodiisobutyramide (isolated as a by product) m.p. 80- 82°C (dec.); TLC: silica gel plates,
1
ethyl acetate, RF = 0.12; H NMR (DMSO-d6) d: 1.34 (s; 3H, CH3); 7.20 (d; 2H, NH2). Calculated for
C8H16N4O2 (200.2): 47.99%C, 8.05%H, 27.98%N. Found: 48.12%C, 8.08%H, 28.10%N.
Bis(2-phenylethyl)-2,2’-azodiisobutyrate (2b)
Yield 77%, m.p. 48 - 49°C (dec.); TLC: silica gel plates, ethyl acetate, RF = 0.63; 1H NMR (DMSO-
13
d6) d: 1.62 (s; 6H, CH3); 2.84 (t; 2H, CH2Ph); 4.24 (t; 2H, CH2O); 7.23 (m; 5H-arom). C NMR
(DMSO-d6) d: 22.5 (CH3); 35.1 (CH2Ph); 66.1 (CH2O); 76.0 (Cq); 128.0 (CH-arom); 138.5 (Cq-arom);
173.1 (C=O). Calculated for C24H30N2O4 (410.5): 70.22%C, 7.37%H, 6.82%N. Found: 70.34%C,
7.41%H, 6.95%N.
Bis(3-phenylpropyl)-2,2’-azodiisobutyrate (2c)
Yield 75%, m.p. 29 - 31°C; TLC: silica gel plates, ethyl acetate, RF = 0.68; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) d:
1.38 (s; 6H, CH3); 1.81 (m; 2H,CH2); 2.59 (t; 2H, CH2Ph); 4.02 (t; 2H, CH2O); 7.21 (m; 5H-arom). 13C
NMR (DMSO-d6) d: 23.1 (CH3); 31.1 (CH2); 32.1 (CH2Ph); 64.6 (CH2O); 76.0 (Cq); 128.1 (CH-arom);
142.1 (Cq-arom); 172.9 (C=O). Calculated for C26H34N2O4 (438.6): 71.21%C, 7.81%H, 6.39%N.
Found: 71.28%C, 7.77% H, 6.46%N.

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Molecules 2000, 5
General procedure of sulfonation of esters 2a, 2b and 2c
A solution of the ester (0.024 mol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (50 g) was added dropwise with stirring to
a solution of freshly distilled sulfur trioxide (20 g, 0.25 mol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (70 g ) at 3-5°C for
30 min. After the was complete addition the solutions were stirred for one hour at 10°C to give a two-
phase reaction mixture. After separation the top layer was removed and the bottom phase was washed
8 times with 1,2-dichloroethane (50 g). The bottom layer was neutralized with an aqueous solution of
ammonia (22%) with cooling to 15°C and vigorous mixing. The precipitated diammonium salts 3a, 3b
or 3c were isolated by filtration and purified by crystallization from methanol-water mixtures (25°C).
Diammonium 2,2’-azobis[p-(2-methylpropanoyloxymethyl)benzenesulfonate] (3a)
1
Yield 67%, H NMR (D2O) d:1.18 (s; 6H, CH3); 5.18 (s; 2H CH2); 7.38 (d; J = 7.7 Hz, 2H-arom),
7.71 (d; J = 7.7 Hz, 2H-arom). 13C NMR (D2O) d: 22.1(CH3); 60.8 (CH2); 75.6 (qC; quaternary carbon);
128.3 (CH-arom); 131.4 (CH-arom); 142.1 (qC -arom); 142.9 (qC-arom); 175.3 (C=O). Calculated for
C22H32N4O10S2 (576.6): 45.82%C, 5.59%H, 9.72%N, 11.12%S. Found: 45.89%C, 5.57%H, 9.87%N,
11.28%S.
Diammonium 2,2’-azobis[p-(b-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)ethyl)benzenesulfonate] (3b)
Yield 87%, 1H NMR (D2O) d: 1.21 (s; 6H, CH3); 2.97 (t; 2H, CH2-Ph); 4.35 (t; 2H, CH2O); 7.32 (d;
13
J = 7.8 Hz, 2H-arom); 7.68 (d; J = 7.8 Hz, 2H-arom). C NMR (D2O) d: 22.2 (CH3); 34.8 (CH2Ph);
66.2 (CH2O); 75.9 (qC); 126.2 (CH-arom); 130.1 (CH-arom); 141.5 (qC-arom); 142.6 (qC-arom);
175.2 (C=O). Calculated for C24H36N4O10S2 (604.7): 47.67%C, 6.00%H, 9.27%N, 10.60%S. Found :
47.74%H, 5.98%H, 9.32%N, 10.73%S.
Diammonium 2,2’-azobis[p-(c-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)propyl)benzenesulfonate] (3c)
1
Yield 52%, H NMR (D2O) d: 1.30 (s; 6H, CH3); 1.92 (m; 2H, CH2), 2.67 (t; 2H, CH2Ph); 4.24 (t;
2H, CH2O); 7.35 (d; J = 7.8 Hz, 2H-arom); 7.75 (d; J = 7.8 Hz, 2H-arom). 13C NMR (D2O) d: 22.1
(CH3); 35.1 (CH2); 36.4 (CH2); 66.5 (CH2O); 75.8 (qC); 126.8 (CH-arom); 130.3 (CH-arom); 141.4
(qC-arom); 142.8 (qC-arom); 175.3 (C=O). Calculated for C26H40N4O10S2 ( 632.7): 49.35%C, 6.37%H,
8.85% N, 10.13%S. Found : 49.29%C, 6.38%H, 8.93%N, 10.26%S.
Disodium 6,6’-azobis(3,3,6-trimethyl-4-aza-5-oxoheptanoate) (4)
A mixture of AIBN (4.1 g, 0.025 mol), 3-methyl-2-butenoic acid (10 g, 0.10 mol) and glacial acetic
(50 mL) acid was treated with H2SO4 (98%, 50 mL) added over 60 min. The temperature was kept at
30°C. The mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature overnight and then poured onto ice

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Molecules 2000, 5
(200g). The precipitated acid was isolated by filtration and neutralized with a solution of NaOH. Re-
1
crystalization from water (25°C) gave colorless crystals (2.5g; 23%). H NMR (D2O) d: 1.44 (s; 6H,
CH3); 1.55 (s; 6H CH3); 2.66 (s; 2H, CH2); 13C NMR (D2O) d: 19.8 (CH3); 23.4 (CH3); 46.9 (qC); 50.1
(CH2); 72.4 (qC); 173.2 (CONH); 177.4 (COO). Calculated for C18H30N4O6Na2 (444.4): 48.65%C,
6.80%H, 12.61%N. Found: 48.68%C, 6.97%H, 12.74%N.
The emulsion polymerization of styrene
A mixture of styrene (10 g) and water (95 g) was heated with stirring in a reaction calorimeter (RM
- 2S, heat flow/ heat balance system; ChemiSens AB, Lund, Sweden). At a temperature of 90°C a so-
lution of 3b (0.646 g; 0445 g; 0.404 g; 0.1615 g) in water (5 g) was injected into the calorimeter. The
heat-flow-time dependence was recorded. The particle size of the latex obtained after polymerization
(150 min) was analyzed by electron microscopy (Rast’s electron microscope DSM 940A, Zeiss).
Acknowledgements: The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Max-
Planck Society and the University of Pardubice.
References and Notes
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4. Walz, R.; Bömer, B.; Heitz, W. Monomeric and Polymeric Azoinitiators. Macromol. Chem. 1977,
178, 2527-2534.
5. Ritter, J.J.; Minieri, P.P. A New Reaction of Nitriles. I. Amides from Alkenes and Mononitriles. J.
Am .Chem. Soc. 1948, 70, 4045-4048.
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7. Garth, P.R. U.S. Patent 4131619 (Chem. Abstr. 1994, 90, 87038).
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sulfonated Azo Initiator - Application to the Polymerization of Acrylic Acid. Macromol. Chem.
Phys. 1994, 195, 845-853.
Samples Availability: Available from the authors.
© 2000 by MDPI (http://www.mdpi.org). Reproduction is permitted for noncommercial purposes.