Chelate Polymers. V. Novel Alternating Copolymers Based on Transition Metal–Azomethine Complexes and Siloxanes

Abstract

The Schiff base of 2,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde with ethylenediamine has been prepared and complexed with two different divalent metals: Cu(II) and Ni(II). The resulting bisphenolic chelates were inserted in new alternating polymeric structures by their polycondensation with 1,3‐bis‐(chloromethyl)‐1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane or α, ω‐bis(chloromethyl)oligodimethylsiloxanes having different numbers of siloxane units in the chains. In order for their activation, the chelates were converted in salt forms by previously treating them with a NaOH 0.1 N solution or in situ in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO₃. DMF was used as a solvent. The structures of the ligand, complexes, and polymers obtained on their basis were confirmed by IR, UV, and ¹H NMR. Characterization was undertaken by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solubility tests, and viscosity measurements.

Keywords:

• Siloxane copolymers
• Azomethines
• Polyethers
• Chelate polymers
• Polymer–metal complexes

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by Romanian Education and Research Ministry (Grant CNCSIS 920-41400/2003).