Synthesis and characterization of some organic-inorganic polymers

The research project described in this dissertation pertains to two distinct areas of research. The first area involves the synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight (MW) polyphosphites. The second area of study involves the synthesis of co-polymers for use in the fabrication of targets for inertial-confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. The unifying theme of this dissertation is the synthesis and characterization of polymers containing inorganic elements.; The first paper discusses the available routes for the synthesis of high MW polyphosphites. The molecular weights and yields of the polymers prepared by different methods are compared. Our preliminary results suggest that some ofthe methods described in the literature for preparing these polymers are not reproducible.; The second article describes detailed NMR studies of the stoichiometric poly-condensation of dimethyl phosphite with diols. The factors that effect the maximum MW of the polymers are discussed. The synthesis of high MW products using a novel diazomethane treatment procedure is described.; The third paper details NMR studies of the preparation of high MW polyphosphites by the transesterification polymerization of polyphosphite oligomers having only methyl phosphite end groups The details of a side reaction that competes with polymerization and the preparation of high MW products using a diazomethane treatment procedure are described.; The fourth article describes the synthesis of several nonoxidative chlorinating agents and their reactions with dimethyl phosphite to form dimethyl chlorophosphite. These reactions serve as model studies for the preparation of polyphosphite derivatives using nonoxidative chlorination reactions.; The fifth article describes the preparation of polystyrene-like copolymers used in the fabrication of targets used in ICF experiments by the reaction of poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) with titanocene derivatives and some model reactions for the macromolecular modification process. Several synthetic methods were employed. None of the copolymers described here was useful for ICF target fabrication.; The sixth paper describes the preparation of high MW polystyrene-like co-polymers suitable for use in the fabrication of ICF targets. These materials were prepared by copolymerization of styrene and vinyl titanate monomers. We attempted to prepare analogous materials using macromolecular modification, but the products from these reactions were insoluble and probably crosslinked through metal centers.