Synthesis of chromophore-labeled PP by the borane approach and their application in probing penetration of oligomeric PP into PP particles

This paper reports a new method of the synthesis of terminal naphthalene-la beled and carbazole-labeled PP. This method involves the synthesis of a bor ane-terminated PP intermediate and the selective oxidation of this intermed iate to form stable polymeric radicals which then react with maleic anhydri de or N-vinylcarbazole producing maleic anhydride terminated PP and termina l carbazole-labeled PP, respectively. Naphthalene terminated PP was prepare d by reaction of maleic anhydride terminated PP with 1-naphthylmethylamine. Infrared, H-1 NMR, UV and fluorescence measurements all proved the couplin g of the chromophore groups to the PP chains. GPC results showed that no de tectable cross-linking or degradation appeared during the functionalization of PP. The chromophoro-labeled polymers were used as probes to study the p enetration of oligomeric PP chains into labeled PP particles. The changes o f fluorescence spectra showed that chromophore groups in amorphous phase we re diluted upon addition of oligomeric PP.