End-functionalized chains via anionic polymerization : can the problems with using diphenylethylene derivatives be solved by using bisphenol F?

Abstract

The controlled functionalization of polymers via anionic polymerization draws great attention not only because of the importance of introducing functionality into otherwise unfunctionalized polymers, but also because of the possibility to use the resulting macromonomers to make a variety of complex architectures. The versatile family of 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) derivatives is widely used to produce many different functionalized (co)polymers. DPE can be added either as an end-capping agent or be activated by butyllithium to initiate the polymerization. However, each approach faces potential problems in gaining precise control over the number of DPE moieties per chain. In this work, for the first time, the effectiveness of each approach is compared by the characterization of 1,1-bis(4-tert-butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl)ethylene functionalized polystyrene, synthesized via both the procedures. A combination of NMR, size exclusion chromatography, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, and interaction chromatography is used. To overcome the limitations of DPE derivatives, the use of a novel (protected) bisphenol F potassium initiator is proposed.