Synthesis of model linear tetrablock quaterpolymers and pentablock quintopolymers of ethylene oxide

Multiblock copolymers of ethylene oxide, with four and five different blocks, were synthesized by the sequential anionic polymerization of styrene, isoprene, 2-vinyl pyridine, t-butyl methacrylate, and ethylene oxide with benzyl potassium as an initiator. The monomer sequence was based on the relative nucleophilicity of the active centers, Characterization of the multiblock copolymers by size exclusion chromatography (with refractive-index and UV detectors), membrane osmometry, and NMR spectroscopy confirmed that benzyl potassium is an efficient initiator for the synthesis of well-defined multiblock multicomponent copolymers of ethylene oxide. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.