Block copolymers and telechelic oligomers by end group reaction of polymethacrylates

Block copolymers and telechelic oligomers bearing methacrylate moities were obtained by means of a new highly selective end group reaction. Starting from polymethacrylates that were prepared by radical polymerization in the presence of mercaptanes as chain transfer agents, the resulting ester end group linked to the terminal tertiary carbon atom of the polymer backbone can be either transesterified or saponified selectively. The selectivity of the end group reactions was determined by MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry. Polymethacrylate-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-, polymethacrylate-b-poly(methacrylic acid)- and polymethacrylate-b-polysiloxane-b-polymethacrylate-copolymers as well as alpha,omega-dihydroxy- and alpha,omega-dicarboxy-telechelic polymethacrylates were prepared by applying end group transesterification or end group saponification.