SYNTHESIS OF POLY(STYRENE-BLOCK-TERT-BUTYL METHACRYLATE) DIBLOCK MACROMONOMERS POSSESSING CENTRAL VINYLBENZYL GROUPS

Diblock macromonomers possessing central vinylbenzyl groups were synthesized by anionic addition in a three-stage process using styrene, 1,4-divinylbenzene, and t-butyl methacrylate monomers. Upon addition of 1,4-divinylbenzene monomer to polystyryl anion in tetrahydrofuran at -78-degrees-C, aggregates of polystyryl anions were formed in spite of variations in reaction time and feed mole ratio of the living ends to 1,4-divinylbenzene. However, upon reaction in toluene, linear polystyryl anions possessing terminal vinylbenzyl groups were formed. Anionic propagation of t-butyl methacrylate monomer with linear polystyryl anions end-capped with 1,4-divinylbenzene led to the formation of poly(styrene-block-t-butyl methacrylate) diblock macromonomers possessing central vinylbenzyl groups.