Anionic chain polymerization molecular weight distribution

Anionic polymerization, however, can be used to produce high molecular weight narrow distribution polystyrene. If all the chains are initiated at the same time and the temperature is kept low to minimize chain transfer, molecular weight distributions very close to monodisperse can be produced. The commercial uses of these polymers seem to be limited to instrument calibrations and laboratory studies of the effects of molecular weight on rheology and physical properties. However, anionic polymerization as a potential commercial method for producing polystyrene has been extensively studied by Dow and others. The potential for high polymerization rates, complete conversion of... 

The block copolymer produced by Bamford s metal carbonyl/halide-terminated polymers photoinitiating systems are, therefore, more versatile than those based on anionic polymerization, since a wide range of monomers may be incorporated into the block. Although the mean block length is controllable through the parameters that normally determine the mean kinetic chain length in a free radical polymerization, the molecular weight distributions are, of course, much broader than with ionic polymerization and the polymers are, therefore, less well defined,... 

Anionic polymerization Narrow molecular weight distribution Limited chain transfer reactions Predictable molecular weight average Possibility of forming living polymers End groups can be tailored for further reactivity Solvent-sensitive due to the possibility of chain transfer to the solvent Can be slow Sensitive to trace impurities Narrow molecular weight distribution... 

RAFT polymerization of two anionic acrylamido monomers sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulfonate, AMPS, and sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methyl-butanoate, AMBA, (Scheme 29) was conducted in water at 70 °C using 4,4/-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) as the initiator and 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate as the RAFT chain transfer agent [80]. The synthesis was initiated either from one monomer or the other leading to narrow molecular weight distributions in both cases (Mw/Mn < 1.2). 

The alkyllithium-initiated, anionic polymerization of vinyl and diene monomers can often be performed without the incursion of spontaneous termination or chain transfer reactions (1). The non-terminating nature of these reactions has provided methods for the synthesis of polymers with predictable molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (2). In addition, these polymerizations generate polymer chains with stable, carbanionic chain ends which, in principle, can be converted into a diverse array of functional end groups using the rich and varied chemistry of organolithium compounds (3). 

Anionic polymerization techniques have contributed to a very large extent to the development of tailot made molecules of various types. The long life time of the active sites is a factor of decisive importance for such synthesis it enables one to choose at will the molecular weights of the polymers to be made, and it ensures narrow molecular weight distribution of the samples. It involves the possibility of functionalizations at one or more chain ends, and of coupling reactions with bifunc-... 

Litt, M., and M. Szwarc Molecular weight distribution in anionic polymerization involving chain transfer to monomer. J. Polymer Sci. 42, 159 (1960). 

Anionic polymerizations, when carried out in aprotic solvents, are characterized by the long lifetime of the carbanionic (or oxanionic) sites l2). When neither spontaneous transfer nor termination reactions are involved, the polymers obtained exhibit sharp molecular weight distributions, and their number average degree of polymerization is determined by the [Monomer]/[Initiator] molar ratio, provided initiation is fast as compared to propagation. However, the major advantage of these methods, as far as synthesis is concerned, is the socalled living character of the polymers 12) After completion of the polymerization the active sites retain their reactivity and can be used for functionalizations at the chain end. 

The anionic homopolymerization of polystyrene macromonomers was carried out successfully. The methacrylic ester sites at the chain end do not require very strong nucleophiles to be initiated diphenylmethylpotassium was used, and the process was carried out at — 70 °C in THF solution24). The products are comparable with those obtained by free-radical polymerization. The molecular weight distribution should be narrower but this cannot be easily checked because these polymer species are highly branched and compact as already mentioned. 

---