Block copolymer synthesis transformation reactions

The reactions of polymeric anions with appropriate azo-compounds or peroxides to form polymeric initiators provide other examples of anion-radical transformation (e.g. Scheme 7. 6). ""7i However, the polymeric azo and peroxy compounds have limited utility in block copolymer synthesis because of the poor efficiency of radical generation from the polymeric initiators (7.5.1). 

Grubbs and coworkers [127,128] reported two independent transformation reactions for block copolymer synthesis. The first report [128, 129] involved changing the mechanism from hving metathesis polymerization of cycloalkene to a group transfer polymerization of silyl vinyl ether. In a second report, block copolymers of NB and ethylene were prepared by transforming a metathesis polymerization to a... 

According to the second method of carbonate block copolymer synthesis, sequential monomer polymerization is proceeded with transformation of the active center. The block copolymers are prepared in three steps. First, the polymerization of one monomer is carried out. After complete conversion of the first monomer the transformation of active centers is performed, and the initiation of the polymerization of the second monomer is proceeded. For example, this approach was applied for obtaining poly(styrene-l7-neopentyl carbonate).After completion of the styrene living polymerization, carbanionic centers were transformed into alkoxide ones via reaction with EO and then the ROP of neopentyl carbonate polymerization was performed. In the case of block copolymers of methyl methacrylate with neopentyl carbonate living PMMA, prepared according to GTP, was used as a macroinitiator for DTC polymerization. A silyl keteneacetal active center was transformed to an alkoxide one. Depending on the functionality of the macroinitiator (A) used for cyclic carbonate polymerization, two types of block copolymers can be obtained A-B or B-A-B. 

ATRP has also been applied to block copolymer synthesis [16]. Both sequential monomer addition and two-step procedures were used. The former involves the simple addition of a second monomer to the reaction medium after complete consumption of the first monomer. In the latter case the first monomer, after isolation and purification, was used as macroinitiator for the polymerization of a second monomer in its usual manner. Macroinitiators suitable for ATRP may also be prepared by a polymerization technique other than radical polymerization. This way block copolymers of monomers with different chemical structures are prepared. Such examples include cationic to radical and condensation to radical transformation reactions [20,21]. 

A general strategy developed for the synthesis of supramolecular block copolymers involves the preparation of macromolecular chains end-capped with a 2,2 6/,2//-terpyridine ligand which can be selectively complexed with RUCI3. Under these conditions only the mono-complex between the ter-pyridine group and Ru(III) is formed. Subsequent reaction with another 2,2 6/,2"-terpyridine terminated polymer under reductive conditions for the transformation of Ru(III) to Ru(II) leads to the formation of supramolecular block copolymers. Using this methodology the copolymer with PEO and PS blocks was prepared (Scheme 42) [ 107]. 

Another approach to block copolymers involves changing the type of propagating center part way through the synthesis via a transformation reaction [Burgess et al., 1977 Richards, 1980 Souel et al., 1977 Tung et al., 1985]. For example, after completion of the living anionic polymerization of monomer A, the carbanion centers are transformed into carbocations... 

The synthesis of poly(MMA-fr-IB-fr-MMA) triblock copolymers has also been reported using the site-transformation method, where a,site-transformation technique provides a useful alternative for the synthesis of block copolymers consisting of two monomers that are polymerized only by two different mechanisms. In this method, the propagating active center is transformed to a different kind of active center and a second monomer is subsequently polymerized by a mechanism different from the preceding one. The key process in this method is the precocious control of a or co-end functionality, capable of initiating the second monomer. Recently a novel site-transformation reaction, the quantitative metalation of DPE-capped PIB carrying methoxy or olefin functional groups, has been reported [90]. This method has been successfully employed in the synthesis of poly(IB-fr-fBMA) diblock and poly (MMA-fc-IB-fo-MMA) triblock copolymers [91]. 

The first (partly) successful attempts to prepare block copolymers by double cationic initiation involved the preparation of the first block, its isolation and transformation into a macroinitiator and the subsequent blocking with the second monomer. Thus, Jolivet and Peyrot reported in 1973 the synthesis of a poly(isobutene7>-styrene) based on the preparation of a terminally benzylated polyisobutene, the chloromethyla-tion of the aromatic end groups and the polymerisation of styrene onto these —CHjCl moieties catalysed by diethylahiminium chloride. The yield of block copolymer was limited due to transfer reactions in both the first and the second polymerisation, i.e. appreciable amounts of homopolymers were also obtained. A similar procedure was used by Kermedy and Melby a few years later to prepare the same type of copolymer. 

Two related procedures have been developed to effect this transformation. Both Involve the Initial synthesis of mono- or dlfunctlonal living anionic polymers of styrene, butadiene, or block copolymers of both. They are then reacted via Grlgnard Intermediates (7 ) with either excess bromine or with excess m-xylylyl dlbromlde (8-10) to yield polymers with reactive halide terminal groups (benzyllc or allyllc depending upon the polymer and terminating agent). The reactions for polystyrene are shown In equations 2 and 3. 

---