Block polymers opening polymerization

By means of a ring-opening polymerization of the condensation type Vlasov et al. [50] synthesized polypeptide based MAIs with azo groups in the polymeric backbone. The method is based on the reaction of a hydracide derivative of AIBN and a N-carboxy anhydride. Containing one central azo group in the polymer main chain, the polymeric azo initiator was used for initiating block copolymerizations of styrene and various methacrylamides. 

An alternate way to make block copolymers involving PDMS blocks 124,125) is to have these chains fitted with epoxide functions at chain end, and to react them with a vinylic or dienic polymer carrying terminal COOH functions. Sequential addition of monomers has also been used, the ring opening polymerization of the cyclic trimer (D3) being initiated by the anionic site of a living polymer126). 

Fig. 10 Aggregation numbers 2 as function of degree of polymerization of insoluble block for uncharged block copolymers. Open symbols different diblock-, triblock-, graft-, and star polymers. Filled symbols low-MW surfactants. Reprinted with permission from [211]. Copyright (2002) Wiley...

Polyethers are prepared by the ring opening polymerization of three, four, five, seven, and higher member cyclic ethers. Polyalkylene oxides from ethylene or propylene oxide and from epichlorohydrin are the most common commercial materials. They seem to be the most reactive alkylene oxides and can be polymerized by cationic, anionic, and coordinated nucleophilic mechanisms. For example, ethylene oxide is polymerized by an alkaline catalyst to generate a living polymer in Figure 1.1. Upon addition of a second alkylene oxide monomer, it is possible to produce a block copolymer (Fig. 1.2). 

The simultaneous hydrosilylation and ring-opening polymerization process provides a powerful method for the construction of a variety of novel polymer networks including comb, block and graft polymers, e.g. 272 (equation 102)271. 

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