Copolymers telechelic monomers

The preparation of prepolymers [111] or macromers with functional end groups, so called telechelic polymers, is another approach to structurally unconventional architecture. The functional end groups are introduced either by functional initiation or end-capping of living polymers, or by a combination of the two. In this way, monomers that are not able to copolymerize can be incorporated in a copolymer. Telechelic prepolymers can be linked together using chain extenders such as diisocyanates [112]. In this process, it is essential that the structure and end groups of the prepolymers can be quantitatively and qualitatively controlled [113]. 

ADMET is quite possibly the most flexible transition-metal-catalyzed polymerization route known to date. With the introduction of new, functionality-tolerant robust catalysts, the primary limitation of this chemistry involves the synthesis and cost of the diene monomer that is used. ADMET gives the chemist a powerful tool for the synthesis of polymers not easily accessible via other means, and in this chapter, we designate the key elements of ADMET. We detail the synthetic techniques required to perform this reaction and discuss the wide range of properties observed from the variety of polymers that can be synthesized. For example, branched and functionalized polymers produced by this route provide excellent models (after quantitative hydrogenation) for the study of many large-volume commercial copolymers, and the synthesis of reactive carbosilane polymers provides a flexible route to solvent-resistant elastomers with variable properties. Telechelic oligomers can also be made which offer an excellent means for polymer modification or incorporation into block copolymers. All of these examples illustrate the versatility of ADMET. 

The transformation of the chain end active center from one type to another is usually achieved through the successful and efficient end-functionalization reaction of the polymer chain. This end-functionalized polymer can be considered as a macroinitiator capable of initiating the polymerization of another monomer by a different synthetic method. Using a semitelechelic macroinitiator an AB block copolymer is obtained, while with a telechelic macroinitiator an ABA triblock copolymer is provided. The key step of this methodology relies on the success of the transformation reaction. The functionalization process must be 100% efficient, since the presence of unfunctionalized chains leads to a mixture of the desired block copolymer and the unfunctionalized homopolymer. In such a case, control over the molecular characteristics cannot be obtained and an additional purification step is needed. 

Block copolymers of isobuylene with styrene, isoprene, and vinyl ethers have been synthesized, often requiring an appropriate adjustment of reaction conditions for the second stage, as described above for styrene-MVE. Another approach is the use of a telechelic polymer (containing the first block) as the initiator for polymerization of the second monomer (Sec. 5-4b). 

Functionally terminal polymers are valuable material intermediates. The di- and polyfunctional varieties (telechelic polymers) have found theoretical (e.g., model network) and commercial (e.g., liquid rubber) applications (1, ). On the other hand, macromolecules with a functional group at one chain end (semitelechelic polymers) have been used to prepare novel macromolecular monomers (Macromers ), as well as block and graft copolymers ( -8). 

Two separate topics must be considered the block copolymers produced from bistelomerization of two different monomers with a telechelic or a difun-ctionalizable telogen and the coupling of monofunctional telomers. 

A series of at least 14 papers [200-208] have been published dealing with the synthesis of telechelic polymers or block copolymers from the radical polymerization of various vinyl monomers with substituted 1,1,2,2-tetraphenyl ethanes. These aromatic compounds, known for over a century [209], are efficient in radical polymerization [201,210], They behave as both initiators and terminating agents [200] that can be involved in living radical polymerization as illustrated in the following reaction ... 

True block copolymers containing long blocks of each homopolymer in a diblock, triblock, or multiblock sequence are formed by simultaneous polymerization of the two monomers when n > 1 and r2 8> 1. However, block copolymers are prepared more effectively by either sequential monomer addition in living polymerizations, or by coupling two or more telechelic homopolymers subsequent to their homopolymerization. Alternatively, if the two monomers do not polymerize by the same mechanism, a block copolymer can still be formed by sequential monomer addition if the active site of the first block is transformed to a reactive center capable of initiating polymerization of the second monomer. 

Living polymerization processes pave the way to the macromolecular engineering, because the reactivity that persists at the chain ends allows (i) a variety of reactive groups to be attached at that position, thus (semi-)telechelic polymers to be synthesized, (ii) the polymerization of a second type of monomer to be resumed with formation of block copolymers, (iii) star-shaped (co)polymers to be prepared by addition of the living chains onto a multifunctional compound. A combination of these strategies with the use of multifunctional initiators andtor macromonomers can increase further the range of polymer architectures and properties. 

In Table 10 we have gathered different 1,2-disubstituted tetraphenylethanes reported in the literature to get telechelic polymers. We can remark that few studies were undertaken in the area of telechelic polymers hence, despite a one-step reaction to get a telechelic structure, the main interest attributed to initer systems concerns the ability to restart a block copolymerization. The number of publications concerning the synthesis of diblock copolymers may prove this assumption. Under certain polymerization conditions, the chain ends, comprising the last monomer unit and the primary radical formed from the intiator, may split up into new radicals able to reinitiate further polymerization of a second monomer, leading to block copolymers. This is certainly the reason why 1,2-disubstituted tetraphenylethane does not present such interesting condensable functions (X in Scheme 10) for polycondensation reactions (Table 10). 

Appropriate telechelic polymers produced from a variety of monomers may be incorporated as reactive components in a variety of applications such as sealants, elastomers, foams, and fibers. Such telechelic polymers may impart almost any desired characteristic such as hydrophilic properties, elastomeric properties, dyeability, and solvent resistance. A dihydroxy telechelic polymer may be reacted with a telechelic polymer containing two carboxylic acid groups to produce a condensed polyester. Accordingly, from these telechelic entities one may produce block copolymers that will have alternating addition polymer residues of like or unlike repeat units. In addition, block copolymers can be produced by modifications of this procedure in which addition polymers are alternated with condensation polymer units. 

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