Cp2TiCl-catalyzed graft copolymerization of styrene from epoxidized poly(isoprene)

POLY 196

Alexandru D. Asandei, asandei@ims.uconn.edu, Gobinda Saha, gobinda@ims.uconn.edu, and Alpana Ranade. Institute of Materials Science and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 97 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269
The grafting copolymerization of styrene from poly(isoprene) which was epoxidized in the presence of HCOOH/H2O2 is readily initiated by the Cp2TiCl-catalyzed radical ring opening of the epoxide groups and is controlled by CuBr2/bpy as confirmed by NMR and GPC investigations. The grafting density was manipulated by the poly(isoprene) epoxidation level and by the [epoxide]/[Cp2TiCl] ratio while the graft length was controlled by the [Styrene]/[Cp2TiCl] ratio. While related structures could conceivably be generated by subsequent anionic polymerizations and coupling sequences, this methodology offers the advantages typically associated with radical polymerizations such as much less stringent reaction conditions and water tolerance.
 

General Papers: Synthesis and Characterization
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Sunday, 10 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006