Methods for synthesis of polyolefin-containing block copolymers
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorsDamien S. Guironnet, Dylan J. Walsh
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Abstract
A methodology is described for the synthesis of polyolefin containing block-copolymers using a catalytic postpolymerization modification strategy. Common polyolefin grades may be converted into macroinitiators using a cross-metathesis reaction. The functionalized polyolefins may then be used to initiate living: coordinative ring opening polymerization of cyclic ester monomer, anionic ring opening polymerization of epoxide monomer, and radical polymerization of vinylic monomer, to yield the corresponding block copolymers.
Claims20
A method for preparing a polyolefin-containing block copolymer via three consecutive reactions comprising:
- (a) preparing an alkenyl terminated polyolefin via an insertion polymerization reaction of an olefin monomer;
- (b) preparing a polyolefin macroinitiator by functionalizing the alkenyl end group of the polyolefin of step (a) via a catalytic cross metathesis reaction;
- and
- (c) carrying out a living polymerization reaction initiated by the polyolefin macroinitiator of step (b);
- to provide the polyolefin-containing block copolymer.
A method for preparing a polyolefin-containing block copolymer via three consecutive reactions comprising:
- (a) preparing an alkenyl terminated polyolefin via an insertion polymerization reaction of an olefin monomer;
- (b) preparing a polyolefin macroinitiator by functionalizing the alkenyl end group of the polyolefin of step (a) via a catalytic cross metathesis reaction comprising adding a ruthenium based methathesis catalyst and a cross-coupling compound comprising an acrylate to the alkenyl terminated polyolefin of step (a);
- and
- (c) carrying out a living polymerization reaction initiated by the polyolefin macroinitiator of step (b) via:
- (i) running a coordinative Ring Opening Polymerization (cROP) reaction of a cyclic ester monomer;
- or (ii) hydrogenating the polyolefin macroinitiator of step (b), then running an anionic Ring Opening Polymerization (aROP) reaction of an epoxide monomer;
- to provide the polyolefin-containing block copolymer.
A method for preparing a polyolefin-containing block copolymer via three consecutive reactions comprising:
- (a) preparing an alkenyl terminated polyolefin via an insertion polymerization reaction of an olefin monomer;
- (b) preparing a polyolefin macroinitiator by functionalizing the alkenyl end group of the polyolefin of step (a) via a catalytic cross metathesis reaction comprising adding a ruthenium based methathesis catalyst and a cross-coupling compound comprising an acrylate to the olefin terminated polyolefin of step (a);
- and
- (c) carrying out a living polymerization reaction initiated by the polyolefin macroinitiator of step (b) via an Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) reaction of a vinylic monomer;
- to provide the polyolefin-containing block copolymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.