Process for production of polymers having functional groups, and star polymers obtained thereby

A method for producing a polymer comprising:

• (i) a step of subjecting an anionic polymerizable monomer to a living anionic polymerization in the presence of an anionic polymerization initiator;
• and
• (ii) a step of adding a cinnamyl alcohol represented by the following formula [I] or a derivative thereof to a reaction system for attaching the cinnamyl alcohol or a derivative thereof at a growth end.
• [wherein R1 represents an alkyl group or alkoxy group;
• m represents an integer of 0 to 5 and when m is 2 or more, R1s may be the same or different;
• R5 represents a hydrogen atom, alkali metal atom, trialkylsilyl group or a substituent represented by the following formula [II]
• (wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group;
• and R4 represents an alkyl group which may be substituted by an alkoxy group, a cycloalkyl group which may be substituted by an alkoxy group, a phenyl group which may be substituted by an alkyl group, or a phenyl group which may be substituted by an alkoxy group)]

A star polymer obtained by reacting a core agent with a polymer, wherein the polymer is obtained by subjecting a compound represented by the following formula [I] to a reaction when initiating a living anionic polymerization.

• [wherein R1 represents an alkyl group or alkoxy group;
• m represents an integer of 0 to 5 and when m is 2 or more, R1s may be the same or different;
• R5 represents a hydrogen atom, alkali metal atom, trialkylsilyl group or a substituent represented by the following formula [II]
• (wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group;
• and R4 represents an alkyl group which may be substituted by an alkoxy group, a cycloalkyl group which may be substituted by an alkoxy group, a phenyl group which may be substituted by an alkyl group, or a phenyl group which may be substituted by an alkoxy group)]