Low-cost synthesis of macromonomers
AssigneeUniversity of Tennessee Research Foundation
InventorsJimmy W. Mays, Nam-Goo Kang, Weiyu Wang, Huiqun Wang
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Abstract
Methods of preparing macromonomers, e.g., single- or double-tailed macromonomers, using radical polymerization of a first monomer in solution or in an emulsion are described. Methods of using the macromonomers in the preparation of multigraft copolymers are also described. For instance, the macromonomer prepared by radical polymerization can be used in an emulsion copolymerization with a second monomer to form a random multigraft copolymer. The random multigraft co-polymers can be superelastomers.
Claims45
A method of preparing a macromonomer, wherein said macromonomer comprises one or more polymeric chains attached to a polymerizable group, the method comprising:
- (a) polymerizing at least a first monomer via radical polymerization to form a reactive group-terminated polymeric chain, wherein said reactive group-terminated polymeric chain comprises a polymer chain having a terminal reactive group at one end, wherein said terminal reactive group comprises a hydroxyl group or an amino group;
- and
- (b) contacting said reactive group-terminated polymeric chain with a difunctional compound comprising a polymerizable group and at least one carboxylic acid group or derivative thereof, thereby forming a covalent bond between the terminal reactive group of the reactive group-terminated polymeric chain and the at least one carboxylic acid group or derivative thereof of the difunctional compound.
A method of preparing a multigraft copolymer, said method comprising:
- (a) preparing a macromonomer via radical polymerization, wherein said macromonomer comprises one or more polymeric chains attached to a polymerizable group, and wherein the one or more polymeric chains comprise constitutional units from at least a first monomer;
- (b) contacting the macromonomer with at least a second monomer;
- and
- (c) copolymerizing the macromonomer and the second monomer to form a multigraft copolymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.