Preparation of non-polar-polar block copolymers via vinyl-terminated polyolefins

Abstract

This disclosure includes methods for preparing a non-polar-polar diblock copolymer. The method includes polymerizing one or more olefin monomers in the presence of an alkyl aluminum chain transfer agent to produce a polymeryl aluminum species, which is then heated to produce a vinyl-terminated polyolefin. A thiol compound is reacted with the vinyl terminated polyolefin to form a sulfide containing polyolefin intermediate. The thiol compound comprises a terminal hydroxyl or a protected terminal amine. A macroinitiator is produced by reacting the sulfide containing polyolefin intermediate with a linker, wherein the linker comprises an acyl halide and a halogen atom bonded to the alpha carbon to the acyl halide. Reacting the macroinitiator, a radical reagent, and CH2═CH—(X) monomers via reversible-deactivation radical polymerization reaction produces the non-polar-polar diblock copolymer, where X is —C(O)OR, —CN, or —C(O)NHR, wherein R is chosen from —H, linear (C1-C18)alkyl, or branched (C1-C18)alkyl.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.