Star polymers having multiple polyisobutylene arms emanating from a calixarene core, initiators therefor, and method for the synthesis thereof

A composition of matter suitable for use as a cationic polymerization initiator having the structure ##STR18## wherein R is selected from the group --OCH3, --OH, and --Cl and wherein y=1 and n=4 to 16.

A cationic polymerization initiator comprising

• a material selected from the group consisting of the tert-methoxy, tert-hydroxy, and tert-Cl derivatives of ##STR19## wherein y=1 and n=4 to 16.

A method for the carbocationic polymerization of a monomer which results in the formation of a polymer, comprising:

• reacting (1) an initiator selected from the group consisting of the tert-methoxy, tert-hydroxy, and tert-Cl derivatives of ##STR20## wherein y=0 to 1, and when y=0, n=1, and when y=1, n=4 to 16, and (2) at least one Friedel-Crafts acid with (3) at least a portion of the monomer in at least one solvent at cryogenic temperature and in the presence of an electron pair donor and a proton scavenger.

A method for the synthesis of a star polymer having a plurality of arms of polyisobutylene emanating from a calixarene core comprising:

• reacting (1) an initiator selected from the group consisting of the tert-methoxy, tert-hydroxy, and tert-Cl derivatives of calix›n!arene wherein n=4 to 16, and (2) at least one Friedel-Crafts acid with (3) at least a portion of isobutylene in at least one solvent at cryogenic temperature and in the presence of an electron pair donor and a proton scavenger.