Synthesis of ω-End Functionalized Polymers through Tellurium-Metal Transmetallation Reaction

Synthesis of omega-end functionalized polymers via tellurium-metal transmetallation reaction was examined. The transmetallation reaction of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA), and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) bearing organotellurium omega-polymer end groups, which were prepared by organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization (TERP), with organometallic reagent proceeded quantitatively without affecting polar functional groups in the polymers. Subsequent trapping of the resulting anionic species with electrophiles afforded the desired omega-end functionalized polymers. H-1 NMR, GPC, and MALDI TOF MS analyses revealed the quantitative transformation while keeping the controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions of the starting polymers.