ANIONIC SYNTHESIS OF HETEROARM, STAR-BRANCHED POLYMERS - SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

The scope and limitations of the following methods for the synthesis of heteroarm star-branched polymers are presented: (a) divinylbenzene linking reactions; (b) coupling reactions with macromolecular silyl halides; and (c) 1,1-diphenylethylene-based living linking reactions. The methodology of using 1,3-bis(1-phenylethenyl)benzene to prepare A2B2 hetero 4-armed stars is reviewed, and the synthesis of well-defined (polystyrene) 2(1,4-polybutadiene)2 heteroarm stars is described. The synthesis of well-defined ABC heteroarm star polymers using macromonomers functionalized with 1,1-diphenylethylene groups is described.