SYNTHESIS OF BLOCK COPOLYMERS .4. POLYTETRAHYDROFURAN AS A MACROINITIATOR FOR FREE-RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

Polytetrahydrofuran with a narrow molecular-weight distribution and terminal bromine atom was prepared by cationic polymerization. This polymer was used as a macroinitiator for the free-radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate to produce block copolymers. A block terpolymer was prepared by using terminally functionalized polystyrene, prepared by anionic polymerization, as a macroinitiator for cationic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran and to form a block copolymer. This polymer was terminally functionalized and used as a macroinitiator for the free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate. In each case gel permeation chromatography was used to establish block copolymer formation. © 1990.