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Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Flow-Microreactor-Enabled Chemoselective Anionic Polymerization of Styrenes Bearing Alkoxysilyl Groups
Yosuke Ashikari1, Yuya Yonekura1,2, Kyosuke Tomite1
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
Flow microreactors enable anionic polymerization of silyl-substituted styrenes, overcoming reactivity challenges. This allows for creating diverse silicon-containing polymers through post-polymerization modification.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Trialkoxysilyl-substituted styrenes offer multiple functionalization sites per unit.
- The high reactivity of alkoxysilyl groups typically hinders anionic polymerization.
- Developing controlled polymerization methods for these monomers is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve chemoselective anionic polymerization of trialkoxysilyl-styrenes.
- To synthesize well-defined silicon-containing polymers using flow microreactors.
- To demonstrate the versatility of these polymers for further functionalization.
Main Methods:
- Anionic polymerization initiated by 2-phenylhexyl lithium (2PHLi).
- Utilizing a flow microreactor system for controlled polymerization.
- Post-polymerization modification of retained trialkoxysilyl groups.
Main Results:
- Successful chemoselective initiation and living anionic polymerization.
- Synthesis of poly(trialkoxysilylstyrene)s with narrow molecular weight distributions.
- Demonstration of block copolymer synthesis and diverse silyl group conversion.
- Access to a range of silicon-containing polymers.
Conclusions:
- Flow microreactors enable controlled anionic polymerization of challenging monomers.
- Trialkoxysilyl styrenes are versatile platforms for silicon-containing polymers.
- This method facilitates chemoselective polymerization and functionalization.
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