Synthesis of Polystyrenes−Poly(alkyl methacrylates) Block Copolymers via Anionic Polymerization Using an Integrated Flow Microreactor System

• Published in: Macromolecules Vol. 43; no. 20; pp. 8424 - 8429
• Main Authors: Nagaki, Aiichiro, Miyazaki, Atsuo, Yoshida, Jun-ichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 26.10.2010
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Copolymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Living polymer; Solution copolymerization; Experimental study; Methyl methacrylate copolymer; Solution polymerization; Triblock copolymer; Lithium Organic compounds; Preparation; Diblock copolymer; Anionic polymerization; Styrene polymer; Anionic copolymerization; Microreactor; Butyl methacrylate copolymer; Styrene copolymer
• ISSN: 0024-9297; 1520-5835
• DOI: 10.1021/ma101663x

The polystyrene living polymer end, which was produced by butyllithium initiated anionic polymerization of styrene in a flow microreactor system was found to be effectively trapped with 1,1-diphenylethylene. The resulting organolithium species could be used as a macro initiator for anionic polymerization of alkyl methacrylates to obtain styrene−alkyl methacrylate diblock copolymers using an integrated flow microreactor system. A high level of control of molecular weight was achieved at easily accessible temperatures such as +24 to −28 °C by virtue of the fast mixing, fast heat transfer, and residence time control. Triblock copolymers were also synthesized by sequential introduction of styrene and two different alkyl methacrylates in a similar manner.