Effects of polar additives on the anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene

• Published in: Journal of polymer research Vol. 22; no. 11; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Lanzi, Massimiliano, Paganin, Luisa, Di-Nicola, Francesco Paolo, Trombini, Claudio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.11.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Anionic polymerization; Butadiene; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copolymerization; Cyclohexane; Ethers; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Original Paper; Polymer Sciences; Precursors; Styrenes; Anionic polymerization, Lewis bases; Butadiene; Styrene
• ISSN: 1022-9760; 1572-8935
• DOI: 10.1007/s10965-015-0854-8

The homopolymerization of butadiene and copolymerization of styrene with butadiene were performed using n-butyllithium as the initiator, cyclohexane as a solvent and some new ethers (σ-ligands) as active centers modifiers. The modifiers were synthesized using an elegant synthetic route starting from a commercial precursor, and high yields were obtained. Their addition in the homopolymerization of butadiene strongly influences the vinyl content and reduces the polydispersity of the obtained polymer. The modifiers are also able to change the reactivity ratios in the styrene-butadiene copolymerization, leading to an appreciable randomizing effect. The modifiers also show a high activity, since their addition in a very low amount is able to strongly modify the progress in the reaction of anionic polymerization.