Polydimethylsiloxane–vinyl block polymers. II. The synthesis and characterization of block polymers by the thermolysis of polydimethylsiloxane macroinitiators containing bis(silyl pinacolate) groups

Abstract

Abstract The thermolysis of polydimethylsiloxanes containing thermally labile bis(silyl pinacolate) groups in the backbone in the presence of various vinyl monomers leads to the direct synthesis of block polymers. Depending on the monomer chosen, simple triblock or multisequence block polymers can be readily prepared. Analysis of the products of the block polymerizations using various styrenic‐type monomers shows that only block polymers are obtained, i.e., no homo‐polymers are formed. These block polymers display evidence of phase separation such as intense iridescence and solvent‐dependent mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of these block polymers have been measured and found to be highly composition dependent. Depending on the block length and the relative portions of the hard (vinyl) and soft (polydimethylsiloxane) blocks, one can produce either thermoplastic elastomers or rubber‐modified thermoplastics.