A novel [60]fullerene-appended initiator for living cationic polymerization and its application to the synthesis of [60]fullerene-end-capped poly(vinyl ether)s

Abstract

A new C60 derivative (C6060VE, {6}-1-[3-(2-vinyloxyethoxycarbonyl)propyl]-{5}-1-phenyl[5.6]C61) with a vinyl ether group was synthesized, and the potential ability of its TFA adduct (C6060VE-TFA, {6}-1-[3-{2-[1-(trifluoroacetoxy)ethoxy]-ethoxycarbonyl}propyl]-{5}-1-phenyl[5.6]C61) as a novel initiator for living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers (VEs) was studied. It was found that the initiator afforded C60-end-capped polymers with well-controlled architecture, and the obtained polymer exhibited solvatochromism, indicating self-assembly in the media.