Polyethylene‐<i>block</i>‐poly(<i>ε</i>‐caprolactone) diblock copolymers: synthesis and compatibility

Abstract

Abstract A strategy is introduced for the synthesis of polyethylene‐ block ‐poly( ε ‐caprolactone) block copolymers by a combination of coordination polymerization and ring‐opening polymerization. First, end‐hydroxylated polyethylene ( PE‐OH ) was prepared with a one‐step process through ethylene/3‐buten‐1‐ol copolymerization catalyzed by a vanadium( III ) complex bearing a bidentate [N,O] ligand ([PhNC(CH 3 )CHC(Ph)O]VCl 2 (THF) 2 ). The PE‐OH was then used as macroinitiator for ring‐opening polymerization of ε ‐caprolactone, leading to the desired nonpolar/polar diblock copolymers. The block structure was confirmed by spectral analysis using 1 H NMR , gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. The unusual topologies of the model copolymers will establish a fundamental understanding for structure–property correlations, e.g. compatibilization, of polymer blends and surface and interface modification of other polymers. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry