New Functional Polyolefins: Towards a Bridge Between Catalytic and RAFT Polymerizations?

Abstract

Abstract Summary: Di‐polyethylenyl magnesium compounds, obtained by a transition metal catalyzed chain growth reaction on butyloctyl magnesium, are reacted with a range of disulfides of thiocarbonylated compounds (RC(S)SSC(S)R). Xanthate, dithiocarbamate, dithioester, and trithiocarbonate‐functionalized polyethylenes are thus obtained and characterized by 1 H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. These macroRAFT agents may serve as building blocks for the synthesis of block copolymers based on polyolefins and polar segments. Thio thiocarbonylate‐terminated polyethylene chains are easily prepared in high yield by a two step reaction and analyzed by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. magnified image Thio thiocarbonylate‐terminated polyethylene chains are easily prepared in high yield by a two step reaction and analyzed by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry.