Anionic synthesis of chain‐end functionalized polymers

Abstract

Abstract The use of living, alkyllithium‐initated anionic polymerization to prepare chain‐end functionalization reactions is discussed. The scope and limitations of termination reactions with a variety of electrophilic species is illustrated for carbonation, hydroxyethylation, amination, and sulfonation. The methodology of using substituted 1,1‐diphenylethylenes to provide a general, quantitative functionalization method is outlined and illustrated with examples of phenol end‐functionalization and amination.