“Perfect Comb” ADMET Graft Copolymers

Abstract

“Perfect comb” graft copolymers are synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization using well-defined ruthenium catalyst systems to yield precisely spaced polyethers along an unsaturated polyolefin backbone. The graft is placed in a symmetrical α,ω-diene prior to ADMET polymerization to ensure exact graft placement at each functional site along the polymer backboneno mistakes are made. The polyether grafts are essentially monodisperse as shown by MALDI analysis, while the polyolefin backbone exhibits a dispersity of 2.0. Such well-defined poly(ethylene-graft-ethylene oxide) copolymers will be interesting in several applications.