TOWARDS THE SELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF MACROCYCLIC VINYL-POLYMERS OF CONTROLLED SIZE

A new strategy for the synthesis of vinyl type macrocyclic polymers of controlled molecular weight and molecular weight distribution has bee n investigated. It involves the direct coupling of an alpha-omega-hete rodifunctional linear polymer precursor previously prepared by living polymerization. The cyclization is achieved under high dilution, by an appropriate activation of one of the polymer-ends in order to allow i ts reaction with the other end function. Its application to the prepar ation of polystyrenes and poly(vinyl ether)s with a macrocyclic struct ure, as well as ring closure mechanisms in the presence of different c yclization agents are reported.