SYNTHESIS OF AMPHIPHILIC SILANE COUPLING AGENTS BASED ON POLY(2-ETHYL-2-OXAZOLINE) AND THEIR REACTIONS WITH TETRAETHOXYSILANE

Ring-opening polymerization of 2-alkyl-2-oxazoline (alkyl=ethyl, n-but yl, n-octyl) was carried out with an initiator of methyl tosylate foll owed by the treatment with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to produce a n ovel type of polymeric silane coupling agents. Similarly, telechelic t riethoxysilyl-terminated poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s were prepared by u sing a bifunctional initiator. The molecular weights of the produced p olymers could be effectively controlled by the feed ratio of the initi ator to the monomer. These end-functionalized polymers were reacted wi th tetraethoxysilane with an acid catalyst by the sol-gel method. In t he case of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), a homogeneous and transparent po lymer hybrid was obtained. This polymer hybrid absorbed both of water and organic solvents, which showed amphiphilic adsorption property.