HYDROVINYLSILANES IN SEQUENTIAL REACTIONS - A ROUTE TO GRAFT-COPOLYMERS

The radical copolymerization of styrene or methyl methacrylate and dip henylvinylsilane 1 led to Si-H functionalized polyolefins 5-7 and 8-10 , respectively The efficiency of incorporation of 1 was loo. In additi on, the molecular weights weve inversely proportional to the concentra tion of 1, indicating that, while the silane behaves as a monomer (Si- CH=CH2), its primary role tvas as a chain termination and a chain tran sfer (SCH) agent. The copolymers contained about I mol% SCH groups: th e methacrylate derivatives also contained Si-vinyl groups. The residua l Si-H groups in the copolymers remained chemically active. It was thu s possible to graft vinylsilicones onto 9 using transition metal catal yzed hydrosilation to give 11, or vinylanthracene onto 9 using radical ly induced hydrosilation to give 12. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons.