In order to obtain polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) functionalized with
phosphonated groups, we have studied its telomerization either with di
ethylphosphite HP(O)(OCH2CH3)(2) or with thiols. With diethylphosphite
, no chain lengths limitation was observed. On the other hand, with ju
diciously chosen thiols and according to two different synthetic route
s, we obtained low molecular mass telomers with a phosphonated end. We
first carried out the telomerization of MMA with 2-mercaptoethanol, t
hen we performed the esterification of the obtained telomers by a comp
ound bearing both a carboxylic acid and a phosphonated end group (''ph
osphonated acid''). Concurrently, we also performed the telomerization
of MMA with a phosphonated end thiol. The average polymerization degr
ees are calculated by various methods (SEC, H-1 NMR, sulfur analysis)
and the results are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.