LIVING ANIONIC RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF 1,1-DIPROPYLSILACYCLOBUTANE

Synthesis and living anionic ring-opening polymerization of 1,1-diprop ylsilacyclobutane are reported. High molecular weight poly(dipropylsil ylenepropylene) up to (M) over bar(n) = 83 900 g/mol (SEC/PS standards ) with low polydispersity ((M) over bar(w)/(M) over bar(n) = 1.11 to 1 .22) was obtained at -20 degrees C. End functionalization of poly(dipr opylsilylenepropylene) with chlorodimethylvinylsilane and synthesis of block copolymers with styrene was achieved. The polymers were charact erized with NMR, SEC, MALDI-TOF and DSC.