ANIONIC-POLYMERIZATION AND COPOLYMERIZATION OF MACROMONOMERS - KINETICS, STRUCTURE CONTROL

The present paper discusses the ability of macromonomers to undergo po lymerization and copolymerization with acrylic and vinylic monomers. T hese macromonomers have been synthesized by classical deactivation rea ctions. Special interest was devoted to macromonomers fitted with poly merizable methylmethacrylate end-groups. The anionic homopolymerizatio n of omega-methacryloyloxy-polystyrene macromonomers was studied in de tail and the influence of the molar mass of the macromonomer on the ap parent propagation constant was determined. The anionic homopolymeriza tion of omega-methacryloyloxy poly(ethylene oxide) macro-monomers was arise examined. In both cases, lithium chloride has to be added in ord er to reach a better control of the reaction. The dilute solution prop erties of these polystyrene polymacromonomers have been studied. Some preliminary attempts to apply that anionic homopolymerization of macro monomers to the preparation of ''dumbbell'' and ''palmtree'' polymers were presented.