Synthesis and characterization of omega-dihydroxylated polystyrene oligomers - Simulation of the free radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of alpha-thioglycerol

The synthesis of omega-dihydroxylated polystyrene oligomers was performed b y free radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of alpha-thioglyce rol. Monitoring styrene and alpha-thioglycerol concentration evolution by g as chromatography during a batch process allowed us to determine the value of the thiol transfer constant. Due to this high value (C-s = 6.2), a fast drift of the batch composition was observed. In order to control the ratio of thiol/styrene during the reaction, a model was developed by simulating t he addition of the thiol in the batch during styrene polymerization. w-dihy droxylated functionalized oligomers, with a low polymolecularity index and a controlled molar mass were then prepared. Gel permeation chromatography a nd MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry measurements proved the validity of our mode l.