Controlled radical copolymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride and the synthesis of novel polyolefin-based block copolymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) was applied to the copolymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride. The product had a low pol ydispersity and a predetermined molar mass. Novel, well-defined polyolefin- based block copolymers were prepared with a macromolecular RAFT agent prepa red from a commercially available polyolefin (Kraton L-1203). The second bl ock consisted of either polystyrene or poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride). F urthermore, the colored, labile di-thioester moiety in the product of the R AFT polymerizations could be removed from the polymer chain by UV irradiati on. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.