COUPLING OF ALPHA,OMEGA-DICHLOROPOLY(METHYLPHENYLSILANE) AND LIVING POLY(STYRYLLITHIUM) - STUDY OF THE COUPLING REACTION

Both di- and triblock copolymers consisting of polystyrene (PS) in con junction with poly(methylphenylsilane) (PMPS) have been successfully p repared by coupling of alpha,omega-dichloro-PMPS with poly(styryllithi um). The study of this reaction has shown a sudden limitation of the c oupling yield, which however depends on the PS block length. Both the polymer concentration and the solvent have also an effect on the coupl ing reaction. Morphology of the PS-PMPS block copolymers has been obse rved by transmission electron microscopy. Very complex morphologies ha ve been reported more likely as the result of the competition between the phase separation induced by PS and PMPS immiscibility and the tend ency of PMPS to form ordered structures. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, I nc.