Surfactant mediated cationic and anionic suspension polymerization of PEG-based resins in silicon oil: Beaded SPOCC 1500 and POEPOP 1500

A novel surfactant has been synthesized for use in cationic and anionic rin g-opening suspension polymerization of PEG-based macromonomers in silicon o il. A polymer of acrylate esters containing pentamethyldisiloxane and PEG w as prepared by radical polymerization. The surfactant can stabilize an emul sion of PEG-based macromonomers, initiator, and solvent in silicon oil such that polymer beads are obtained by ring-opening polymerization, initiated either by a Lewis acid (cationic ring opening) or potassium tert-butoxide ( anionic ring opening). The average bead size could be controlled by varying the stirring rate and the amount of surfactant and solvent. The surfactant does not interfere with the polymerization and can be removed together wit h residual silicon oil by a simple washing procedure.