Atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene using a bifunctional initiator

A bifunctional alkyl halide, namely 1,2-bis(2 ' -bromobutyryl) ethane (BBrB E), was synthesized and used to initiate the bulk atom transfer radical pol ymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St) at 110 degreesC in the presence of CuBr/ 2,2 ' -bipyridyl. The narrow polydispersity of polystyrene (PSt) with preci sely two arms could be synthesized. The initiate ability of the two active bromide functional groups at both sides of BBrBE for St and the propagation ability of the two arms were confirmed to be similar by the characterizati on of the individual arms obtained upon hydrolysis of the ester link betwee n the core and the branches.