Precise syntheses of structurally possible all tetrablock quaterpolymers by a methodology combining living anionic polymerization with linking chemistry using 1 : 1 addition reaction

Abstract

A methodology combining living anionic polymerization with linking chemistry using 1 : 1 addition reaction has been developed for the syntheses of tetrablock quaterpolymers composed of A, B, C, and D blocks. With this methodology using the ω-chain-end-(α-phenylacrylate (PA))-functionalized D, α,ω-chain-end-(2-tetrahydropyranyl ether and PA)-functionalized D, and ω-chain-end-PA-functionalized AD as the building blocks, the following all structurally possible twelve tetrablock quaterpolymers were successfully synthesized: ABCD, ABDC, ACBD, ACDB, ADBC, ADCB, BACD, BADC, BCAD, BDAC, CABD, and CBAD. Polystyrene, poly(2-vinylpyridine), poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (or poly(methyl methacrylate)), and poly(1,2-butylene oxide) prepared by living anionic polymerization were used as A, B, C, and D blocks, respectively. The polymers synthesized in this study are quite new tetrablock quaterpolymers and well-defined in structure.