One-pot syntheses of heterotelechelic α-vinyl,ω-methoxysilane polyethylenes and condensation into comb-like and star-like polymers with high chain end functionality

Abstract

A one-pot synthesis method for various α-vinyl,ω-methoxysilyl polyethylene oligomers with well-defined lengths and high end-group functionalities and crystallinities is presented. This method relies on the combination of catalyzed chain growth of ethylene in the presence of a di(alkenyl)magnesium chain transfer agent and a neodymocene complex, followed by efficient deactivation using a variety of silane reagents: trimethoxymethylsilane, trimethoxyvinylsilane and tetramethoxysilane. Further condensation of the ω-methoxysilyl groups of these polymers in active medium (toluene/acetic acid mixture) leads to complex architectures such as comb-like structures or star-like structures that combine high vinyl functionality at extremities with a high crystallinity.