熱可塑性エラストマーの最前線 精密縮合系ブロックポリマーと新規熱可塑性エラストマーとしての可能性

Abstract

Thermoplastic elastomers containing condensation polymers have been produced as generally multiblock copolymers, not di- or triblock copolymers, because polycondensation proceeds in a step-growth polymerization manner, not in a chain-growth polymerization manner like living polymerization. We have recently developed novel polycondensation that propagates from an initiator in a chain-growth manner (chain-growth polycondensation) to yield condensation polymers with defined molecular weights and low polydispersities. This polycondensation method will open to an access to new thermoplastic elastomers made of triblock and star block copolymers containing well-defined condensation polymers as block units. Herein we describe the polycondensation for well-defined aromatic polyamides as an example of chain-growth polycondensation and the synthesis of block copolymers and star block copolymers, which consist of condensation polymers and general polymers such as polystylene and poly(ethylene glycol). Furthermore, its application to the synthesis of novel thermoplastic elastomers is also discussed.