A novel process for synthesizing polystyrene and polyarylate block copolymers utilizing telechelic polystyrene

Abstract

A novel process for synthesizing polystyrene (PS) and polyarylate (PAr) block copolymers utilizing telechelic polystyrene was proposed. This process was comprised of three steps. In the first step, carboxyl-terminated telechelic polystyrene (COOH-PS-COOH) was prepared by free radical polymerization with 4,4'-azo-bis(cyanovalelic acid) (ACVA). In the second step, COOH-PS-COOH was reacted with bisphenol-A by the use of triphenylphosphine, hexachloroethane, and triethylamine to convert carboxyl groups into phenol groups (OH-PS-OH). In the third step, to produce the PS-PAr block copolymer, OH-PS-OH was added to a polyarylate synthesizing system where bisphenol-A and the mixture of tere/isophthaloyl dichloride (1: 1 mole ratio) were polymerized by solution polycondensation. PS-PAr block copolymers were successively obtained with relatively high PS copolymerization ratio. The ratio was over 70%, while there was a wide variety in molecular composition and molecular weight. Furthermore, by this process PS-PAr block copolymers can be obtained from step 1 through step 3 consecutively without isolating the intermediates. This method has potential for industrial applications.