Block Copolymers by Anionic to Metathesis Transformation Reactions

Abstract

The synthesis of block copolymers by catalyst transformation reactions was pioneered by Richards[1], who developed the transformation from anionic-to-cationic reactions to synthesize poly(styrene-block-cotetrahydrofuran). Other examples of transformation reactions include anionic-to-free radical and Ziegler Natta polymerizations. In these cases the polymerization mechanisms have been well-established and the synthesis of the copolymers has been the principal objective. We have used the synthesis of copolymers as a means to elucidate the mechanism of initiation of metathesis.