Epoxide Activated Anionic Polymerization: Application to the Synthesis of (Co)Polyethers with Controlled Structure and Tuned Properties

Abstract

A ring opening polymerization process allowing the fast and controlled anionic polymerization of epoxide monomers is described and applied to the synthesis of (co)polyethers with novel structure and composition. The approach is based on the simultaneous formation of complexes between an organometallic Lewis acid additive with both the anionic initiator and the monomer. In conjunction with the use of tetraalkylammonium or phosphonium salts as initiators, the addition of such additive allows the synthesis of polyethers and block copolyethers with controlled molar masses and narrow polydispersities, in hydrocarbon media, at low temperature, and in short reaction times. The low nucleophilic character of the propagating species involved in the polymerization avoids transfer to monomer, a side reaction which is often predominant in conventional anionic polymerizations. This also allows the controlled polymerization of functional epoxides such as glycidyl methacrylate and epichlorohydrin. Properties and potential applications of these new polyethers and copolyethers are also reported.