Graft polymerization of polysilsesquioxane containing chloromethylphenyl groups by atom transfer radical polymerization

Abstract

AbstractPolysilsesquioxane with phenyl and chloromethylphenyl groups (PCPSQ) was prepared readily from phenyltrimethoxysilane and [2‐(chloromethylphenyl)ethyl]trimethoxysilane under acidic conditions. Polymerization with chloromethylphenyl groups on PCPSQ with methyl methacrylate (MMA) was conducted in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper(I) bromide and (−)‐sparteine. Atom transfer radical polymerization yielded a graft polymer (PCPSQ‐g‐MMA) efficiently, and no gelation was observed. The process was also applied to the preparation of graft block copolymers on PCPSQ with several methacrylate monomers. An advantage of the graft hybrid polymers was shown in improved thermal behavior. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4212–4221, 2004