Polyether Core‐Shell Cylinder–Polymerization of Polyglycidol Macromonomers

Abstract

AbstractSummary: The synthesis and polymerization of macromonomers containing a polymerizable styrene head group and a tail of ethylene oxide derivatives of different character were investigated. The synthesis of macromonomers was based on living anionic polymerization of oxiranes. Two monomers were used: 1‐ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether (glycidol acetal), which after hydrolysis forms hydrophilic glycidol blocks and glycidyl phenyl ether forming hydrophobic blocks. Polymerizable double bonds were introduced by terminating the living chain with p‐(chloromethyl)styrene. The radical polymerization of the macromonomers was carried out in water with addition of a non‐polar solvent (benzene) and AIBN as initiator. Core‐shell polymers of different character and molar masses were obtained. The conversion of polymerized macromonomers was around 50%. However, the polymerization product could easily be separated from the reaction mixture. magnified image