Studies on the Formation of Graft Copolymer by Coupling Reaction. I. Effects of the Dimension of Backbone Polymer in Solution on the Formation of Graft Copolymer

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) was reacted with living poly(α-methylstyrene) at −78°C in a mixture of good tetrahydrofuran and poor methylcyclohexane solvents. The reaction conditions were chosen so as to produce graft copolymers made up of a backbone and only one branched chain (1:1-graft copolymer). Gel-permeation chromatographs(GPC), intrinsic viscosity, infrared spectra, and elemental analysis were used for the characterization of the graft copolymers. It appears from these results that pendant side groups on a backbone molecule were not reacted with equal probability even during the first stage of this reaction, when the dimensions of the backbone molecule were small.