Synthesis and characterization of poly (epichlorohydrin-graft-ethylene glycol) graft copolymers by "click" chemistry

Abstract

Synthesis of poly (epichlorohydrin-g-ethylene glycol) [poly (ECH-g-EG)] graft copolymer was reported by means of click chemistry. For this purpose, epichlorohydrin (ECH) was polymerized by using H 2 SO 4 via cationic ring-opening mechanism. Propargyl polyethylene glycol-1000 (propargyl PEG-1000) was synthesized by the reaction of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with 1000 Da and propargyl chloride. Terminally azide polyepichlorohydrin (PECH-N 3 ) was obtained by reaction of poly (epichlorohydrin) (PECH) and sodium azide. By using PECH-N 3 and propargyl PEG-1000, poly (ECH-g-EG) graft copolymers were synthesized. The graft copolymers were relatively obtained in high yield. The characterization of products was accomplished by using multi instruments and methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and fractional precipitation [solvent (THF, mL)/non–solvent (petroleum ether, mL)] techniques. This method which is used for polymer synthesis is simple, effective, eco-friendly and has low energy consumption.