Synthesis of novel types of graft copolymers by a “grafting-from” method using ring-opening polymerization of lactones and lactides

Abstract

Polystyrene and polystyrene- block-poly(methyl methacrylate) densely grafted with poly(ϵ-caprolactone) or poly(DL-lactide) in the benzene rings were synthesized by a “grafting-from” method using hydroxylated precursors of the above styrene polymers as macroinitiators of the ring-opening polymerization of appropriate monomers. The poly(ϵ-caprolactone) grafts of the polystyrene- graft-poly(ϵ-caprolactone) copolymer were lengthened with poly(methyl methacrylate) by atom transfer radical polymerization. All the synthesized graft copolymers were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by size exclusion chromatography.