Synthesis of poly(phenylacetylene)-block-poly(β-propiolactone) by use of Rh-catalyzed living polymerization of phenylacetylene

Abstract

Synthesis of end-functionalized poly(phenylacetylene)s (poly(PA)s) and poly(PA)- block-poly(β-propiolactone) was investigated. Introduction of a t-BuMe 2SiO group into Ph 2CC(Ph)Li in the [(nbd)RhCl] 2/Ph 2CC(Ph)Li/Ph 3P ternary catalyst system enabled the synthesis of poly(PA) having t-BuMe 2SiO group at the initiating chain end. The t-BuMe 2SiO group in the polymer was converted into OH group by treating with n-Bu 4NF and then into ONa group with NaH. Polymerization of β-propiolactone (βPL) with the poly(PA) having ONa as a macroinitiator and the subsequent product separation by GPC provided poly(PA)-block-poly(βBL).