Synthesis of well-defined long chain branched polyethylene via anionic polymerization combined with graft-onto method

Abstract

Comb-like polyethylene(PE) was prepared via anionic polymerization combined with "graft-onto" process. The polybutadiene(PB) backbone underwent hydroxylation at 1,2-vinyl groups to obtain a controlled number of hydroxyl groups along the main chain. After the translation of hydroxyl groups to tosyl groups, a nucleophilic substitution by living anionic PB chains was achieved. The comb PE was finally obtained by the hydrogenation of the obtained unsaturated comb polymer. Since the living anionic polymerization was used to prepare the backbones and the branch chains, molecular weight to molecular weight distribution(M-w/M(n)1.5) can be well-controlled in the final comb polymer, including the average number and length of branches.