Polymacromonomers with polyolefin branches synthesized by free-radical homopolymerization of polyolefin macromonomer with a methacryloyl end group

Polymacromonomers with polyolefin branches were successfully synthesized by free-radical homopolymerization of polyolefin macromonomer with a methacryloyl end group. Propylene-ethylene random copolymer (PER) with a vinylidene end group was prepared by polymerization using a metallocene catalyst. Then, the unsaturated end group was converted to a hydroxy end group via hydroalumination and oxidation. The PER with the hydroxy end group was easily reacted with methacryloyl chloride to produce methacryloyl-terminated PER (PER macromonomer; PERM). The free-radical polymerization of thus-obtained PERM was done using 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitorile) (AIBN) as a free-radical initiator. From NMR analyses, the obtained polymers were identified as poly(PERM). Based on gel permeation chromatography (GPC), the estimated degree of polymerization (D_p) of these polymers were about 30. Thus, new class of polymacromonomers with polyolefin branches was synthesized.