A styryl tipno‐based nitroxide as efficient mediator for the synthesis of multiblock polystyrenes and well‐grafted polymers

The chloromagnesium exchange of 4‐chlorostyrene provides an easy access to a new versatile polymerizable 2,2,5‐trimethyl‐4‐phenyl‐3‐azahexane‐3‐nitroxide (TIPNO)‐based nitroxide. Indeed, first, its alkoxyamine based on the α‐methyl benzyl radical fragment efficiently mediates the polymerization of styrene (respectively n‐butyl acrylate) to yield branched polystyrene [respectively poly(n‐butyl acrylate)] with alkoxyamine function as branch point and well‐defined branches. Second, the self‐condensing of this polymerizable nitroxide by manganese coupling affords a mixture of oligomeric linear polyalkoxyamines. Polymerization of styrene mediated with these polyalkoxyamines gives multiblock polystyrenes with alkoxyamine group as linker between polystyrene blocks and exhibits the following features: the synthesis of the polystyrene blocks is controlled as their average molecular weight M_n(block) increases linearly with conversion and their average dispersity M_w/M_n(block) decreases with it. At a given temperature, the molecular weight and the dispersity of the polyalkoxyamines weakly impact M_n(block) and M_w/M_n(block). In contrast, the molecular weight of the multiblock polystyrene increases linearly with conversion until reaching a constant value. The number of block is independent of the molecular weight of the polyalkoxyamines. These unusual results can be explained by the fact that during polymerization, mediating TIPNO‐based polymeric nitroxides with different lengths are generated and are exchanged. Finally the dispersity of the multiblock polystyrene is quite broad and lies between 1.7 and 2.8. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Intermediates of Asymmetric Oxidation Processes Catalyzed by Vanadium(V) Complexes

The [VO(acac)₂]/Schiff base [R-2-(N-3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)amino-2-phenyl-1-ethanol, S-2-(N-3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol, S-2-(N-3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)amino-3-methyl-1-butanol, or R-2-(N-3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol]/H₂O₂ catalytic systems for the asymmetric oxidation of sulfides and the [VO(acac)₂]/(3bR,4aR)-2-(3,4,4-trimethyl-3b,4,4a,5-tetrahydrocyclopropa[3,4]cyclopenta[1,2-c]pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol/tert-butyl hydroperoxide/TBHP and VO(OAlkyl)₃/[2,2]paracyclophane-4-carboxylic acid N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-hydroxamide/TBHP catalytic systems for the asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols were studied using ¹³C, ⁵¹V, and ¹⁷O NMR spectroscopy. The key intermediates of these systems (peroxo and alkylperoxo complexes of vanadium(V)) were detected, their structures in solution were studied, and the reactivity was evaluated.     

Synthesis of linear block copolymers from methacrylic monomers using 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone

Polymers based on methacrylic monomers were synthesized using 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone. They can be used for the directed synthesis of linear block copolymers with various compositions in the wide range of molecular weights under conditions of the polymerization according to the mechanism of reversible inhibition. It has been demonstrated that a structure of monomer plays the key role in the synthesis of block copolymers with relatively low values of the polydispersity coefficient. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of linear block copolymers based on methacrylic structures monomers have been revealed.

     

Influence of nitroxide structure on polystyrene brushes “grafted‐from” silicon wafers

Alkoxyamine derivatives based on 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO), N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl)) nitroxide (SG1) and N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(2‐methyl‐1‐phenylpropyl) nitroxide (TIPNO) containing a C₁₁ hydrophobic spacer and a reactive triethoxysilyl polar head, were synthesized and anchored to silicon wafers by the Langmuir–Blodgett reactive deposition technique at surface pressures ranging from 15 to 32 mN/m. Polystyrene brushes (M_n ～ 8500–66,400 g/mol) were grown from the alkoxyamine functionalized silicon wafers by nitroxide mediated radical polymerization and characterized by ellipsometry and water contact angle measurements. The main parameters influencing the grafting density and the degree of stretching of the brushes are the nitroxide polarity and, therefore, the behavior of the corresponding alkoxyamines at the air/water interface of the Langmuir–Blodgett trough. Depending on the alkoxyamine chemical structure and the surface pressure during Langmuir–Blodgett deposition, polystyrene brushes with grafting densities of 0.3–1.0 chains/nm² and stretching values of 40–70% were obtained. Regarding alkoxyamines deposited at high surface pressures, size exclusion chromatography experiments performed on both cleaved polystyrene brushes and chains simultaneously grown in the bulk revealed that the polymerization degree of the bulk and surface chains are significantly different, suggesting that steric constrains affect the polymerization kinetics occurring at the silicon surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3367–3374, 2008     

Optimization of the nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization conditions for styrene and tert‐butyl acrylate in an automated parallel synthesizer

Automated parallel synthesizers provide fast and comparable screening of different polymerization parameters under similar conditions. In addition, these robotic systems eliminate handling errors, which may affect the results of a kinetic experiment more than the effect of an important parameter. The polymerization temperature and N,N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[1′‐diethylphosphono‐2,2′‐dimethylpropyl]nitroxide concentration were optimized for the homopolymerization of both styrene and tert‐butyl acrylate to improve the control over the polymerization while reasonable polymerization rates were retained. Subsequently, polystyrene and poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) macro initiators were synthesized according to the knowledge obtained from the screening results. These macroinitiators were used for the preparation of block copolymers consisting of styrene and tert‐butyl acrylate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6202–6213, 2006     

Synthesis and photoinitiating ability of substituted 4,5-di-tert-alkyl-o-benzoquinones in radical polymerization

New tri- and tetraalkyl-substituted o-benzoquinones were synthesized based on 5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,3-diol derivatives. The new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The reactivity of o-benzoquinones was evaluated in the photoreduction and initiation of photopolymerization of oligocarbonate dimethacrylate (OCM-2) in the presence of N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine and in the inhibition of MMA polymerization. The introduction of the methyl substituent into the benzene ring has a weak effect on the inhibitory activity of o-benzoquinone, whereas the (3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methyl substituent enhances the inhibitory effect of 4,5-di-tert-alkyl-substituted o-benzoquinone.

     

Nitroxide‐mediated controlled statistical copolymerizations of N‐isopropylacrylamide with N‐tert‐butylacrylamide

The copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N‐tert‐butylacrylamide (TBAM) via conventional radical polymerization and nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) with N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl)]nitroxide (SG1) was investigated. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined to be 0.58 and 1.00 for NIPAM and TBAM, respectively. The reactivities were approximately the same at 120 and 60 °C in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and toluene, respectively, for the conventional copolymerizations and in DMF at 120 °C for NMP. Controlled/living characteristics for NMP were achieved with a 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile/SG1 bimolecular system and a unimolecular polystyrene [poly(STY)]–SG1 macroinitiator in the presence of excess free SG1. Block copolymers of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐stat‐N‐tert‐butylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAM‐stat‐TBAM)] with styrene {poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐stat‐N‐tert‐butylacrylamide)‐block‐polystyrene [poly(NIPAM‐stat‐TBAM)‐block‐poly(STY)]} were obtained by chain extension of either poly(NIPAM‐stat‐TBAM)–SG1 with styrene or poly(STY)–SG1 with NIPAM/TBAM. A comparison of the number‐average molecular weight calculated from the end‐group content with the number‐average molecular weight measured by gel permeation chromatography for poly(NIPAM‐stat‐TBAM)‐block‐poly(STY)–SG1 indicated that nearly all poly(NIPAM‐stat‐TBAM) chains were capped by SG1 and were thus living. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6410–6418, 2006     

Polyisobutylene-containing block polymers by sequential monomer addition. II. Polystyrene–polyisobutylene–polystyrene triblock polymers: Synthesis,characterization, and physical properties

New linear and three-arm star thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) comprising a rubbery polysobutylene (PIB) midblock flanked by glass polystyrene (PSt) blocks have been synthesized by living carbocationic polymerization in the presence of select additives by sequential monomer addition. First, isobutylene (IB) was polymerized by bi- and trifunctional tert-ether (dicumyl- and tricumyl methoxy) initiators in conjunction with TiCl₄ conintiator in CH₃Cl/methylcyclohexane (MeCHx) (40/60 v/v) solvent mixtures at ?80°C. After the living, narrow molecular weight, distribution PIB (M?_w/M?_n = 1.1-1.2) has reached the desired molecular weight, styrene (St) together with an electron pair donor (ED) and a proton trap (di-tert-butylpyridine, DtBP) were added to block PSt from the living chain ends. Uncontrolled initiation by protic impurities that produces PSt contamination is prevented by the use of DtBP. PSt-PIB-PSt blocks obtained in the absence of additives are contaminated by homopolymer and /or diblocks due to inefficient blocking and initiation by protic impurities, and exhibit poor physical properties. In contrast in the presence of the strong ED N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) and DtBP the blocking of St from living PIB chain occurs efficiently and block copolymers exhibiting good mechanical properties can be prepared. Virgin TPEs can be repeatedly compression molded without deterioration of physical properties. The products exhibit a low and a high temperature T_g characteristic of phase separated PIB and PSt domains. Transmission electron microscopy of linear triblocks containing ～ 34 wt % PSt also indicates microphase separation and suggests PSt rods dispersed in a PIB matrix.     

Synthesis and X-ray single crystal structure of first aromatic ortho-di-tert-butyl azolo[1,2,4]triazine

Oxidation of 3,4-di-tert-butyl-8-methyl-1,4-dihydropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine with NBS/K₂CO₃ furnished 3,4-di-tert-butyl-8-methylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine, a mildly strained heteroaromatic compound. X-Ray single crystal diffraction analysis indicated that the conjugated 1,2,4-triazine ring adopts a twist-boat configuration, while the two t-Bu substituents are located on the opposite sides of the azole plane. The related 3-tert-butyl-4-(o-C-carboranyl)-8-methyl-1,4-dihydropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine was also synthesized, however, its oxidative aromatization was unsuccessful.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of the Sc chloride complex coordinated by the tridentate bis(phenolate)-tethered NHC ligand

The scandium chloride complex LScCl(py)₂ (L is bis[(2,4-di-tert-butyl)phenolato]-6,6′-(4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene)) containing the dianionic bis(phenolate)-tethered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was synthesized. The X-ray diffraction study demonstrated that the complex has a mononuclear structure with intramolecular coordination of the carbene moiety to the Sc³⁺ ion. In the presence of moist air, the NHC moiety is hydrolyzed, resulting in the formation of the chloride complex [L’ScCl(py)]₂ with the dianionic tetradentate bis(phenolate) ligand containing the [NH(CH)₂N(HC=O)] linker. The binuclear complex [L’ScClpy]₂ is formed through the coordination of the oxygen atom of the formylethylenediamine moiety to the second Sc³⁺ ion.

     

Palladium(II) complexes of (t-butyl salicylidene) diphenyl disulfide diamine: synthesis,structure, spectral characterization and catalytic properties

The hexadentate N₂S₂O₂ donor ligand N,N’-bis(3,5-tert-butylsalicylidene) diphenyl disulfide-2,2’-diamine was synthesised by the condensation of 2-aminophenyl disulfide and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and its molecular structure was confirmed by X-ray studies. One of the tert-butyl groups in the Schiff base has rotational disorder around the C–C bond with ratio 0.56:0.44. The palladium complexes were prepared by the direct reaction of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ and Schiff base ligands N,N’-bis (5-tert-butylsalicylidene) diphenyl disulfide-2,2’-diamine and N,N’-bis(3,5-tert-butylsalicylidene) diphenyl disulfide-2,2’-diamine, respectively. The structure of the metal complexes was characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Palladium is in square-planar geometry bonded to imine nitrogen and phenolic O in both the complexes. The catalytic efficiency of the palladium complexes was evaluated in the cross-coupling reactions; Heck-Mizoroki reaction of iodobenzene and methyl acrylate and the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of phenylboronic acid and iodobenzene, which gave low to moderate yields. Higher conversions were obtained for 2a as catalyst due to the increase in the number of bulky tertiary butyl groups in the structure.

     

Synthesis and Study of Thermophysical Properties of Polystyrenes Prepared in the Presence of Conjugated α-Dinitrones Based on Glyoxal

Doklady Chemistry - A one-step convergent method was proposed for the synthesis of branched macromolecules in the presence of conjugated dinitrones (N,N-dimethylglyoxal dinitrone,...     

Triethylantimony(V) complexes with bidentate O,N-, O,O- and tridentate O,N,O′-coordinating o-iminoquinonato/o-quinonato ligands: Synthesis, structure and some properties

The novel triethylantimony(v) o-amidophenolato (AP-R)SbEt₃ (R = i-Pr, 1; R = Me, 2) and catecholato (3,6-DBCat)SbEt₃ (3) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy (AP-R is 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dialkylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate, alkyl = isopropyl (1) or methyl (2); 3,6-DBCat is 3,6-di-tert-butyl-catecholate). Complexes 1–3 have been obtained by the oxidative addition of corresponding o-iminobenzoquinones or o-benzoquinones to Et₃Sb. The addition of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone to Et₃Sb at low temperature gives hexacoordinate [(AP-AP)H]SbEt₃ (4) which decomposes slowly in vacuum with the liberation of ethane yielding pentacoordinate complex [(AP-AP)]SbEt₂ (5). [(AP-AP)H]²⁻ is O,N,O′-tridentate amino-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl) dianion and [(AP-AP)]³⁻ is amido-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl) trianion. The decomposition of 4–5 accelerates in the presence of air. o-Amidophenolates 1 and 2 bind molecular oxygen to give spiroendoperoxides Et₃Sb[L-iPr]O₂ (6) or Et₃Sb[L-Me]O₂ (7) containing trioxastibolane rings. This reaction proceeds slowly and reaches the equilibrium at 15–20% conversion five times more than for (AP-R)SbPh₃ analogues. Molecular structures of 1 and 5 were determined by X-ray analysis.     

One‐pot synthesis of heterograft copolymers via “graft onto” by atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling chemistry

Heterograft copolymers poly(4‐glycidyloxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl‐co‐ ethylene oxide)‐graft‐polystyrene and poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (poly (GTEMPO‐co‐EO)‐g‐PS/PtBA) were synthesized in one‐pot by atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling (ATNRC) reaction via “graft onto.” The main chain was prepared by the anionic ring‐opening copolymerization of ethylene oxide (EO) and 4‐glycidyloxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (GTEMPO) first, then the polystyrene and poly (tert‐butyl acrylate) with bromine end (PS‐Br, PtBA‐Br) were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). When three of them were mixed each other in the presence of CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) at 90 °C, the formed secondary carbon radicals at the PS and PtBA chain ends were quickly trapped by nitroxide radicals on poly(GTEMPO‐co‐EO). The heterograft copolymers were well defined by ¹H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, fourier transform infrared, and differential scanning calorimetry in detail. It was found that the density of GTEMPO groups on main chain poly(GTEMPO‐co‐EO), the molecular weights of PS/PtBA side chains, and the structure of macroradicals can exert the great effects on the graft efficiency. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6770–6779, 2008     

Synthesis of A-B-A Type Block Copolymer of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene by Living Free-Radical Polymerization†

Abstract

A newly synthesized iniferter, N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(phenethyl)-thiuram disulfide, has been used in the free-radical living polymerization of styrene by a photochemical method. The low molecular weight (M _w = 6000) difunctionalized polystyrene was used as a macroiniferter to photopolymerize methyl methacrylate, and was fractionated to obtain an A-B-A type block copolymer containing two poly(methyl methacrylate) units and one polystyrene unit in each block. The glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and ¹³C NMR of the block copolymer are discussed.     

Polyisobutylene-containing block polymers by sequential monomer addition. I. The living carbocationic polymerization of styrene

The living carbocationic polymerisation of styrene (St) has been investigated by the 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCI)/TiCl₄ initiating system in the presence of various additives such as electron pair donors (ED_s) and the proton trap 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DtBP) by the use of the mixed solvent CH₃Cl/methyl-cyclohexane (MCHx) (40/60 v/v) at ?80°C under conventional laboratory conditions. The TMPCl/TiCl₄ system in the absence of additives produces ill-defined bimodal molecular weight distribution (MWD) polymers. Much better defined polystyrenes (PSt) can be obtained in the presence of EDs, such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) and hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA). Monomer depletion should be avoided to prevent intra- or intermolecular alkylation yielding indanyl end groups or branched polymers, respectively. In the combined presence of an ED and the proton trap, i.e., DMA + DtBP, the living polymerization of St has been achieved and thus the foundations for the carbocationic synthesis of PSt block polymers by sequential monomer addition have been laid.     

Nitroxide‐mediated free‐radical copolymerization of styrene with butyl acrylate

Controlled free‐radical copolymerization of styrene (S) and butyl acrylate (BA) was achieved by using a second‐generation nitroxide, N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl)] nitroxide (DEPN), and 2,2‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at 120 °C. The time‐conversion first‐order plot was linear, and the number‐average molecular weight increased in direct proportion to the ratio of monomer conversion to the initial concentration, providing copolymers with low polydispersity. The monomer reactivity ratios obtained were r_S = 0.74 and r_BA = 0.29, respectively. To analyze the convenience of applying the Mayo–Lewis terminal model, the cumulative copolymer composition against conversion and the individual conversion of each monomer as a function of copolymerization time were studied. The theoretical values of the propagating radical concentration ratio were also examined to investigate the copolymerization rate behavior. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4168–4176, 2004     

Polyisobutylene-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers. I. Synthesis and Characterization of Polystyrene-Polyisobutylene-Polystyrene Triblock Copolymers

Abstract

Polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene triblock copolymer thermoplastic elastomers have been synthesized by living carbocationic sequential copolymerization using the tert-butyl dicumyl chloride/TiCl₄/methylcyclohexane:methyl chloride (60:40 v:v)/ ?80°C system in the presence of the proton trap 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine. Structure-property relationships have been examined by varying the M_n of the PIB middle block (39,000 to 156,000) and that of the PSt end-segment (1,000 to 19,000). The tensile strength is controlled by the molecular weight of the PSt segment and independent of the PIB middle block length in the studied range. Phase separation starts when the M_n of the PSt segment reaches ～ 5,000, and it is complete when the M_n reaches ～ 15,000. These triblocks exhibited 23-25 MPa tensile strength, similar to that of styrenic thermoplastic elastomers obtained by anionic polymerization.     

Synthesis and properties of polyimides derived from 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)2,5-di-tert-butylbenzene

Novel aromatic polyimides containing symmetric, bulky di-tert-butyl substituents unit were synthesized from 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)2,5-di-tert-butylbenzene (BADTB) and various aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides by the conventional two-stage procedure that included ring-opening polyaddition in a polar solvent such as N,N-dimethylacetamide to give poly(amic acid)s, followed by cyclodehydration to polyimides. The diamine was prepared through the nucleophilic displacement of 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone with p-chloronitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃, followed by catalytic reduction. Depending on the dianhydrides used, the poly(amic acid)s obtained had inherent viscosities of 0.83–1.88 dL g⁻¹. Most of the polyimides formed transparent, flexible, and tough films. Tensile strength and elongation at break of the BADTB-based polyimide films ranged from 68–93 MPa and 7–11%, respectively. The polyimide derived from 4,4′-hexafluoro-isopropylidenebisphathalic anhydride had better solubility than the other polyimides. These polyimides had glass transition temperatures between 242–298°C and 10% mass loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 481–520°C in nitrogen. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1527–1534, 1997     

Synthesis of starlike PtBA‐g‐PEO amphiphilic graft copolymer via highly efficient Cu‐catalyzed SET‐NRC reaction at ambient temperature

Two new amphiphilic star graft copolymers bearing hydrophobic poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) backbone and hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side chains with different molecular weights were synthesized by sequential reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and single electron transfer‐nitroxide radical coupling (SET‐NRC) reaction under mild conditions. RAFT homopolymerization of tert‐butyl 2‐((2‐bromopropanoyloxy)methyl)acrylate was mediated by a four‐armed chain transfer agent in a controlled way to afford a well‐defined starlike backbone with a narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.26). The target poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)‐g‐PEO (PtBA‐g‐PEO) star graft copolymers were synthesized by SET‐NRC reaction between Br‐containing PtBA‐based starlike backbone and PEO end functionalized with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) group using copper/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as catalytic system at ambient temperature via grafting‐onto strategy. The critical micelle concentration values of the obtained amphiphilic star graft copolymers in aqueous media and brine were determined by fluorescence probe technique using pyrene as probe. Diverse micellar morphologies were formed by varying the content of hydrophilic PEO segment as well as the initial concentration of stock solution. In addition, poly(acrylic acid)‐g‐PEO double hydrophilic star graft copolymers were obtained by selective acidic hydrolysis of hydrophobic PtBA starlike backbone without affecting PEO side chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010