Synthesis of Controlled Block and Graft Copopolymers. II. Block and Graft Polymerization Initiated by Monohalo-Containing Polymer/Manganese Carbonyl Systems

Abstract

Block polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated with monohalo-terminated polystyrene/manganese carbonyl systems were investigated. The rate of polymerization was lower than that of the trihalo-terminated polystyrenelmanganese carbonyl system. The molecular weight of the block copolymers obtained was independent of the conversion. To define the polymerization mechanism, 1-bromobutane was employed as a model compound for monohalo-terminated polystyrene. Polymerization kinetics followed a modified rate equation based on the Michaelis-Menten mechanism. The molecular weight of the block co-polymer could be regulated by varying the ratio of monohalo-terminated polymer to methyl methacrylate. Graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated with chloromethylstyrene-styrene copolymer/ manganese carbonyl was also carried out. The polymerization behavior was strongly affected by the concentration of manganese carbonyl. Characterization of graft copolymers by GPC and halogen analysis showed that the number of grafting points per backbone polymer molecule increased when the concentration of manganese carbonyl was raised, but that the branches became shorter.