Characterization of the functionalization reaction product of poly(styryl)lithium with ethylene oxide

The functionalization reaction of poly(styryl)lithiums (M_n = 1.3–9.9 × 10³) with ethylene oxide in benzene proceeds quantitatively ( > 99%) to produce the corresponding hydroxyethylated polymer as determined by vapor phase osmometry, size exclusion chromatography, end-group titration, thin layer chromatography, and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. ¹³C-NMR spectral analysis of the functionalized polystyrene with M_n = 1.3 × 10³ was consistent with addition of only one ethylene oxide unit to poly(styryl)lithium, i.e., no evidence for ethylene oxide oligomerization was observed.