Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Derivatives Containing Trialkylmetal Groups

Fourteenth group oganometallic styrene derivatives were synthesised by nitroxide-mediated controlled radical polymerization using di-tert butyl nitroxide (A-T) as initiator. This is the first time that nitroxide-controlled radical polymerization has been successfully adapted for the synthesis of new polystyrenes bearing organometallic species with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities. Monomer reactivity ratios were determined in controlled nitroxide-mediated radical copolymerization between styrene and substituted styrene. All experiments permitted the synthesis of new organometallic polymers that will be used for the development of a polymer capsule for Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments.