End functionalization of polyisoprene and polymyrcene obtained by anionic polymerization via one-pot ring-opening mono-addition of epoxides

Abstract

End-functionalization of polyisoprene and polymyrcene were successfully synthesized using anionic polymerization in THF. A number of epoxides, propylene oxide (PO), butylene oxide (BO), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene (EH) and N,N-dibenzyl amino glycidol (DBAG), were utilised as terminating agents for the induction of hydroxyl functional group in the final products. Polymers were fully hydrogenated following epoxide termination. The functional polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR showing high levels of regioselective termination, SEC showing good control over molecular weight to polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions, MALDI-ToF MS confirming very high levels of functionalisation and thermal analysis (TGA & DSC).