Anionic polymerization of acrylic monomers. 6. Synthesis, characterization, and modification of poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) di- and triblock copolymers

Poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PMMA-b-PtBA) copolymers have been successfully synthesized by the sequential anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) in THF at -78-degrees-C. Although the order of monomer addition makes a difference on the initiation efficiency, it has no significant effect on the final achievement. Mono- and bifunctional initiators based on alkali metals can be used. When the initiators are modified by LiCl as a ligand, the polymerization of each block appears to be living, the molecular weight and composition can be predicted, and the molecular weight distribution is narrow. Size exclusion chromatography supports the absence of homo-PtBA in the PtBA-b-PMMA samples. The PtBA blocks can be quantitatively hydrolyzed into polyacid ones as supported by titration and H-1 NMR analysis.