Star-Branched Polymers. 1. The Synthesis of Star Polyisoprenes using Octa- and Dodecachlorosilanes as Linking Agents

Abstract

Star-branched polyisoprenes with near-monodisperse molecular weight distributions containing 8 or 12 arms have been synthesized by anionic polymerization. The linking agents were octa- and dodecafunctional chlorosilanes that were synthesized from tetravinylsilane and the appropriate di- or trichlorosilane. Both the 8- and 12-armed stars were obtained in high yield. Characterization was carried out by light scattering, osmometry, and gel permeation chromatography. The applicability of the GPC universal calibration was also examined. © 1978, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.