Block copolymers containing silicone and vinyl polymer segments by free radical polymerization

Abstract

Polysiloxanes with terminal hexenyl groups were converted by ozonolysis into polysiloxanes with tenninal aldehyde functionality. These were used in combination with copper octanoate, triethylamine, pyridine and triphenylphosphine to initiate the polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate and styrene/methyl methacrylate mixtures at 70°C. The polymerizations yielded block copolymers containing polysiloxane and vinyl (co)polymer segments. Depending on how the polymerizations terminated, the block copolymers had triblock or multiblock architectures.