Method to reduce coupling during termination with functional end-groups

摘要

A novel method of preparing carboxyl-terminated polymers. A monomer is mixed with an organolithium initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent so as to anionically polymerize linear living polymer lithium chains. A trialkyl aluminum compound is also mixed so as to form polymer lithium aluminate complexes in equilibrium with the linear living polymer lithium chains. When a cyclic anhydride terminator is mixed, the cyclic anhydride terminator preferentially reacts with the C-Li center on a living polymer lithium chain rather than with the C-Al-Li center on a polymer lithium: aluminate complex.