A PROCESS FOR MAKING FUNCTIONALIZED POLYMERS

摘要

The present invention provides a process for making functionalized polymers comprising the steps of: (a) initiating polymerization of an unsaturated monomer with a lithium initiator having the structure: R<1>R<2>R<3>Si-O-A-Li wherein A is a branched or straight chain bridging group having at least two carbon atoms, R<1>, R<2>, and R<3> are alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, or alkaryl groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, thus producing a functionalized polymer which has a protecting silyl group at one end thereof; and (b) optionally capping the polymer to add an additional terminal functional group; (c) contacting the protected polymer with aqueous acid to remove residual lithium; and (d) contacting the protected polymer with from 1 to 10 equivalents of an organic or inorganic hydride; and (e) contacting the resulting solution with aqueous acid; and (f) recovering a linear or branched deprotected polymer having one or more terminal functional groups.