Polymerization using bimetallic bis-lanthanoid initiators

摘要

"Living" polymerization methods are described wherein a bimetallic lanthanide complex initiator is reacted with a monomer. Using these methods, link-functionalized polymers can be formed that are capable of being modified after polymerization with various reactants, or to be biodegraded through oxidation or reduction or cleavage. The bimetallic lanthanide complex initiator can be used to polymerize methyl methacrylate in a living fashion. A two-step method of forming a triblock polymer using the bimetallic lanthanide complex initiator is also disclosed.