PROCESS FOR PRODUCING POLYMER TERMINATED WITH OPTIONALLY PROTECTED FUNCTIONAL GROUP

摘要

A process for producing a polymer terminated with optionally protected functional group(s), which comprises conducting free-radical polymerization of a radical-polymerizable monomer by using a polymerization initiator comprising at least one member selected from the group (A) consisting of thiocarboxylic acids of general formula (1) and dithiocarboxylic acids of general formula (2) and at least one member selected from the group (B) consisting of polysulfides of general formula (3), polysulfides of the general formula (4): R5-(S)m-R6, and sulfoxides of general formula (5). In formula (1) R1 represents a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent containing a functional group. In formula (2) R2 represents a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent containing a functional group. In formula (3) R3 and R4 represent each a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent containing a functional group; and n represents an integer of 2 or above. In formula (4) R5 and R6 represent each a hydrocarbon group having a functional group; and m represents an integer of 2 or above. In formula (5) R7 and R8 represent each a hydrocarbon group having a functional group. The process enables a polymer having a high content of functional groups introduced into one or both of its terminals to be produced independently of the rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization of the product.