Coupling lithium-initiated polymer with a vinylhalomethylarene

摘要

Lithium-initiated polymers are coupled with a vinylhalomethylarene such as vinylbenzyl chloride. Maximum molecular weight is obtained at about one mol of coupling agent for two mols of polymerlithium, indicating a major amount of the coupling to be in the form of about two polymerlithium entities being joined to one coupling agent. Excellent stability indicates little formation of branched polymer through carbon-lithium bonding. Consequently, the coupled polymer can be hydrogenated successfully to give a high molecular weight ozone-stable product.