Synthesis of Allyl-Functionalized Polymers via Selective Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization

Allyl-functionalized copolymers with well-defined structure have been successfully prepared via selective reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of styrene and allyl methacrylate possessing a higher reactive methacrylate and a lower reactive allyl. By employing a fast RAFT equilibrium, the polymerization for AMA completely occurred in methacrylate double bonds, whereas allyl double bonds remained intact and were introduced into the side-chains. GPC and 1H NMR analyses have confirmed the high chain-end functionality of the resultant copolymer.