Precise synthesis of end‐functionalized thermosensitive poly(vinyl ether)s by living cationic polymerization

Abstract A series of poly(2‐methoxyethyl vinyl ether)s with narrow molecular weight distributions and with perfectly defined end groups of varying hydrophobicities was successfully synthesized by base‐assisting living cationic polymerization. The end group was shown to greatly affect the temperature‐induced phase separation behavior of aqueous solutions (lower critical solution temperature‐type phase separation) or organic solutions (upper critical solution temperature‐type phase separation) of the polymers. The cloud points were also influenced largely by the molecular weight and concentration of the polymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012