Synthesis and Polymerization of Norbornenyl-Terminated Multiblock Poly(cyclohexene carbonate)s: A Consecutive Ring-Opening Polymerization Route to Multisegmented Graft Polycarbonates

We report a method for the synthesis of multisegmented polycarbonate graft copolymers. Using a beta-diiminate zinc catalyst with a norbornene carboxylate initiator, we achieved living block copolymerizations of functionalized cyclohexene oxides and CO2, yielding norbornenyl-terminated macromonomers with variable block sequences. Subsequent ring-opening metathesis polymerization of the norbornenyl-terminated macromonomers produced segmented graft copolymers. This method provides a facile route to core-shell structures with readily controllable molecular parameters.