Poly(ferrocenyisilane-block-methacrylates) via sequential anionic and atom transfer radical polymerization

A route to 2-bromoisobutyryl end-functionalized poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane), allowing essentially quantitative end-capping was discussed. Following the formation of the organometallic block by anionic polymerization, a ruthenium-mediated controlled radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was employed to grow the second block. Well-defined PFS-b-PMMA block copolymers with low polydispersities and controlled compositions were obtained. The use of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to form the second block implies that a wide variety of (meth)acrylic and other vinyl monomers can be used, which opens the way to novel hybrid organic-organometallic block copolymers and amphiphilic organometallic block copolymers.