Synthesis of graft copolymer by coupling reaction of living polymethyl methacrylate with bromomethylated polystyrene

A novel well defined graft copolymer (PS-g-PMMA) with control over the length of both backbone and side chain was synthesized by coupling reaction of living polymethyl methacrylate with bromomethylated polystyrene, The backbond polymer was prepared by anionic polymerization of styrene with n-butyllithium followed by bromomethylation using C8H17OCH2Br/SnCl4. The living PMMA was prepared by group transfer polymerization of MMA, The graft copolymers with narrow molecular weight distribution, D=1 .2 similar to 1.41 at the (M) over bar(n), of around 3X10(4)similar to 7X10(4) were obtained. The reactivity of the BMPS and living PMMA decrease with increasing of their molecular weight, favorable reaction temperature was -20 degrees C, Characterization of the product include H-1 NMR,C-13 NMR, GPC and DSC, comparing with the homopolymer PS and PMMA, the copolymer has a lower glass temperature. Keywords Anionic polymerization, Group transfer polymerization, Living polymer, Coupling reaction, Graft copolymer.