Controlled Synthesis of Homo and Block Copolymers by Using Lithium Naphthalenide as Initiator

V.A. GONZALEZ; NINANJO M.D.; A. J. SATTI; C, SARMORIA; A. E. CIOLINO; E. M VALLÉS

Houffalize

Encuentro; BPG Annual Meeting 2011.; 2011

Belgian Polymer Group

The use of effective initiators is the key for a successful synthesis of complex macromolecular architectures by using anionic polymerization techniques. In this work, we report the synthesis of a hydrocarbon soluble dilithium initiator, lithium naphthalenide, suitable for the synthesis of ABA triblock copolymers. This initiator was obtained by the reaction between lithium metal (Li) and naphthalene (Naph) under mild reaction conditions (benzene, room temperature, gently stirring, high vacuum techniques). It was observed that the final concentration of the resulting lithium naphthalenides depended on the ratios between Li and Naph, and on the presence of a coordinating agent (tetrahydrofuran, THF) in the reaction medium. The efficiency of this initiator to provide macromolecules with well-defined structures is demonstrated.