A convenient synthesis strategy for microphase-separating functional copolymers: the cyclohydrocarbosilane tool box

Abstract

A novel and feasible strategy for the preparation of functional polyhydrocarbosilane-based homo and block copolymers is described via a combination of anionic ring-opening polymerization of methylsilacyclobutane (MSB) and styrene followed by postmodification applying hydrosilylation protocols. Sterically demanding and functional vinyl compounds such as N-vinylcarbazole (NVC), vinylferrocene (VFc), and 9,10-di(1-naphthalenyl)-2-vinylanthracene (VADN) are block-selectively incorporated into the PMSB backbone with adjustable functional group contents between 26 mol% to 43 mol% with respect to the Si–H functionalities for the PMSB homopolymers and contents ranging from 28 mol% to 63 mol% for the corresponding diblock copolymers as evidenced by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The novel functional diblock copolymers are capable of undergoing microphase separation as shown via TEM.