Polyether Core-Shell Cylinder-Polymerization of Polyglycidol Macromonomers

The synthesis and polymerization of macromonomers containing a polymerizable styrene head group and a tail of ethylene oxide derivatives of different character were investigated. The synthesis of macromonomers was based on living anionic polymerization of oxiranes. Two monomers were used: 1-ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether (glycidol acetal), which after hydrolysis forms hydrophilic glycidol blocks and glycidyl phenyl ether forming hydrophobic blocks. Polymerizable double bonds were introduced by terminating the living chain with p-(chloromethyl)styrene. The radical polymerization of the macromonomers was carried out in water with addition of a non-polar solvent (benzene) and AIBN as initiator. Core-shell polymers of different character and molar masses were obtained. The conversion of polymerized macromonomers was around 50%. However, the polymerization product could easily be separated from the reaction mixture.