Anionic polymerization of 2-(N-carbazolyl)ethyl methacrylate

The homopolymer, poly(CzMA), with controlled molecular weight (MW) and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD) was successfully synthesized by using (1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutanediyl)dipotassium and diethylzinc (Et2Zn) in THF at various temperatures, 25, −45, and −78 °C, under high vacuum conditions. The Et2Zn acted both as a protective group through the formation of coordination with ester enolate anion and as a scavenger to remove impurities. Block copolymers, poly(CzMA-b-styrene-b-CzMA) and poly(MMA-b-CzMA-b-MMA), with narrow MWD were also successfully synthesized by sequential anionic living polymerization.