Synthesis of novel styrene-olefin triblock copolymer via living anionic polymerization

Innovative strides in polymer synthesis have led to the successful living anionic polymerization of styrene-olefin triblock copolymers, yielding varying molecular weights and a remarkably narrow dispersity (Đ) in cyclohexane solvent at 45°C, initiated by n-butyllithium. The novel approach employs anionic polymerization, augmented by the aid of a coupling agent known as 1,12-dibromododecane. Unlike traditional alcohol-based methods employed in polystyrene synthesis, this coupling agent, introduced at the end of the reaction, grafts two living macro-styrene chains with the dodecane chain, effectively acting as the pivotal second component in the formation of the triblock copolymer. Extensive experimentation pinpointed 45°C as the optimal temperature for anionic copolymerization in cyclohexane solvent. The comprehensive analysis, encompassing 13C NMR, 1H NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and GPC, confirms the successful synthesis of styrene-dodecane-styrene triblock copolymer. The NMR results illustrate successful molecular structures, while GPC attests to the precision, showing a narrow Đ of below 1.2. This pioneering approach not only underscores the efficiency of anionic polymerization in the synthesis of styrene-olefin-styrene triblock copolymer using termination strategy but also promises extensive implications in material science and industrial applications.