Synthesis of functionalized poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers

Functionalized poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomers (α-tertiary amino and ω-methacryloyl groups) were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of living PEO anions using 2-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)-ethoxy]ethanol potassium alkoxides as an initiator with glycidyl methacrylate. Terminal double bond functionality was controlled in the range of 1–1.5 per molecule in toluene as the hydrocarbon solvent. However, gelation was observed upon such ring-opening polymerization system in tetrahydrofuran solvent. These macromonomers can be applied for the synthesis of peripheral functionalized stars and polymer brushes as the starting materials.