Synthesis of end-functionalized polymer by means of living anionic polymerization. 4. Synthesis of polyisoprene and polystyrene with epoxy termini by reaction of their anionic living polymers with 2-bromoethyloxirane

In order to synthesize ω-epoxy-functionalized 1,4-polyisoprene ω-epoxy- and α,ω-diepoxy-functionalized polystyrenes, anionic living polyisoprene and polystyrene were allowed to react with excess amounts of 2-bromoethyloxirane in THF at ?78°C. The resulting polymers were analysed by SEC, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC–FID). Both mono- and di-epoxy terminated polymers of controlled molecular weights (2.5 × 10³?2.6 × 10⁴ g/mol) and of narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained quantitatively with high functionalities.