First synthesis of an AB block copolymer with polyethylene and poly(methyl methacrylate) blocks using a zirconocene catalyst

Frauenrath H; Balk S; Keul H; Hocker H

Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol.22, No.14, 1147-1151, 2001

DOI10.1002/1521-3927(20011001)22:14<1147::AID-MARC1147>3.0.CO;2-J Export Citation

First synthesis of an AB block copolymer with polyethylene and poly(methyl methacrylate) blocks using a zirconocene catalyst

Frauenrath H, Balk S, Keul H, Hocker H

We report the first successful block copolymerization of ethylene and methyl methacrylate using a zirconocene-based catalyst system. The catalyst is generated. in situ from, Me2C(Cp)(Ind)ZrMe2 and B(C6F5)(3) in toluene. Block copolymerization is achieved via the,sequential addition of the monomers, starting with ethylene. The composition of the block copolymer is shown to be, dependent on the time allowed for ethylene polymerization. The solubility of the resulting polymers, NMR data and GPC measurements are discussed, and a polymerization mechanism is proposed.