Stephan Salzinger, U. Seemann, Andriy Plikhta
Jul 6, 2011
Citations
1
Influential Citations
50
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Journal
Macromolecules
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that diethyl vinylphosphonate can be converted into high-molecular-weight polymers by rare earth metal-initiated group transfer polymerization. Here we report on the use of tris(cyclopentadienyl)lanthanide complexes (Cp3Ln, Ln = Gd to Lu) for the polymerization of dialkyl vinylphosphonates (alkyl: methyl, ethyl, isopropyl) yielding polymers with precise molecular weight and low polydispersity. Additionally, the thermosensitive behavior of poly(diethyl vinylphosphonate) was characterized, and methods for a conversion of the obtained high-molecular-weight poly(vinylphosphonate)s (Mn > 250 kg mol–1) to poly(vinylphosphonic acid) by both thermal treatment and a mild hydrolysis were established. A series of independently performed reactions showed high activities and initiator efficiencies for the Cp3Ln complexes for the homopolymerization of the applied monomers. Poly(vinylphosphonate)s of high molecular weight with a previously unknown low polydispersity index (PDI < 1.05) have been...