α‐Bis and α,ω‐tetrakis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization using 1,1‐bis[(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene as tertiary diamine initiator precursor and functionalizing agent

The quantitative syntheses of α‐bis and α,ω‐tetrakis tertiary diamine functionalized polymers by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) methods are described. A tertiary diamine functionalized 1,1‐diphenylethylene derivative, 1,1‐bis(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1), was evaluated as a unimolecular tertiary diamine functionalized initiator precursor as well as a functionalizing agent in ATRP reactions. The ATRP of styrene, initiated by a new tertiary diamine functionalized initiator adduct (2), affords the corresponding α‐bis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene (3). The tertiary diamine functionalized initiator adduct (2) was prepared in situ by the reaction of (1‐bromoethyl)benzene with 1,1‐bis(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1) in the presence of a copper (I) bromide/2,2′‐bipyridyl catalyst system. The ATRP of styrene proceeded via a controlled free radical polymerization process to afford quantitative yields of the corresponding α‐bis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene derivative (3) with predictable number‐average molecular weight (M_n) and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n) in a high initiator efficiency reaction. The polymerization process was monitored by gas chromatography analysis. Quantitative yields of α,ω‐tetrakis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene (4) were obtained by a new post ATRP chain end modification reaction of α‐bis(4‐dimethylaminophenyl) functionalized polystyrene (3) with excess 1,1‐bis(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1). The tertiary diamine functionalized initiator precursor 1,1‐bis(4‐dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (1) and the different tertiary amine functionalized polymers were characterized by chromatography, spectroscopy and non‐aqueous titration measurements. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry