Tri- and Tetracarbanionic Initiators by a Lithium/Halide Exchange Reaction: Application to Star-Polymer Synthesis†
The authors thank the CNRS and the French Ministry of Research for support of this research.
Graphical Abstract
A family of polycarbanionic initiators: Bis-, tris-, and tetrakisaryl lithium compounds (see scheme) were synthesized from the corresponding aryl halides by simple halogen/lithium exchange reactions. These polylithiated species were used to prepare telechelic and three- and four-armed star polystyrene and polybutadiene homopolymers, as well as poly(styrene-block-butadiene-block-methyl methacrylate) star block terpolymers.