Highlights

摘要

In general, anionic polymerisation of dual-functionalised monomers, such as divinylbenzene or ethylene glycol dimethacrylates, leads rapidly to gelation and a highly crosslinked, insoluble material. It is difficult to obtain selective polymerisation of these systems, because there is little difference in reactivity between the two vinyl groups. In this issue, Hirao et al have investigated a series of mono-substituted vinylstyrenes (from α-ethylvinylstyrene to α-butylvinylstyrene) using different initiators to preferentially polymerise through the styrene double bond only (possibly due to steric hindrance and the electron-donating ability of the substituted vinyl). The resulting poly(α-alkylvinyl)styrene may then be reacted with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, bromine or sec-butyllithium to produce epoxy, bromide or carbanionic species.