NMR of synthetic polymers

We utilized NMR spectroscopy to study functional synthetic polymers, dendrimers, hyper branched and star polymers. Friedel–Crafts self‐grafting of polystyrene (PSt) under quasi-living carbocationic polymerization was utilized to develop a new rapid one‐pot method for the preparation of star‐shaped polyisobutylene (PIB). The formation of star polymers by this self‐grafting mechanism was proved by gel permeation chromatography equipped with online viscometer and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Unique, highly branched polyisobutylenes (PIB) were prepared via quasiliving carbocationic copolymerization of isobutylene and styrene (St) monomers. The resulting branched polymers were characterized and the branch formation was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Telechelic polystyrenes (PSt) are useful intermediates for the synthesis of various macromolecular architectures. We reported the successful in situ synthesis of allyl-telechelic PSt via bulk quasiliving ATRP followed by direct allylation, not only in dichloromethane but also in a green solvent, benzotrifluoride. The quantitative transformations of the allyl terminals of PSt to hydroxyl and epoxy functionalities were described by using gel permeation chromatography and 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

Structure and 1H-NMR spectra of telechelic polystyrenes

Cooperation with Dr. Béla Iván, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences