Synthesis of Acryl- and Methacryl-Type Macromonomers and Telechelics by Utilizing Living Polymerization of 2-Oxazolines

Acryl- and methacryl-type macromonomers and telechelics of poly (2-alkyl-2-oxazolines) (PROZO) have been prepared for the first time by terminating the living ends in the electrophilic (cationic) ring-opening polymerization of 2-alkyl-2-oxazolines (ROZO) with suitable reagents. The synthesis of macromonomers was achieved via the following two methods: (1) by the reaction of acryloyl or methacryloyl chloride with a PROZO alcohol obtained by the hydrolysis of the living PROZO propagating species under basic conditions (indirect method) and (2) by the termination of the living species with carboxylate anions of acrylic or methacrylic acids or with trimethylsilyl methacrylate (direct method). The production of telechelics of PROZO was achieved by using a bis(2-oxazolinium salt) initiator. Termination of both living ends of the PROZO with water, ammonia, or an alkylamine afforded the corresponding telechelics of PROZO as glycols and diamines in good yields.