1. Synthesis of Complex Architectures

Polymerization reactions excluding a termination and transfer step are particularly useful for the synthesis of functionalized polymers with well defined architectures.^[1] The consumption of the monomer results in stable, anionic polymer chain ends, allowing reactions with a variety of electrophilic functional groups post polymerization.

[math]\displaystyle{ \begin{align} \mbox{PLi} + \mbox{X-Y} {\longrightarrow} \mbox{P-X} + \mbox{LiY} \end{align} }[/math]

However the efficacy of these reactions depends on a number of variables such as chain-end structure, solvent, temperature, and concentration. Alternatively, by controlling the functionality of the initiator, one can prepare polymers having different geometries such as symmetric and asymmetric stars, comb shaped, etc.

2. Block Copolymers

Synthesis of block copolymers by sequential monomer addition is one of the most important applications of living polymerization as it offers the best control over structure. The nucleophilicity of the resulting carbanion will govern the order of monomer addition, as the monomer forming the less nucleophilic propagating species may inhibit the addition of the more nucleophilic monomer onto the chain. An extension of the above concept is the formation of triblock copolymers where each step of such a sequence aims to prepare a block segment with predictable, known molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution without chain termination or transfer.^[2]

Triblock copolymer - reaction scheme. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1103490

Sequential monomer addition is the dominant method in the literature, mainly due to its simplicity. Nevertheless, also this concept has serious limitations. For example, for a given set of three monomers (A, B, and C), sequential living anionic polymerization can afford all possible linear BC structures (i.e., ABC, ACB, and BAC)exclusively in the highly unlikely scenario that the following requirements are fulfilled: (a) similar monomer reactivity, (b) high crossover efficiency, and (c) absence of side reactions.

Chemoselective stepwise coupling between living polymers and a heterobifunctional linking agent is a versatile, facile, and efficient methodology for block copolymer synthesis. This protocol is based on the quantitative formation of the end-functionalized precursor in the first coupling step. The applicability range is becoming exceptionally wide upon transformation reactions, e.g., by tailoring the chain-termini reactivity via endcapping. This novel protocol considerably expands the limits of sequential monomer addition, rendering viable the construction of advanced and tailor-made materials via an effortless pathway.^[3] Moreover, this strategy, enables synthesis of linear block copolymer structures that are not accessible via sequential monomer addition. Even for common A-b-B structures, sequential block copolymerization gives access to well defined block copolymers only if the crossover reaction rate constant is significantly higher than the rate constant of the homopolymerization of the second monomer, i.e., k_AA >> k_BB.^[4]

3. Star Shaped Polymers

General Star Shaped Polymer. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1237231

A star shaped polymer is a polymeric structure in which several chains emanate from a single junction point known as the core. The control offered by anionic polymerization makes it a very popular pathway to synthesize molecules with such complex geometry. It allows quantitative studies of the degree of branching of the polymer on the overall properties of the substance.

One of the first pathways explored was the use of a multifunctional initiator, but it was limited by the insolubility of such compounds and there was no control over the reactivity of each branch. A second, more efficient way was proposed - the addition of a multifunctional electrophilic terminator at the end of the polymerization of a linear polymer. This is analogous to the convergent synthesis of dendrimers, and is efficient as long as the stoichiometry between the terminating agent and the starting monomers are maintained.

The third route is through the addition of small amounts of cross – linking agents to the polymeric precursor (for example, addition of divinyl benzene to polystyryl lithium). There are three prime reactions that take place:

• The crossover of the polystyryl chain to divinylbenzene
• The block copolymerization of divinylbenzene
• The reaction of the pendant vinyl groups of divinyl benzene with linear polystyryl branches

Addition of divinyl benzene to polystyryl lithium by cross-linking agents to polymeric precursor. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1944023

The uniformity in the structure is a function of the rate of the crossover reaction compared to the other two reactions. The number of branches of the star molecules cannot be precisely predicted, as it is a complex function of the reaction variables. For example, the amount of divinyl benzene added in the above pathway, compared to the number of active chains, is a key factor governing the overall degree of branching of the polymer.

The method is widely used for the synthesis of star shaped polystyrene with divinyl benzene with low molecular weight distributions.^[5] Star shaped polymethyl methacrylate was similarly synthesized using ethylene glycol dimetthacrylate as a crosslinker.^[6] The molecular weights obtained are comparatively high (~40kDa), which is thought to be necessary to avoid the gelation due to inter core reactions. The protection of the core groups by the branches gave such polymers the name "porcupine polymers".^[7]

4. End-Group Functionalization

Living anionic polymerization can also be used to incorporate functional groups. These end-groups are usually added post-polymerization. End-groups that have been used in the functionalization of α-haloalkanes include hydroxide, -NH₂, -OH, -SH, -CHO,-COCH₃, -COOH, and epoxides.

Addition of hydroxide group through an epoxide. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1637262

An alternative approach for functionalizing end-groups is to begin polymerization with a functional anionic initiator.^[8] In this case, the functional groups are protected since the ends of the anionic polymer chain is a strong base. This method leads to polymers with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions.^[9]