Synthesis and molecular and morphological characterization of poly(p-trimethylsilyl styrene) and diblock copolymers with poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene)

We report the synthesis of a silylated monomer, specifically p-trimethylsilyl styrene, its homopolymerization, and its block copolymerization with 1,3-cyclohexadiene. Controlled Grignard reactions were adopted for the preparation of the monomer. Anionic polymerization high-vacuum techniques were employed for all polymerization procedures. The kinetics of poly(P-trimethylsilyl styrene) homopolymers were also studied. Molecular characterization for all intermediate and final products was accomplished via size exclusion chromatography, membrane osmometry, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, the self-assembly of the block copolymers was studied with transmission electron microscopy, where well-ordered microstructures were observed (alternating lamellae and hexagonally closed packed cylinders).