Synthesis of diblock copolymers by end functional polystyrene containing phenylseleno groups as polymeric photoiniferter

Block copolymers of styrene and p-substituted styrene were prepared by photopolymerization of p-bromostyrene or p-methylstyrene in the presence of end functional polystyrene (DPDSE-PST) containing phenylseleno groups at the alpha and omega-chain ends as polymeric photoiniferter. To determine the form of resulting block copolymers, the behavior of chain terminals of DPDSE-PST was investigated. The ability of photoinitiate and chain transfer of P-phenylethyl p-tert-butylphertyl selenide as a model compound of alpha-chain end of DPDSE-PST was much smaller than that of benzyl phenyl selenide as a model compound of omega-chain end of DPDSE-PST. On the other hand, the polymerization of styrene, prepared by 1,4-Bis(p-tert-butylphenyl) diselenide as photoiniferter, with styrene also revealed a form of the resulting block copolymer was an AB block structure.