The α‐halogeno ether function: formation and use in the design of tailor‐made polymers

Abstract α‐Halogeno ether species, in appropriate conditions, can induce the “living” cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers. They can also be used as initiators for the “living” polymerization of styrene derivatives. Therefore, their use as intermediates in the preparation of tailor‐made polymers and copolymers offers interesting opportunities in macromolecular synthesis. The main parameters which determine and control their reactivity are reviewed and discussed. The possibility to generate quantitatively these derivatives by various routes and from different organic functions such as aldehyde, ketone, acetal and hydroxyl is examined. Some of these routes have been used to generate the α‐halogeno ether function directly at the end of acetal and hydroxy‐terminated polymers. The latter have then been used as macroinitiators to prepare new block copolymers. The synthesis of poly(isobutyl vinyl ether‐β‐ethyl vinyl ether), poly(styrene‐β‐chloroethyl vinyl ether) and poly(chloroethyl vinyl ether‐β‐butadiene‐β‐chloroethyl vinyl ether) by this technique is described.