Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomers with phenolic functionality by group transfer polymerization and their use in polycondensation reactions

Methyl 1‐trimethylsiloxy‐2‐[2,5‐bis(trimethylsiloxy)phenyl]vinyl ether (6) was used as the initiator for the group transfer polymerization (GTP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to give macromonomers with aromatic hydroxyl functions. Quantitative removal of the silyl‐protective groups was achieved by acidic or fluoride‐catalyzed cleavage to give the deprotected macromonomer 9. The reactivity of this macromonomer in polycondensation reactions was shown by the synthesis of a liquid‐crystalline main‐chain polyester with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) side chains (PES‐graft‐PMMA) (15) and a 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol‐based polycarbonate (PC‐graft‐PMMA) (19).