Synthesis of end‐functionalized polymer by means of living anionic polymerization. 4. Synthesis of polyisoprene and polystyrene with epoxy termini by reaction of their anionic living polymers with 2‐bromoethyloxirane

In order to synthesize ω‐epoxy‐functionalized 1,4‐polyisoprene ω‐epoxy‐ and α,ω‐diepoxy‐functionalized polystyrenes, anionic living polyisoprene and polystyrene were allowed to react with excess amounts of 2‐bromoethyloxirane in THF at −78°C. The resulting polymers were analysed by SEC, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC–FID). Both mono‐ and di‐epoxy terminated polymers of controlled molecular weights (2.5 × 103−2.6 × 104 g/mol) and of narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained quantitatively with high functionalities.