Tetraphenylethane Iniferters. 3. “Living” Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Using Toluene-Diisocyanate-Based Polyurethane Iniferter

Polyurethane iniferter, synthesized from toluene diisocyanate and 1,1,2,2-tetraphenyl-1,2-ethanediol, was used to polymerize methyl methacrylate. The rate equation and overall activation energy have been determined from the kinetic results. The number-average molecular weight of the polymethyl methacrylate increased while increasing both conversion and polymerization time. Bimodal molecular weight distribution was observed in gel permeation chromatography. Molecular weight build up occurs when the postpolymerization of polymethyl methacrylate was carried out. It is hence inferred that polyurethane iniferter acts as a thermal iniferter and follows “living” radical polymerization. Polymethyl methacrylate prepared with the polyurethane iniferter initiates the polymerization of styrene to yield polymethyl methacrylate-polystyrene block copolymers by a subsequent supply of thermal energy.