Synthesis of a propene—methyl methacrylate diblock copolymer via “living” coordination polymerization

A new diblock copolymer of propene and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was prepared by adding MMA during the living coordination polymerization of propene together with the soluble catalyst V(acac)3/Al(C2H5)2Cl at −78°C and subsequently by raising the polymerization temperature up to 25°C. The homopolymerization of MMA with this catalyst exhibits the characteristics of a living polymerization at the initial stage of polymerization. From the copolymerization of MMA with styrene, it was concluded that the polymerization of MMA occurs via a radical intermediate. It is suggested that a propene‐MMA diblock copolymer is formed via the transformation of a living polypropylene end to a radical end.