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Facile Synthesis of Hydroxyl‐Terminated Oligoethylenes
Author(s) -
Meyer Robert S. A.,
Scholtyssek Julia S.,
Luinstra Gerrit A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201400193
Subject(s) - catalysis , alkyl , polymer chemistry , polyethylene , ethylene , materials science , aluminium , surface modification , chain transfer , polymerization , oxygen , hydrolysis , organic chemistry , chemistry , polymer , radical polymerization
The synthesis of terminal hydroxyl‐functionalized oligoethylene is achieved in a two‐step one‐pot method. Aluminum long chain alkyls (Al‐PE) were generated by a catalytic chain transfer reaction involving iron 2,6‐bis(imino)pyridyl ligation catalysts and methyl aluminoxane (MAO) aluminum alkyl precursors. At a high catalyst/cocatalyst ratio (>5 000) and a low ethylene pressure (1 bar) the chain transfer to aluminum is the dominant termination step. Discharging oxygen or dry air into the post polymerization reaction mixture leads to aluminum alkoxides (Al‐O‐PE) and after hydrolysis to hydroxyl‐functionalized polyethylene (PE‐OH). The degree of oxy‐functionalization (up to 88 ± 3%) increased with increasing oxygen pressure and temperature and was more efficient with aluminum alkyls with a lower molecular weight.