Synthesis of poly(1‐hexene)s end‐functionalized with phenols

Electrophilic alkylations of phenol/2,6‐dimethylphenol were performed with vinylidene‐terminated poly(1‐hexene)s using BF 3 ·OEt 2 catalyst. Vinylidene‐terminated poly(1‐hexene)s with M n varying from 400 to 10000 were prepared by bulk polymerization of 1‐hexene at 50 to −20 °C using Cp 2 ZrCl 2 /MAO catalysts. The phenol/2,6‐dimethylphenol‐terminated poly(1‐hexene)s was characterized by NMR ( 1 H, 13 C), UV, IR and vapor phase osmometer (VPO). The isomer distribution ( ortho, para and ortho / para ) was determined by 13 P NMR using a phosphitylating reagent, namely 2‐chloro‐1,3,2‐dioxaphospholane. The number‐average degree of functionality ( F n ) >0.9 with >95% para selectivity could be achieved using low‐molecular‐weight oligomers of poly(1‐hexene)s. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry