Anionic Synthesis of Trialkoxysilyl-Functionalized Polymers

Abstract A new general functionalization methodology (GFM) is applied to the synthesis of trimethoxysilyl-functionalized polymers. This GFM involves (a) the preparation of a well-defined polymeric organolithium compound (PLi) using alkyllithium-initiated anionic polymerization; (b) quantitative silyl hydride-functionalization of PLi with chlorodimethylsilane to form PSi(CH3)2H; (c) hydrosilation of PSi(CH3)2H with vinyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst. The desired PSi(OCH3)3 was obtained in > 80% yield. The product was characterized by SEC, 1H and 13C NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.