Synthesis of polyisoprene-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers via a two-electron-transfer mechanism

Supramolecular complexes of alkali metals were used as catalysts in the polymerization of isoprene via a two-electron-transfer mechanism. The obtained polyisoprene, having a living end group, was subsequently used to initiate methyl methacrylate polymerization in tetrahydrofuran. Polyisoprene-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers were obtained, and their structure was established with 1 H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and experiments of selective extraction.