Anionic Polymerization Chemistry of Epoxides: Electron-Transfer Processes

The reaction of poly(styryl)lithium (PSLi) with styrene oxide (SO) in benzene solution has been investigated. In addition to the functionalized polymer (83.5 wt %) the product mixture consisted of unfunctionalized polymer (9 wt %) and a dimeric product (5.6 wt %). The structure of the dimeric product was determined to be the head-to-head dimer. The regiochemistry of the addition reaction was unselective: 53 mol % addition to the methylene carbon and 47 mol % corresponding to addition to the hindered, methine carbon. Based on the formation of the dimer and the lack of regioselectivity, a pathway involving electron transfer from PSLi to SO was proposed. To further investigate the propensity to react via this electron-transfer mechanism, the SO functionalization of the adduct of PSLi with 1,1-diphenylethylene was investigated as well as the functionalization of PSLi with 1,1-diphenylethylene oxide.