Fast and Regioselective Polymerization of para-Alkoxystyrene by Palladium Catalysts for Precision Production of High-Molecular-Weight Polystyrene Derivatives

Polymerization of polar vinyl monomers by a coordination–insertion approach is a topic of fundamental importance to the field of polymer synthesis. Herein, we initially report the coordination–insertion polymerization of para-alkoxystyrene (pAOS) monomers by the dibenzobarrelene-based α-diimine palladium catalysts. The unprecedented polymerization characteristics including rapid initiation, fast chain growth, controlled chain transfer, and high-molecular-weight polymer with a narrow distribution (Mw > 1000 kg/mol, PDI < 1.32) reflected previously unrecognized aspects of palladium-catalyzed pAOS polymerization. Chain-end analysis and characterization of palladium intermediates showed that the pAOS monomer was rapidly inserted into the primary palladium species in a full 1,2-regioselectivity, and the chain transfer took place by monomer-assisted β-H abstraction at high monomer concentrations. The resultant polymers showed improved mechanical properties and thermal stabilities and were also attractive candid...