Amphiphilic triblock copolymers containing polypropylene as the middle block.

The synthesis of stereoregular telechelic polypropylene (PP) and their use to access triblock amphiphilic copolymers with the PP block located in the center is described. The strategy consists of selectively copolymerizing propylene and a di-functional co-monomer (1,3-diisopropenylbenzene) to yield a a,w -substituted polypropylene. Under specific reaction conditions, the initiation step of the copolymerization favors the insertion of DIB over propylene while subsequent propagation steps favor the insertion of propylene. Termination via a chain transfer reaction yields the terminal unsaturation of the polymer. The telechelic polypropylene is then converted into a, w -hydroxyl-terminated polypropylene that is used as a macroinitiator for the synthesis of triblock copolymers. Water-soluble amphiphilic triblock polymers are synthesized to highlight the success and precision of this synthesis. The use of catalytic reactions simultaneously provides the stereocontrol of the polypropylene and high productivity (multiple chains of block copolymer per metal center). This work is a leap forward to expand the application of polypropylene in block copolymer materials. .