Controlled radical copolymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride and the synthesis of novel polyolefin-based block copolymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization

Reversible addn.-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) was applied to the copolymn. of styrene and maleic anhydride. The product had a low polydispersity and a predetd. molar mass. Novel, well-defined polyolefin-based block copolymers were prepd. with a macromol. RAFT agent prepd. from a com. available polyolefin (Kraton L-1203). The second block consisted of either polystyrene or poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride). The colored, labile dithioester moiety in the product of the RAFT polymns. could be removed from the polymer chain by UV irradn.