End-capping of living poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) with maleic acid

A series of functionalized poly(2-oxazoline)s were synthesized by quenching poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) living chains (mono- or bifunctional) with maleic acid as nucleophilic agent. By varying the functionality of the initiating system and the ratio of the nucleophile to oxazolinium ends, three different compounds – two macromers and/or an unsaturated polyester – were obtained. The use of a macromolecular proton scavenger was found to be an easy, efficient alternative to the laborious approach performed with triethylamine. The coupling products were copolymerized with styrene by solution or dispersion polymerization.