Synthesis of random and block copolymers of styrene and styrenesulfonic acid with low polydispersity using nitroxide-mediated living radical polymerization technique

Poly(styrene-ran-styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(styrene-block-styrenesulfonic acid) with low polydispersity were prepared using nitroxide-mediated living radical polymerization technique. Random or block copolymerization of styrene and neopentyl p-styrenesulfonate smoothly proceeded by AIBN/2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-diethylphosphono-3-azahexane-3-nitroxide initiating system. Transformation of the sulfonate ester to sulfonic acid was carried out by the reaction with trimethylsilyl iodide or by thermolysis at 150 °C. Those polymers showed amphiphilic characters.