Facile synthetic route toward poly(vinyl benzyl amine) and its versatile intermediates

Poly(vinyl benzyl amine) (PVBAm) has been synthesized by modifying poly(vinyl benzyl chloride) (PVBC) via an unique synthetic route. According to the literature, most polyamines are synthesized from PVBC through the Gabriel reaction. In this investigation, we adopt Staudinger synthesis to avoid drastic decomposition which occurs in the Gabriel reaction during synthesis. Three types of polyamine polymers – homopolymer, block copolymer and random copolymer, were synthesized without incurring any crosslinking reaction. The amine-containing polymers can further undergo ring-opening addition reaction with N-phenyl-3,3-dimethyl-azetidine-2,4-dione. Notably, the intermediates, phosphine imine and azide functionalities can be easily converted into various functionalities such as carbodiimide, imine, amine, triazo, aziridine, etc. by adding suitable reagents.