Synthesis for producing ordered polyblock copolymers having a controllable molecular weight distribution

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the sequential and convergent preparation of ordered block copolymers comprising at least one non-polar and one polar polymer block, wherein the non-polar block is built up from specific monomers via a living sequential anionic polymerization by means of a Li-organyl initiator having a pKa greater than or equal to 45 and the polar block is a polymer block having a molecular weight greater than or equal to 350 g/mol and less than or equal to 5000 g/mol and being built up from monomers selected from the group consisting of C2-C10 oxacyclo compounds, their derivatives or mixtures of at least two different monomers thereof, wherein the polar polymer block is covalently linked to the non-polar block anion in a single step via an epoxy functionalization of one of the monomers of the polar block, obtained via a reaction of this monomer with epichlorohydrin, in a non-polar solvent in the presence of free Li ions. Furthermore, the present invention relates to specific block copolymers having short polar chains of very uniform chain length, polymer electrolytes, and the use of the block copolymers as polymer electrolytes in secondary alkaline batteries.