Polymerization of vinyl monomers from silanes and siloxanes

U.S. Patent Number: 5708115

Abstract: A method in which radical polymerization of a vinyl monomer is initiated by an ozonide group attached to a silane or a siloxane polymer. The method is particularly useful for preparing organic polymers having a silicone chain end, or for preparing wide ranges of silicone/organic polymers and copolymers with varied architecture, i.e., ABA block copolymers, comb polymers, star polymers, and hyper-branched polymers. In one embodiment, the method is carried out by simply heating a vinyl monomer in the presence of a silane containing ozonide functionality. The ozonide silane is obtained by exposing silanes or siloxanes having an alkyl group containing a double bond to ozone. Surprisingly, an ozonide attached to an organosilicon compound was found to be stable, and capable of initiating vinyl polymerization upon heating to moderate temperatures, i.e., about 70.degree. C.

Inventors: Graiver; Daniel (Midland, MI), Khieu; Aaron Quoc (Coon Rapids, MN), Nguyen; Binh Thanh (Midland, MI)

Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation (Midland, MI)

Application Number: 08/798,990

Issued: 1998-01-13

Expired: 2006-01-13

Classes: 528/32 ; 528/37; 528/38; 528/40; 549/214

Field of search: 549/214 528/37,40,32,38

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