Model reactive polyolefins for blend compatibilization

Polyolefin precursors of controlled microstructure were prepared by living anionic polymerization of butadiene in cyclohexane with tetrahydrofuran as a polar modifier. Chlorodimethylsilane was used to terminate the living chains, leaving a silane functional group on the chain end. The single silane group was subsequently converted to a number of different reactive groups by hydrosilation in toluene using Karstedt's catalyst. The presence of the functional group was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and blending with other polymers of known functionality with subsequent analysis by gel permeation chromatography.