Low Dispersity Telechelic Polydimethylsiloxanes Synthesized in Ammonia Medium

The polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3 Me2) in liquid ammonia using water as an initiator has been studied. These polymers are of practical importance for a wide range of applications in the silicone industry. The effect of factors such as temperature, reaction time, and concentration of reactants on the polymerization process was evaluated. As a result, an environmentally friendly procedure for the preparation of narrowly dispersed telechelic polydimethylsiloxanes (Mn = 8.0 kDa, PDI = 1.11) with a monomer conversion of up to 98% was developed. The possibility of scaling up the process and recycling of ammonia was shown.