Recent Progress in the Preparation of Functional Methacrylate Polymers

Application of anionic polymerization and group transfer polymerization to the synthesis of methacrylate polymers with one or two functional endgroups and with functional groups in the side chain is described. Success in the preparation of end-functional polymers depends largely on the absence of chain transfer and chain termination reactions. The higher stability of living chains in group transfer polymerization at temperatures as high as 100°C makes it the preferred route to functional polymers.