Recent advances in the anionic synthesis of chain-end functionalized polymers

Recent results for the preparation of chain‐end functionalized polymers using alkyllithium‐initiated anionic polymerization are described. Termination with 4‐chloro‐1,1,1‐trimethoxybutane has been used to prepare trimethoxy ortho ester (carboxyl)‐functionalized polymers. Functionalization with the oxiranes, glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3,4‐epoxy‐1‐butene and 1,1,1‐trifluoro‐2,3‐epoxypropane, has been investigated to prepare trimethoxysilyl‐functionalized polymers, 1,3‐diene‐functionalized macro monomers and trifluoromethyl‐functionalized polymers, respectively. Secondary amine‐functionalized polymers have been prepared by termination with N‐(benzylidene)methylamine and also using an N‐benzyl tertiary amine‐functionalized alkyllithium initiator followed by hydrogenolysis of the benzyl group.