Anionic polymerization of 9-vinylanthracene with the alkyllithium/amine system

The anionic polymerization of 9‐vinylanthracene (VAN) with the alkyllithium (RLi)/amine system was examined to explore new initiator systems that could polymerize VAN at moderate temperatures in hydrocarbon solvents. Important factors in the anionic polymerization of VAN were found to be the high nucleophilicity of the RLi/amine and poly(9‐vinylanthracenyl)lithium (PVANLi)/amine systems, the low steric hindrance of the amine molecule, and good solubility of PVANLi during the polymerization. The t‐butyllithium (t‐BuLi)/N,N,N',N'‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) (1.00/1.25) system achieved the highest PVAN yield in toluene at room temperature (ca. 25°C), although the limitations of yield and the number average molecular weight (Mn) were around 90 wt% and 2000, respectively. The results obtained from spectrum analyses suggested that the anionically polymerized PVAN would be considered a favorable polymer for the preparation of new luminescent materials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.