In-chain functionalized syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene by a Ziegler–Natta iron(iii) catalytic system

Copolymerization of 1,3-butadiene with four 1-substituted 1,3-diene comonomers bearing amino and alkyoxy groups by a Ziegler–Natta iron(iii) catalytic system to access in-chain functionalized syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene is reported herein. The polar comonomer content can be easily regulated by varying the comonomer loadings or polymerization conditions, affording functionalized syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene with different amounts of functionalities. The incorporation of a polar comonomer showed little influence on the 1,2-content and stereoregularity of the resulting polymers, giving a 1,2-structure as high as ∼85% and an rrrr pentad of 81.0%. Significantly improved surface properties of the polymers was obtained after incorporation of polar comonomer, as revealed from the remarkably decreased water contact angles.