Ferrocenyl-functionalized long chain branched polydienes

A convenient two-step approach for the synthesis of ferrocenyl-functionalized long chain branched polydienes, based on both butadiene and isoprene, respectively, is presented. Classical living anionic polymerization was used to synthesize different AB n type poly(diene) macromonomers with moderate molecular weights between 1700 and 3200 g/mol and narrow polydispersity. Quantitative end-capping with chlorodimethylsilane resulted in the desired AB n macromonomer structures. In the ensuing Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation polyaddition, branched, functionalized polydienes were obtained by a concurrent AB n + AR type of copolymerization with mono-and difunctional ferrocenyl silanes (fcSiMe 2 H or fc…