CHAPTER 2: Precise Synthesis of Multi-Component Miktoarm Star Polymers by a New Conceptual Iterative Methodology Using Living Anionic Polymerization

In this chapter, the precise synthesis of miktoarm star polymers (µSPs) by a new conceptual ‘iterative methodology’ using living anionic polymerization is reviewed. The methodology is designed in such a way that the same reaction site is always reintroduced after the introduction of an arm polymer in each reaction sequence, and this sequence can be repeated. As a result, new multi-arm and multi-component µSPs have been successfully synthesized. Almost all living anionic polymers, such as polystyrene (PS), poly(1,3-butadiene) (PB), polyisoprene (PI), poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP), poly(alkyl methacrylate)s (PRMAs), and their derivatives can be incorporated into µSPs by this iterative methodology. Thus, the general synthesis of such complex µSPs by this iterative methodology has been established.