Synthesis of amphiphilic silane coupling agents based on poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and their reactions with tetraethoxysilane

Summary

Ring-opening polymerization of 2-alkyl-2-oxazoline (alkyl=ethyl,n-butyl,n-octyl) was carried out with an initiator of methyl tosylate followed by the treatment with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to produce a novel type of polymeric silane coupling agents. Similary, telechelic triethoxysilyl-terminated poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s were prepared by using a bifunctional initiator. The molecular weights of the produced polymers could be effectively controlled by the feed ratio of the initiator to the monomer. These end-functionalized polymers were reacted with tetraethoxysilane with an acid catalyst by the solgel method. In the case of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), a homogeneous and transparent polymer hybrid was obtained. This polymer hybrid absorbed both of water and organic solvents, which showed amphiphilic adsorption property.