Low Dispersity Telechelic Polydimethylsiloxanes Synthesized in Ammonia Medium

Abstract

The polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D 3 Me2 ) in liquid ammonia using water as an initiator has been studied. These polymers are of practical importance for a wide range of applications in the silicone industry. The effect of factors such as temperature, reaction time, and concentration of reactants on the polymerization process was evaluated. As a result, an environmentally friendly procedure for the preparation of narrowly dispersed telechelic polydimethylsiloxanes (Mn = 8.0 kDa, PDI = 1.11) with a monomer conversion of up to 98% was developed. The possibility of scaling up the process and recycling of ammonia was shown.