Highly Efficient Chain End Derivatization of Selenol‐Ended Polystyrenes by Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions

The application of selenol‐X chemistry in nucleophilic substitution and Se‐Michael addition reactions for polymer chain end modification is presented. Selenol‐labeled polystyrene can easily react with alkyl halides, methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, pentafluorostyrene, etc. The mild conditions make it attractive for the synthesis of macromonomers. The resulting polymers are analyzed and characterized by UV, size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC), NMR, and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy.