We introduce a facile method to convert the bromine end of the polymer into a hydroxyl group. For this, bromine-terminated polystyrene (PS-Br) was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization. The bromine groups of the PS-Br could be directly converted to hydroxyl groups by using Ag+ as the Lewis acid in water/acetone. The conversion yield was investigated by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
- Kyoungho Kim
- Min Guk Seo
- Hyun-jong Paik