Molecular characterization of soluble poly(1,4‐divinylbenzene) obtained by anionic polymerization of 1,4‐divinylbenzene with lithium alkylamide as initiator

Abstract A series of soluble poly(1,4‐divinylbenzene) (PDVB) samples was prepared by anionic polymerization of 1,4‐divinylbenzene (DVB) in tetrahydrofuran with a varying amount of diisopropylamine. The dilute solution properties of the PDVB samples were examined with conventional methods including viscosimetry, sedimentation equilibrium, and light scattering measurements. The results suggest a considerable amount of long branches in soluble PDVB though not all of the pendant vinyl groups are consumed to form branches. A tree‐like model was proposed for the present system. The data were analysed quantitatively according to this model which yielded a consistent pair of values of the z‐average mean‐square radius of gyration 〈S2〉 and the intrinsic viscosity [η].