Synthesis of crown ether‐terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) by radical chain transfer polymerization

Mercapto-16-crown-5 was prepared starting from tetraethyleneglycol and 3-chloro-2-chloromethyl-1-propene. Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of mercapto-16-crown-5 as a chain transfer agent to give crown ether-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate). The end crown group was characterized by IR and 1H-NMR spectra. Sodium cation was selectively extracted by this crown-containing polymer. The molecular weight of the obtained polymer had influence upon the ability of extraction of sodium cation.