Modification of polyolefins utilizing C–H insertion of azides: Azidoformate end-functionalized polystyrene for modifying polypropylene

Abstract

Polyolefins dominate the global plastics industry, constituting roughly 60% of all commercial plastics. However, their limited chemical functionality restricts their applicability in adhesion, printability, and compatibility-dependent applications. To overcome these limitations, this study investigated metal-free, melt-process, post-polymerization modification of polypropylene (PP) via C-H insertion of azidoformate (AF) groups. Specifically, we investigated grafting of AF end-functionalized polystyrene (PS) onto PP and demonstrated the successful preparation of novel PP hybrids with interesting properties, including enhanced compatibility between PP and PS components due to grafting, smaller PP crystallite size, high Young's modulus, and elastic rheological behavior, likely attributable to the presence of PS branches. Importantly, the presented approach avoids chain scission of PP and undesirable coloration of the product, offering a promising pathway for industrial transformations of conventional polyolefins. This research paves the way for developing polyolefin-based hybrid materials with enhanced properties and potential environmental benefits.