FIELD: chemistry.
SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to removal of terminal halogen atoms in polymer chains. Described is a method of removing halogen atoms from polymers and separating transition metal compounds, characterised by that the polymers are obtained via atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) using an initiator with an active group X, which is chlorine, bromine or iodine, where when the polymerisation reaction stops, a sulphur compound is added, said compound being selected mercaptans or other organic compounds with a thiol group, with substitution of halogen atoms and formation at the end of the chain of at least one thioether group, where transition metal compound are deposited simultaneously with said sulphur compound and then separated by filtration. Described also are polymers obtained using said method, having molecular weight distribution range of less than 1.5, halogen content of less than 0.1 wt % and having at least one thioether functional group at one end of the chain. Use of said polymers is also described.
EFFECT: single-step process of removing terminal halogen atoms from polymer chains and removal of transition metal compounds; improved thermal stability of polymers.
23 cl, 1 tbl, 4 ex
