The present invention provides: a novel production technique that enables production of a polymer whose molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are controlled and production of a polymer having a complicated structure in a desirably controlled manner using commercially available materials without using a radical polymerization initiator or a special material for use in living radical polymerization and without the need for strict polymerization conditions; and a radical polymerization initiating group-containing compound for use in the technique. The present invention relates to: a method for producing a polymer, the method including a polymerization step of mixing and warming (1) a radically polymerizable monomer, (2) an organic compound wherein at least one group that functions as a group for initiating polymerization of the monomer and that has a structure represented by formula 1 or formula 2 (X in the formula represents Cl or Br) is introduced in a molecule of the organic compound, and (3) an iodine-containing compound, thereby initiating, from the group having the structure, radical polymerization accompanied by a termination reaction; and the organic compound of (2) for use in the method. ##STR00001##

The present invention provides: a novel production technique that enables production of a polymer whose molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are controlled and production of a polymer having a complicated structure in a desirably controlled manner using commercially available materials without using a radical polymerization initiator or a special material for use in living radical polymerization and without the need for strict polymerization conditions; and a radical polymerization initiating group-containing compound for use in the technique. The present invention relates to: a method for producing a polymer, the method including a polymerization step of mixing and warming (1) a radically polymerizable monomer, (2) an organic compound wherein at least one group that functions as a group for initiating polymerization of the monomer and that has a structure represented by formula 1 or formula 2 (X in the formula represents Cl or Br) is introduced in a molecule of the organic compound, and (3) an iodine-containing compound, thereby initiating, from the group having the structure, radical polymerization accompanied by a termination reaction; and the organic compound of (2) for use in the method. ##STR00001##

A modified polymer including (a) a main chain containing a fluorine-containing polymer and (b) a side chain represented by the following formula (b1′) and/or a side chain represented by the following formula (b2′). The formula (b1′) is —CH.sub.2—CR.sup.b1(—X)—C(═O)—Y—Z—Rf, wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a halogen atom; Y is —O— or —NH—; Z is a direct bond or a divalent organic group; Rf is a C1-C20 fluoroalkyl group; and R.sup.b1 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group. The formula (b2′) is —CH.sub.2—CR.sup.b2(—R.sup.1)—C(═O)—O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2—[O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2].sub.n—O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2—R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.b2 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; and n is 3 to 200.

A modified polymer including (a) a main chain containing a fluorine-containing polymer and (b) a side chain represented by the following formula (b1′) and/or a side chain represented by the following formula (b2′). The formula (b1′) is —CH.sub.2—CR.sup.b1(—X)—C(═O)—Y—Z—Rf, wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a halogen atom; Y is —O— or —NH—; Z is a direct bond or a divalent organic group; Rf is a C1-C20 fluoroalkyl group; and R.sup.b1 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group. The formula (b2′) is —CH.sub.2—CR.sup.b2(—R.sup.1)—C(═O)—O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2—[O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2].sub.n—O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2—R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.b2 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; and n is 3 to 200.

A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon. Further, the functionalized fluorinated monomers may be reacted to form polymers or oligomers, or with polymers or oligomers having functional groups to modify the polymer or oligomer through the functional group thereon.

A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon. Further, the functionalized fluorinated monomers may be reacted to form polymers or oligomers, or with polymers or oligomers having functional groups to modify the polymer or oligomer through the functional group thereon.

A method for manufacturing a graft polymer, that ensures more stable progress of a living radical polymerization by using a monomer structural unit containing an iodine initiating group as an initiator, includes performing a living radical polymerization of a compound with a vinyl monomer by an organic catalyst to manufacture the graft polymer. The compound has a recurring unit represented by a formula (1) below in a main chain: ##STR00001## where, R.sup.1: linking group (linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms that may contain an ether bond, an amide bond, or an ester bond, an aromatic group), R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6: an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, and n=1 to 5.

A method for manufacturing a graft polymer, that ensures more stable progress of a living radical polymerization by using a monomer structural unit containing an iodine initiating group as an initiator, includes performing a living radical polymerization of a compound with a vinyl monomer by an organic catalyst to manufacture the graft polymer. The compound has a recurring unit represented by a formula (1) below in a main chain: ##STR00001## where, R.sup.1: linking group (linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms that may contain an ether bond, an amide bond, or an ester bond, an aromatic group), R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6: an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, and n=1 to 5.

A method for manufacturing a graft polymer, that ensures more stable progress of a living radical polymerization by using a monomer structural unit containing an iodine initiating group as an initiator, includes performing a living radical polymerization of a compound with a vinyl monomer by an organic catalyst to manufacture the graft polymer. The compound has a recurring unit represented by a formula (1) below in a main chain: ##STR00001## where, R.sup.1: linking group (linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms that may contain an ether bond, an amide bond, or an ester bond, an aromatic group), R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6: an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, and n=1 to 5.

The present invention provides: a novel production technique that enables production of a polymer whose molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are controlled and production of a polymer having a complicated structure in a desirably controlled manner using commercially available materials without using a radical polymerization initiator or a special material for use in living radical polymerization and without the need for strict polymerization conditions; and a radical polymerization initiating group-containing compound for use in the technique. The present invention relates to: a method for producing a polymer, the method including a polymerization step of mixing and warming (1) a radically polymerizable monomer, (2) an organic compound wherein at least one group that functions as a group for initiating polymerization of the monomer and that has a structure represented by formula 1 or formula 2 (X in the formula represents Cl or Br) is introduced in a molecule of the organic compound, and (3) an iodine-containing compound, thereby initiating, from the group having the structure, radical polymerization accompanied by a termination reaction; and the organic compound of (2) for use in the method.

##STR00001##