Polybutadiene Functionalization via an Efficient Avenue.

We introduce a facile and quantitative postpolymerization functionalization methodology for 1,4-polybutadienes, allowing us to decorate their pendent alkene functionalities with bromine and alkoxyether motifs carrying an array of functional groups ranging from tetrazoles to pyrenes. Specifically, the approach makes use of a mild, metal-free, electrophilic cascade reaction employing N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), a cyclic ether (i.e., THF), and a functional carboxylic acid. Detailed NMR, SEC, and ATR-IR studies confirm the successful modification.