A straightforward and efficient synthetic method that transforms poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) into value-added materials is presented. Specifically, PMMA is modified by transesterification to produce a variety of functional copolymers from a single starting material. Key to the reaction is the use of lithium alkoxides, prepared by treatment of primary alcohols with LDA, to displace the methyl esters. Under optimized conditions, up to 65% functionalization was achieved and copolymers containing alkyl, alkene, alkyne, benzyl, and (poly)ether side groups could be prepared. The versatility of this protocol was further demonstrated through the functionalization of both PMMA homo and block copolymers obtained through either radical polymerization (traditional and controlled) or anionic procedures. The scope of this strategy was illustrated by extension to a range of architectures and polymer backbones.

中文翻译：

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通过与烷氧基锂的酯交换反应直接获得功能性（甲基）丙烯酸酯共聚物。

提出了一种简单有效的合成方法，将聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（PMMA）转化为增值材料。具体而言，通过酯交换作用对PMMA进行改性，从而可以从一种起始原料生产出各种功能性共聚物。该反应的关键是使用通过用LDA处理伯醇制备的醇锂来取代甲酯。在优化的条件下，可以实现高达65％的官能度，并且可以制备含有烷基，烯烃，炔烃，苄基和（聚）醚侧基的共聚物。通过自由基聚合（传统方法和受控方法）或阴离子方法获得的PMMA均聚物和嵌段共聚物的功能化，进一步证明了该方案的多功能性。