Hybrid atom transfer radical polymerization system for balanced polymerization rate and polymer molecular weight control

A hybrid polymerization system that combines the fast reaction kinetics of conventional free radical polymerization and the control of molecular weight and distribution afforded by ATRP has been developed. High‐free radical initiator concentrations in the range of 0.1–0.2 M were used in combination with a low concentration of ATRP catalyst. Conversions higher than 90% were achieved with ATRP catalyst concentrations of less than 20 ppm within 2 h for the hybrid ATRP system as compared with ATRPs where achieving such conversions would take up to 24 h. These reaction conditions lead to living polymerizations where polymer molecular weight increases linearly with monomer conversion. As in living polymerization and despite the fast rates and low ATRP catalyst concentrations, the polydispersity of the produced polymer remained below 1.30. Chain extension experiments from a synthesized macroinitiator were successful, which demonstrate the living characteristics of the hybrid ATRP process. Catalyst concentrations as low as 16 ppm were found to effectively mediate the growth of over 100 polymer chains per catalytic center, whereas at the same time negating the need for post polymerization purification given the low‐catalyst concentration. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2294–2301, 2010     

Block copolymers by chemoenzymatic cascade polymerization: A comparison of consecutive and simultaneous reactions

The synthetic parameters for the chemoenzymatic cascade synthesis of block copolymers combining enzymatic ring‐opening polymerization (EROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in one pot were investigated. A detailed analysis of the mutual interactions between the single reaction components revealed that the ATRP catalyst system could have a significant inhibiting effect on the enzyme activity. The inhibition of the enzyme was less pronounced in the presence of multivalent ligands such as dinonyl bipyridine, which thus could be used in this reaction as an ATRP catalyst. Moreover, the choice of the ATRP monomer was investigated. Methyl methacrylate interfered with EROP by transesterification, whereas t‐butyl methacrylate was inert. Block copolymers were successfully synthesized with this cascade approach by the activation of ATRP after EROP by the addition of the ATRP catalyst and, with lower block copolymer yields, by the mixing of all the components before the copolymerization. Adetailed kinetic analysis of the reactions and the structure of the block copolymers showed that the first procedure proceeded smoothly to high block copolymer yields, whereas in the latter a noteworthy amount of the poly(t‐butyl methacrylate) homopolymer was detected. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4290–4297, 2006     

Synthesis of mikto‐topology star polymer containing one cyclic arm

Well‐defined mikto‐topology star polystyrene composed of one cyclic arm and four linear arms was synthesized by a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and Cu‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction. First, the bromine‐alkyne α,ω‐linear polystyrenes containing four hydroxyl groups protected with acetone‐based ketal groups were synthesized by ATRP of styrene using a designed initiator. Then, the bromine end‐group was converted to the azide and the linear polystyrene was cyclized intra‐molecularly by the CuAAC reaction. The four hydroxyl groups were released by deprotection and then esterified with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to produce a cyclic polymer bearing four ATRP initiating units. By subsequent ATRP of styrene to grow linear polymers with the cyclic polystyrene as a macroinitiator, the mikto‐topology star polymers were prepared. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Controlled/“Living” Radical Polymerization Applied to Water‐Borne Systems

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), a controlled/“living” radical polymerization, has been extended to water‐borne polymerization systems. In order to obtain a controlled ATRP reaction in a water‐borne system, various criteria must be met, which are not necessary when conducted in organic solvents. The effect of surfactant, monomer, catalyst and initiator employed will be discussed, as each had a profound effect on the success of the ATRP reaction.     

Copolymerization of (Meth)acrylates with Olefins Using Activators Regenerated by Electron Transfer for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ARGET ATRP)

Summary: Controlled copolymerization of polar (meth)acrylates with non-polar olefin monomers (1-octene, norbornene, vinylcyclohexane) was studied by ARGET (activators regenerated by electron transfer) ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization). When a normal ATRP of n-butyl acrylate (nBA) and 1-octene was conducted, the polymerization resulted in relatively low conversion, limited control over the polymerization process and high polydispersity (PDI > 1.6). This was due to formation of a dormant species, by reaction of 1-octene radicals with Cu(II) deactivator, that could not be reactivated. However, in ARGET ATRP with 10 ppm amounts of Cu-based catalyst, higher yields and a better controlled copolymerization was obtained (PDI < 1.4), because the low concentration of Cu(II) deactivator reduced the formation of the non-reactive dormant species. The influence of the amount of Cu catalyst, ligand structure, initiators with different halogens, the reaction temperature, and monomer feed ratio were also investigated for ARGET ATRP. In copolymerization of (meth)acrylates with non-polar alkenes, the level of control and the total conversion in ARGET ATRP were higher than those for normal ATRP.     

原子转移自由基聚合引发体系的最新研究进展

本文介绍了关于原子转移自由基聚合（ATRP）引发-活化-失活过程的最新研究情况,包括RATRP、SR&NI ATRP、AGET ATRP、ARGET ATRP以及ICAR ATRP等新型ATRP引发体系。这些新型ATRP体系逐渐克服了通常ATRP体系的局限性,尤其是后两种体系仅需微量（1～50 ppm）价态稳定的过渡金属络合物调控聚合,大大简化了ATRP方法的工业化生产程序;本文同时介绍了杂化及双金属ATRP催化体系,这两种新型催化体系具有较高的催化活性和对聚合反应的调控能力,而且通过简单地过滤或沉降就可从聚合产物当中脱除。     

A new tetradentate ligand for atom transfer radical polymerization

The properties of a ligand, including molecular structure and substituents, strongly affect the catalyst activity and control of the polymerization in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). A new tetradentate ligand, N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl‐3‐hexoxo‐3‐oxopropyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (BPED) was synthesized and examined as the ligand of copper halide for ATRP of styrene (St), methyl acrylate (MA), and methyl methacrylate (MMA), and compared with other analogous linear tetrdendate ligands. The BPED ligand was found to significantly promote the activation reaction: the CuBr/BPED complex reacted with the initiators so fast that a large amount of Cu(II)Br₂/BPED was produced and thus the polymerizations were slow for all the monomers. The reaction of CuCl/BPED with the initiator was also fast, but by reducing the catalyst concentration or adding CuCl₂, the activation reaction could be slowed to establish the equilibrium of ATRP for a well‐controlled living polymerization of MA. CuCl/BPED was found very active for the polymerization of MA. For example, 10 mol% of the catalyst relatively to the initiator was sufficient to mediate a living polymerization of MA. The CuCl/BPED, however, could not catalyze a living polymerization of MMA because the resulting CuCl₂/BPED could not deactivate the growing radicals. The effects of the ligand structures on the catalysis of ATRP are also discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3553–3562, 2004     

Highly active copper-based catalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) generally requires a catalyst/initiator molar ratio of 0.1 to 1 and catalyst/monomer molar ratio of 0.001 to 0.01 (i.e., catalyst concentration: 1000-10,000 ppm versus monomer). Herein, we report a new copper-based complex CuBr/N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) as a versatile and highly active catalyst for acrylic, methacrylic, and styrenic monomers. The catalyst mediated ATRP at a catalyst/initiator molar ratio of 0.005 and produced polymers with well-controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities. ATRP occurred even at a catalyst/initiator molar ratio as low as 0.001 with copper concentration in the produced polymers as low as 6-8 ppm (catalyst/monomer molar ratio = 10(-5)). The catalyst structures were studied by X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy. The activator CuIBr/TPEN existed in solution as binuclear and mononuclear complexes in equilibrium but as a binuclear complex in its single crystals. The deactivator CuIIBr2/TPEN complex was mononuclear. High stability and appropriate KATRP (ATRP equilibrium constant) were found crucial for the catalyst working under high dilution or in coordinating solvents/monomers. This provides guidance for further design of highly active ATRP catalysts.     

原子转移自由基细乳液聚合*

本文从正向、反向、同时正向/反向、电子转移活化剂等不同原子转移自由基聚合（ATRP）细乳液引发体系的角度,综述了近年来国内外关于ATRP细乳液聚合的研究进展。在细乳液体系中进行正向ATRP,聚合可控性不理想,反向ATRP相对适合于细乳液体系,其缺点是表面活性剂用量较大。同时正向/反向引发体系的ATRP中催化剂用量大为减少,并且聚合具有良好的可控性;电子转移活化剂（AGET）ATRP是通过电子转移反应来还原过渡金属的氧化态,克服了同时正向/反向ATRP中需要引入自由基引发剂的缺点。     

Synthesis and Functionalization of Isotactic Poly(propylene) Containing Pendant Styrene Groups

Summary: Copolymerization of propylene and 1,4‐divinylbenzene was successfully performed by a MgCl₂‐supported TiCl₄ catalyst, yielding isotactic poly(propylene) (i‐PP) polymers containing a few pendant styrene groups. With a metalation reaction with butyllithium and a hydrochlorination reaction with dry hydrogen chloride, the pendant styrene groups were quantitatively transformed into benzyllithium and 1‐chloroethylbenzene groups, respectively, which allowed the synthesis of i‐PP‐based graft copolymers by living anionic and atom transfer radical (ATRP) polymerization mechanisms.

The incorporation of styrene pendant groups into isotactic poly(propylene) using a Zeigler–Natta catalyst gave functionalized polymers able to undergo living anionic and atom transfer radical (ATRP) polymerizations.     

Well‐Defined Iron Complexes as Efficient Catalysts for “Green” Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization of Styrene,Methyl Methacrylate,and Butyl Acrylate with Low Catalyst Loadings and Catalyst Recycling

Environmentally friendly iron(II) catalysts for atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were synthesized by careful selection of the nitrogen substituents of N,N,N‐trialkylated‐1,4,9‐triazacyclononane (R₃TACN) ligands. Two types of structures were confirmed by crystallography: “[(R₃TACN)FeX₂]” complexes with relatively small R groups have ionic and dinuclear structures including a [(R₃TACN)Fe(μ‐X)₃Fe(R₃TACN)]⁺ moiety, whereas those with more bulky R groups are neutral and mononuclear. The twelve [(R₃TACN)FeX₂]_n complexes that were synthesized were subjected to bulk ATRP of styrene, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and butyl acrylate (BA). Among the iron complexes examined, [{(cyclopentyl)₃TACN}FeBr₂] ( 4 b ) was the best catalyst for the well‐controlled ATRP of all three monomers. This species allowed easy catalyst separation and recycling, a lowering of the catalyst concentration needed for the reaction, and the absence of additional reducing reagents. The lowest catalyst loading was accomplished in the ATRP of MMA with 4 b (59 ppm of Fe based on the charged monomer). Catalyst recycling in ATRP with low catalyst loadings was also successful. The ATRP of styrene with 4 b (117 ppm Fe atom) was followed by precipitation from methanol to give polystyrene that contained residual iron below the calculated detection limit (0.28 ppm). Mechanisms that involve equilibria between the multinuclear and mononuclear species were also examined.     

采用ATRP合成天然橡胶接枝共聚物——Ⅲ.NR-g-PMMA的制备

N-溴代丁二酰亚胺与天然橡胶(NR)反应合成了大分子引发剂——溴代天然橡胶[NR-Br(1)].通过原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP),以CuBr/PMDTA为催化体系,1引发甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)接枝共聚制得新型天然橡胶-g-聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯[NR-g-PMMA(2)],其结构经1H NMR和IR表征.初步聚合反应动力学研究结果表明,NBS与NR在高温下反应容易伴随双键加成和环化反应,于室温反应所得1具有较高的引发活性;接枝聚合符合一级动力学反应,即2的分子量随MMA单体转化率的提高而增加.     

Tandem chain walking polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization for efficient synthesis of dendritic nanoparticles for bioconjugation

A tandem polymerization methodology, chain walking polymerization (CWP) followed by atom transfer radical polymerization, was developed for efficient synthesis of nanoparticles for bioconjugation. Using the chain walking palladium-alpha-diimine catalyst (catalyst 1), dendritic polymers bearing multiple initiation sites were synthesized and used as macroinitiators for subsequent Cu(I)-mediated ATRP. Control of molecular weight and size of the water-soluble core-shell polymeric nanoparticles was achieved by tuning reaction conditions. Addition of an N-acryloyloxysuccinamide (NAS) monomer at the end of the ATRP afforded NHS-activated polymer nanoparticles. Conjugation with both small dye molecules and protein (ovalbumin) yielded nanoparticle conjugates with relatively high dye or protein per particle ratio. With the efficient synthesis and good biocompatibility, these nanoparticles may find many potential applications in bioconjugation.     

Assessment of Microwave Effect on Polymerization Conducted under ARGET ATRP Conditions

A comprehensive kinetic model based on the method of moments is developed for understanding the kinetics of activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) under microwave irradiation. Both the experimental data and the simulation results show that the polymerization under microwave irradiation is much faster than the thermal polymerization. Simulation results indicate that the acceleration of polymerization can be attributed to the increase of propagation rate coefficient and the radical generation by microwave irradiation. Kinetic behaviors, such as the effect of catalyst concentration and initial initiator, are investigated in detail. Results show that the catalyst concentration has negligible influence on polymerization rate while the initiator concentration can affect both the molecular weight and the reaction rate. In conclusion, this work thoroughly investigates the kinetic mechanism of ARGET ATRP under microwave irradiation, providing both theoretic and experimental supports to improve the product property of polymer materials.     

Copper Catalyzed ATRP of Methyl Methacrylate Using Aliphatic α-Bromo Ketone Initiator

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of MMA was examined using 3-bromo-3-methyl-butanone-2 (MBB) as an initiator in the presence of CuBr as catalyst and 2,6-bis[1-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (BPIEP) as a tridentate N-donor ligand. The effect of various other N-donor ligands including a bisoxazoline ligand, namely, 2,6-bis(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl) pyridine (dmPYBOX) was studied in ATRP and reverse ATRP of MMA. The ATRP of MMA in toluene at 90 °C using MBB as initiator was relatively slow in the case of bidentate and faster in the case of tridentate N-donor ligands. The apparent rate constant, k_app, with MBB as initiator and BPIEP as ligand in toluene (50%, v/v) at 90 °C was found to be 7.15 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹. In addition, reverse ATRP of MMA in diphenylether at 70 °C using BPIEP/CuBr₂ as catalyst system was very effective in reducing the reaction time from several hours to 24 h for polymerization of MMA.     

Low Concentration Limitations of Catalyst and Conventional Free Radical Polymerization in ICAR ATRP of Butyl Methacrylate With PMDETA as the Ligand

Low concentration limitations of the catalyst and conventional free radical polymerization are investigated in the system of initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization (ICAR ATRP) of butyl methacrylate (BMA), in which 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) is used as a reducing agent, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as a ligand, copper bromide (CuBr₂) as a catalyst and ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as an initiator. Results show that conventional radical polymerization happens in the early stage of the ICAR ATRP of BMA when the amounts of AIBN are 3～25 times of the catalyst. And with the increase of the conversion, the BMA polymerization solely conducts the controlled radical polymerization (CRP). The low concentration limitations (based on monomer) of the catalyst required in ICAR ATRP of BMA with good controllability are found to be closely related to the molar ratio of initiator to catalyst, which is determined by the stability of the catalyst/ligand complex. The smaller molar ratio of initiator to catalyst allows lower concentration limitations of the catalyst.     

DNA-accelerated atom transfer radical polymerization on a gold surface

A significantly increased polymer growth rate was observed during a surface-initiated ATRP reaction in the presence of DNA molecules. To investigate this phenomenon, thiolated single-stranded DNA molecules (ssDNAs) with ATRP initiators coupled at the distal point were used as the model molecule in the study. In comparison, a small molecule, HS-(CH(2))(11)NHCOC(CH(3))(2)Br, was used to provide a less-polar surface coating for polymer grafting. 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and monomethoxy-capped oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA) were used as the ATRP monomers. The polymer growth rates were monitored by measuring the thickness of the polymer films formed at different times. Our results show that the presence of DNA molecules, although at a less-than-1% surface coverage, significantly accelerated the growth rates of both poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) at the beginning of the ATRP reactions. This accelerating effect was suspected to be a combined result of the highly charged sugar-phosphate backbones of DNA molecules and the formation of Cu complexes with DNA bases. After the initial polymer growth, a smaller yet constant polymer growth rate was observed, suggesting the reduced influence of DNA molecules as the ATRP reaction centers moved farther away from the surface. Similar to conventional ATRP reactions, the polymer growth from surface-anchored DNA molecules was found to be strongly dependent on the composition and the concentration of the catalysts used. Specifically, a catalyst mixture of CuCl/30% CuBr(2)/bpy with 23 mM CuCl was found to provide the optimal reaction condition to yield the fastest polymer film growth among the conditions tested.     

CuBr/PMDETA combined with triethanolamine as an economic and highly active catalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization

CuBr ligated with N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) is a common catalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). A catalyst/initiator ratio of 0.5–1 is generally required for most CuBr/PMDETA-catalyzed polymerizations, leading to high catalyst loading and high cost of post-polymerization purification. In this work, triethanolamine is found to drastically improve the catalytical performance of CuBr/PMDETA and the strong promotion effects of triethanolamine on ATRP of methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) have been investigated. In the presence of triethanolamine, the catalyst loading of CuBr/PMDETA is substantially reduced from a normal catalyst/initiator ratio of 1 to 0.01, 0.05 and 0.05 respectively in the polymerization of MA, MMA and St. As CuBr/PMDETA is one of the cheapest ATRP catalysts, the combination of CuBr/PMDETA with triethanolamine further markedly decreases the catalyst consumption and reduces the cost of post-purification for ATRP at large scales, and therefore is promising for potential industrial applications.     

Synthesis of a New Macroperoxy Initiator with Methyl Methacrylate and T-Butyl Peroxy Ester by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Copolymerization with Conventional Vinyl Monomers

In this study, we present the synthesis of poly-MMA macroperoxy initiators obtained by the ATRP of MMA with bromo methyl benzyl t-butyl peroxy ester (t-BuBP) as an initiator, and CuX (X:Br or Cl)/2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) as a catalyst system at 0, 20, 30 and 40°C. The peroxygen groups do not decompose during the ATRP reaction, because low reaction temperatures used for the ATRP reaction are not enough to decompose them. The peroxygen groups of poly-PMMA macroperoxy initiators can lead them to react with a monomer by using appropriate reaction conditions to obtain the block or graft copolymers. For this purpose, poly-MMA macroperoxy initiators were used to synthesize poly(MMA-b-S) block copolymers with S and used for graft copolymerization of polybutadiene (PBd) and natural rubber (RSS-3) to obtain crosslinked poly(MMA-g-PBd) and poly(MMA-g-RSS-3) graft copolymers. Swelling ratio values of the crosslinked graft copolymers in CHCl₃ were calculated. The characterizations of the polymers were achieved by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, GPC, DSC, SEM, and the fractional precipitation (γ) techniques. The reaction schemes were also performed using the HYPERCHEM 7.5 program. The mechanical properties of the products were investigated.     

A NOVEL PHOTO-INITIATING SYSTEM FOR ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE

A novel photo-induced initiating system, 2, 2 - dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA)/ferric tri(N,N-diethyl-dithiocarbamate) [Fe(DC)_3], was developed and used for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene intoluene. The polymerization proceeds with DMPA as photo-initiator, Fc(DC)_3 as catalyst and DC as a reversible transfergroup, while the halogen and ligands are free. Well-defined PSt was prepared and the polymerization mechanism revealed byend group analysis belongs to a reverse ATRP. Block copolymer was prepared by using thus obtained PSt as macroinitiatorand Fe(DC)_2 as catalyst under UV light irradiation via a conventional ATRP process.