4,4′,4″-Tris(5-nonyl)-2,2′ : 6′,2″-terpyridine as ligand in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)

The bulk atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene or methyl acrylate was carried out in the presence of CuCl or CuBr complexed by equimolar amounts of 2,2′: 6′,2″-terpyridines (tpy) as ligands. Uncontrolled reactions were observed in the presence of unsubstituted ligands whereas relatively fast but controlled polymerization of styrene and methyl acrylate was observed for CuCl and CuBr complexed by tpy with three 5-nonyl substituents (tNtpy). Molecular weights evolved linearly with conversion and polymers with relatively low polydispersities were formed (M_w/M_n < 1.2).