Laser Single Pulse Initiated RAFT Polymerization for Assessing Chain‐Length Dependent Radical Termination Kinetics

Summary: A novel method combining RAFT polymerization with pulsed‐laser initiation for determining chain‐length dependent termination rate coefficients, k_t, is presented. Degenerative chain‐transfer in RAFT enables single‐pulse pulsed‐laser polymerization (SP‐PLP) traces to be measured on systems with a narrow radical distribution that remains essentially unchanged during the experiment. SP‐PLP‐RAFT experiments at different polymerization times allow for determining k_t as a function of chain length via classical kinetics assuming chain‐length independent k_t.

Single‐pulse pulsed‐laser polymerization trace for BMPT‐mediated RAFT polymerization of butyl acrylate.     

Rate Optimization in Controlled Radical Emulsion Polymerization Using RAFT

Summary: Means of improving rates in RAFT‐mediated radical emulsion polymerizations are developed, by setting out strategies to minimize the inhibition and retardation that always are present in these systems. These effects arise from the RAFT‐induced exit of radicals, the desorption of the RAFT‐reinitiating radical from the particles, and the specificity of the reinitiating radical to the RAFT agent. Methods for reducing the inhibition period such as using a more hydrophobic reinitiating radical are predicted to show a significant improvement in the inhibition periods. The time‐dependent behavior of the RAFT adduct to the entering radical and the RAFT‐induced exit (loss) of radicals from particles are studied using a previously described Monte Carlo model of RAFT/emulsion particles. It is shown that an effective way of reducing the rate coefficient for the exit of radicals from the particles is to use a less active RAFT agent. Techniques for improving the rate of polymerization of RAFT/emulsion systems are suggested based upon the coherent understanding contained in these models: the use of an oligomeric adduct to the RAFT agent, a less water‐soluble RAFT re‐initiating group, and a less active RAFT agent.

Populations of the different types of particles (left axis) along with the concentration of the initial RAFT agent, D_R (right axis), as a function of time.     

Design Criteria for Accurate Measurement of Bimolecular Radical Termination Rate Coefficients via the RAFT‐CLD‐T Method

The reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer chain length dependent termination (RAFT‐CLD‐T) technique allows a simple experimental approach to obtain chain‐length‐dependent termination rate coefficients as a function of conversion, k(x). This work provides a set of criteria by which accurate k(x) can be obtained using the RAFT‐CLD‐T method. Visualization of three‐dimensional plots varying all kinetic rate parameters and starting concentrations demonstrates that only certain combinations give an accurate extraction of k(x). The current study provides hands‐on guidelines for experimentalists applying the RAFT‐CLD‐T method.

     

Termination of Surface Radicals and Kinetic Analysis of Surface‐Initiated RAFT Polymerization on Flat Surfaces

si‐RAFT polymerization is widely used for surface modification. However, how the surface radicals terminate requires further elucidation. A kinetic model is developed for si‐RAFT via the R group approach. The model describes the molecular weight of grafted polymers as well as polymer layer thickness and various chain concentrations. It is shown that surface/surface radical termination plays an important role. The termination is facilitated by the migration of surface radicals through “hopping” and “rolling” mechanisms. “Hopping” occurs through activation/deactivation cycles between surface and solution chains, dependent on the RAFT concentration in solution. “Rolling” occurs through transfers between surface/surface chains, dependent on the grafting density at surface.

     

Mechanism of Dithiobenzoate‐Mediated RAFT Polymerization: A Missing Reaction Step

Summary: The debate on the mechanism of dithiobenzoate‐mediated RAFT polymerization may be resolved by including the reaction between a propagating radical and the star‐shaped combination product from irreversible termination into the kinetic scheme. By this step, a highly reactive propagating radical and a not overly stable three‐arm star species are transformed into the resonance‐stabilized RAFT intermediate radical and a very stable polymer molecule. The time evolution of concentrations is discussed for the main‐equilibrium range of CDB‐mediated methyl acrylate polymerization.

Illustration of the novel understanding of the RAFT mechanism in dithiobenzoate‐mediated RAFT polymerization.     

Determination of Addition and Fragmentation Rate Coefficients in RAFT Polymerization via Time‐Resolved ESR Spectroscopy after Laser Pulse Initiation

Summary: A method for simultaneous determination of both the addition and fragmentation rate coefficients of the RAFT equilibrium reactions is presented, which is based on laser single pulse initiation in conjunction with microsecond time‐resolved ESR spectroscopy. The build‐up and subsequent decay in concentration of the intermediate radical are measured and k_ad and k_β values are deduced from fitting the concentration versus time profiles to simple kinetic models.

Normalized ESR signal intensity vs. time after firing an initiating laser pulse in BMPT‐mediated butyl acrylate polymerization.     

Experimental Validation of Intermediate Termination in RAFT Polymerization with Dithiobenzoate via Comparison of Miniemulsion and Bulk Polymerization Rates

To understand if either of two controversial models for the retardation by RAFT agents is applicable, styrene polymerization using dithiobenzoate as the RAFT agent is carried out in both bulk and miniemulsion systems with the same rates of radical generation and the same RAFT agent concentrations. Miniemulsion polymerization with average diameters of the miniemulsion droplets of ≈107 nm is by far faster than in bulk, and the obtained rate of polymerization agrees well with the calculated results assuming a bimolecular termination between propagating radical and intermediate radical, generated by the addition reaction of propagating radical to the RAFT agent, which shows that the intermediate termination is the major reason for rate retardation by the RAFT agent.

     

SP–PLP–EPR Investigations into the Chain‐Length‐Dependent Termination of Methyl Methacrylate Bulk Polymerization

Termination kinetics of methyl methacrylate (MMA) bulk polymerization has been studied via the single pulsed laser polymerization–electron paramagnetic resonance method. MMA‐d₈ has been investigated to enhance the signal‐to‐noise quality of microsecond time‐resolved measurement of radical concentration. Chain‐length‐dependent termination rate coefficients of radicals of identical size, k, are reported for 5–70 °C and up to i = 100. k decreases according to the power‐law expression . At 5 °C, k_t for two MMA radicals of chain‐length unity is k = (5.8 ± 1.3) · 10⁸ L · mol⁻¹ · s⁻¹. The associated activation energy and power‐law exponent are: E_A(k) ≈ 9 ± 2 kJ · mol⁻¹ and α ≈ 0.63 ± 0.15, respectively.

     

Chain Transfer in Degenerative RAFT Polymerization Revisited: A Comparative Study of Literature Methods

Under the validity of the degenerative transfer mechanism, the activation/deactivation process in reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization can be formally quantified by transfer coefficients, depending on the chemical structure of the participating radicals and dormant species. In the present work, the different literature methods to experimentally determine these RAFT transfer coefficients are reviewed and theoretically re‐evaluated. The accuracy of each method is mapped for a broad range of reaction conditions and RAFT transfer reactivities. General guidelines on when which method should be applied are formulated.

     

Kinetic Aspects of RAFT Polymerization

In this short review, selected experimental approaches for probing the mechanism and kinetics of RAFT polymerization are highlighted. Methods for studying RAFT polymerization via varying reaction conditions, such as pressure, temperature, and solution properties, are reviewed. A technique for the measurement of the RAFT specific addition and fragmentation reaction rates via combination of pulsed-laser-initiated RAFT polymerization and µs-time-resolved electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy is detailed. Mechanistic investigations using mass spectrometry are exemplified on dithiobenzoic-acid-mediated methyl methacrylate polymerization.     

RAFT Miniemulsion Polymerization Kinetics, 1 – Polymerization Rate

The polymerization kinetics of a RAFT‐mediated radical polymerization inside submicron particles (30 < D_p < 300 nm) is considered. When the time fraction of active radical period, ϕ_A, is larger than ca. 1%, the polymerization rate increases with reducing particle size, as for the cases of conventional emulsion polymerization. The rate retardation by the addition of RAFT agent occurs with or without intermediate termination in zero‐one systems. For the particles with D_p < 100 nm, the statistical variation of monomer concentration among particles may not be neglected. It was found that this monomer‐concentration‐variation (MCV) effect may slow down the polymerization rate. An analytical expression describing the MCV effect is proposed, which is valid for both RAFT and conventional miniemulsion polymerizations.

     

RAFT‐Polymerization of Styrene up to High Pressure: Rate Enhancement and Improved Control

Summary: Application of high pressure, up to 2 500 bar, in cumyl dithiobenzoate‐mediated styrene reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations was found to be extremely advantageous with respect to both rate and control of polymerization. The overall rate of polymerization could be increased by a factor of approximately 3 with, e.g., at 23% conversion, concomitantly reducing the polydispersity indices from 1.35 to 1.10. No significant effect of increased pressure on the rate retardation effect was found.

SEC curves of polystyrene samples with identical peak molecular weights, generated by CDB‐mediated styrene bulk polymerization at 70 °C at 1 and at 2 000 bar.     

A Critical Survey of Dithiocarbamate Reversible Addition‐Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Agents in Radical Polymerization

This article provides a critical review of the properties, synthesis, and applications of dithiocarbamates Z′Z″NC(=S)SR as mediators in reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. These are among the most versatile RAFT agents. Through choice of substituents on nitrogen (Z′, Z″), the polymerization of most monomer types can be controlled to provide living characteristics (i.e., low dispersities, high end‐group fidelity, and access to complex architectures). These include the more activated monomers (MAMs; e.g., styrenes and acrylates) and the less activated monomers (LAMs; e.g., vinyl esters and vinylamides). Dithiocarbamates with balanced activity (e.g., 1H‐pyrazole‐1‐carbodithioates) or switchable RAFT agents [e.g., a N‐methyl‐N‐(4‐pyridinyl)dithiocarbamate] allow control MAMs and LAMs with a single RAFT agent and provide a pathway to low‐dispersity poly(MAM)‐block‐poly(LAM). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 216–227     

A Missing Reaction Step in Dithiobenzoate-Mediated RAFT Polymerization

The debate on the mechanism of dithiobenzoate-mediated RAFT polymerization may be overcome by taking the so-called “missing step” reaction between a highly reactive propagating radical and the three-arm star-shaped product of the combination reaction of an intermediate RAFT radical and a propagating radical into account. The “missing step” reaction transforms a propagating radical and a not overly stable three-arm star species into a resonance-stabilized RAFT intermediate radical and a stable polymer molecule. The enormous driving force behind the “missing step” reaction is estimated via DFT calculations of reaction enthalpies and reaction free enthalpies.     

Kinetics and Molecular Weight Development of Dithiolactone‐Mediated Radical Polymerization of Styrene

Calculations of polymerization kinetics and molecular weight development in the dithiolactone‐mediated polymerization of styrene at 60 °C, using 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and γ‐phenyl‐γ‐butirodithiolactone (DTL1) as controller, are presented. The calculations were based on a polymerization mechanism based on the persistent radical effect, considering reverse addition only, implemented in the PREDICI® commercial software. Kinetic rate constants for the reverse addition step were estimated. The equilibrium constant (K = k_add/k_‐add) fell into the range of 10⁵–10⁶ L · mol^?1. Fairly good agreement between model calculations and experimental data was obtained.

     

Continuous Reversible Addition‐Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization in Miniemulsion Utilizing a Multi‐Tube Reaction System

Summary: A unique, multi‐tube, continuous reactor has been successfully designed and implemented for the study of reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) in miniemulsions. Data collection is greatly enhanced by the ability to simultaneously collect samples at five different residence times. The results of a styrene homopolymerization show that kinetically, the reactor exhibits similar behavior to a batch reaction. Number‐average molecular weights increased linearly with conversion, typical of living polymerizations.

The number‐average molecular weight of the polymers produced in the tubular reactor increased linearly with conversion, indicative of a controlled polymerization.     

R‐RAFT approach for the polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide with a star poly(ε‐caprolactone) core

Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is a more robust and versatile approach than other living free radical polymerization methods, providing a reactive thiocarbonylthio end group. A series of well‐defined star diblock [poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)]₄ (SPCLNIP) copolymers were synthesized by R‐RAFT polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) using [PCL‐DDAT]₄ (SPCL‐DDAT) as a star macro‐RAFT agent (DDAT: S‐1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(α, α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid) trithiocarbonate). The R‐RAFT polymerization showed a controlled/“living” character, proceeding with pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. All these star polymers with different molecular weights exhibited narrow molecular weight distributions of less than 1.2. The effect of polymerization temperature and molecular weight of the star macro‐RAFT agent on the polymerization kinetics of NIPAAm monomers was also addressed. Hardly any radical–radical coupling by‐products were detected, while linear side products were kept to a minimum by careful control over polymerization conditions. The trithiocarbonate groups were transferred to polymer chain ends by R‐RAFT polymerization, providing potential possibility of further modification by thiocarbonylthio chemistry. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

The reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer process and the strength and limitations of modeling: Comment on “the magnitude of the fragmentation rate coefficient”

There is appreciable uncertainty concerning the magnitude of the fragmentation rate coefficient of the intermediate radical in reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. A large proportion of the experimental and theoretical evidence suggests that it is a stable species with a lifetime longer than 0.0001 s. This is particularly the case when the intermediate macro‐RAFT radical is stabilized by a phenyl group attached to the radical center or has a poor leaving group. Although the occurrence to some extent of irreversible termination reactions cannot be excluded, we argue that such reactions are more likely to be a result of slow fragmentation of the intermediate macro‐RAFT radical. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2828–2832, 2003