Perylene as a visible light photoredox catalyst for photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization of MMA

Abstract

The organic photocatalyst, perylene, was used to mediate photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) of methyl methhacrylate (MMA) under light irradiation in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 25°C with 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (CPADB) as chain transfer agent (CTA). Kinetic studies confirmed that the polymerization obeyed the first order kinetic m'odel. The production of PMMAs with a good control of molecular weights (M_n,GPC) and narrow polymer molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n) were obtained. It is found that well-controlled PET RAFT polymerization of MMA can be manipulated even with the amount of perylene decreasing to ppm level. No polymer was obtained in the absence of light irradiation, implying that the model of PET RAFT polymerization of MMA is an ideal light “on”-“off” switchable system. Furthermore, the speed of PET RAFT polymerization of MMA was also finely tunable by the external light irradiation intensity. The resultant PMMA macro-CTA was characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (¹H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The accessibility of the high end group fidelity was further demonstrated by chain extension experiments.     

Photoinduced ATRP of acrylonitrile with aniline as photoinitiator

Photo-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylonitrile (AN) was carried out at 25°C in N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) with aniline as photoinitiator. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with predictable average molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution was synthesized with 2-Bromopropionitrile (BPN) as ATRP initiator and FeCl₃·6H₂O/Triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) as the catalyst. The obtained kinetics showed that the photoinduced Fe-mediated ATRP of AN provided a route to synthesize well defined PAN with narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n). The living character of photoinduced Fe-mediated ATRP of AN was verified by the linear increase of molecular weights with monomer conversion and the molecular weights are in good agreement with the theoretic values. In addition, the chain extension experiments were successfully conducted under the same conditions. The periodic light on-off process was investigated for the photoinduced Fe-mediated ATRP of AN. The obtained PAN was characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography. The brominated PAN was used to perform chain-extension with AN as macroinitiator in order to verify the living nature of photoinduced ATRP of AN-Br.     

ATRP of MMA under 60Co γ‐irradiation at room temperature

In this work, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was successfully carried out at room temperature (25 °C) under ⁶⁰Co γ‐irradiation environment. The polymerization proceeded smoothly with high conversion (>90%) within 7 h. The polymerizations kept the features of controlled radical polymerization: first‐order kinetics, well‐predetermined number‐average molecular weights (M_n,GPC), and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.25). ¹H NMR spectroscope and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry confirmed that poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) chain was end‐capped by the initiator moieties. The Cu(II) concentration could reduce to 20 ppm level while keeping good control over molecular weights. This is the first successful example for the ATRP of MMA under ⁶⁰Co γ‐irradiation at room temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined ABC‐type triblock copolymers via atom transfer radical polymerization and stable free‐radical polymerization

An asymmetric difunctional initiator 2‐phenyl‐2‐[(2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidino)oxy] ethyl 2‐bromo propanoate ( 1 ) was used for the synthesis of ABC‐type methyl methacrylate (MMA)‐tert‐butylacrylate (tBA)‐styrene (St) triblock copolymers via a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and stable free‐radical polymerization (SFRP). The ATRP‐ATRP‐SFRP or SFRP‐ATRP‐ATRP route led to ABC‐type triblock copolymers with controlled molecular weight and moderate polydispersity (M_w/M_n < 1.35). The block copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography and ¹H NMR. The retaining chain‐end functionality and the applying halide exchange afforded high blocking efficiency as well as maintained control over entire routes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2025–2032, 2002     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of functional monomers employing Cu‐based catalysts at low concentration: Polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate

Initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization (ICAR ATRP) of an epoxide‐containing monomer, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), was successfully carried out using low concentration of catalyst (ca. 105 ppm) at 60 °C in anisole. The copper complex of tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine was used as the catalyst, diethyl 2‐bromo‐2‐methylmalonate as the initiator, and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as the reducing agent. When moderate degrees of polymerization were targeted (up to 200), special purification of the monomer, other than removal of the polymerization inhibitor, was not required to achieve good control. To synthesize well‐defined polymers with higher degrees of polymerization (600), it was essential to use very pure monomer, and polymers of molecular weights exceeding 50,000 g mol^?1 and M_w/M_n = 1.10 were prepared. The developed procedures were used to chain‐extend bromine‐terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) macroinitiator prepared by activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) ATRP. The Sn^II‐mediated ARGET ATRP technique was not suitable for the polymerization of GMA and resulted in polymers with multimodal molecular weight distributions. This was due to the occurrence of epoxide ring‐opening reactions, catalyzed by Sn^II and Sn^IV. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

A novel azo‐containing dithiocarbamate used for living radical polymerization of methyl acrylate and styrene

A novel azo‐containing dithiocarbamate, 1‐phenylethyl N,N‐(4‐phenylazo) phenylphenyldithiocarbamate (PPADC), was successfully synthesized and used to mediate the polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and styrene (St). In the presence of PPADC, the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was well controlled in the case of MA, however, the slightly ill‐controlled in the case of St. Interestingly, the polymerization of St could be well‐controlled when using PPADC as the initiator in the presence of CuBr/PMDETA via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. In the cases of RAFT polymerization of MA and ATRP of St, the kinetic plots were both of first‐order, and the molecular weight of the polymer increased linearly with the monomer conversion while keeping the relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n). The molecular weight of the polymer measured by gel permeation chromatographer (GPC) was also close to the theoretical value (M_n(th)). The obtained polymer was characterized by ¹H‐NMR analysis, ultraviolet absorption, FTIR spectra analysis and chain‐extension experiments. Furthermore, the photoresponsive behaviors of azobenzene‐terminated poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) and polystyrene (PS) were similar to PPADC. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5626–5637, 2008     

Living/controlled radical polymerization of styrene with a new initiating system: DCDPS/FeCl3/PPh3

The living/controlled radical polymerization of styrene was investigated with a new initiating system, DCDPS/FeCl₃/PPh₃, in which diethyl 2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐diphenylsuccinate (DCDPS) was a hexa‐substituted ethane thermal iniferter. The polymerization mechanism belonged to a reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. The polymerization was controlled closely in bulk (at 100 °C) or in solution (at 110 °C) with a high molecular weight and quite narrow polydispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.18 ∼ 1.28). End‐group analysis results by ¹H NMR spectroscopy showed that the polymer was ω‐functionalized by a chlorine atom, which also was confirmed by the result of a chain‐extension reaction in the presence of a FeCl₂/PPh₃ or CuCl/bipy (2,2′‐bipyridine) catalyst via a conventional ATRP process. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 101–107, 2000     

Living radical graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate to polyethylene film with typical and reverse atom transfer radical polymerization

Nickel‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and iron‐mediated reverse ATRP were applied to the living radical graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto solid high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) films modified with 2,2,2‐tribromoethanol and benzophenone, respectively. The number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of the free poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) produced simultaneously during grafting grew with the monomer conversion. The weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight ratio (M_w/M_n) was small (<1.4), indicating a controlled polymerization. The grafting ratio showed a linear relation with M_n of the free PMMA for both reaction systems. With the same characteristics assumed for both free and graft PMMA, the grafting was controlled, and the increase in grafting ratio was ascribed to the growing chain length of the graft PMMA. In fact, M_n and M_w/M_n of the grafted PMMA chains cleaved from the polyethylene substrate were only slightly larger than those of the free PMMA chains, and this was confirmed in the system of nickel‐mediated ATRP. An appropriate period of UV preirradiation controlled the amount of initiation groups introduced to the HDPE film modified with benzophenone. The grafting ratio increased linearly with the preirradiation time. The graft polymerizations for both reaction systems proceeded in a controlled fashion. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3350–3359, 2002     

2‐[(Diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyridine as ligand for iron‐based atom transfer radical polymerization

2‐[(Diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyridine (DPPMP) was successfully used as a bidentate ligand in the iron‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with various initiators and solvents. The effect of the catalytic system on ATRP was studied systematically. Most of the polymerizations with DPPMP ligand were well controlled with a linear increase in the number‐average molecular weights (M_n) versus conversion and relatively low molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.10–1.3) being observed throughout the reactions, and the measured molecular weights matched the predicted values. Initially added iron(III) bromide improved the controllability of the polymerization reactions in terms of molecular weight control. The ratio of ligand to metal influenced the controllability of ATRP system, and the optimum ratio was found to be 2:1. It was shown that ATRP of MMA with FeX₂/DPPMP catalytic system (X = Cl, Br) initiated by 2‐bromopropionitrile (BPN) was controlled more effectively in toluene than in polar solvents. The rate of polymerization increased with increasing the polymerization temperature and the apparent activation energy was calculated to be 56.7 KJ mol^?1. In addition, reverse ATRP of MMA was able to be successfully carried out using AIBN in toluene at 80 °C. Polymerization of styrene (St) was found to be controlled well by using the PEBr/FeBr₂/DPPMP system in DMF at 110 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2922–2935, 2008     

Synthesis of amphiphilic copolymer brushes: Poly(ethylene oxide)‐graft‐polystyrene

A well‐defined amphiphilic copolymer brush with poly(ethylene oxide) as the main chain and polystyrene as the side chain was successfully prepared by a combination of anionic polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The glycidol was first protected by ethyl vinyl ether to form 2,3‐epoxypropyl‐1‐ethoxyethyl ether and then copolymerized with ethylene oxide by the initiation of a mixture of diphenylmethylpotassium and triethylene glycol to give the well‐defined polymer poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐2,3‐epoxypropyl‐1‐ethoxyethyl ether); the latter was hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, and then the recovered copolymer of ethylene oxide and glycidol {poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐glycidol) [poly(EO‐co‐Gly)]} with multiple pending hydroxymethyl groups was esterified with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to produce the macro‐ATRP initiator [poly(EO‐co‐Gly)_(ATRP). The latter was used to initiate the polymerization of styrene to form the amphiphilic copolymer brushes. The object products and intermediates were characterized with ¹H NMR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared, and size exclusion chromatography in detail. In all cases, the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer brushes was rather narrow (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight < 1.2), and the linear dependence of ln[M₀]/[M] (where [M₀] is the initial monomer concentration and [M] is the monomer concentration at a certain time) on time demonstrated that the styrene polymerization was well controlled. This method has universal significance for the preparation of copolymer brushes with hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) as the main chain. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4361–4371, 2006     

A Breathing Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization: Fully Oxygen‐Tolerant Polymerization Inspired by Aerobic Respiration of Cells

The first well‐controlled aqueous atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) conducted in the open air is reported. This air‐tolerant ATRP was enabled by the continuous conversion of oxygen to carbon dioxide catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOx), in the presence of glucose and sodium pyruvate as sequential sacrificial substrates. Controlled polymerization using initiators for continuous activator regeneration (ICAR) ATRP of oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate (OEOMA, M_n=500) yielded polymers with low dispersity (1.09≤?≤1.29) and molecular weights (MWs) close to theoretical values in the presence of pyruvate. Without added pyruvates, lower MWs were observed due to generation of new chains by H₂O₂ formed by reaction of O₂ with GOx. Successful chain extension of POEOMA₅₀₀ macroinitiator with OEOMA₃₀₀ (?≤1.3) and Bovine Serum Albumin bioconjugates (?≤1.22) confirmed a well‐controlled polymerization. The reactions in the open air in larger scale (25 mL) were also successful.     

Near‐Infrared Sensitized Photoinduced Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) with a Copper(II) Catalyst Concentration in the ppm Range

NIR‐sensitized photoinduced atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is possible by using ppm of Cu^II/tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA) as the catalyst, a polymethine as the photosensitizer, and α‐bromophenylacetate as the alkyl halide initiator. Among the polymethines investigated with cationic, zwitterionic, or anionic structures, only the zwitterionic 2 exhibited sensitization activity under NIR light at room temperature resulting in the formation of polymers with controlled molecular weight characteristics and functionalities. The barbital group placed at the meso‐position of 2 caused the activity in this photo‐ATRP framework. The chain‐end fidelity of the polymers was confirmed by chain extension and block copolymerization experiments. The polymerization system exhibits high photostability under NIR light exposure and irradiation dependency as demonstrated by light on/off experiments.     

Photoirradiated Fe-Mediated AGET ATRP of Methyl Methacrylate in the Presence of Alcohol

In this study, photoirradiated Fe-mediated AGET (activators generated by electron transfer) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated at ambient temperature in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) using carbon tetrachloride as initiator, FeCl₃·6H₂O/bipyridine (Bpy) as catalyst complex, and alcohol as reducing agent. Linear semi-logarithmic plot of conversion vs. time was obtained from the kinetic experiments, and the number-average molecular weight increased linearly with monomer conversion and corresponded to the theoretic values with molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n) as low as 1.25, which agreed with the character of controlled/living polymerization. The kinds of alcohol played an important role in photoirradiated Fe-mediated AGET ATRP of MMA. The living characteristics were demonstrated through chain extension experiment. The obtained polymer was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gel permeation chromatography.     

Synthesis of well‐defined polyacrylonitrile by ICAR ATRP with low concentrations of catalyst

Acrylonitrile (AN) was polymerized by initiators for continuous activator regeneration (ICAR) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The effect of the ligand, tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA) and N,N,N',N'‐tetrakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN), in the Cu‐based catalyst, the amount of catalyst, several alkyl halide initiators, targeted degree of polymerization, and amount of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) added were studied. It was determined that the best conditions utilized 50 ppm of CuBr₂/TPMA as the catalyst and 2‐bromopropionitrile (BPN) as the initiator. This combination resulted in 46% conversion in 10 h and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with the narrowest molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.11–1.21). Excellent control was maintained after lowering the catalyst loading to 10 ppm, with 56% conversion in 10 h, experimental molecular weight closely matching the theoretical value, and low dispersity (M_w/M_n < 1.30). Catalyst loadings as low as 1 ppm still provided well‐controlled polymerizations of AN by ICAR ATRP, with 65% conversion in 10 h and PAN with relatively low dispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.41). High chain end functionality (CEF) was confirmed via ¹H NMR analysis, for short PAN chains, and via clean chain extensions with n‐butyl acrylate (BA). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1961–1968     

“LIVING”/CONTROLLED RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYL METHYLACRYLATE WITH 2,2’-AZOBISISOBUTYRONITRILE/FERRIC CHLORIDE/TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE INITIATION SYSTEM

"Living"/controlled radical polymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) was carried out with a 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/ferric chloride (FeCl_3)/triphenylphosphine (PPh_3) initiation system at 85℃. Thc numberaverage molecular weight (M_n) increases linearly with monomer conversion and the rate of polymerization is first order withrespect to monomer concentration. The M_w of PEMA ranges from 3900 to 17600 and the polydispersity indices are quitenarrow (1.09～1.22). The conversion can reach up to～100% and M_w of the polymers obtained is close to that designed. Thepolymerization mechanism belongs to the reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymer was end-functionalized by chlorine atom, which acts as a macroinitiator to proceed extension polymerization in the presence ofCuBr/bipy catalyst system via an ATRP process. The presence of ω-chlorine in the PEMA obtained was identified by ~1H-NMR spectrum.     

First example of an unsymmetrical difunctional monomer polymerizable by two living/controlled methods

In this paper the synthesis and (co)polymerizations of 4‐(acryloyloxy)‐ε‐caprolactone are reported. This new monomer can be polymerized in a living/controlled way by two different polymerization mechanisms; atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP). ATRP, which was carried out at 90°C using NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂, leads to new polyacrylates containing pendant caprolactone functionalities with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n ˜1.1). Alternatively, ROP of this functional ε‐caprolactone bearing a pendant acrylate functionality leads to new poly(4‐(acryloyloxy) caprolactone) as well as random copolymers when ε‐caprolactone and L,L‐lactide are added as comonomers. The (co)polymerizations were carried out using either Al(OⁱPr)₃ in toluene at 25°C or Sn(Oct)₂ as a catalyst at 110°C producing (co)polymers with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n ˜ 1.2). As a potential application, the introduction of acrylate pendant groups into the polyesters facilitated the preparation of cross‐linked biodegradable materials either thermally or by irradiation with ultraviolet light radical curing.     

三嵌段共聚物PS-PHB-PS的原子转移自由基聚合

为了克服聚β-羟基丁酸酯(PHB)的弱点, 得到性能良好的新材料, 本文利用原子转移自由基聚合方法, 以Br-PHB-Br为大分子引发剂, 苯乙烯为单体, 在CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″-五甲基–二乙基三胺(PMDETA)催化体系作用下合成了一种新的三嵌段共聚物聚苯乙烯-聚β-羟基丁酸酯-聚苯乙烯(PS-PHB-PS). 共聚物的链结构利用¹H NMR和¹³C NMR进行了表征, 分子量特性和链段组成利用凝胶渗透色谱(SEC)方法进行了测定. 聚合物的分子量随单体转化率的增加而线性增加, 分子量分布指数相对较窄. 这些特征都满足原子转移自由基活性聚合的理想要求. 所得到的共聚物PS-PHB-PS具有较好的生物相容性, 与PHB相比具有良好的耐热性.     

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Azobenzene Functionalized Branched-Type Copolymer Based on Branched Poly(2-(Dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) and Investigation of Its Drug Release Properties

Here, we reported the synthesis of branched poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) via a combination of activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) and self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) techniques. The typical linear kinetics of the AGET ATRP of DMAEMA with the initiation of 2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy) ethyl methacrylate (BIEM) was observed. The molecular weight (M_n ) of the branched PDMAEMA increased with the monomer conversion. The GPC traces of these polymers were unimodal and the molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n ) were in the range of 1.30–2.10. The degree of branching (DB) determined by NMR spectra agreed with theoretical value. The branched amphiphilic copolymer functionalized with azobenzene was then prepared via AGET ATRP chain-extension of branched PDMAEMA with azobenzene monomer, 6-[4-(4-methoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyl(meth)acrylate as the second monomer. The GPC traces of these branched copolymers showed the mono-peaks, which proved the successful preparation of copolymers. The properties of this branched copolymer in controlling drug release were also investigated. It was found that the drug release rate of chlorambucil can be controlled by various factors, such as polymer structure, light, temperature and pH values.     

Synthesis of densely branched poly(methyl methacrylate)s via ATR copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate

Densely branched poly(methyl methacrylate)s have been synthesized by copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) using atom transfer free radical polymerization (ATRP). By employing the phenyl and benzyl esters of 2-bromo-2-methylpropionic acid as the initiators with 2,2-bipyridyl and Cu(I)Cl it has been possible to use high field ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to evaluate in some detail the composition and structure of the branched PMMAs obtained. Parallel molar mass size exclusion chromatographic analysis using a multi-angle light scattering detector with a refractive index detector (MALS/SEC) has allowed the branched architecture of the products to be confirmed. Rather remarkably, high yields of branched PMMAs can be obtained without crosslinking using MMA/EGDMA molar feed ratios of up to 5/1 by appropriate adjustment of the molar feed of initiator. In particular by maintaining the EGDMA/initiator molar feed ratio ∼1/1 fully soluble products can be obtained that are densely branched since this feed ratio ensures that on average each living primary chain initiated contains on average only one branching EGDMA segment. As might be expected this controlled free radical process offers better control in the synthesis of branched polymer than the corresponding system we have reported using conventional free radical polymerization, and unlike the latter which requires the use of a chain transfer agent, the ATRP system requires no additional chain regulating component. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2375–2386, 2007     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FOUR-ARMED BLOCK POLY(STYRENE-b-p-NITROPHENYL METHACRYLATE)PREPARED BY THE ATRP METHOD*

A novel tetrafunctional initiator, C [CH_2O (CH_2)_3 OOCCH(Br)CH_3]_4 (1), was synthesized through the reaction oftetraol with α-bromopropionyl chloride, and then was used as initiator of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in thepreparation of 4-armed polystyrene (PSt) with narrow polydispersity. The structure, molecular weight and molecular weightdistribution (MWD) of each arm were studied by ~1H-NMR and GPC data of hydrolyzed products of the 4-armed PSt. TheATRP of St using 1/CuBr/bpy as initiator system is of "living" character based on the following evidence: narrow MWD,constant concentration of chain radical during the polymerization, control of molecular weight by the molar ratio of monomerconsumed to 1. The 4-armed poly(St-b-p-nitrophenyl methacrylate) [poly(St-b-NPMA)] was prepared by the ATRP ofNPMA using 4-armed PSt with terminal bromine as the initiator, and characterized by FT-IR, ~1H-NMR spectra and GPCcurves. The micelles with PSt as core, and PNPMA as shell were formed by dropping DMSO into a solution of 4-armedpoly(St-b-NPMA) in DMF, as proved by laser light scatter (LLS) method.