Synthesis and characterizations of 1,2,3-triazole containing polymers via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

A novel monomer containing triazole and naphthalene ring, 2-(1-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl)-ethyl methacrylate (NTEMA), was designed and synthesized via “click” chemistry method. The RAFT polymerization of NTEMA was successfully carried out using 2-cyanoprop-2-yl dithiobenzoate (CPDB) as a RAFT agent, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution. The results showed that the polymerizations exhibited “living”/controlled characteristics. The obtained poly(2-(1-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl)-ethyl methacrylate) homopolymers, PNTEMAs, were further coordinated with samarium ion to prepare rare earth containing polymers (PNTEMA-Sm(III) complexes) which were characterized by FT-IR, DSC and ICP-AES. The characterization data confirmed that triazole in side chain of the polymer could coordinate with Sm(III). The fluorescence property of the polymers and polymer Sm(III) complexes were investigated in solution and in film.     

Synthesis and characterization of graft copolymers based on polyepichlorohydrin via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

In this study, synthesis of poly(epichlorohydrin-g-methyl methacrylate) graft copolymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was reported. For this purpose, epichlorohydrin was polymerized by using HNO₃ via cationic ring-opening mechanism. A RAFT macroinitiator (macro-RAFT agent) was obtained by the reaction of potassium ethyl xanthogenate and polyepichlorohydrin. The graft copolymers were synthesized using macro-RAFT agent as initiator and methyl methacrylate as monomer. The synthesis of graft copolymers was conducted by changing the time of polymerization and the amount of monomer-initiator concentration that affect the RAFT polymerization. The effects of these parameters on polymerization were evaluated via various analyses. The characterization of the products was determined using ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and fractional precipitation techniques. The block lengths of the graft copolymers were calculated by using ¹H-NMR spectrum. It was observed that the block length could be altered by varying the monomer and initiator concentrations.     

An oxygen-tolerant photo-induced metal-free reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

We report herein a visible light-induced metal-free living polymerization with high oxygen tolerance that can be performed in aqueous media. In contrast with ordinary living/controlled radical polymerizations, oxygen can be present throughout the entire reaction process. This reaction can be photo-induced and proceeds at room temperature. First, we have successfully synthesized a well-defined polymer in an ambient atmosphere by the photo-induced radical polymerization method, using acrylic acid as a monomer and fluorescein as a photocatalyst. However, the subsequent chain extension reaction did not occur, possibly due to oxidation of the chain transfer agent (CTA). Despite this, we found that the addition of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) imparted the process with oxygen tolerance. We conducted a systematic study to optimize the best concentrations of the key reagents including the monomer, CTA, fluorescein, and vitamin C. Through these optimizations we were able to synthesize in the presence of oxygen a series of well-defined poly(acrylic acid)s (PAAs) with dispersities (Ð) below 1.3 and molecular weights that closely matched the theoretical values. The kinetic study showed that the molecular weight of the produced PAA increased linearly with the conversion of the monomer, and chain extension reaction also yielded a block polymer with a higher molecular weight than that of the previous polymer. Therefore, we developed a novel photo-induced living polymerization method that can be conducted both in the absence of oxygen and in the presence of air. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2437–2444     

Synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers via ring opening polymerization and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

Amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized via a dual initiator chain transfer agent (inifer) that successfully initiated the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of l -lactide (LLA) and subsequently mediated the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (PEGEEMA). The formation of each polymer block was confirmed using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as gel permeation chromatography, and comprehensive kinetics studies provide valuable insights into the factors influencing the synthesis of well-defined block copolymers. The effect of monomer concentration, reaction time, and molar ratios of inifer to catalyst on the ROP of LLA are discussed, as well as the ability to produce poly(lactide) blocks of different molecular weights. The synthesis of hydrophilic PPEGEEMA blocks was also monitored via kinetics to provide a better understanding of the role the chain transfer agent plays in facilitating the complex and sterically demanding RAFT polymerization of PEGEEMA.     

可逆加成-断裂链转移自由基聚合研究进展

综述了活性/可控自由基聚合中的可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)自由基聚合研究进展;总结了RAFT试剂、RAFT聚合反应条件、RAFT聚合物及其结构形貌的最新研究进展;指出RAFT自由基聚合反应已被作为重要方法之一用于合成具有特定分子结构的聚合物.     

RAFT聚合法合成甲基丙烯酸酯共聚物及其在负性光致抗蚀剂中的应用

以甲基丙烯酸(MAA)、甲基丙烯酸苄基酯(BZMA)、甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯(HEMA)和丙烯酸正丁酯(BA)为共聚单体,偶氮二异丁腈(AIBN)为引发剂,2-(十二烷基三硫代碳酸酯基)-2-甲基丙酸(DMP)为链转移试剂,采用可逆加成-断裂链转移聚合(RAFT)制备了甲基丙烯酸酯共聚物(PMBBH)。利用傅立叶红外光谱(FT-IR)、核磁共振氢谱(¹HNMR)和凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)对共聚物的结构进行了表征。以共聚物PMBBH为基体树脂制备了负性光致抗蚀剂,考察了PMBBH的分子量对光致抗蚀剂分辨率的影响。结果表明,以数均分子量为5.45×10³ g/mol,重均分子量为7.79×10³ g/mol的PMBBH-2作为基体树脂时,该光致抗蚀剂得到的图像轮廓清晰,图形分辨率可达50 μm。     

Synthesis of polystyrene-styrene/butadiene diblock copolymers via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer miniemulsion polymerization

<正>Polystyrene-styrene/butadiene diblock copolymers were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerization.During the polymerization process,the molecular weight distribution was narrow and the numerical molecular weight of the copolymers increased with increasing conversion of monomers,which was close to the theoretical.FT-IR and ~1H NMR results indicated that the microstructure of the polymer was mainly 1,4-trans-butadiene with small amount of 1,2-units,and composition in the copolymers was obtained.     

Synthesis of orthogonally addressable block copolymers via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and subsequent chemoselective postmodification

This article describes the synthesis of bifunctional block copolymers (BCPs) of type 4 bearing orthogonally reactive backbone substituents such as 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropoxycarbonyl groups as active esters and α‐hydroxyalkylphenylketones (2‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one) as additional photoactive moieties via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. As monomers 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (HFIPA) and 2‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1‐(4‐vinyl)phenylpropan‐1‐one (HAK) are used. Controlled radical polymerization provides BCPs p(HFIPA)‐b‐p(HAK) with molecular weights (M_n) ranging from 15,000 to 37,000 g mol^?1 and low molecular weight distributions (PDI = 1.2–1.4). The incorporated HFIPA and HAK moieties are used for sequential chemoselective postmodification of 4 . The photoactive block of 4 can be functionalized through a nitroxide photoclick trapping reaction in the presence of functionalized nitroxides and the active ester moieties of the p(HFIPA)‐block are readily thermally amidated using various amines. Chemically modified polymers are characterized by NMR, FTIR, and GPC methods which reveal a high degree of postfunctionalization, typically >95% for both orthogonal processes. The chemically modified polymers feature a narrow molecular weight distribution. The process is successfully applied to the synthesis of a small polymer library and also to the preparation of homo and block polynitroxides using 4‐amino‐TEMPO as amine component in the transamidation reaction. The polynitroxides obtained are characterized by cyclic voltammetry, FTIR, and UV–vis spectroscopy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 52, 258–266     

Synthesis of zwitterionic block copolymers via RAFT polymerization

A series of poly [2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMA)-sodium acrylate (SA)] diblock copolymers were synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymerization exhibits controlled characters: well-controlled molecular weight, narrow molecular weight distribution, molecular weight increasing with polymerization time. The zwitterionic diblock copolymers show rich solution behaviors. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated the formation of micelles and reverse micelles of copolymers is affected by net charge density of copolymers. Microcalorimetry studies showed that the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) increases with incorporation of hydrophilic segments in buffer.     

Macromolecular design via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)/xanthates (MADIX) polymerization

Among the living radical polymerization techniques, reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates (MADIX) polymerizations appear to be the most versatile processes in terms of the reaction conditions, the variety of monomers for which polymerization can be controlled, tolerance to functionalities, and the range of polymeric architectures that can be produced. This review highlights the progress made in RAFT/MADIX polymerization since the first report in 1998. It addresses, in turn, the mechanism and kinetics of the process, examines the various components of the system, including the synthesis paths of the thiocarbonyl‐thio compounds used as chain‐transfer agents, and the conditions of polymerization, and gives an account of the wide range of monomers that have been successfully polymerized to date, as well as the various polymeric architectures that have been produced. In the last section, this review describes the future challenges that the process will face and shows its opening to a wider scientific community as a synthetic tool for the production of functional macromolecules and materials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43:5347–5393, 2005     

High-efficient surface tailoring via reverse atom transfer radical polymerization and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization in an aqueous system initiated by a monocenter redox pair

The commonly used multi-center initiation methods always lead to the formation of quantities of homopolymer in the surface tailoring based on reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. In this study, a monocenter redox pair constructed of silica bearing tert-butyl hydroperoxide groups and ascorbic acid (SiO₂-TBHP/AsAc) was applied to substitute the commonly used initiation method of R-supported RAFT grafting polymerization. All the propagating radicals were restricted on the surface of solid particles during the whole procedure theoretically, resulting in a higher grafting efficiency of 95.1% combined with the “controllable” feature at 10 h. This redox pair was also used to initiate the reverse ATRP in miniemulsion successfully with a grafting efficiency of 86.3% at 10 h. The grafting efficiency obtained under this monocenter initiation method was significantly higher than that of the frequently reported surface modification by reverse ATRP and RAFT polymerization. In addition, the high-efficient surface tailoring was traced and confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and other analysis tests. The advantage of this monocenter redox pair will open a new avenue for the potential “high-efficient” surface tailoring of various materials.     

Synthesis of transparent block copolymers consisting of poly(diisopropyl fumarate) and poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) segments by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization using trithiocarbonates as the chain transfer agents

The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) was carried out using ethyl 2-[[(dodecylthio)thioxymethyl]thio]-2-methylpropionate (T1) and 1,1′-(1,2-ethanediyl) bis[2-[[(dodecylthio)thioxymethyl]thio]-2-methylpropionate] (T2) as the monofunctional and difunctional chain transfer agents (CTAs) to synthesize poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) with a rigid chain conformation. The obtained PDiPF had a well-controlled molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and structure of the chain ends. Size exclusion chromatography and NMR measurements revealed an excellent introduction efficiency (84–98%) of the terminal trithiocarbonate group into the polymer chain end. They were available as the monofunctional and difunctional macro-CTAs to synthesize the AB and ABA block copolymers, respectively. While the well-controlled block copolymers were solely obtained by the polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate as the second monomer in the presence of PDiPF as the macro-CTA, the block copolymerization of DiPF using poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) as the macro-CTA failed. The trithiocarbonate group at the chain end was completely removed by the reaction with n-butylamine and it was valid for the improvement of the coloration and other optical properties of the transparent polymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2584–2594     

Isoprene polymerization via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

Until recently, the primary living radical polymerization method available for preparing polyisoprene was nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization, with reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization being applied only in a few cases within the last couple of years. We report here the preparation of polyisoprene by RAFT in the presence of the trithiocarbonate transfer agent S‐1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(r,r′‐dimethyl‐r′′‐acetic acid)trithiocarbonate and t‐butyl peroxide as the radical initiator. The kinetics of this polymerization at an optimized temperature of 125 °C and radical initiator concentration of 0.2 equiv relative to transfer agent have been studied in triplicate and demonstrate the living nature of the polymerization. These conditions resulted in polymers with narrow polydispersity indices, on the order of 1.2, with monomer conversions up to 30%. Retention of chain‐end functionality was demonstrated by polymerizing styrene as a second block from a polyisoprene macrotransfer agent, resulting in a block copolymer presenting a unimodal gel permeation chromatogram, and narrow molecular weight distribution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4100–4108, 2007     

Preparation,characterization, and chiral recognition of optically active polymers containing pendent chiral units via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

Optically active polymers bearing chiral units at the side chain were prepared via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/benzyl dithiobenzoate (BDB), using a synthesized 6‐O‐p‐vinylbenzyl‐1,2:3,4‐Di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐galactopyranose (VBPG) as the monomer. The experimental results suggested that the polymerization of the monomer proceeded in a living fashion, providing chiral group polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. The optically active nature of the obtained poly (6‐O‐p‐vinylbenzyl‐1,2:3,4‐Di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐galactopyranose) (PVBPG) was studied by investigating the dependence of specific rotation on the molecular weight of PVBPG and the concentration of PVBPG in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The results showed the specific rotation of PVBPG increased greatly with the decrease of the concentration of the PVBPG homopolymer. In addition, the effect of block copolymers of PVBPG on the optically active nature was also investigated by preparing a series of diblock copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)‐b‐PVBPG, polystyrene (PS)‐b‐PVBPG, and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)‐b‐PVBPG. It was found that both the homopolymer and the diblock copolymers possessed specific rotations. Finally, the ability of chiral recognition of the PVBPG homopolymer was investigated via an enantiomer‐selective adsorption experiment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3788–3797, 2007     

Monolithic poly(ethylhexyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) column with restricted access layers prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

The "living"/controlled radical polymerization has provided an opportunity in making a more homogeneous polymer, which is favorable for polymer-based monolithic column fabrication. To study its application in the preparation of separation material, a capillary poly(ethylhexyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolithic column has been synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The correlation between the synthetic conditions and the polymer structures and separation performance was studied. The result indicated RAFT-mediated reaction provides condition for creating polymers with narrower pore size distribution and higher column efficiency compared with traditional polymerization. The "living" property of the RAFT polymerization was further utilized to graft hydrophilic polymer on the surface of poly(ethylhexyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate). The hydrophilic chain modified monolithic column has both abilities of protein exclusion and small hydrophobic compound retention. The result indicated that RAFT polymerization can be used for making multifunctional material. The restricted access monolithic material synthesized by this method can be used in biological sample analysis with HPLC direct injection.     

Grafting polymer nanoshell onto the exterior surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles via surface reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) functionalities were anchored to the exterior surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) without changing the mesoporous structure, RAFT polymerization of styrene was subsequently conducted to graft polystyrene (PSt) onto the exterior surface of MSNs, forming a novel core-shell nanostructure with a mesoporous core and a polymer nanoshell. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the produced mesoporous core-shell nanostructure, the results showed that the thickness of the nanoshell increased with the increasing time of polymerization.     

Synthesis of well‐designed polymers carrying saccharide moieties via RAFT miniemulsion polymerization

Two hydrophobic vinyl saccharide monomers based on D ‐glucose and D ‐fructose were polymerized by employing the reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerization technique to prepare well‐designed glycopolymers. Three dithiobenzoate‐RAFT agents [S?C(Ph)S? R], 1‐phenylethyl dithiobenzoate (PED), 2‐phenylprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate (PPD), and 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate (CPD), were used to control the growth of polymer chains. The best results were obtained in the presence of the PPD‐RAFT agent and the formed polymers have polydispersity index's (PDI) lower than 1.15. Under adequate miniemulsion polymerization conditions, a glycopolymer with PDI of 1.1 and molecular weight of 5 × 10⁴ g/mol has been successfully synthesized in a short reaction time of 100 min. Furthermore, some block copolymers containing saccharide segment with butyl or methyl methacrylate were prepared. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of ω‐sulfonated polystyrene via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and postpolymerization modification

The synthesis of chain‐end sulfonated polystyrene [PS (ω‐sulfonated PS)] by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization followed by postpolymerization modification was investigated by two methods. In the first method, the polymer was converted to a thiol‐terminated polymer by aminolysis. This polymer was then sulfonated by oxidation of the thiol end‐group with m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m‐CPBA) to produce a sulfonic acid end‐group. In the second method, the RAFT‐polymerized polymer was directly sulfonated by oxidation with m‐CPBA. After purification by column chromatography, ω‐sulfonated PS was obtained by both methods with greater than 95% end‐group functionality as measured by titration. The sulfonic acid end‐group could be neutralized with various ammonium or imidazolium counter ions through acid–base or ionic metathesis reactions. The effect of the ionic end‐groups on the glass transition temperature of the PS was found to be consistent with what is known for PS ionomers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of methylene butyrolactone polymers from itaconic acid

Herein, we report the transformation of β‐monomethyl itaconate, an inexpensive and biorenewable alternative to petroleum feedstocks, to the high‐value monomer α‐methylene‐γ,γ‐dimethyl‐γ‐butyrolactone (Me₂MBL) through a selective addition strategy. This strategy is also applied to the synthesis of α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MBL, tulipalin A), a monomer that can be polymerized to give materials with desirable properties (high decomposition temperature, glass transition temperature, and refractive index). Subsequent polymerization of both Me₂MBL and MBL through reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization generates well‐defined poly(Me₂MBL) and poly(MBL) (PMBL). Physical characterization of poly(Me₂MBL) shows good physical properties comparable with known PMBL materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2730–2737     

Facile synthesis of comb,star, and graft polymers via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization has been shown to be a facile means of synthesizing comb, star, and graft polymers of styrene. The precursors required for these reactions were synthesized readily from RAFT‐prepared poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) and poly(styrene‐co‐vinylbenzyl chloride), which gave intrinsically well‐defined star and comb precursors. Substitution of the chlorine atom in the vinylbenzyl chloride moiety with a dithiobenzoate group proceeded readily, with a minor detriment to the molecular weight distribution. The kinetics of the reaction were consistent with a living polymerization mechanism, except that for highly crowded systems, there were deviations from linearity early in the reaction due to steric hindrance and late in the reaction due to chain entanglement and autoacceleration. A crosslinked polymer‐supported RAFT agent was also prepared, and this was used in the preparation of graft polymers with pendant polystyrene chains. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2956–2966, 2002