Triphenylphosphine as reducing agent for copper(II)-catalyzed AGET ATRP

Triphenylphosphine(TPP) was used as reducing agent to continuously generate the Cu(I) activator in copper(II)-catalyzed activators generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization(AGET ATRP). For example, the polymers prepared with a molar ratio of MMA]0/EBi B]0/Cu Cl2]0/PMDETA]0/TPP]0 = 500/1/0.1/0.5/0.5 had controlled molecular weights and low molecular weight distribution(Mw/Mn) values(~1.2). TPP as a commercial reducing agent provides a convenient copper-catalyzed AGET ATRP procedure for the preparation of well-defined polymers.