Controlled Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Catalyzed by Hybrid Supported Iron Catalyst

A supported iron catalyst, which was prepared by anchoring FeCl2/FeCl3 on the cross-linking macroporous polyacrylate ion exchange resin, was evaluated via the controlled radical polymerization. When a small amount of CuCl2/Me6TREN was added, the controllability of the polymerization over the iron-mediated catalyst was significantly improved(Mw/Mn=1.23-1.73), affording a polymer with a low residual metal via a simple catalyst separation procedure. After suitable regeneration, the supported iron catalyst could also be recycled. UV-Vis analysis showed that the additional copper catalyst could facilitate the radical deactivation process.