Solvent effects on the redox properties of Cu complexes used as mediators in atom transfer radical polymerization

Solvent effects on the redox properties of six Cu(I) complexes used as mediators in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) have been studied using cyclic voltammetry. The six ligands used were tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine, N-(n-propyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine, N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, 1,1,4,7,10,10-hexamethyl-triethylenetetramine, 2,2'-bipyridine, and 1,4,8,11-tetraaza-1,4,8,11-tetramethylcyclotetradecan. The solvents used were DMSO, DMF, MeCN, MeOH, IP, and BuOH. Significant solvent effects were observed and quantitatively analyzed in terms of Kamlet-Taft relationships. The resulting Kamlet-Taft equations were found to successfully describe the solvent effects and could thus be used as tools for the design of ATRP in new solvents. The solvent sensitivity of the different ligands and the nature of the solvent effects are also discussed to some extent.