SET-LRP in the Neoteric Ethyl Lactate Alcohol

Biomacromolecules. 2017 Oct 9;18(10):3447-3456. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01130. Epub 2017 Sep 27.

Abstract

Ethyl lactate (EtLa), a green and safe agrochemical solvent, is gifted with some properties that make it a good candidate for SET-LRP. It dissolves CuBr2, mediates an efficient disproportionation of CuBr in the presence of tris(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine (Me6-TREN), and is capable to dissolve both aqueous (polar) and hydrocarbon (nonpolar) soluble monomers and polymers. Here, we report that EtLa is an excellent solvent for the Cu(0) wire-catalyzed SET-LRP to produce both hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyacrylates that exhibit precise chain end functionality. These results will expand the table of SET-LRP solvents with a new green member of biological origin that is also biodegradable and, therefore, are expected to contribute to continue expanding the use of SET-LRP in the field of biomacromolecules, bioconjugates, and other biology and medicine related disciplines.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry
  • Alcohols / chemistry*
  • Bromides / chemistry
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Lactates / chemistry*
  • Polymerization
  • Solvents / chemical synthesis*

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Alcohols
  • Bromides
  • Free Radicals
  • Lactates
  • Solvents
  • cupric bromide
  • carbopol 940
  • Copper
  • ethyl lactate