RAFT Step-Growth Polymerization of Diacrylates

ACS Macro Lett. 2022 Sep 20;11(9):1079-1084. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00476. Epub 2022 Aug 19.

Abstract

RAFT step-growth polymerization was previously demonstrated with monomers that bear low rate of homopropagation to favor the chain transfer process; by contrast, acrylates are known to be fast homopropagating monomers, thereby posing serious challenges for RAFT step-growth. Here, we identified a chain transfer agent (CTA) that rapidly yields single unit monomer inserted (SUMI) CTA adducts with a model acrylate monomer. Using a bifunctional reagent of this CTA, we successfully demonstrated RAFT step-growth polymerization with diacrylates, yielding linear polymer backbones. Furthermore, we achieved inclusion of functionality (i.e., disulfide) into RAFT step-growth polymer via a disulfide incorporated bifunctional CTA. Grafting from this backbone resulted in molecular brush polymers with cleavable functionality in each repeat unit of the backbone, allowing selective degradation to afford well-defined unimolecular species of two polymeric side chains. Given the wide selection of commercially available diacrylates, RAFT step-growth polymerization of diacrylates will further enable facile synthesis of complex architectures with modular backbones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylates* / chemistry
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Disulfides
  • Polymerization
  • Polymers*

Substances

  • Acrylates
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Disulfides
  • Polymers