Radical and Atom Transfer Halogenation (RATH): A Facile Route for Chemical and Polymer Functionalization

Abstract

This work demonstrates a new halogenation reaction through sequential radical and halogen transfer reactions, named as "radical and atom transfer halogenation" (RATH). Both benzoxazine compounds and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) have been demonstrated as active species for RATH. Consequently, the halogenated compound becomes an active initiator of atom transfer radical polymerization. Combination of RATH and sequential ATRP provides an convenient and effective approach to prepare reactive and crosslinkable polymers. The RATH reaction opens a new window both to chemical synthesis and molecular design and preparation of polymeric materials.

Keywords: atom transfer radical polymerization; benzoxazines; halogenation; radical reactions.