Monophosphoniums as Effective Photoredox Organocatalysts for Visible Light-Regulated Cationic RAFT Polymerization

ACS Macro Lett. 2022 Sep 20;11(9):1073-1078. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00418. Epub 2022 Aug 19.

Abstract

Visible light-regulated metal-free polymerizations have attracted considerable attention for macromolecular syntheses in recent years. However, few organic photocatalysts show high efficiency and strict photocontrol in cationic polymerizations. Herein, we introduce monophosphonium-doped polycyclic arenes as an organic photocatalyst, which features the high tunability, broad redox window, long excited state lifetime, and excellent temporal control in the cationic reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of vinyl ethers. A correlation of the catalytic performance and the photophysical and electrochemical properties of photocatalysts is also discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cations / chemistry
  • Ethers*
  • Light*
  • Polymerization

Substances

  • Cations
  • Ethers