Abstract
Polymers bearing the dibromomaleimide (DBM) group as a functional chain end have been synthesized by RAFT polymerization. A DBM functional chain transfer agent (CTA) was utilized to afford well-defined P tBA, PMA, and PTEGA, without the requirement of protecting group chemistry. It was found that RAFT polymerization of NIPAM and styrene with this CTA was severely retarded/inhibited which is ascribed to their relatively low propagation rate constants compared to acrylates. This observation is accounted for by a reversible trapping of propagating radicals by the DBM group in RAFT polymerizations using a monomer with low k p. However, further attempts to synthesize DBM-terminated P tBA and PMA by ATRP using an analogous initiator were unsuccessful, and broad PDI were observed. Furthermore, highly efficient postpolymerization functionalization of DBM-terminated PMA produced by RAFT, with the model compound thiophenol was also demonstrated.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 222-226 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | ACS Macro Letters |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |