Polymerization of long chain [meth]acrylates by Cu(0)-mediated and catalytic chain transfer polymerisation (CCTP): High fidelity end group incorporation and modification

Athina Anastasaki, Christopher Waldron, Vasiliki Nikolaou, Paul Wilson, Ronan McHale, Timothy Smith, David M. Haddleton

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45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Cu(0)-mediated polymerization of lauryl (C12) and stearyl (C18) acrylate is reported under a range of reaction conditions. Good first order kinetics, a linear evolution of number average molecular weight (Mn) with conversion and dispersity (∼1.10) are observed. The polymerization of lauryl acrylate proceeds either homogenously or in a self-generated biphasic system, depending on the solvent employed, with little deviation in overall polymerization control. The near quantitative retention of ω-bromo end groups is exploited via nucleophilic thio-bromine substitution with thioglycerol to yield highly hydrophobic polymers with polar head groups. Modification is spectroscopically confirmed by both NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS. Highly ω-chain end functional methacrylic analogues have also been prepared by Co(ii) mediated catalytic chain transfer polymerisation (CCTP). Reactive vinyl groups at the ω-chain end of poly(lauryl methacrylate) have been targeted with thioglycerol for nucleophilic thio-Michael addition with quantitative modification possible.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4113-4119
Number of pages7
JournalPolymer Chemistry
Volume4
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

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