A Novel Bifunctional Trithiocarbonate for Styrene and Methacrylate RAFT Polymerization

Abstract

Abstract The synthesis of butane‐1,4‐bis(phenylacetonitrile trithiocarbonate) and its application as a new chain transfer agent for controlled radical polymerization is reported. It is a bifunctional trithiocarbonate for the polymerization of methacrylates, and styrenic monomers and therefore a novel type of RAFT agent. Linear growth of molar masses with conversion and narrow molecular weight distributions are obtained. ABA triblock copolymers are successfully synthesized in two steps. MALDI‐TOF MS and SEC prove the living character of the polymers and uniform growth of both functionalities. The pre‐equilibrium kinetics are analyzed by SEC to determine transfer coefficients. The P(GMA) blocks are used as precursor for polymer‐analogous reactions. magnified image