Ambient Temperature “Flash” SARA ATRP of Methyl Acrylate in Water/Ionic Liquid/Glycol Mixtures

Abstract

The supplemental activator and reducing agent atom transfer radical polymerization (SARA ATRP) of methyl acrylate (MA) in DMSO/BMIM-PF6/glycol mixtures (DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; BMIM-PF6, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) near room temperature (30 °C), using different SARA agents, is reported. The unusual “hyperpolarity” effect within the solvent mixture allowed very fast and controlled polymerizations (Đ < 1.1) during the entire reaction time. Remarkably, the replacement of DMSO by water in the reaction mixture led to a “flash” polymerization with monomer conversion reaching 92% in only 11 min (degree of polymerization, 222), yet still affording good control over the polymerization.