New Class of Alkoxyamines for Efficient Controlled Homopolymerization of Methacrylates

Abstract

Despite significant efforts, the design of alkoxyamines for polymerization of methacrylic monomers in a well-controlled fashion with good retention of the active chain ends remains a challenge. Herein, the facile synthesis of several alkoxyamines, which are capable of achieving this long sought-after goal, is reported. Controlled homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate is achieved as determined by a linear increase in molecular weight with conversion and first-order rate plots for various alkoxyamine concentrations. The versatility of the alkoxyamines is further exemplified by the ability to control the homopolymerization of styrene and by synthesis of a block copolymer of a second methacrylate in an efficient chain extension process.