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Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) can be carried out in the presence of cyanoisopropyl methyl trithiocarbonate [CH3SC(S)SC(CH3)2CN] and scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)3] to provide simultaneous RAFT-controlled (reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer controlled) molecular weight and molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn 95% conversion), Lewis acid-controlled tacticity (mm:mr:rr = 12:44:44 for a mole ratio Sc(OTf)3/MMA = 1:8.5 at 60 °C) and an enhanced rate of polymerization. The tacticities observed for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are similar to those observed with scandium triflate in the absence of the RAFT agent. The stability of dithiobenzoate RAFT agents [ZC(S)SR] in the presence of scandium triflate is strongly dependent on both the Z and R substituent. 2-(ethoxycarbonyl)prop-2-yl dithiobenzoate [PhC(S)SC(CH3)2CO2CH3] and the polymeric RAFT agent [PhC(S)S−(CH3)(CO2CH3)CH2−PMMA] appear relatively stable. However, cu...

SUMMARY: Factors affecting the choice of RAFT agent [RSC(Z) = S] for a given polymerization are discussed. For polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), tertiary cyanoalkyl trithiocarbonates provide very good control over molecular weight and distribution and polymerizations show little retardation. The secondary trithiocarbonate RAFT agents with R = CHPh(CN) also gives good control but an inhibition period attributed to slow reinitiation is manifest. Radical induced reduction with hypophosphite salts provides a clean and convenient process for removal of thiocarbonylthio end groups of RAFT-synthesized polymers. Two methods providing simultaneous control over stereochemistry and molecular weight distribution of chains formed by radical polymerization are reported. Polymerization of MMA in the presence of scandium triflate provides a more isotactic PMMA. A similar RAFT polymerization with trithiocarbonate RAFT agents also provides control and avoids issues of RAFT agent instability seen with dithiobenzoate RAFT agents in the presence of Lewis acids. RAFT polymerization of tetramethylammonium methacrylate at 45 °C provides a more syndiotactic PMMA of controlled molecular weight and distribution (after methylation; mm:mr:rr 2:21:77 compared to 3:35:62 when formed by bulk polymerization of MMA).

Free-radical polymerization in the presence of suitable addition−fragmentation chain transfer agents [SC(Z)S−R] (RAFT agents) possess the characteristics of a living polymerization (i.e., polymer products can be reactivated for chain extension and/or block synthesis, molecular weights are predetermined by RAFT agent concentration and conversion, narrow polydispersities are possible). Styrene polymerizations (110 °C, thermal initiation) were performed for two series of RAFT agents [SC(Z)S−CH2Ph and SC(Z)S−C(Me)2CN]. The chain transfer coefficients decrease in the series where Z is Ph > SCH2Ph ∼ SMe ∼ Me ∼ N-pyrrolo ≫ OC6F5 > N-lactam > OC6H5 > O(alkyl) ≫ N(alkyl)2 (only the first five in this series provide narrow polydispersity polystyrene ( trithiocarbonates ∼ dithioalkanoates > dithiocarbonates (xanthates) > dithiocarbamates. However, electron-withdrawing substituents on Z can enhance the...

Thermolysis provides a simple and efficient way of eliminating thiocarbonylthio groups from RAFT-synthesized polymers. The course of thermolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) prepared with dithiobenzoate and trithiocarbonate RAFT agents was followed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), 1H NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The weight loss profile observed depends strongly on the RAFT agent used during polymer synthesis. PMMA with a methyl trithiocarbonate end group undergoes loss of that end group at ~180°C, at least in part, by a mechanism believed to involve homolysis of the C–CS2SCH3 bond and subsequent depropagation. In contrast, PMMA with a dithiobenzoate end appears more stable. Only the end group is lost at ~180°C and the dominant mechanism is proposed to be a concerted elimination process analogous to that involved in the Chugaev reaction.