The importance of exchange reactions in controlled/living radical polymerization in the presence of alkoxyamines and transition metals

Abstract

The role of exchange reactions in controlled/living radical polymerizations is analyzed. Styrene polymerization in the presence TEMPO and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) catalyzed by transition metals (CuIIX2/2Bipy complex) are compared. ATRP proceeds approximately one order of magnitude faster than TEMPO‐moderated polymerization due to a higher stationary concentration of radicals and an equilibrium more shifted to the side of radicals. ATRP can provide better defined polymers with polydispersities down to Mw/Mn≈1.05. This fact can be ascribed to a faster deactivation process and a smaller contribution of side reactions. The polydispersities in both systems are defined by the relative rates of the deactivation and propagation processes. The rate constant of deactivation of growing polystyryl radicals by TEMPO is in the range of kd≈108 mol−1·L·s−1, which is substantially higher than the previously reported value.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1996
Source ID
10.1002/masy.19961110107

Entities

People

  • Krzysztof Matyjaszewski

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Polymer Science and Technology