Synthesis,characterization, and thermal degradation of novel poly(2‐(5‐bromo benzofuran‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxoethyl methacrylate)

A novel methacrylate monomer containing benzofuran side group, 2‐(5‐bromo benzofuran‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxoethyl methacrylate (BOEMA), was synthesized from esterification reaction of 2‐bromo‐1‐(5‐bromo benzofuran‐2‐yl) ethanone with sodium methacrylate at 85°C in the presence of 1,4‐dioxane solvent. After characterization with Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR), its homopolymerization was carried out by free radical polymerization at 60°C in the presence of benzoyl peroxide initiator and 1,4‐dioxane solvent. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the synthesized novel polymer, poly(2‐(5‐bromo benzofuran‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxoethyl methacrylate) [poly(BOEMA)], was determined to be 137°C with differential scanning calorimetry technique. Thermal degradation kinetics of poly(BOEMA) was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis method at different heating rates with 5°C/min intervals between measurements. From dynamic measurements, the analysis of each process mechanism of Coats–Redfern and Van Krevelen methods showed that the most probable model for the decomposition process of poly(BOEMA) homopolymer agrees with the random nucleation, F₁ mechanism. The apparent decomposition activation energies of poly(BOEMA) by Kissinger's and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods in the studied conversion range were 188.47 and 180.13 kJ/mol, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of well‐defined polystyrene by radical polymerization using 1,1,2,2‐tetraphenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol/feCl3/PPh3 initiation system

Well‐defined polystyrenes with an α‐hydrogen atom and an ω‐chlorine atom end groups and narrow polydispersity (M_n = 2500–4200, M_w/M_n = 1.29–1.48) have been synthesized by a free radical polymerization process using a 1,1,2,2‐tetraphenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol (TPED)/FeCl₃/PPh₃ initiation system. The end groups were monitored by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. When the polymerization of styrenes in bulk carried out at 120°C and the ratio of [St]₀ : [TPED]₀ : [FeCl₃]₀ : [PPh₃]₀ was 200 : 1 : 4 : 12, the polymerization exhibited some living/controlled radical polymerization characteristics. The polymerization mechanism was proposed proceeding via a reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Because the polymers obtained were end‐functionalized by chlorine atoms, they were used as macroinitiators to proceed chain extension polymerization in the presence of CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridine catalyst system via a conventional ATRP process. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1607–1613, 2000     

Photo‐Induced atom transfer radical polymerization with nanosized α‐Fe2O3 as photoinitiator

Photo‐induced atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was achieved in poly(ethylene glycol)‐400 with nanosized α‐Fe₂O₃ as photoinitiator. Well‐defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was synthesized in conjunction with ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as ATRP initiator and FeCl₃·6H₂O/Triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) as complex catalyst. The photo‐induced polymerization of MMA proceeded in a controlled/living fashion. The polymerization followed first‐order kinetics. The obtained PMMA had moderately controlled number‐average molecular weights in accordance with the theoretical number‐average molecular weights, as well as narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n). In addition, the polymerization could be well controlled by periodic light‐on–off processes. The resulting PMMA was characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography. The brominated PMMA was used further as macroinitiator in the chain‐extension with MMA to verify the living nature of photo‐induced ATRP of MMA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42389.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐poly(L‐lactic acid)‐poly(methyl methacrylate) tri‐block copolymer

Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐poly(L ‐lactic acid)‐poly(methyl methacrylate) tri‐block copolymer was prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The structure and properties of the copolymer were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR), thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The kinetic plot for the ATRP of methyl methacrylate using poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) as the initiator shows that the reaction time increases linearly with ln[M]₀/[M]. The results indicate that it is possible to achieve grafted chains with well‐defined molecular weights, and block copolymers with narrowed molecular weight distributions. The thermal stability of PLLA is improved by copolymerization. A new wash‐extraction method for removing copper from the ATRP has also exhibits satisfactory results. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Investigation of microstructure of the N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/methyl methacrylate copolymers by NMR spectroscopy

The copolymers containing N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (V) and methyl methacrylate (M) units of different compositions were synthesized by free radical bulk polymerization. The copolymer composition of these copolymers was determined by CHN analysis. The distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT) technique was used to resolve the methine, methylene, and methyl resonance signals in the V/M copolymer. Comonomer reactivity ratios were determined by the Kelen–Tudos (KT) and nonlinear least‐square error‐in‐variable (EVM) methods. ¹H–¹³C Heteronuclear shift quantum correlation spectroscopy (HSQC) and ¹H–¹H homonuclear total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) spectra were used for the resolution of the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectrum of the V/M copolymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1328–1336, 2002     

Thermally activated polymerization behavior of bisphenol‐S/methylamine‐based benzoxazine

A bifunctional benzoxazine monomer, 6,6′‐bis(3‐methyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[e] [1,3]oxazinyl) sulfone (BS‐m), was synthesized from bisphenol‐S, methylamine, and formaldehyde via a solution method. The chemical structure of BS‐m was characterized with ¹H and ¹³C‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The ring‐opening polymerization reaction of BS‐m monomer was studied by FTIR, ¹³C solid‐state NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry. With the polymerization reaction proceeding, the intensities of the FTIR absorption peaks of CH₂, C? O? C, and C? N? C of the oxazine ring decreased gradually, and some of these absorption peaks disappeared. The shapes and intensities of the absorption peaks associated with benzene ring, sulfone group, and aromatic C? S bond changed in various ways. The changes in the solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR pattern, including chemical shifts, intensity of resonances, and line‐width, were observed from the spectra of BS‐m and the corresponding polybenzoxazine. The melting process of BS‐m overlapped with the beginning of the ring‐opening polymerization reaction. The polymerization kinetic parameters were evaluated for nonisothermal and isothermal polymerization of BS‐m. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Monomers for Adhesive Polymers 12 Synthesis and Free‐Radical Homo‐ and Copolymerization of 2‐Ethoxycarbonylallyl 5‐(1,2‐dithiolane‐3‐yl)‐pentanoate

The 2‐ethoxycarbonylallyl 5‐(1,2‐dithiolane‐3‐yl)‐pentanoate monomer (AODS) includes in its molecular structure C?C and S? S reactive bonds allowing it to behave as a bi‐functional monomer, possessing two groups, however, with different reactivity for use in polymer chain building. The polymerization‐specific features of this monomer are the absence of auto‐acceleration and polymer chain crosslinking. Polymerization proceeds readily through most free‐radical initiators. One exception, carboxy‐peroxides are rapidly decomposed without the production of free radicals. AODS is partially converted to a gel without the consumption of double bonds during monomer dissolution in certain organic solvents and after being mixed in solution with carboxy‐peroxides. The determined AODS‐co‐MMA copolymerization parameters are r₁ = 2.61, r₂ = 0.23 if Luperco peroxide is used as a polymerization initiator, and r₁ = 2.71, r₂ = 0.38 if AIBN is used.

     

Synthesis and photovoltaic device studies of azo‐linked low‐bandgap polymers

We report the synthesis of a series of new polymers containing azo linkage as a part of the main chain. The monomer 1,2‐bis(7‐bromo‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene was synthesized using a precursor approach which avoids non‐selective bromination and was copolymerized with various donor or acceptor units. The homopolymer poly[1,2‐bis(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene] ( P1 ) as well as the copolymers poly[1‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2‐(9,9,9′,9′‐tetraoctyl‐9H ,9′H ‐[2,2′‐bifluoren]‐7‐yl)diazene] ( P2 ), poly[1‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐7‐(4‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene] ( P3 ) and poly[4‐(7‐((9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)benzo[c ][1,2,5]thiadiazole] ( P4 ) were synthesized by Suzuki polymerization. The copolymers poly[1‐(7‐(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H ‐cyclopenta[1,2‐b :5,4‐b ′]dithiophen‐2‐yl)‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazene] ( P5 ) and poly[4‐(5‐(7‐((9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H ‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐4‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐7‐(4‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c ][1,2,5]thiadiazole] ( P6 ) were synthesized by direct arylation polymerization reaction. Polymers synthesized using the direct arylation method show good molecular weight, with absorption maxima in the range 500 to 532 nm. P5 and P6 possess low optical bandgaps of 1.81 and 1.86 eV, respectively. A power conversion efficiency of 0.53% with open circuit voltage of 0.53 V, short circuit current density of 3.1 mA cm^?2 and fill factor of 29% has been achieved with C71‐PCBM as acceptor in bulk heterojunction solar cells fabricated with P5 as donor. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Kinetics of azo‐initiated 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone polymerizations at low conversions in aqueous media

The free‐radical polymerization behavior of 1‐vinyl,2‐pyrrolidone (NVP) was studied at low conversions, using capillary dilatometry. The aqueous media were kept at neutral pH and the studies were conducted isothermally, at 40 or 45°C. The azo‐type initiators used were 4,4′‐azobis‐4‐cyanopentanoic acid (ACPA), 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AZBN), and 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane dihydrochloride] (ABDH). The monomer concentration and initiator concentration ranges were 1.17–2.34 mol L⁻¹ and 1–8 mmol L⁻¹, respectively. The rates of polymerization (R_p) and orders of reaction with respect to NVP and the initiator were evaluated and the kinetic equations were found to be R_p ∝ [NVP] [ACPA]^1.2; R_p ∝ [NVP] [AZBN]^1.1; and R_p ∝ [NVP]^2.2 [ABDH]^1.1. The polymers obtained were characterized by their viscosity numbers and correlation of the viscosity average molecular weights made with the type and amount of the azo initiator. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 239–246, 2000     

Living/controlled radical autopolymerization of styrene in the presence of CuCl2 and 2,2′‐bipyridine

The bulk autopolymerization of styrene (St) was successfully conducted in the presence of CuCl₂ and 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) at 110 and 130°C. We found that this polymerization was a living/controlled radical polymerization at a [St]₀/[CuCl₂]₀/[bpy]₀ ratio of 54:1:2.5. The resulting number‐average molecular weights linearly increased with conversion, and the polydispersity indices were very narrow (<1.5). The polymerization rate increased with temperature. Increasing the ratios (i.e., 129:1:2.5, 259:1:2.5, and 386:1:2.5) led to a decrease in the ability to control the autopolymerization of St, even uncontrolled polymerization (i.e., 643:1:2.5). The analysis of end groups by ¹H‐NMR indicated that the spontaneous generation of radicals from St were generated by a Mayo‐type process, and this living/controlled radical polymerization might have underwent a reverse atom‐transfer radical polymerization process. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1532–1538, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of novel rod–coil diblock copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) and liquid crystalline segments of poly(2,5‐bis[(4‐methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl] styrene)

Liquid crystalline diblock copolymers with different molecular weights and low polydispersities were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2,5‐bis[(4‐methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]styrene (MPCS) monomers. The block architecture (coil‐conformation of MMA segment and rigid‐rod of MPCS segment) of the copolymer was experimentally confirmed by a combination of ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatograph techniques. The liquid crystalline behaviour of the copolymer was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscope. It was found that the liquid crystalline behaviour was dependent on the number average molecular weight of the rigid segment. Only those copolymers with M_n(GPC) of the rigid block above 9200 g mol^?1 could form liquid crystalline phases higher than the glass transition temperature of the rigid block. The random copolymers MPCS‐co‐MMA were also synthesized by conventional free radical polymerization. The molar content of MPCS in MPCS‐co‐MMA had to be higher than 71% to maintain liquid crystalline behaviour. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Real‐time monitoring by proton relaxometry of radical polymerization reactions of acrylamide in aqueous solution

The potential of time‐domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD‐NMR) for the real‐time monitoring of solution radical polymerizations is demonstrated. A model system composed of a redox‐pair initiator system, acrylamide as monomer and water as solvent was investigated. A second‐generation continuous wave free precession technique was employed to measure the longitudinal relaxation time constant (T₁) of the samples throughout the polymerization reactions. This parameter was shown to be sensitive to the reactant feed free‐radical enhancement of the water molecule relaxation time, making it a good probe to monitor monomer conversion in real time in an automated, non‐destructive fashion. It was found that the T₁ value was better than the transverse relaxation time constant (T₂) for describing the evolution of the polymerization reactions, due to its greater sensitivity to paramagnetic effects. The TD‐NMR signal variation observed was linked to the formation, propagation and termination steps of the radical polymerization kinetics scheme. These first results may contribute to the application of real‐time monitoring of radical polymerization reactions employing low‐cost and robust TD‐NMR spectrometers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

One‐step synthesis of triarm block copolymers via simultaneous reversible‐addition fragmentation chain transfer and ring‐opening polymerization

One‐step synthesis of star copolymers by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) by using a novel dual initiator is reported. Triarm block copolymers comprising one polystyrene (or polyacrylamide) arm and two poly(β‐butyrolactone) arms were synthesized in one‐step by simultaneous RAFT polymerization of styrene (St) (or acrylamide, designated as AAm) and ROP of β‐butyrolactone (BL) in the presence of a novel trifunctional initiator, 1,2‐propanediol ethyl xanthogenate (RAFT‐ROP agent). This dual initiator was obtained through the reaction of 3‐chloro‐1,2‐propanediol with the potassium salt of ethyl xanthogenate. The principal parameters such as monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and polymerization time that affect the one‐step polymerization reaction were evaluated. The characterization of the products was achieved using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR), ¹³C‐nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C‐NMR), Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and fractional precipitation (γ) techniques. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

The reaction mechanism of diethyl‐2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐di(p,m‐dimethoxylphenyl) succinate with styrene

The radical polymerization of styrene (ST) can be initiated by diethyl‐2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐di(dimethoxyphenyl) succinate (ECPS). The reaction mechanism has been studied by means of UV, H¹‐NMR, product analysis, gel permeation chromatography, electronic spin resonance (ESR), and the conversion of monomer via time. These experimental results indicate that ECPS probably takes the place of complex with ST, and the complex interaction between ECPS and ST can take advantage of the dissociation of the C C bond. The complex interaction and thermal effect are the important factors causing the dissociation of C C bond. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1140–1145, 1999     

Ring opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone initiated by decamolybdate anion: Determination of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters by DSC and 1H‐NMR

The aim of this work is the kinetic and thermodynamic study (by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR)) of the polymerization of ε‐caprolactone initiated by ammonium decamolybdate. By means of isothermal kinetics, enthalpies of reaction in the range 150–160°C, as well as constant rates of polymerization (using an nth‐order kinetics function model), were determined. From an Arrhenius plot, activation energy (E_a = 85.3 kJ/mol) and preexponential factor (A = 1.78 × 10⁸ min^?1) were estimated. Using dynamic methods, crystallization and melting temperatures for the polymer obtained in situ were derived. Kinetic data for polymerization (obtained by ¹H‐NMR) were fitted to 13 different model reaction functions. It was found that power law equations represent better the conversion versus time plots for this system. On the basis of experimental facts, a coordination‐insertion mechanism involving molybdenum(V) species is proposed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Polymerization of 1,3‐dienes containing functional groups: 8. Free‐radical polymerization of 2‐triethoxysilyl‐ 1,3‐butadiene

The presence of a bulky substituent at the 2‐position of 1,3‐butadiene derivatives is known to affect the polymerization behavior and microstructure of the resulting polymers. Free‐radical polymerization of 2‐triethoxysilyl‐1,3‐butadiene ( 1 ) was carried out under various conditions, and its polymerization behavior was compared with that of 2‐triethoxymethyl‐ and other silyl‐substituted butadienes. A sticky polymer of high 1,4‐structure ( ) was obtained in moderate yield by 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)‐initiated polymerization. A smaller amount of Diels–Alder dimer was formed compared with the case of other silyl‐substituted butadienes. The rate of polymerization (R_p) was found to be R_p = k[AIBN]^0.5[ 1 ]^1.2, and the overall activation energy for polymerization was determined to be 117 kJ mol^?1. The monomer reactivity ratios in copolymerization with styrene were r ₁ = 2.65 and r_st = 0.26. The glass transition temperature of the polymer of 1 was found to be ?78 °C. Free‐radical polymerization of 1 proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding 1,4‐polydiene. The 1,4‐E content of the polymer was less compared with that of poly(2‐triethoxymethyl‐1,3‐butadiene) and poly(2‐triisopropoxysilyl‐1,3‐butadiene) prepared under similar conditions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polyethylene‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) diblock copolymers: synthesis and compatibility

A strategy is introduced for the synthesis of polyethylene‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) block copolymers by a combination of coordination polymerization and ring‐opening polymerization. First, end‐hydroxylated polyethylene (PE‐OH) was prepared with a one‐step process through ethylene/3‐buten‐1‐ol copolymerization catalyzed by a vanadium(III) complex bearing a bidentate [N,O] ligand ([PhN?C(CH₃)CHC(Ph)O]VCl₂(THF)₂). The PE‐OH was then used as macroinitiator for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone, leading to the desired nonpolar/polar diblock copolymers. The block structure was confirmed by spectral analysis using ¹H NMR, gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. The unusual topologies of the model copolymers will establish a fundamental understanding for structure–property correlations, e.g. compatibilization, of polymer blends and surface and interface modification of other polymers. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of polyrotaxanes comprising α‐cyclodextrins and poly(ε‐caprolactone) end‐capped with poly(butyl methacrylate)s

Biodegradable polyrotaxane‐based triblock copolymers were synthesized via the bulk atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA) initiated with polypseudo‐rotaxanes (PPRs) built from a distal 2‐bromoisobutyryl end‐capped poly(ε‐caprolactone) (Br‐PCL‐Br) with α‐cyclodextrins (α‐CDs) in the presence of Cu(I)Br/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine at 45 ºC. The structure was characterized in detail by means of ¹H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, DSC and TGA. When the feed molar ratio of BMA to Br‐PCL‐Br was changed from 128 to 300, the degree of polymerization of PBMA blocks attached to two ends of the PPRs was in the range 382 ? 803. Although about a tenth of the added α‐CDs were still threaded onto the PCL chain after the ATRP process, the movable α‐CDs made a marked contribution to the mechanical strength enhancement, blood anticoagulation activity and protein adsorption repellency of the resulting copolymers. Meanwhile, they could also protect the copolymers from the attack of H₂O and Lipase AK Amano molecules, exhibiting a lower mass loss as evidenced in hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation experiments. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and characterization of poly{[α‐maleic anhydride‐ω‐methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol)]‐co‐(ethyl cyanoacrylate)} copolymer nanoparticles

Poly{[α‐maleic anhydride‐ω‐methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol)]‐co‐(ethyl cyanoacrylate)} (PEGECA) copolymers were prepared by radical polymerization of macromolecular poly(ethylene glycol) monomers (PEGylated) and ethyl 2‐cyanoacrylate in solvent. The structures of the copolymer were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR). The morphology and size of the PEGECA nanoparticles prepared by nanoprecipitation techniques were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) methods. The results show that the PEGECA can self‐assemble into highly stable nanoparticles in aqueous media, and inner core and outer shell morphology. The size of the nanoparticles was strongly influenced by the solvent character and the copolymer concentration in the organic solvents. A hydrophobic drug, ibuprofen, was effectively incorporated into the nanoparticles, which provides a delivery system for ibuprofen and other hydrophobic compounds. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Studies on the preparation of branched polymers from styrene and divinylbenzene

The self‐condensing vinyl polymerization of styrene and an inimer formed in situ by atom transfer radical addition from divinylbenzene and 2‐bromoisobutyl‐tert‐butyrate using atom transfer radical polymerization technique was studied. To study the polymerization mechanism and achieve high molecular weight polymer in a high polymer yield, the polymerization was carried out in bulk at 80°C. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) were used to monitor the polymerization process and characterize the solid polymers. It is proved that the polymerization shows a “living” polymerization behavior and the crosslinking reaction has been restrained effectively due to the introduction of styrene. Polymers with high molecular weight (M_w.MALLS > 10⁵) can be prepared in high yield (near 80%). Comparison of the apparent molecular weights measured by GPC with the absolute values measured by MALLS indicates the existence of branched structures in the prepared polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007