The chemoenzymatic synthesis of AB-type diblock copolymers from a novel bifunctional initiator

A novel bifunctional initiator 2,2,2-trichloroethanol (TCE) is used for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of AB-type diblock copolymer polycaprolactone-block-polystyrene (PCL-b-PSt) by combination of two fundamentally different synthetic techniques: enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St). The kinetic study on the TCE-initiated enzymatic ROP of ε-CL in the presence of the biocatalyst Novozyme-435 was investigated. By optimization of the reaction conditions, TCE quantitatively initiated enzymatic ROP of ε-CL. Trichloromethyl-terminated PCL macromolecules prepared in this way were subsequently employed as macroinitiators in the ATRP of St using CuCl/2,2′-bipyridine as the catalyst system to afford well-defined AB-type diblock copolymers PCL-b-PSt. The kinetic analysis of ATRP indicated a ‘living’/controlled radical polymerization. The polymeric nanospheres were prepared by the precipitation method from two resulting PCL-PSt diblock copolymers with different content ratio of PSt to PCL. It was determined by DLS and AFM that two different diameter nanospheres had been obtained.     

Controlled polymerization of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl methacrylate

Well-defined homopolymer of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl methacrylate (TFPM) was successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. Controlled polymerization was achieved with the addition of CuBr₂ as deactivator, which decreased the reaction rate and minimized the premature termination. The controlled/“living” polymerization behavior was supported by kinetic studies and the full chain extension for block copolymerization with 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). Poly(TFPM) is an useful precursor for poly(methacrylamides) library syntheses. The active ester groups reacted with a variety of amines to produce a range of well-defined poly(methacrylamides), some of which would have been difficult to obtain by direct polymerizations of the methacrylamide monomers. Complete conversion to poly(methacrylamide) was achieved with unhindered primary amines. Substitution reactions with aromatic amines such as aniline did not occur under normal reaction conditions.     

Original route to polylactide–polystyrene diblock copolymers containing a sulfonyl group at the junction between both blocks as precursors to functional nanoporous materials

Novel functionalized nanoporous polymeric materials could be derived from poly(D,L-lactide)-block-polystyrene (PLA-b-PS) diblock copolymers with a sulfonyl group at the junction between both blocks were synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a synthetic difunctional initiator through a three-step sequential methodology. Different ω-bromo PLA polymers with various molar masses ranging from 3640 to 11,440 g mol⁻¹ were first produced by coupling ω-hydroxy PLA precursors to a chlorosulfonyl-functionalized ATRP initiator previously prepared, thus leading to the formation of suitable macroinitiators for the subsequent ATRP polymerization of styrene. Consequently, PLA-b-PS diblock copolymers were obtained with a finely tuned PLA volume fraction (f_PLA) in order to develop a microphased-separation morphology. The resulting copolymers as well as the intermediate compounds were carefully analyzed by size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR. Upon shear flow induced by a channel die processing, oriented copolymers were generally afforded as characterized by small-angle-X-ray scattering (SAXS). Such copolymers were finally submitted to mild alkaline conditions so as to hydrolyze the sacrificial PLA block, and the presence of the sulfonic acid functionality on the pore walls of the resulting nanoporous materials was evidenced by means of a post-modification reaction consisting in the corresponding sulfonamide formation.     

Amphiphilic multiarm star polylactide with hyperbranched polyethylenimine as core: A systematic reinvestigation

The Sn(Oct)₂ catalyzed polymerization condition of l-lactide (LLA) and racemic lactide (r-LA) using hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI) as the macroinitiator was optimized. Multiarm star polymers bearing PEI core and well-controlled poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) or poly(racemic lactide) (PDLLA) arms were successfully prepared under the optimized condition, including: (1) high concentration of Sn(Oct)₂ catalyst was required; (2) with respect to the polymerization of r-LA, the optimal temperature was in the range of 115–130 °C; (3) as for the polymerization of LLA, the optimal temperature was only around 130 °C. Model experiments demonstrated that secondary amine could also effectively initiate the Sn(Oct)₂ catalyzed polymerization of LA under the optimized condition, however, its initiation efficiency was usually a little less than 100%, unlike the primary amine and hydroxyl initiators. The results of Gel Permeation Chromatography demonstrated that the obtained multiarm star polymers with PDLLA arms had narrower dispersities than those with PLLA arms. Thermal analyses demonstrated that raising the arm numbers of the stars impaired their thermal stability a little. Stars with PDLLA arm were amorphous. The glass transition temperature of all the PDLLA-based polymers was similar and had no obvious relationship with the arm length, arm number and the molecular architecture. The crystallizability of star polymers with PLLA arm was weaker than that of linear PLLA, and only star polymers with long PLLA arm showed obvious crystallization. The guest encapsulation and release properties of the obtained star polymers were also investigated. It was found that their guest encapsulation capacity had correlation with the PLA arm length, the PEI core size and the degree of quaternization of PEI core, but had no relationship with the type of the PLA arm (PDLLA or PLLA). Whereas the guest release rate was strongly affected by the arm type.     

A novel amphiphilic AB2 star copolymer synthesized by the combination of ring-opening metathesis polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

A new amphiphilic AB₂ star copolymer was synthesized by the combination of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Two different routes (methods A and B) were employed firstly to prepare the poly(oxanorbornene)-based monotelechelic polymers as the hydrophobic arm bearing dibromo-ended group via ROMP in the presence of two different terminating agents catalyzed by first generation Grubbs catalyst. The values of capping efficiency (CE) of the polymers were determined by NMR, which were 94% and 67% for methods A and B, respectively. Then, the dibromo-ended ROMP polymers were used as the macroinitiators for ATRP of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) to produce two hydrophilic arms. The prepared amphiphilic AB₂ star copolymers poly(7-oxanorborn-5-ene-exo,exo-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester)-block-bis[poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)] (PONBDM_n-b-(PDMAEMA_m)₂) with a fixed chain length of hydrophobic PONBDM and various hydrophilic PDMAEMA chain lengths can self-assemble spontaneously in water to form polymeric micelles, which were characterized by dynamic light scattering, atom force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy measurements.     

Synthesis of controlled-structure AB diblock copolymers of 3-O-methacryloyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-galactopyranose and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate

We report herein the synthesis of hydrophilic-hydrophilic AB diblock copolymers of 3-O-methacryloyl-d-galactopyranose (MAGP) with 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). These materials were obtained from precursor AB diblock copolymers of 3-O-methacryloyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-galactopyranose (MAIpGP) and DMAEMA. The well-defined precursor block copolymers were prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in organic media employing dithiobenzoates as the mediating agents. We show that the homopolymerization of MAIpGP proceeds in a controlled fashion as judged by the linear pseudo-first-order kinetic plot, the linear relationship between the number average molecular weight (M_n) and the degree of conversion, and the resulting low polydispersity indices. Homopolymers of MAIpGP were employed as macro chain transfer agents for the preparation of the target AB diblock copolymers with DMAEMA. We show that PMAIpGP homopolymers are readily and quantitatively converted to the corresponding poly(3-O-methacryloyl-d-galactopyranose) (PMAGP) species according to a literature procedure. In a control experiment we demonstrate that these deprotection conditions do not adversely affect a DMAEMA homopolymer.     

Block, blocky gradient and random copolymers of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and acrylic acid by atom transfer radical polymerization

The controlled synthesis of low-T_g poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (P2EHA) and derived random, block and blocky gradient copolymers via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is described. After optimizing the reaction conditions for the homopolymerization of 2EHA via ATRP, the synthesis of a variety of copolymers with poly(t-butyl acrylate) (PtBuA) was investigated. First, AB-block copolymers were targeted, starting from P2EHA and PtBuA as macroinitiators. Second, random copolymers of tBuA and 2EHA with different monomer ratios were synthesized. Finally, the synthesis of “blocky” gradient copolymers via a one-pot procedure was investigated, starting with the homopolymerization of tBuA, followed by the addition of 2EHA. The hydrolysis of the PtBuA-segments to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), which was carried out with methanesulfonic acid, resulted in block, blocky gradient and random copolymers consisting of PAA and P2EHA. Solubility testing of the copolymers in slightly basic water (pH ∼ 9) demonstrated that the gradient structure significantly enhances solubility compared to the block copolymer structures with equal composition. The polymers have been characterized by MALDI-TOF MS, GPC and ¹H NMR.     

Synthesis of Y‐shaped poly(N,N‐dimethylamino‐2‐ethyl methacrylate) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) from a new heterofunctional initiator

A new amphiphilic Y‐shaped copolymer, comprised of hydrophobic Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and hydrophilic Poly(N,N‐dimethylamino‐2‐ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), was designed and synthesized by a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) using a new heterofunctional initiator, Br‐Init‐(OH)₂, bearing one initiation site for ATRP and two for ROP. At first, a new trifunctional core molecule bearing hydroxyl group and bromine moieties, Br‐Init‐(OH)₂, was synthesized via protection followed by esterification reaction of 5‐ethyl‐5‐hydroxymethyl‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxane with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide and deprotection. In the presence of trifunctional core molecule, Br‐Init‐(OH)₂, target Y‐shaped miktoarm star copolymers, (PTMC)₂‐ b‐PDMAEMA, were successfully synthesized by sequence conducting the ROP of TMC and ATRP of DMAEMA. The Y‐shaped copolymers were characterized by ¹H NMR and GPC measurements. Subsequently, the self‐assembly behavior of these copolymers was investigated by dynamic light scattering method and transmission electron microscopy, which indicated that these amphiphilic Y‐shaped copolymers can self‐assemble into micelles and possess distinct pH‐dependent size in aqueous milieu. The results indicate that the amphiphilic Y‐shaped copolymers had the pH‐responsive properties similar to the expected PDMAEMA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A novel approach to RE–OR bond from in situ reaction of rare earth triflates and sodium alkoxides: A versatile catalyst for living ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

A series of rare earth triflates (RE(OTf)₃, RE = Sc, Y and Lu) were used for the first time as moisture-stable precursors to generate rare earth alkoxide complexes through an in situ reaction with sodium alkoxides (NaOR) in tetrahydrofuran. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR results confirmed the fast ligands exchange process and the formation of rare earth–oxygen (RE–OR) bond. The in situ formed catalysts displayed high reactivity toward living ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL). For instance, Lu(OTf)₃/sodium isopropoxide (NaOⁱPr)-catalyzed ROP of CL with the [CL]₀/[NaOⁱPr]₀/[Lu(OTf)₃]₀ feeding ratio of 300/3/1 produced poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with controlled molecular weight (M_n,exp = 11.9 kDa vs M_n,theo = 11.8 kDa) and narrow polydispersity (PDI) of 1.08 within 3 min at 25 °C. The kinetic studies and chain extension confirmed the controlled/living nature for the Lu(OTf)₃/NaOⁱPr-catalyzed ROP of CL. In addition, end-functionalized PCLs bearing vinyl or alkynyl group with narrow PDIs were obtained by using functional sodium alkoxides in the presence of Lu(OTf)₃. ¹H NMR and MALDI-ToF MS analyses of the obtained PCLs clearly indicated the presence of the residue of OR groups at the chain ends. A coordination–insertion polymerization mechanism was proposed including a fast ligand exchange between Lu(OTf)₃ and NaOR giving the respective lutetium alkoxide complexes, and a CL insertion into RE–OR bond via acyl-oxygen cleavage.     

Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence adjustment of well-defined polymethacrylates with pendant π-conjugated benzothiazole via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)

Two compounds containing the benzothiazole moiety, 4-(2-benzothiazole-2-yl-vinyl)-phenyl methacrylate (BVMA) and 2-bromo-2-methyl-propionic acid 4-(2-benzothiazole-2-yl-vinyl)-phenyl ester (BPBVE) were synthesized. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of BVMA was conducted at 60 °C using BPBVE and CuBr/2,2′-bipyridine (BPY) as initiator and catalyst, respectively. Chain extension with 4-methacryloxy-hexyloxy-4′-nitrostilbene (MHNS) was conducted using PBVMA as the macroinitiator. The homopolymer PBVMA in DMF solution emitted blue fluorescence, and the copolymer PBVMA-b-PMHNS emitted orange fluorescence at about 610 nm due to the intramolecular energy transfer. ATRP of BVMA was also conducted using 2-bromo-2-methyl-propionic acid 4-nitrostilbene-hexyloxy ester (BPNHE) as an initiator. The obtained polymer was characterized via ¹H NMR and the fluorescence intensity was found to change with increasing number average molecular weight (M_n). The polymer with M_n = 15900 emitted white fluorescence in DMF solution.     

Pyridylphosphine ligands for iron-based atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene

Two pyridylphosphine ligands, 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine (DPPP) and 2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyridine (DPPMP), were investigated as complexing ligands in the iron-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene with various initiators and solvents. In studies of their ATRP behavior, the FeBr₂/DPPP catalytic system was a more efficient ATRP catalyst for the MMA polymerization than the other complexes studied in this paper. Most of these systems were well controlled with a linear increase in the number-average molecular weights (M_n) vs. conversion and relatively low molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.15-1.3) being observed throughout the reactions, and the measured molecular weights matched the predicted values with the DPPP ligand. The polymerization rate of MMA attained a maximum at a ratio of ligand to metal of 2:1 in p-xylene at 80 °C. The polymerization was faster in polar solvents than in p-xylene. The 2-bromopropionitrile (BPN) initiated ATRP of MMA with the FeX₂/DPPP catalytic system (X = Cl, Br) was able to be controlled in p-xylene at 80 °C. The polymerization of styrene was able to be controlled using the PECl/FeCl₂/DPPP system in DMF at 110 °C.     

Synthesis of binary mixed homopolymer brushes by combining atom transfer radical polymerization and nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization

This communication describes a novel strategy to synthesize binary mixed homopolymer brushes from mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on silica substrates by combining atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP). Mixed SAMs terminated by ATRP and NMRP initiators were prepared by coadsorption of two corresponding organotrichlorosilanes from toluene solutions. Mixed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes were synthesized by ATRP of MMA at 80 °C followed by NMRP of styrene at 115 °C. Corresponding ‘free’ initiators were added into the solutions to control the polymerizations. We have found that the brush thickness increases with molecular weight in a nearly linear fashion. For a series of binary brushes consisting of PMMA of molecular weight of 26,200 and PS of various molecular weights, we have observed a transition in water contact angles with increasing PS molecular weight after CH₂Cl₂ treatment. Moreover, binary mixed polymer brushes with comparable molecular weights for two grafted polymers undergo reorganization in response to environmental changes, exhibiting different wettabilities.     

Neutral Pd(II) and Ni(II) Acetylide Initiators for Polymerization of (Dimethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate

A series of air-stable, late transition, metal-based initiators with the structures ML₂(CCR)₂ (M=Pd and Ni; L=PPh₃ and Pn-Bu₃; R=Ph and CH₂OH) for the polymerization of (dimethylamino)ethyl methylate (DMAEMA) were developed. Transition metal, phosphine, alkynyl, as well as solvents exhibited significant influence on the polymerization. Among them, Pd(CCPh)₂(PPh₃)₂ (PPP) shows the highest activity in CHCl₃ for DMAEMA polymerization. The PDMAEMA obtained is a syndiotactic polymer with high number-average molecular weight (M_n) of 20.2 × 10⁴. A free radical polymerization mechanism with some ATRP characteristics was proposed for the present polymerization.     

Synthesis of asymmetric H-shaped block copolymer by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and living anionic polymerization

A new asymmetric H-shaped block copolymer (PS)₂-PEO-(PMMA)₂ has been designed and successfully synthesized by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and living anionic polymerization. The synthesized 2,2-dichloro acetate-ethylene glycol (DCAG) was used to initiate the polymerization of styrene by ATRP to yield a symmetric homopolymer (Cl-PS)₂-CHCOOCH₂CH₂OH with an active hydroxyl group. The chlorine was removed to yield the (PS)₂-CHCOOCH₂CH₂OH ((PS)₂-OH). The hydroxyl group of the (PS)₂-OH, which is an active species of the living anionic polymerization, was used to initiate ethylene oxide by living anionic polymerization via DPMK to yield (PS)₂-PEO-OH. The (PS)₂-PEO-OH was reacted with the 2,2-dichloro acetyl chloride to yield (PS)₂-PEO-OCCHCl₂ ((PS)₂-PEO-DCA). The asymmetric H-shaped block polymer (PS)₂-PEO-(PMMA)₂ was prepared via ATRP of MMA at 130 °C using (PS)₂-PEO-DCA as initiator and CuCl/bPy as the catalyst system. The architectures of the asymmetric H-shaped block copolymers, (PS)₂-PEO-(PMMA)₂, were confirmed by ¹H NMR, GPC and FT-IR.     

Atom Transfer Radical Block Copolymerization of 2‐(N,N‐Dimethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate and 2‐Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate

Block copolymerization of 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was studied in methanol using a macroinitiator method and a “one‐pot” sequential addition method. The polymerization sequence of the two monomers strongly affected the block copolymer formation. When DMAEMA was used as the first monomer, both methods produced block copolymer samples containing significant amounts of DMAEMA homopolymer chains, because of the elimination of active halogen chain‐ends during the preparation of polyDMAEMA. Well‐controlled block copolymers with various block lengths were obtained via the macroinitiator method when polyHEMA was used as macroinitiator to initiate the polymerization of DMAEMA. The sequential addition method, in which HEMA was polymerized first with 90% conversion and DMAEMA was subsequently added, also yielded controlled block copolymers when the polymerization was carried out at room temperature with the DMAEMA conversion below 60%. Increasing the temperature to 60 °C promoted the copolymerization rate but the reaction suffered from gel formation. The addition of water to the system accelerated the polymerization rate, but led to the loss of the system livingness.

Gel permeation chromatograms of poly(HEMA‐b‐DMAEMA). The samples were prepared in methanol at room temperature with different block molecular weights using the macroinitiator method.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene initiated by 2-(4-chloromethyl-phenyl)-benzoxazole with high activity and fluorescent property

Functionalized polystyrene (PSt) was synthesized utilizing atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), which was conducted by using 2-(4-chloromethyl-phenyl)-benzoxazole (CMPB) as initiator, CuCl/PMDETA as catalyst, and cyclohexanone as solvent. The mechanism of ATRP was proved by characterizing the structure of PSt via ¹H NMR and preparing of PSt-b-PMMA block copolymer. The polymerization showed first order with respect to monomer concentration and relatively narrow polydispersity (M_w/M_n range from 1.30 to 1.50). Factors such as different reaction temperatures, mole ratio of monomer to initiator and so on, which can affect the ATRP system, were discussed in the paper. Moreover, CMPB showed high activity and could initiate styrene polymerization even at ambient temperature. The optical property of initiator was well preserved in the obtained PSt, and the end-functionalized PSt exhibited strong fluorescent emission at 351 nm.     

β-二酮钛、锆配合物催化丙交酯本体开环聚合

合成了β-二酮钛、锆配合物：乙酰丙酮钛(Catl)、苯甲酰丙酮钛(Cat2)、二苯甲酰甲烷钛(Cat3)、乙酰丙酮锆(Cat4),并分别成功地催化丙交酯本体开环聚合。结果表明,β-二酮钛、锆配合物催化合成聚乳酸均可达到较高的转化率(高于95%),且Cat4的活性大于Car1。着重研究了催化剂用量(即单体与催化剂物质的量比[LA]/[Cat])、聚合时间及聚合温度对Cat1催化丙交酯本体开环聚合反应的转化率及所得聚乳酸相对分子质量的影响。在以Car1为催化剂,单体与催化剂物质的量比为400,聚合温度130℃,聚合时间30h时,可得到黏均相对分子质量M_η=6．79×10~4的聚乳酸。     

A novel perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether-based graft copolymer via 2-methyl-1,4-bistrifluorovinyloxybenzene and styrene

A series of novel perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether-containing graft copolymers with polystyrene side chains were synthesized by the combination of thermal step-growth [2π + 2π] cycloaddition polymerization of aryl bistrifluorovinyl ether monomer and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene. We first synthesized a new aryl bistrifluorovinyl ether monomer of 2-methyl-1,4-bistrifluorovinyloxybenzene in two steps using commercially available 2-methylhydroquinone as starting material and the corresponding perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether-based homopolymer with methoxyl end groups was prepared through the homopolymerization of this monomer in diphenyl ether. Next, the pendant methyls of this fluoropolymer were mono-brominated by N-bromosuccinimide and benzoyl peroxide so as to be converted to ATRP initiation groups. The targeted poly(2-methyl-1,4-bistrifluorovinyloxybenzene)-g-polystyrene with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.38) was obtained by the combination of bulk ATRP of styrene at 110 °C using CuBr/bpy as catalytic system and the grafting-from strategy. These fluorine-containing graft copolymers show excellent solubility in common organic solvents.     

The beneficial effect of small amount of water in the ambient temperature atom transfer radical homo and block co-polymerization of methacrylates

ATRP of several methacrylates viz. methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl methacrylate (EMA), n-butyl methacrylate (nBMA), t-butyl methacrylate (tBMA), benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) and (N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) has been studied in neat as well as aqueous (up to 12 vol% water) acetone at 35 °C using CuCl/bipyridine (bpy) catalyst and ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate as the initiator. Addition of water significantly enhances the rate of polymerization without losing control. Unlike CuCl/bpy the CuBr/bpy catalyst gives poor control which is attributed to the lower solubility and consequent heterogeneity in the latter case. Of the other ligands used with the CuCl catalyst viz. o-phenanthroline (o-phen), 1,1,4,7,7-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), 1,1,4,7,10,10-hexamethyltriethylenetetramine (HMTETA), Me₆TREN only o-phen offers reasonably good control. The CuCl/bpy catalyst system has been used also in preparing some di- and tri-block copolymers with reasonably low polydispersity index (PDI) at ambient temperature (35 °C) using aqueous acetone as the solvent. The following block copolymers have been prepared PMMA-tBMA, PMMA-b-tBMA-b-MMA, PMMA-DMAEMA, by this method.     

Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched azobenzene-containing polymers via self-condensing atom transfer radical polymerization and copolymerization

We report on the synthesis of an azobenzene-containing inimer 6-{4-[4-(2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy)hexyloxy)phenylazo]phenoxy}hexyl methacrylate (I) and used it to prepare hyperbranched homopolymer and copolymers by self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) and copolymerization (SCVCP) with its precursor 6-{4-[4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)phenylazo]phenoxy}hexyl methacrylate (M) using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Depending on the comonomer ratio, γ=[M]₀/[I]₀, branched polymethacrylates with number-average weights between 8000 and 20,000 and degree of branching (DB) between 0.08 and 0.49 were obtained by SCVCP, as evidenced by GPC and ¹H NMR analysis. In addition, the photochemical properties of the polymers were also studied by UV-vis spectra and found the structure of polymers affect obviously the trans-cis isomerization properties of the branched polymers.