RAFT polymerization of functional monomers

POLY 6

Jeremy W. Bartels, jwbartel@artsci.wustl.edu1, Chong Cheng, ccheng@wuchem.wustl.edu2, Jun Ma, jma@artsci.wustl.edu3, Guorong Sun, gusn@wustl.edu4, Ezat Khoshdel, Ezat.Khoshdel@unilever.com5, and Karen L. Wooley, klwooley@artsci.wustl.edu4. (1) Center for Materials Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Department of Radiology, Washington University - St Louis, CB 1134, One Brookings Drive, St Louis, MO 63130, (2) Center for Materials Innovation and Department of Chemistry, Washington University in Saint Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899, (3) Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, (4) Center for Materials Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Department of Radiology, Washington University in Saint Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63130, (5) Unilever Research, Port Sunlight, Bebington CH63 3JW, United Kingdom
This presentation will describe advances in the preparation of functional polymers, by employing reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. RAFT polymerization of functional monomers, including methyl vinyl ketone, phenyl vinyl ketone, 4-vinyl benzaldehyde, and N-vinyl pyrrolidinone will be described in detail. Such polymerizations lead directly to polymers containing ketone, aldehyde or pyrrolidinone units. Each of these functional polymer segments is further advanced by their incorporation into block copolymers. The ketones and aldehydes are of interest as reactive carbonyls, for reaction with various nucleophiles to further alter the composition and properties of the polymers or polymer assemblies. The methyl vinyl ketone and phenyl vinyl ketone-based polymer segments are also of interest as photodegradable units. The poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidinone)s are being explored as components for anti-biofouling applications. The preparation of several homopolymers and block copolymers, the motivation for each material design, and the physical and chemical properties of each polymer, block copolymer, or block copolymer assembly will be highlighted.