Premium
A One‐Step Route to CO 2 ‐Based Block Copolymers by Simultaneous ROCOP of CO 2 /Epoxides and RAFT Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers
Author(s) -
Wang Yong,
Zhao Yajun,
Ye Yunsheng,
Peng Haiyan,
Zhou Xingping,
Xie Xiaolin,
Wang Xianhong,
Wang Fosong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201710734
Subject(s) - copolymer , raft , chain transfer , polymer chemistry , bifunctional , monomer , polymerization , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , chemistry , transfer agent , living polymerization , ring opening polymerization , materials science , catalysis , radical polymerization , polymer , organic chemistry
The one‐step synthesis of well‐defined CO 2 ‐based diblock copolymers was achieved by simultaneous ring‐opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of CO 2 /epoxides and RAFT polymerization of vinyl monomers using a trithiocarbonate compound bearing a carboxylic group (TTC‐COOH) as the bifunctional chain transfer agent (CTA). The double chain‐transfer effect allows for independent and precise control over the molecular weight of the two blocks and ensures narrow polydispersities of the resultant block copolymers (1.09–1.14). Notably, an unusual axial group exchange reaction between the aluminum porphyrin catalyst and TTC‐COOH impedes the formation of homopolycarbonates. By taking advantage of the RAFT technique, it is able to meet the stringent demand for functionality control to well expand the application scopes of CO 2 ‐based polycarbonates.