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A Breathing Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization: Fully Oxygen‐Tolerant Polymerization Inspired by Aerobic Respiration of Cells
Author(s) -
Enciso Alan E.,
Fu Liye,
Russell Alan J.,
Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201711105
Subject(s) - polymerization , chemistry , chain transfer , atom transfer radical polymerization , polymer chemistry , dispersity , radical polymerization , polymer , photochemistry , organic chemistry
The first well‐controlled aqueous atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) conducted in the open air is reported. This air‐tolerant ATRP was enabled by the continuous conversion of oxygen to carbon dioxide catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOx), in the presence of glucose and sodium pyruvate as sequential sacrificial substrates. Controlled polymerization using initiators for continuous activator regeneration (ICAR) ATRP of oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate (OEOMA, M n =500) yielded polymers with low dispersity (1.09≤ Đ ≤1.29) and molecular weights (MWs) close to theoretical values in the presence of pyruvate. Without added pyruvates, lower MWs were observed due to generation of new chains by H 2 O 2 formed by reaction of O 2 with GOx. Successful chain extension of POEOMA 500 macroinitiator with OEOMA 300 (Đ≤1.3) and Bovine Serum Albumin bioconjugates (Đ≤1.22) confirmed a well‐controlled polymerization. The reactions in the open air in larger scale (25 mL) were also successful.