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Controlled Radical Polymerization Using a Novel Symmetrical Selenium RAFT Agent
Author(s) -
Botha Carlo,
Weber Wolfgang,
Pfukwa Helen,
Pasch Harald
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201400296
Subject(s) - raft , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , chain transfer , polymerization , chemistry , polymer chemistry , aminolysis , radical polymerization , living polymerization , living free radical polymerization , moiety , polymer , organic chemistry , catalysis
A novel symmetrical selenium‐based reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, Se,Se’‐dibenzyl carbonodiselenothioate (Se‐RAFT), is synthesized and used in the RAFT polymerization of styrene. The results obtained show that the Se‐RAFT agent is involved in the polymerization of styrene, as evidenced by narrow molar‐mass distributions (M ¯ w /M ¯ n< 1.6) and the incorporation of the Se‐RAFT moiety into the resultant polymer. The latter is confirmed by aminolysis, NMR spectroscopy, size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) and UV spectroscopy. This work provides detailed insight into the Se‐RAFT polymerization mechanism. The Se‐RAFT agent is unique in that the stabilizing and leaving groups are identical.