We have developed living radical polymerizations using iodine as a capping agent and organic molecules as catalysts. The catalysts include amines and organic salts such as tetrabutylammonium iodide. The polymerizations are amenable to various monomers including styrene, methacrylates, acrylates, acrylonitrile and their functional monomers. The molecular weight can be increased to 105 for methacrylates and 104 for other monomers. Diblock copolymers, triblock copolymers, star polymers, and polymer brushes on solid surfaces are obtainable. The system is also unique in that it can be induced not only by thermal heating but also by photo-irradiation in a wide range of wavelength (350-750 nm) with appropriate choice of catalysts, which may widen the scope of application. The chemistry and polymerization performance will be presented. 

Living radical polymerizations using organic catalysts by thermal heating and photo irradiation

248th National Meeting (2014)

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