Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is a robust reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) technique. ATRP uses transition metal catalysts in a low oxidation state, most commonly CuI, to reversibly activate an alkyl halide, providing a radical and a deactivator complex in a higher oxidation state. Traditionally, ATRP required high catalyst loadings to prevent the build up of excessive concentrations of the deactivator complex. In recent years there has been a significant interest in developing techniques that allow ATRP to proceed with parts per million catalyst loadings. These low concentrations of catalyst can be used when the excess CuII deactivator in the system is reduced to CuI. Photochemical regeneration of the activator complex is attractive due to its simplicity and miniscule amount of additives needed. An analysis of the reaction kinetics of photochemical ATRP will be present. Additionally, photochemically mediated ATRP is used to create polymers with complex architectures such as block copolymers and stars.

Photochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization

248th National Meeting (2014)

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