Within the past year Single Electron Transfer � Living Radical Polymerization (SET-LRP) has been extended to include reactions in aqueous media with low dispersities (� <1.2). This novel development has allowed for the ultrafast polymerization of water soluble monomers, particularly acrylamides, which have previously been challenging and problematic via ATRP, with unprecedented control.The crucial step to this approach is to allow for the full disproportionation of Cu(I)X/L and Cu(0) in water prior to the addition of monomer and initiator. Disproportionation is highly dependent upon the geometry of the ligand, which if sterically hindered, can lead to co-ordination with monomer and water or ligation. Thus, the main focus of this work will be a detailed investigation into the disproportionation of various ligands in water and their subsequent use in polymerizations.With the choice of ligand being important to the mediation of living/controlled radical polymerization, optimization of reaction conditions for the polymerization of water soluble monomers is essential. By utilizing a wide range of initiators and ligands, and allowing for full disproportionation, this work will demonstrate ultrafast living radical polymerizations with excellent levels of control.

Poly(acrylamides) via SET-LRP in aqueous media: An initiator and ligand investigation

248th National Meeting (2014)

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