Polymers are undeniably one of the most important and useful materials to ever be produced. Over half of the 200 million tons of polymers produced annually are synthesized through radical polymerizations, which typically require energetically demanding conditions (e.g. elevated temperatures or UV light). Here, we present a greener alternative to produce well-defined polymers: a controlled radical polymerization (CRP) that uses a photoredox organocatalyst and visible light to initiate and reversibly deactivate a polymerization. This presentation will discuss our research in the development of this photoorganocatalyzed variant of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Effects of catalyst structure on the scope of polymerization as well as mechanistic insights will be discussed.

Growing green polymers using the sun: Organocatalyzed photoredox mediated polymerization

249th National Meeting (2015)

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