The use of visible light photoredox catalysis in organic chemistry has enabled the synthesis of known chemical compounds through novel synthetic routes, eliminating side reactions and complex purification procedures. Recently, we have successfully implemented photoredox catalysis in polymer chemistry leading to the development of novel light-induced polymerizations, namely PET-RAFT technology, which involves the reversible deactivation of thiocarbonylthio compounds (RAFT agents) by photoredox catalysts via a photoinduced electron or energy transfer (PET) process. In this technology, ppm amount of photoredox catalyst is employed to catalyze RAFT agent and generate radicals for subsequent polymerization, instead of external radical initiator in the traditional RAFT formulation. The RAFT agent plays the role of initiator, chain transfer agent and termination agent.<br/>Although this technology was developed from traditional RAFT polymerization with minor changes in formulation, it presented different reaction mechanism and offered a number of significantly “green” attributes to living radical polymerizations, including: (1) low energy consumption and mild reaction conditions, (2) spatial and temporal control on radical polymerization, (3) high oxygen tolerance, (4) versatile photocatalysts and (5) selective polymerization activation. In this talk, these benefits from PET-RAFT technology will be summarized and demonstrated by our recent results. This technology is contributing to the development of green chemistry and sustainable polymer manufacturing, but also providing opportunities for the innovation of new methods of organic and polymer synthesis.

Photoinduced living polymerization for precision polymer synthesis

255th National Meeting (2018)

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