PET-RAFT-SUMI (Photo-Energy/Electron Transfer – Reversible Addition Fragmentation chain Transfer – Single Unit Monomer Insertion) is being investigated with the end goal of conducting high efficiency, continuous flow, synthesis of functional RAFT agents and sequence-defined oligomers. We recently reported visible light-initiated SUMI of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAm) into a trithiocarbonate in aqueous solution using 1:1 DMAm : RAFT agent to achieve both high conversions and very high selectivity for SUMI over higher oligomers or by-products (&gt;98%).1 The results were dependent on irradiation wavelength. Red light provided the cleanest reaction product and a linear kinetic profile to high (&gt;80%) conversions but also a very slow rate of reaction (days). We now report that the issue of slow polymerization is addressed through the use of 5-50 ppm photocatalyst, which reduces the time-scale of the process to something compatible with a continuous flow process (hours).

High conversion PET-RAFT flow synthesis of sequence-defined oligomers in aqueous solution

2019 Fall National Meeting

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