One Reagent with Two Functions: Simultaneous Living Radical Polymerization and Chain-End Substitution for Tailoring Polymer Dispersity. 2021

Chen-Gang Wang, and Amerlyn Ming Liing Chong, and Atsushi Goto
Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore.

The molecular weight distribution of polymer, termed dispersity (Đ), is a fundamental parameter that determines polymer properties. Sodium azide (NaN3) functions as a catalyst in organocatalyzed living radical polymerization when the reaction medium is nonpolar. In contrast, NaN3 can act as a nucleophile when the reaction medium is polar. In this paper, we report an efficient approach to dispersity control by exploiting the dual functions of NaN3 under the varied solvent polarity. Simultaneous polymerization and chain-end substitution allowed us to tune the Đ values of various polymethacrylates and poly(butyl acrylate). Notably, the Đ value could be tuned to a wide range approximately from 1.2 to 2.0 for polymethacrylates and to 3.8 for poly(butyl acrylate). This approach afforded polymer brushes on surfaces with tailored Đ values. An interesting finding was that the polymer brushes exhibited a unique interaction with external molecules, depending on the Đ value.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007202 Indicators and Reagents Substances used for the detection, identification, analysis, etc. of chemical, biological, or pathologic processes or conditions. Indicators are substances that change in physical appearance, e.g., color, at or approaching the endpoint of a chemical titration, e.g., on the passage between acidity and alkalinity. Reagents are substances used for the detection or determination of another substance by chemical or microscopical means, especially analysis. Types of reagents are precipitants, solvents, oxidizers, reducers, fluxes, and colorimetric reagents. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed, p301, p499) Indicator,Reagent,Reagents,Indicators,Reagents and Indicators
D008970 Molecular Weight The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule. Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D011108 Polymers Compounds formed by the joining of smaller, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds. These compounds often form large macromolecules (e.g., BIOPOLYMERS; PLASTICS). Polymer
D002384 Catalysis The facilitation of a chemical reaction by material (catalyst) that is not consumed by the reaction. Catalyses
D058105 Polymerization Chemical reaction in which monomeric components are combined to form POLYMERS (e.g., POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE). Polymerizations

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