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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
Published on: April 22, 2016
Non-natural Photoenzymatic Controlled Radical Polymerization Inspired by DNA Photolyase
Fanfan Zhou1, Ruoyu Li1, Xiao Wang1
1Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
Abstract:
Inspired by DNA photolyase, a non-natural photoenzymatic catalysis of common flavoproteins is developed for controlled radical polymerization under irradiation of visible light. This photoenzymatic polymerization is highly efficient under mild conditions, applicable to various monomer families, suitable for both homogeneous and heterogeneous media, and can be externally modulated by switching light on and off. A unique combination of the natural enzymatic deoxygenation with the non-natural photoenzymatic process enables an unprecedented oxygen-tolerant, visible-light-controlled radical polymerization using a single enzyme to be developed. Visible light activation of non-natural catalytic functions of the widely distributed flavoproteins is an exciting conceptual advance and may uncover a hitherto underexplored field of photoenzymatic catalysis.
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