Photoassisted Radical Depolymerization

Controlled radical polymerization techniques enable the synthesis of polymers with predetermined molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions, and controlled architectures. Moreover, these polymerization approaches have been routinely shown to result in retained end-group functionality that can be reactivated to continue polymerization. However, reactivation of these end groups under conditions that instead promote depropagation is a viable route to initiate depolymerization and potentially enable closed-loop recycling from polymer to monomer. In this report, we investigate light as a trigger for thermal depolymerization of polymers prepared by reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. We study the role of irradiation wavelength by targeting the n → π* and π → π* electronic transitions of the thiocarbonylthio end-groups of RAFT-generated polymers to enhance depolymerization via terminal bond homolysis. Specifically, we explore depolymerization of polymers with trithiocarbonate, dithiocarbamate, and p-substituted dithiobenzoate end groups with the purpose of increasing depolymerization efficiency with light. As the wavelength decreases from the visible range to the UV range, the rate of depolymerization is dramatically increased. This method of photoassisted depolymerization allows up to 87% depolymerization efficiency within 1 h, results that may further the advancement of recyclable materials and life-cycle circularity.