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A Minimalist Method for Fully Oxygen-Tolerant RAFT Polymerization through Sulfur-Centered Trithiocarbonate Radical
Fei Wang1, Yang Guo1, Fubang Huang1
1Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Frontier Material Physics and Devices, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China.
Researchers developed a minimalist method for oxygen-tolerant reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. This approach utilizes trithiocarbonate radicals for initiation, enabling polymerization even in the presence of oxygen.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Radical Polymerization
- Materials Science
Background:
- Fully oxygen-tolerant reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) is a significant area of research.
- Existing methods often require complex procedures or specific conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a new, minimalist method for fully oxygen-tolerant reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization.
- To investigate the role of trithiocarbonate (TTC) radicals in initiating polymerization and tolerating oxygen.
Main Methods:
- Utilized bis(trithiocarbonate) disulfides (BisTTC) as an iniferter agent.
- Employed high-throughput screening to identify key initiating species.
- Analyzed polymerization kinetics to confirm 'living' polymerization characteristics.
Main Results:
- Successfully achieved fully oxygen-tolerant RAFT polymerization using a minimalist approach.
- Demonstrated that sulfur-centered trithiocarbonate (TTC) radicals initiate monomer polymerization.
- Identified dodecyl-substituted TTC as crucial for oxygen tolerance via radical initiation and deoxygenation.
Conclusions:
- The trithiocarbonate radical initiation strategy offers a powerful and minimalist tool for oxygen-tolerant RDRPs.
- This method simplifies the process of conducting RAFT polymerization under ambient, oxygen-rich conditions.
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