Design of a hydrophilic ruthenium catalyst for metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization: highly active catalysis in water. Issue 8 (15th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nishizawa, Keita; Ouchi, Makoto; Sawamoto, Mitsuo
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 6577
• Page End: 6582
• Publication Date: 2016-01-15
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra22634a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : A novel hydrophilic phosphine ligand for a ruthenium catalyst was synthesized towards useful living radical polymerization in water. Abstract : A novel hydrophilic phosphine ligand for a ruthenium catalyst was synthesized towards useful living radical polymerization in water. Triethylene glycol (TEG) was introduced at the para position of triphenylphosphine and the resultant TEG-decorated ligand was combined with a Cp*-based ruthenium precursor ([Cp*Ru(μ3 -Cl)]4 ) to prepare a hydrophilic ruthenium complex. The obtained ruthenium complex induced homogeneous controlled polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) in water: the monomer conversion reached over 90% in 20 min, and the obtained polymers showed narrow MWD ( M w / M n < 1.16). The ruthenium catalyst was active enough to allow a decrease in catalyst amount ([Ru]0 /[initiator]0 = 1/100) or polymerization at low temperature, 0 °C [for 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)]. The catalyst also induced aqueous block copolymerization for the combination of water-soluble monomers: PEGMA/HEMA and PEGMA/2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (MeDMA).