Ab Initio Emulsion Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization. Issue 27 (30th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lorandi, Francesca; Wang, Yi; Fantin, Marco; Matyjaszewski, Krzysztof
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 57:Issue 27(2018)
• Page Start: 8270
• Page End: 8274
• Publication Date: 2018-05-30
• Subjects: colloids -- copolymerization -- emulsion polymerization -- interfacial catalysis -- surfactants; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201804647
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Stable latexes of poly(meth)acrylates with predetermined molecular weights, narrow molecular‐weight distributions, and controlled architecture were prepared by true ab initio emulsion atom‐transfer radical polymerization. Water‐soluble (macro)initiators in combination with a hydrophilic catalyst, Cu/tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine, initiated the polymerization in the aqueous phase. The catalyst strongly interacted with the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), thereby tuning the polymerization within nucleated hydrophobic polymer particles. Long‐term stable latexes were obtained, even with SDS loading below 3 wt % relative to monomer. Block and gradient copolymers were prepared in situ. The reaction volume and solid content were successfully increased to 100 mL and 40 vol %, respectively, thus suggesting facile scale‐up of this technique. The proposed setup could be integrated in existing industrial plants used for emulsion polymerization. Abstract : Tried and true : An amphiphilic catalyst enabled true ab initio emulsion polymerization, with control of the localization of the reaction. Hydrophilic Cu/tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine interacted with sodium dodecyl sulfate to control the polymerization in both the aqueous phase and the polymer particles. The ab initio emulsion atom‐transfer radical polymerization of various (meth)acrylates gave well‐defined (co)polymers and stable latexes.