Degradation of RAFT polymers in a cyclic ether studied via high resolution ESI-MS: Implications for synthesis, storage, and end-group modification

A Novel One-Pot Procedure for the Fast and Efficient Conversion of RAFT Polymers into Hydroxy-Functional Polymers

We report on the successful quantitative transformation of methacrylate and acrylate-type polymers prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization carrying a dithioester-end-group into hydroxy-functional polymers. The simple reaction procedure involves stirring a solution of the dithioester-capped polymer and an azo-initiator in tetrahydrofuran at elevated temperatures (T = 60°C) in the presence of air. This reaction quantitatively yields hydroperoxide functionalities that can be efficiently reduced to hydroxy groups in a one-pot procedure using triphenylphosphine. Size exclusion chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry was employed to monitor the progress of the reaction. The new backbone-linked hydroxy group provides a versatile anchor for chemical end-group conversions and conjugation reactions with prepared RAFT polymers, which alleviates problems with the rather limited ability of the dithioester-end-group to undergo non-radical transformations.

Living Radical Polymerization by the RAFT Process - A Second Update

This paper provides a second update to the review of reversible deactivation radical polymerization achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds (ZC(=S)SR) by a mechanism of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) that was published in June 2005 (Aust. J. Chem. 2005, 58, 379–410). The first update was published in November 2006 (Aust. J. Chem. 2006, 59, 669–692). This review cites over 500 papers that appeared during the period mid-2006 to mid-2009 covering various aspects of RAFT polymerization ranging from reagent synthesis and properties, kinetics and mechanism of polymerization, novel polymer syntheses and a diverse range of applications. Significant developments have occurred, particularly in the areas of novel RAFT agents, techniques for end-group removal and transformation, the production of micro/nanoparticles and modified surfaces, and biopolymer conjugates both for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.