Visible-Light-Controlled Living Radical Polymerization from a Trithiocarbonate Iniferter Mediated by an Organic Photoredox Catalyst

Recent development in halogen-bonding-catalyzed living radical polymerization

The development and applications of an organocatalyzed living radical polymerization via halogen-bonding catalysis, i.e., reversible complexation mediated polymerization (RCMP), are highlighted.

Precise Synthesis of Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Fluoropolymers Enabled by Chain-Transfer-Agent Differentiation under Visible-Light Irradiation

Ultra-high-molecular-weight (UHMW) polymers display outstanding properties and hold potential for wide applications. However, their precise synthesis remains challenging. Herein, we developed a novel reversible-deactivation radical polymerization based on the strong and selective fluorine-fluorine interaction, allowing chain-transfer agents to spontaneously differentiate into two groups that take charge of the chain growth and reversible deactivation of the growing chains, respectively. This method enables dramatically improved livingness of propagation, providing UHMW polymers with a surprisingly narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ≈1.1) from a variety of fluorinated (meth)acrylates and acrylamide at quantitative conversions under visible-light irradiation. In situ chain-end extensions from UHMW polymers facilitated the synthesis of well-defined block copolymers, revealing the excellent chain-end fidelity achieved by this method.

Structural Engineering of Graphitic Carbon Nitrides for Enhanced Metal-Free PET-RAFT Polymerizations in Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Systems

Developing visible-light-regulated controlled/living radical polymerization techniques for the synthesis of polymers with a predictable molecular weight, spatial and temporal control, and well-defined end-group functionality is being pursued by the macromolecular community worldwide. In this study, a new metal-free photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization system was developed for controlled macromolecular synthesis in both heterogeneous and homogeneous systems by structural engineering of graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) to improve the textural, optical, and electronic properties. A heteroatom-mediated synthesis enabled the preparation of g-C3N4 with improved structural properties and increased absorption in the visible light region. Enhanced PET-RAFT polymerization of vinyl monomers with low dispersity (Đ < 1.2), temporal control, and high chain-end fidelity was achieved under mild blue light irradiation (λmax = 465 nm, 3 mW/cm2). Moreover, we demonstrate, for the first time, that the g-C3N4-catalyzed RAFT polymerization could be realized in a homogeneous system after structural evolution of bulk g-C3N4 into soluble nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic efficiency up to high monomer conversion. This study provides new insights into the structure-performance relationship of g-C3N4 for photoregulated PET-RAFT polymerization under visible light. Moreover, the development of a homogeneous g-C3N4-catalyzed photosynthesis system should broaden the application scope of these fascinating photocatalysts while benefiting synthetic upscaling by continuous flow and/or microfluidic reactors.

Controlling Polymer Composition in Organocatalyzed Photoredox Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization of Vinylcyclopropanes

Although radical polymerizations are among the most prevalent methodologies for the synthesis of polymers with diverse compositions and properties, the intrinsic reactivity and selectivity of radical addition challenge the ability to impart control over the polymerization propagation and produce polymers with defined microstructure. Vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) can be polymerized through radical ring-opening polymerization to produce polymers possessing linear (l) or cyclic (c) repeat units, providing the opportunity to control polymer structure and modify the polymer properties. Herein, we report the first organocatalyzed photoredox radical ring-opening polymerization of a variety of functionalized VCP monomers, where high monomer conversions and spatial and temporal control were achieved to produce poly(VCPs) with predictable molecular weight and low dispersity. Through manipulating polymerization concentration and temperature, tunable l or c content was realized, allowing further investigation of thermal and viscoelastic materials properties associated with these two distinct compositions. Unexpectedly, the photoredox catalysis enables a postpolymerization modification that converts l content into the c content. Combined experimental and computational studies suggested an intramolecular radical cyclization pathway, where cyclopentane and cyclohexane repeat units are likely formed.

Far-Red Light-Induced Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization Using a Man-Made Bacteriochlorin

To overcome the challenge of photoregulated living radical polymerization in long-wavelength radiation, a photoinduced electron transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization in far-red wavelength (λ_max = 740 nm) is reported by using a man-made bacteriochlorin as a photocatalyst. A reduced tetraphenylporphyrin (RTPP) having a natural bacteriochlorin macrocycle ring with two reduced pyrrole rings was synthesized with strong absorption in the far-red light region (700-765 nm) and applied for the PET-RAFT polymerization as a photoredox catalyst, which offered excellent control over molecular weight and polydispersities and oxygen tolerance for the polymerization of (methyl) acrylates monomers, and exhibited attractive features of "living" radical polymerization. Benefiting from high penetration of far-red light, the polymerization was also well-controlled when the reaction vessel was covered by translucent animal tissue barriers, for example, skin.

Visible-light-mediated, additive-free, and open-to-air controlled radical polymerization of acrylates and acrylamides

Oxygen tolerance in ontrolled radical polymerizations has been an active field of study in recent years. Herein, we report a photocontrolled, additive-free iniferter polymerization that operates in completely open vials utilizing the "polymerizing through oxygen" mechanism. Trithiocarbonates are directly activated with high intensity 450 nm light to produce narrowly dispersed (M w/M n = 1.1-1.6) polyacrylates and polyacrylamides in only 1 hour of irradiation. Living behavior is demonstrated through chain extension, block copolymer synthesis, and control over molecular weight through varying the monomer:iniferter ratio. A slight increase in induction period is observed for the open vial polymerization compared to the air-free reaction, but polymers with similar M n and M w/M n values are produced after 30-60 minutes of irradiation. This system will provide a convenient platform for living additive manufacturing because of its fast reaction time, air tolerance, wide monomer scope, and lack of any additives beyond the monomer, iniferter, and DMSO solvent.

What happens in the dark? Assessing the temporal control of photo-mediated controlled radical polymerizations

A signature of photo-mediated controlled polymerizations is the ability to modulate the rate of polymerization by turning the light source 'on' and 'off.' However, in many reported systems, growth can be reproducibly observed during dark periods. In this study, emerging photo-mediated controlled radical polymerizations are evaluated with in situ 1H NMR monitoring to assess their behavior in the dark. Interestingly, it is observed that Cu-mediated systems undergo long-lived, linear growth during dark periods in organic media.

Visible-Light-Driven MADIX Polymerisation via a Reusable, Low-Cost, and Non-Toxic Bismuth Oxide Photocatalyst

The continuous amalgamation of photocatalysis into existing reversible deactivation radical polymerisation (RDRP) processes has initiated a rapidly propagating area of polymer research in recent years. We introduce bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃ ) as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for polymerisations, operating at room temperature with visible light. We demonstrate formidable control over degenerative chain-transfer polymerisations, such as macromolecular design by interchange of xanthate (MADIX) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. We achieved narrow molecular weight distributions and attribute the excellent temporal control of a photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process. This methodology was employed to synthesise diblock copolymers combining differently activated monomers. The Bi₂ O₃ catalyst system has the additional benefits of low toxicity, reusability, low-cost, and ease of removal from the reaction mixture.

Visible light induced aqueous RAFT polymerization using a supramolecular perylene diimide/cucurbit[7]uril complex

A water-soluble perylene diimide (PDI), in the presence of triethanolamine (TEOA), is used as a metal-free photocatalyst for aqueous reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization under green light.

Nanonetwork photogrowth expansion: Tailoring nanoparticle networks’ chemical structure and local topology

Parent nanoparticle networks containing trithiocarbonate photoactive groups form nanonetworks with incorporated homopolymers, random copolymers and block copolymers through a developed photogrowth expansion process.

Metal-free photoinitiated controlled cationic polymerization of isopropyl vinyl ether using diaryliodonium salts

Metal-free photoinitiated controlled cationic polymerization of isopropyl vinyl ether proceeded via the spontaneous cleavage of the carbon–iodine bonds at the propagating ends.

Organocatalyzed Controlled Radical Polymerizations

Radical polymerizations are responsible for a significant amount of the World's total polymer production. Free-radical polymerization provides a relatively inexpensive and facile route to produce bulk plastic products, however, it fails in the synthesis of precisely defined macromolecules. To address this issue, controlled radical polymerizations have been developed, which utilize a reversible deactivation mechanism for the synthesis of advanced polymeric architectures. In this chapter, we discuss the mechanisms and applications of organocatalyzed controlled radical polymerizations, specifically atom transfer radical polymerization, photo mediated reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization, and reversible complexation mediated radical polymerization, as powerful new methods for precision polymer synthesis.

On Demand Switching of Polymerization Mechanism and Monomer Selectivity with Orthogonal Stimuli

The development of next-generation materials is coupled with the ability to predictably and precisely synthesize polymers with well-defined structures and architectures. In this regard, the discovery of synthetic strategies that allow on demand control over monomer connectivity during polymerization would provide access to complex structures in a modular fashion and remains a grand challenge in polymer chemistry. In this Article, we report a method where monomer selectivity is controlled during the polymerization by the application of two orthogonal stimuli. Specifically, we developed a cationic polymerization where polymer chain growth is controlled by a chemical stimulus and paired it with a compatible photocontrolled radical polymerization. By alternating the application of the chemical and photochemical stimuli the incorporation of vinyl ethers and acrylates could be dictated by switching between cationic and radical polymerization mechanisms, respectively. This enables the synthesis of multiblock copolymers where each block length is governed by the amount of time a stimulus is applied, and the quantity of blocks is determined by the number of times the two stimuli are toggled. This new method allows on demand control over polymer structure with external influences and highlights the potential for using stimuli-controlled polymerizations to access novel materials.

Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Dots (CDs) as a Class of Metal-Free Photocatalysts for PET-RAFT Polymerization under Visible Light and Sunlight

A key challenge of photoregulated living radical polymerization is developing efficient and robust photocatalysts. Now carbon dots (CDs) have been exploited for the first time as metal-free photocatalysts for visible-light-regulated reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Screening of diverse heteroatom-doped CDs suggested that the P- and S-doped CDs were effective photocatalysts for RAFT polymerization under mild visible light following a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) involved oxidative quenching mechanism. PET-RAFT polymerization of various monomers with temporal control, narrow dispersity (Đ≈1.04), and chain-end fidelity was achieved. Besides, it was demonstrated that the CD-catalyzed PET-RAFT polymerization was effectively performed under natural solar irradiation.

Photocontrolled Growth of Cross-Linked Nanonetworks

We report the preparation of photoresponsive nanomaterials and the increase of their nanoscopic size through a "photogrowth" mechanism. The photogrowable nanonetworks (PGNNs) were synthesized by cross-linking two components, a thiolated acrylate copolymer and a symmetrical bismaleimide trithiocarbonate (TTC), utilizing thiol-maleimide click chemistry. With this strategy, nanonetwork growth was achieved through a photoinduced polymerization from the integrated trithiocarbonate by either direct photolysis or photoredox catalysis. Via direct photolysis, we generated a series of expanded particles by polymerizing methyl acrylate (MA) under irradiation with violet light (400 nm) over a period of 1, 3, and 6 h, starting from a 58 nm parent particle, resulting in particles of increased sizes of 77, 156, and 358 nm, respectively. Nanoparticle expansion reactions catalyzed by 10-phenylphenothiazine (PTH) were experienced to progress faster in 20 and 30 min to reach particle sizes of 195 and 300 nm. The addition of the photoredox catalyst to the expansion polymerizations with MA resulted in an increased control over the dispersity of the particles as well as of the promoted disassembly products. In this work, we demonstrated that nanoparticle structures designed as cross-linked networks with integrated trithiocarbonates can be expanded by photocontrolled radical polymerizations (photo-CRPs) in the presence or absence of a photoredox catalyst. These proof-of-concept experiments showcase the dynamic growth and integration of functional units into existing scaffolds and open up the possibility to prepare highly tailorable nanomaterials.

N,N-Diaryl Dihydrophenazines as Photoredox Catalysts for PET-RAFT and Sequential PET-RAFT/O-ATRP

N,N-Diaryl dihydrophenazines are employed as organic photoredox catalysts (PCs) for photoinduced electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization. The ability of these PCs to mediate PET-RAFT is heavily dependent on the ability of the PC to access a photoexcited intramolecular charge transfer state. The use of PCs displaying intramolecular charge transfer in the excited state allows for efficient PET-RAFT of a variety of monomers, including vinyl acetate, and in a wide range of solvents. The ability of these PCs to also mediate organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is exploited to perform a sequential PET-RAFT/O-ATRP block copolymerization of PMA-b-PMMA using the same PC for both polymerizations.

Enhancing Temporal Control and Enabling Chain-End Modification in Photoregulated Cationic Polymerizations by Using Iridium-Based Catalysts

Gaining temporal control over chain growth is a key challenge in the enhancement of controlled living polymerizations. Though research on photocontrolled polymerizations is still in its infancy, it has already proven useful in the development of previously inaccessible materials. Photocontrol has now been extended to cationic polymerizations using 2,4,6-triarylpyrylium salts as photocatalysts. Despite the ability to stop polymerization for a short time, monomer conversion was observed over long dark periods. Improved catalyst systems based on Ir complexes give optimal temporal control over chain growth. The excellent stability of these complexes and the ability to tune the excited and ground state redox potentials to regulate the number of monomer additions per cation formed allows polymerization to be halted for more than 20 hours. The excellent stability of these iridium catalysts in the presence of more nucleophilic species enables chain-end functionalization of these polymers.

Photochemistry for Well-Defined Polymers in Aqueous Media: From Fundamentals to Polymer Nanoparticles to Bioconjugates

This review article highlights recent developments in the field of photochemistry and photochemical reversible deactivation radical polymerization applied to aqueous polymerizations. Photochemistry is a topic of significant interest in the fields of organic, polymer, and materials chemistry because it allows challenging reactions to be performed under mild conditions. Aqueous polymerization is of significant interest because water is an environmentally benign solvent, and the use of water enables complex polymer self-assembly and bioconjugation processes to occur. This review focuses on powerful new developments in photochemical aqueous polymerization reactions and their applications to the synthesis of well-defined polymer nano-objects and bioconjugates. It is anticipated that these aqueous photopolymerizations will enable the next generation of self-assembled structures and biohybrid materials to be developed under mild and environmentally friendly conditions.

Recent Advances in RAFT Polymerization: Novel Initiation Mechanisms and Optoelectronic Applications

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) is considered to be one of most famous reversible deactivation radical polymerization protocols. Benefiting from its living or controlled polymerization process, complex polymeric architectures with controlled molecular weight, low dispersity, as well as various functionality have been constructed, which could be applied in wide fields, including materials, biology, and electrology. Under the continuous research improvement, main achievements have focused on the development of new RAFT techniques, containing fancy initiation methods (e.g., photo, metal, enzyme, redox and acid), sulfur-free RAFT system and their applications in many fields. This review summarizes the current advances in major bright spot of novel RAFT techniques as well as their potential applications in the optoelectronic field, especially in the past a few years.

Photocatalysis in organic and polymer synthesis

This review, with over 600 references, summarizes the recent applications of photoredox catalysis for organic transformation and polymer synthesis. Photoredox catalysts are metallo- or organo-compounds capable of absorbing visible light, resulting in an excited state species. This excited state species can donate or accept an electron from other substrates to mediate redox reactions at ambient temperature with high atom efficiency. These catalysts have been successfully implemented for the discovery of novel organic reactions and synthesis of added-value chemicals with an excellent control of selectivity and stereo-regularity. More recently, such catalysts have been implemented by polymer chemists to post-modify polymers in high yields, as well as to effectively catalyze reversible deactivation radical polymerizations and living polymerizations. These catalysts create new approaches for advanced organic transformation and polymer synthesis. The objective of this review is to give an overview of this emerging field to organic and polymer chemists as well as materials scientists.

Simple and Green Strategy for the Synthesis of "Pathogen-Mimetic" Glycoadjuvant@AuNPs by Combination of Photoinduced RAFT and Bioinspired Dopamine Chemistry

Innate immune responses recognizing pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) play a crucial role in adaptive immunity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) contribute to antigen capture, uptake, presentation and activation of immune responses. In this contribution, metal-free reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of N-3,4-dihydroxybenzenethyl methacrylamide (DMA) and 2-(methacrylamido) glucopyranose (MAG) under sunlight irradiation using 2-cyanoprop-2-yl-α-dithionaphthalate (CPDN) as iniferter agent, can be employed to fabricate the multivalent glycopolymer containing bioresponsive sugar group and multifunctional catechol functionalities. The polymerization behavior is investigated and it presents controlled features. Moreover, bioinspired dopamine chemistry can be successfully utilized to form in situ glycopolymer-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) without the need of additional reducing reagent, design "pathogen-mimetic" glycoadjuvant recognized by both CLRs and TLRs. The synthetic glycoadjuvant is found to enhance the adjuvant activity as "infected signals" in vitro.

Ultra-fast aqueous polymerisation of acrylamides by high power visible light direct photoactivation RAFT polymerisation

The effect of visible LED power (λ_max= 402 nm, 451 nm) on kinetics and control of direct photoactivation RAFT polymerisations of acrylamide and dimethylacrylamide are investigated.

PET-RAFT polymerisation: towards green and precision polymer manufacturing

Photoinduced electron/energy transfer-reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) process has opened up a new way of precision polymer manufacturing to satisfy the concept of green chemistry.

Preparation of semifluorinated poly(meth)acrylates by improved photo-controlled radical polymerization without the use of a fluorinated RAFT agent: facilitating surface fabrication with fluorinated materials

Semifluorinated poly(meth)acrylates are prepared under both organocatalyzed and catalyst-free photo-controlled radical polymerization conditions from simple RAFT agents.

Photochemical regulation of a redox-active olefin polymerization catalyst: controlling polyethylene microstructure with visible light

The utility of photoredox chemistry is expanded to include microstructural control of polyolefins.

Mechanistic Insight into the Photocontrolled Cationic Polymerization of Vinyl Ethers

The mechanism of the recently reported photocontrolled cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers was investigated using a variety of catalysts and chain-transfer agents (CTAs) as well as diverse spectroscopic and electrochemical analytical techniques. Our study revealed a complex activation step characterized by one-electron oxidation of the CTA. This oxidation is followed by mesolytic cleavage of the resulting radical cation species, which leads to the generation of a reactive cation-this species initiates the polymerization of the vinyl ether monomer-and a dithiocarbamate radical that is likely in equilibrium with the corresponding thiuram disulfide dimer. Reversible addition-fragmentation type degenerative chain transfer contributes to the narrow dispersities and control over chain growth observed under these conditions. Finally, the deactivation step is contingent upon the oxidation of the reduced photocatalyst by the dithiocarbamate radical concomitant with the production of a dithiocarbamate anion that caps the polymer chain end. The fine-tuning of the electronic properties and redox potentials of the photocatalyst in both the excited and the ground states is necessary to obtain a photocontrolled system rather than simply a photoinitiated system. The elucidation of the elementary steps of this process will aid the design of new catalytic systems and their real-world applications.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) Modification via Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

To address the challenge of metal contamination, a "graft from" approach via organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is developed to synthesize poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-co-CTFE)) graft copolymers. N-phenylphenothiazine is utilized as a model organic photoredox catalyst for catalyzing the (co)polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylate (MA), and n-butyl acrylate (BA). By employing this technique, high temporal control of polymerization and graft content are achieved. A series of P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-PMMA, P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-PMA, and P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-PBA is prepared under mild conditions. The resultant graft copolymer can be used as macroinitiator to re-initiate O-ATRP to synthesize P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-(PMMA-b-PMA), which might exhibit the potential application as novel dielectric material.

Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Perspectives on Catalyst Design and Performance

The recent development of organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) represents a significant advancement in the field of controlled radical polymerizations. A number of classes of photoredox catalysts have been employed thus far in O-ATRP. Analysis of the proposed mechanism gives insight into the relevant photophysical and chemical properties that determine catalyst performance. Discussion of each of the classes of O-ATRP catalysts highlights their previous uses, their roles in the development of O-ATRP, and the distinctive properties that govern their polymerization behavior, leading to a set of design principles for O-ATRP catalysts. Remaining challenges for O-ATRP are presented, as well as prospects for further improvement in the application scope of O-ATRP.