Controlling Molecular Weight Distributions through Photoinduced Flow Polymerization

Photoinduced Controlled Radical Polymerizations Performed in Flow: Methods, Products, and Opportunities

Photoinduced controlled radical polymerizations (CRPs) have provided a variety of approaches for the synthesis of polymers possessing targeted structures, compositions, and functionalities with the added capability for spatial and temporal control, presenting the potential for new materials development. However, the scalability and reliability of these systems can be limited as a consequence of dependence on uniform irradiation of the reaction to produce well-defined products. In this perspective, we highlight the utility and promise of photo-CRP approaches through an overview of the adaptation of these methodologies to photo-flow reactor systems. Special emphasis is placed on the current state-of-the-art in polymerization scalability, reactor design, and polymer scope.

Up in the air: oxygen tolerance in controlled/living radical polymerisation

The requirement for deoxygenation in controlled/living radical polymerisation (CLRP) places significant limitations on its widespread implementation by necessitating the use of large reaction volumes, sealed reaction vessels as well as requiring access to specialised equipment such as a glove box and/or inert gas source. As a result, in recent years there has been intense interest in developing strategies for overcoming the effects of oxygen inhibition in CLRP and therefore remove the necessity for deoxygenation. In this review, we highlight several strategies for achieving oxygen tolerant CLRP including: "polymerising through" oxygen, enzyme mediated deoxygenation and the continuous regeneration of a redox-active catalyst. In order to provide further clarity to the field, we also establish some basic parameters for evaluating the degree of "oxygen tolerance" that can be achieved using a given oxygen scrubbing strategy. Finally, we propose some applications that could most benefit from the implementation of oxygen tolerant CLRP and provide a perspective on the future direction of this field.

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.

Dispersity control in atom transfer radical polymerizations through addition of phenylhydrazine

Phenylhydrazine is an effective modifier for conventional ATRP syntheses, providing systematic control over the dispersity of polymers with unimodal molecular weight distributions.