Controlled Polymerization of Protic Ionic Liquid Monomer by ARGET-ATRP and TERP

Synthesis of Multivalent Organotellurium Chain-Transfer Agents by Post-modification and Their Applications in Living Radical Polymerization

Functionalized or multivalent organotellurium chain-transfer agents (CTAs) for living radical polymerization were synthesized by post-modification, which involved the condensation between a carboxylic-acid-functionalized CTA and various amines in excellent yields without affecting the reactive tellurium moiety. The CTAs exhibited high synthetic versatility for radical polymerization and gave structurally well-controlled polymers, such as multiarmed polymers, from various monomers. Because all new CTAs are easily available on a large scale by simple purification, the current method significantly facilitates macromolecular engineering based on organotellurium-mediated radical polymerization (TERP).

Synthesis of Monodisperse Silica Particles Grafted with Concentrated Ionic Liquid-Type Polymer Brushes by Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Use as a Solid State Polymer Electrolyte

A polymerizable ionic liquid, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-methacryloylethyl)-N-methylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMM-TFSI), was polymerized via copper-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymerization proceeded in a living manner producing well-defined poly(DEMM-TFSI) of target molecular weight up to about 400 K (including a polycation and an counter anion). The accurate molecular weight as determined by a GPC analysis combined with a light scattering measurement, and the molecular weight values obtained exhibited good agreement with the theoretical values calculated from the initial molar ratio of DEMM-TFSI and the monomer conversion. Surface-initiated ATRP on the surface of monodisperse silica particles (SiPs) with various diameters was successfully performed, producing SiPs grafted with well-defined poly(DEMM-TFSI) with a graft density as high as 0.15 chains/nm². Since the composite film made from the silica-particle-decorated polymer brush and ionic liquid shows a relatively high ionic conductivity, we have evaluated the relationship between the grafted brush chain length and the ionic conductivity.

Aqueous RAFT Polymerization of Imidazolium-Type Ionic Liquid Monomers: En Route to Poly(ionic liquid)-Based Nanoparticles through RAFT Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

The synthesis by aqueous RAFT polymerization of hydrophilic narrowly dispersed imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid)s (Đ typically below 1.20) is reported. Full monomer conversion is achieved within hours and high end-group fidelity of the living end groups affords the preparation of well-defined block copolymers. The resulting poly(ionic liquid) macroRAFT agents are finally exploited to polymerize 2-vinylpyridine in water and generate PIL-based nanoparticles of various morphologies (spheres, vesicles, or worms) in a one-pot surfactant-free process.

Direct Route to Well-Defined Poly(ionic liquid)s by Controlled Radical Polymerization in Water

The precision synthesis of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) in water is achieved for the first time by the cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) of N-vinyl-3-alkylimidazolium-type monomers following two distinct protocols. The first involves the CMRP of various 1-vinyl-3-alkylimidazolium bromides conducted in water in the presence of an alkyl-cobalt(III) complex acting as a monocomponent initiator and mediating agent. Excellent control over molar mass and dispersity is achieved at 30 °C. Polymerizations are complete in a few hours, and PIL chain-end fidelity is demonstrated up to high monomer conversions. The second route uses the commercially available bis(acetylacetonato)cobalt(II) (Co(acac)₂) in conjunction with a simple hydroperoxide initiator (tert-butyl hydroperoxide) at 30, 40, and 50 °C in water, facilitating the scaling-up of the technology. Both routes prove robust and straightforward, opening new perspectives onto the tailored synthesis of PILs under mild experimental conditions in water.