Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization of Methacrylic Esters: Insights and Solutions to a Long-Standing Problem

A versatile and straightforward process to turn plastics into antibacterial materials

Antibacterial activity without cell cytotoxicity is conferred to common plastic materials by dispersion of amphiphilic cationic methacrylate-based block copolymers (0.5–2 wt%), while maintaining the mechanical properties of the materials.

Synthesis of block copolymers containing 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate by NMP – a versatile platform for functionalization

This study highlights the potential of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (ClHPMA) as a functional building block in nanostructured block copolymer architectures.

Modern trends in controlled synthesis of functional polymers: fundamental aspects and practical applications

Major trends in controlled radical polymerization (CRP) or reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP), the most efficient method of synthesis of well-defined homo- and copolymers with specified parameters and properties, are critically analyzed. Recent advances associated with the three classical versions of CRP: nitroxide mediated polymerization, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization, are considered. Particular attention is paid to the prospects for the application of photoinitiation and photocatalysis in CRP. This approach, which has been intensively explored recently, brings synthetic methods of polymer chemistry closer to the light-induced processes of macromolecular synthesis occurring in living organisms. Examples are given of practical application of CRP techniques to obtain industrially valuable, high-tech polymeric products.

The bibliography includes 429 references.

Novel tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-functionalized nitroxide/alkoxyamine for nitroxide-mediated homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerizations

Tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-functionalized nitroxide/alkoxyamine realized the “in situ observation” of the NMP process for both homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerization systems.

100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Degradable Polymers from Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization: Latest Advances, New Directions, and Ongoing Challenges

Radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP) allows facile incorporation of labile groups (e.g., ester) into the main chain of vinyl polymers to obtain (bio)degradable materials. rROP has focused a lot of attention especially since the advent of reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques and is still incredibly moving forward, as attested by the numerous achievements in terms of monomer synthesis, macromolecular engineering, and potential biomedical applications of the resulting degradable polymers. In the present Viewpoint, we will cover the latest progress made in rROP in the last ∼5 years, such as its recent directions, its remaining limitations, and the ongoing challenges. More specifically, this will be achieved through the three different classes of monomers that recently caught most of the attention: cyclic ketene acetals (CKA), thionolactones, and macrocyclic monomers.

On the nitroxide mediated polymerization of methacrylates derived from bio-sourced terpenes in miniemulsion, a step towards sustainable products

The typical use of toxic solvents, expensive control agents and the need of intermediate purification steps hinders the introduction of bio-sourced monomers into industrially viable block copolymers. This study aims at overcoming these limitations.

Making the best of it: nitroxide-mediated polymerization of methacrylates via the copolymerization approach with functional styrenics

The addition of 5 mol% of functional styrenics imparts control to the SG1-mediated polymerization of methacrylates and provides access to nanostructured functional methacrylic materials.

Graft modification of cold water-soluble starch via nitroxide-mediated polymerisation

Graft modification of cold water-soluble starch with synthetic polymer was conducted using nitroxide-mediated polymerisation.

Photochemical generation of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical from caged nitroxides by near-infrared two-photon irradiation and its cytocidal effect on lung cancer cells

Novel caged nitroxides (nitroxide donors) with near-infrared two-photon (TP) responsive character, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)benzofuran-6-yl)ethoxy)piperidine (2a) and its regioisomer 2b, were designed and synthesized. The one-photon (OP) (365 ± 10 nm) and TP (710–760 nm) triggered release (i.e., uncaging) of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical under air atmosphere were discovered. The quantum yields for the release of the TEMPO radical were 2.5% (2a) and 0.8% (2b) in benzene at ≈1% conversion of 2, and 13.1% (2a) and 12.8% (2b) in DMSO at ≈1% conversion of 2. The TP uncaging efficiencies were determined to be 1.1 GM at 740 nm for 2a and 0.22 GM at 730 nm for 2b in benzene. The cytocidal effect of compound 2a on lung cancer cells under photolysis conditions was also assessed to test the efficacy as anticancer agents. In a medium containing 100 μg mL⁻¹ of 2a exposed to light, the number of living cells decreased significantly compared to the unexposed counterparts (65.8% vs 85.5%).

β-Myrcene/isobornyl methacrylate SG1 nitroxide-mediated controlled radical polymerization: synthesis and characterization of gradient, diblock and triblock copolymers

β-Myrcene (My), a natural 1,3-diene, and isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA), from partially bio-based raw materials sources, were copolymerized by nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) in bulk.

Why can Dispolreg 007 control the nitroxide mediated polymerization of methacrylates?

The alkoxyamine 3-(((2-cyanopropan-2-yl)oxy)(cyclohexyl)amino)-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanenitrile (Dispolreg 007) has recently emerged as a robust regulator for the controlled (co)polymerization of methacrylates and styrene by nitroxide mediated polymerization.

Nitroxide radical polymers – a versatile material class for high-tech applications

A comprehensive summary of synthetic strategies for the preparation of nitroxide radical polymer materials and a state-of-the-art perspective on their latest and most exciting applications.

Elaboration of antimicrobial polymeric materials by dispersion of well-defined amphiphilic methacrylic SG1-based copolymers

Towards a versatile and easy method of elaboration of solid polymeric antimicrobial materials.

Novel alkoxyamines for the successful controlled polymerization of styrene and methacrylates

The design of alkoxyamine/nitroxide species capable of mediating the polymerization of both styrene and methacrylic monomers has been notoriously difficult.

High solids content nitroxide mediated miniemulsion polymerization of n-butyl methacrylate

The synthesis of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) by nitroxide mediated miniemulsion polymerization is described using the alkoxyamine 3-(((2-cyanopropan-2-yl)oxy)(cyclohexyl)amino)-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanenitrile.

New Class of Alkoxyamines for Efficient Controlled Homopolymerization of Methacrylates

Despite significant efforts, the design of alkoxyamines for polymerization of methacrylic monomers in a well-controlled fashion with good retention of the active chain ends remains a challenge. Herein, the facile synthesis of several alkoxyamines, which are capable of achieving this long sought-after goal, is reported. Controlled homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate is achieved as determined by a linear increase in molecular weight with conversion and first-order rate plots for various alkoxyamine concentrations. The versatility of the alkoxyamines is further exemplified by the ability to control the homopolymerization of styrene and by synthesis of a block copolymer of a second methacrylate in an efficient chain extension process.

Biosynthetic Polymers as Functional Materials

The synthesis of functional polymers encoded with biomolecules has been an extensive area of research for decades. As such, a diverse toolbox of polymerization techniques and bioconjugation methods has been developed. The greatest impact of this work has been in biomedicine and biotechnology, where fully synthetic and naturally derived biomolecules are used cooperatively. Despite significant improvements in biocompatible and functionally diverse polymers, our success in the field is constrained by recognized limitations in polymer architecture control, structural dynamics, and biostabilization. This Perspective discusses the current status of functional biosynthetic polymers and highlights innovative strategies reported within the past five years that have made great strides in overcoming the aforementioned barriers.

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) and block copolymers by semi-batch nitroxide mediated polymerization

The limits of control of the molecular weight and polymer structure in the semi-batch solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate by NMP are explored.