Dithiocarbamates as Effective Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Agents for Controlled Radical Polymerization of 1-Vinyl-1,2,4-triazole

Narrow dispersed poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) (PVT) was synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole (VT). AIBN as the initiator and dithiocarbamates, xanthates, and trithiocarbonates as the chain transfer agents (CTA) were used. Dithiocarbamates proved to be the most efficient in VT polymerization. Gel permeation chromatography was used to determine the molecular weight distribution and polydispersity of the synthesized polymers. The presence of the CTA stabilizing and leaving groups in the PVT was confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The linear dependence of the degree of polymerization on time confirms the conduct of radical polymerization in a controlled mode. The VT conversion was over 98% and the PVT number average molecular weight ranged from 11 to 61 kDa. The polydispersity of the synthesized polymers reached 1.16. The occurrence of the controlled radical polymerization was confirmed by monitoring the degree of polymerization over time.

Thermal stability of styrene/n-butyl acrylate RAFT-based copolymers

Homopolymer of n-butyl acrylate and styrene/n-butyl acrylate copolymers, where n-butyl acrylate units are linked to the trithiocarbonate group, are more thermally stable as compared with homopolymer of styrene and similar copolymers containing styrene units linked to this group.