Polyacrylates networks synthesized by endlinking of 3-armed precursor via radical addition coupling reaction

Abstract

We propose a strategy of synthesis of well-defined polyacrylate networks with cleavable branch units by endlinking of 3-armed prepolymer via radical addition coupling reaction with alkene. Via decrosslinking, cleavage at the branch units, the polymer network can be transformed to linear chains, which can be analyzed by normal methods. The length between the branch units, the distribution of the branch units and the fraction of the dangling chains of the network together with the extent of reaction are directly analyzed, which give detailed description of the polymer network. The method can be applied to prepare amphiphilic conetwork containing tert-butyl acrylate and acrylic acid units.