Well-defined amine-reactive polymethacrylates through organocatalyzed controlled radical polymerization

Abstract

A novel alkyl iodide bearing an azlactone group was synthesized and used as a reversible complex-mediated polymerization (RCMP) initiator for the organocatalyzed RCMP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (mPEGMA). The efficiency of the new initiator was studied under different processes including thermal and photochemical activation. Well-defined α-azlactone-functionalized polymethacrylates (Đ < 1.30) with an absence of “free” toxic transition metals were obtained for the first-time. The amine-scavenging ability of these functional polymers was demonstrated by using benzylamine.