Poly(ethylene glycol) as solvent for transition metal mediated living radical polymerisation

Abstract

The use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with low molecular weights as a novel solvent for the transition metal mediated radical polymerisation of methyl methacrylate and styrene is reported. The utilisation of PEG leads to polymerisation kinetics that differ from those observed with more traditional organic solvents. Moreover, the amount of residual copper catalyst in the product is greatly reduced by precipitation of the polymer in ethanol.