Cooperative reduction of various RAFT polymer terminals using hydrosilane and thiol via polarity reversal catalysis

Abstract

Cooperative reduction of thiocarbonylthio terminals of polymers obtained by RAFT polymerization was investigated using a catalytic amount of thiol as a polarity reversal catalyst in conjunction with hydrosilane as a reducing agent. A combination of C₁₂H₂₅SH and Ph₃SiH enabled the complete removal of xanthate, dithiobenzoate, and trithiocarbonate groups from poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, and poly(methyl acrylate) under the radical conditions.