Synthesis of diblock copolymers bearing p-methoxyphenacyl side groups

This contribution reports on the synthesis of light-responsive diblock copolymers containing para-methoxyphenacyl photocleavable side groups. The synthetic strategy consists in the direct polymerization of p-methoxyphenacyl methacrylate by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization. Several catalytic systems have been screened to synthesize poly(p-methoxyphenacyl methacrylate) in a controlled way. In a second step, diblock copolymers containing a poly(p-methoxyphenacyl methacrylate) block and a block composed of either polystyrene, poly(tert-butyl acrylate) or poly (methyl methacrylate) have been synthesized to evidence the possibility of preparing copolymers with monomers belonging to the three main categories. The cleavage of the p-methoxyphenacyl moieties in solution has been finally demonstrated.