Mn-2(CO)(10)-Induced RAFT Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate, Methyl Acrylate, and Styrene

A dinuclear manganese complex [Mn-2(CO)(10)] induced the controlled/living radical polymerization of various conjugated and unconjugated vinyl-monomers including vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, and styrene in conjuction with dithiocarbonyl compounds [R-SC(S)Z] under weak visible light at 40 degrees C. The obtained polymers had controlled molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions, and well-defined chain-end groups originating from R=SC(S)Z, as indicated by SEC, H-1 NMR, and MALDI TOF MS analyses. The polymerization most probably proceeds via the reversible activation of the C-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process.