Fabrication of Structurally Controlled Poly(n-butyl acrylate) Particles by Ab Initio Emulsion Organotellurium-Mediated Radical Polymerization. Synthesis of High Molecular Weight Homo and Block Copolymers

High molecular weight (HMW) poly(butyl acrylate)s (PBAs) and diblock copolymers consisting of PBA blocks were synthesized by ab initio emulsion polymerization using water-soluble organotellurium chain transfer agents (CTAs) in water. HMW PBAs with an average molecular weight (M-n) up to 5 x 10(5) and low dispersity (D < 1.5) were synthesized by controlling the hydrophobicity of the CTAs and surfactants. The polymerization reached >90% monomer conversion while maintaining low viscosity due to stable latex formation, and diblock copolymers were easily synthesized by adding the second monomer to a latex consisting of macroinitiators. While the presence of a termination reaction has often limited the synthesis of HMW polymers by reversible deactivation radical polymerization, high end group fidelity was confirmed under the current conditions through block copolymer synthesis.

Automated summary

High molecular weight poly(butyl acrylate)s and diblock copolymers were successfully synthesized using water-soluble organotellurium chain transfer agents in water, achieving high monomer conversion rates and low viscosity due to stable latex formation. The presence of termination reactions in reversible deactivation radical polymerization has been a limiting factor for synthesizing HMW polymers, but high end group fidelity was confirmed through block copolymer synthesis under the current conditions.