Individually Addressable Thermo- and RedoxResponsive Block Copolymers by Combining Anionic Polymerization and RAFT Protocols

A novel diblock copolymer consisting of poly(vinylferrocene) (PVFc) and poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEA) is synthesized via a combination of anionic and RAFT polymerization. The use of a novel route to hydroxyl-end-functionalized metallopolymers in anionic polymerization and subsequent esterification with a RAFT agent leads to a PVFc macro-CTA ((M) over bar (n) = 3800 g mol(-1); D = 1.17). RAFT polymerization with DEA affords block copolymers as evidenced by H-1 NMR spectroscopy as well as size exclusion chromatography (6400 <= (m) over bar (n) <= 33700 g mol(-1); 1.31 <= D 1.28). Self-assembly of the amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous solution leads to micelles as shown via TEM. Importantly, the distinct thermo-responsive and redox-responsive character of the blocks is probed via dynamic light scattering and found to be individually and repeatedly addressable.