Pd-Mediated Light-Controlled Living Radical Polymerization of Methyl Acrylate

The radical polymerization of methyl acrylate in the pres-ence of a palladium dimer complex and ethyl iodoacetate as an initiator under photoirradiation conditions led to the formation of poly(methyl acrylate) having good D values. The polymer-ization could be controlled by switching the light on and off, exhibiting living characteristics. We propose that such alpha-Pd polyesters could function as dormant species, which would allow a pair of transient alpha-keto radicals and persistent Pd radi-cals to be generated upon photoirradiation.

Automated summary

The radical polymerization of methyl acrylate in the presence of a palladium dimer complex under photoirradiation conditions led to the formation of poly(methyl acrylate) with good D values. The polymerization process could be controlled by switching the light on and off, exhibiting living characteristics. It is proposed that alpha-Pd polyesters could act as dormant species and generate transient alpha-keto radicals and persistent Pd radicals upon photoirradiation.