RAFT step-growth polymerization of bis-acrylamides and their facile degradation

Demonstrated is the successful A(2) + B-2 RAFT step-growth polymerization of bis-acrylamides using a bifunctional trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent as the comonomer. Remarkably, homopropagation typical of acrylamides leading to branching and crosslinking was not observed. Moreover, synthesized poly(acrylamides) can be degraded by simply adding excess ethanolamine or PBu3.

Automated summary

The successful A(2) + B-2 RAFT step-growth polymerization of bis-acrylamides was demonstrated using a bifunctional trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent as the comonomer. Surprisingly, the typical homopropagation of acrylamides leading to branching and crosslinking was not observed. Additionally, the synthesized poly(acrylamides) can be degraded by simply adding excess ethanolamine or PBu3.