High frequency sonoATRP of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate in an aqueous medium

High frequency ultrasound (490 kHz, 40 W) was applied for the controlled polymerisation of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) via sonochemically induced atom transfer radical polymerisation (sonoATRP). The synthesis of poly(HEA) (DP 100-800) was found to reach high conversions (>90%) in short times (<60 min) with excellent molecular weight distribution (D < 1.1).