Preparation of Poly(N-Vinylcaprolactam) (NVCL) and Statistical Copolymers of NVCL with Variable Cloud Point Temperature by Using A Trithiocarbonate RAFT Agent

Preparation of PNVCL controlling its molecular weight and maintaining low dispersities by using a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent was achieved. Typical RAFT kinetics were not observed, nevertheless the prepared polymers were reactivated to grow a second hydrophobic poly(hexyl acrylate) block. A series of statistical copolymers of NVCL with N-vinyl pyrrolidone, n-hexyl acrylate, methacrylic acid, 2( diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate and 2-(methacryloyloxy) benzoic acid with controlled dispersity were also prepared. By this copolymerization method the cloud point temperature of PNVCL was varied from 27 degrees C to 42 degrees C depending on comonomer type, content and pH of the aqueous solution.