Optimization of the Nitroxide-Mediated Radical Polymerization Conditions for Styrene and tert-Butyl Acrylate in an Automated Parallel Synthesizer

Becer, C. Remzi; Paulus, Renzo M.; Hoogenboom, Richard; Schubert, Ulrich S.

Abstract:

Automated parallel synthesizers provide fast and comparable screening of different polymerization parameters under similar conditions. In addition, these robotic systems eliminate handling errors, which may affect the results of a kinetic experiment more than the effect of an important parameter. The polymerization temperature and N,N-tert-butyl-N-[10-diethylphosphono-2,20-dimethylpropyl]nitroxide concentration were optimized for the homopolymerization of both styrene and tert-butyl acrylate to improve the control over the polymerization while reasonable polymerization rates were retained. Subsequently, polystyrene and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) macroinitiators were synthesized according to the knowledge obtained from the screening results. These macroinitiators were used for the preparation of block copolymers consisting of styrene and tert-butyl acrylate.

Year:

2006

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Volume:

44

Pages:

6202 - 6213