Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) (Co)polymerization of isobornyl acrylate

Abstract

Controlled/living radical homopolymerization of isobornyl acrylate and its copolymerization with styrene with reversible chain transfer via the addition-fragmentation mechanism in the presence of benzyl dithiobenzoate have been studied. It has been shown that the (co)polymerization proceeds through living chains, a result that is confirmed by a linear increase in the number-average molecular weight with conversion and by low polydispersity indexes. With the use of polymer RAFT agents block copolymers have been synthesized. Amphiphilic copolymers have been obtained through acid hydrolysis of isobornyl acrylate units in copolymers of various microstructures.