ATRP of MMA initiated by 2-bromoisobutyric acid 4-(2- benzothiazole-2-yl-vinyl)-phenyl ester (BPBVE) and its fluorescent property in the presence of metal ions

Abstract

Abstract2-Bromoisobutyric acid 4-(2-benzothiazole-2-yl-vinyl)-phenyl ester (BPBVE) was used for the heterogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with a copper(I)bromide/2,2’-bipyridine catalytic system. Factors such as the reaction temperature and mole ratio of catalyst to initiator, which could affect the ATRP system, were discussed in the paper. The functional end group was characterized via UV-vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The rates of polymerizations exhibited first-order kinetics with respect to the monomer, and a linear increase in the number-average molecular weight with increasing monomer conversion was observed for these initiation systems. The polydispersity indices (PDI) of the polymer were relatively low (1.07- 1.23) up to high conversions. This PMMA with BPBVE as end group shows strong emission at blue-light area whether in solution or in solid. In particularly, emission was decreased (or quenched) with appearance of metal cations (Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ag+) in DMF solution.