Computational Evaluation of the Sulfonyl Radical as a Universal Leaving Group for RAFT Polymerisation

Abstract

The present study investigates the performance of the sulfonyl radical, i.e. •SO2Ph, as a universal leaving group in reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. The sulfonyl radical is widely used as a radical initiator and has already been proved successful as a leaving group in an atom-transfer radical polymerisation. Our results, obtained using high-level ab initio computational methodology under relevant experimental conditions, indicate superior performance of the sulfonyl compared with a reference cyanoisopropyl group in controlling RAFT of a wide range of monomers. Importantly, the presence of sulfonyl chain ends in the polymers so formed opens attractive possibilities for further functionalisation. Potential synthetic routes to the R-sulfonyl RAFT agents are discussed.