Controlled radical copolymerization of multivinyl crosslinkers: a robust route to functional branched macromolecules

Abstract

AbstractControlled radical polymerization (CRP) has both revolutionized the synthesis of linear polymers and enabled unprecedented topological complexity. While the synthesis of many polymeric architectures requires careful planning and specialized precursors, branched macromolecules such as segmented hyperbranched polymers (SHPs), knotted polymers, core‐crosslinked stars (CCSs), and more can be synthesized through the copolymerization of vinyl monomers and divinyl crosslinkers in only a few steps. In the nearly two decades since its discovery, this strategy has helped elucidate the fundamental polymerization behavior of crosslinkers and also yielded a variety of functional and stimuli‐responsive materials. The purpose of this mini‐review is to therefore overview critical fundamental aspects of CRP of crosslinkers and materials derived therefrom. The process by which both SHPs and CCS polymers are synthesized, the effect of key reaction parameters and intriguing recent advances are described with the intent of both educating new researchers and inspiring new directions in this area. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry