CuBr2/N,N,N′,N′‐Tetra[(2‐pyridal)methyl]ethylenediamine/Tertiary Amine as a Highly Active and Versatile Catalyst for Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization via Activator Generated by Electron Transfer

Abstract

AbstractSummary: A highly active and versatile CuBr2/N,N,N′,N′‐tetra[(2‐pyridal)methyl]ethylenediamine (CuBr2/TPEN)‐tertiary amine catalyst system has been developed for atom transfer radical polymerization via activator‐generated‐by‐electron‐transfer (AGET ATRP). The catalyst mediates good control of the AGET ATRPs of methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and styrene at 1 mol‐% catalyst relative to initiator. A mechanism study shows that tertiary amines such as triethylamine reduces the CuBr2/TPEN complex to CuBr/TPEN.The GPC traces of PSt, PMA, and PMMA prepared by AGET ATRP at 1 mol‐% of catalyst relative to initiator are monomodal and have low polydispersities.magnified imageThe GPC traces of PSt, PMA, and PMMA prepared by AGET ATRP at 1 mol‐% of catalyst relative to initiator are monomodal and have low polydispersities.