Diimino- and diaminopyridine complexes of CuBr and FeBr2 as catalysts in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)

Abstract

Dialkylimino- and dialkylaminopyridine complexes of CuBr and FeBr2 were employed successfully in the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate, styrene and methyl acrylate. The diiminopyridine ligand formed active catalysts with CuBr and FeBr2. The diaminopyridine ligand formed an active catalyst with CuBr. The comparison of both ligands in the copper-mediated atom transfer polymerization reactions lead to the conclusion that the change from the imine to the amine ligand results in a higher activity of the catalyst in ATRP.