Facile synthesis of cyclic RAFT agents and ring expansion radical polymerization of vinyl monomers having cyclic topology

Abstract

We describe the synthesis of cyclic vinyl polymers by ring-expansion radical polymerization using a cyclic RAFT agent, which is prepared by bimolecular ring-closing esterification of succinic acid and bis{4-[ethyl-(2-hydroxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl} trithiocarbonate.