Synthesis of PMMA-b-PEG-b- PMMA by controlled Polymerization Using Macro-RAFT Agents

Abstract

In this work controlled radical polymerization (CRP) of methyl methacrylate was carried out in thepresence of the Poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) xanthate reversible addition fragmentation (RAFT) chain transferagent designated as (CTA1) and (CTA2). Firstly, PEGs having different molecular weights (400 and 600 g/mol)were reacted KOH and CS2 and the terminated 4-chloro benzoyl chloride to obtain PEG-xathates. RAFT agentpossessing PEG chain was used in the RAFT polymerization of MMA to yield PMMA-b-PEG-b-PMMA tri-blockcopolymers which can be used in various potential applications. With the gravimetric follow of the reaction, thecontrol mechanism works well and the molecular weight has grown linearly. The structures of the synthesizedmacro RAFT agents and polymers were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopic methods.