SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS WITH AMINO END GROUPS BY ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

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Abstract
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) is a controlled radical polymerization process that produces polymers with predictable molecular weights, narrow polydispersities, and well-defined halogen end groups. The key factor in the control of the polymerization process is the presence of a metal/ligand complex that provides a fast, reversible activation and deactivation of the growing polymer chains. The ligands, used to complex the metal are mostly tertiary amino compounds. However, amines can interact with the halogen end groups of the initiator molecules or of the growing chains. Our investigations concern-ing this issue indicate that under the experimental conditions used during the polymerization process, interactions of end groups with tertiary amines are negligible. Ammonia and primary amines, e.g., n-butylamine, however can react with the halogen end groups. Moreover, after the polymerization reaction they can be used as nucleophilic agents to replace the halogens by other functional end groups. The use of difunctional molecules such as ethanolamine leads to the incorporation of alcohol end groups at the chain ends.