Controlled one-step synthesis of a diblock copolymer

Well-defined block copolymers were obtained from 4-hydroxy-butyl-2-bromoisobutyrate dual initiator, combining tert-butylmethacrylate ATRP and ε-caprolactone ROP in a one-step process. Using AlEt3 as coinitiator in a ROP catalytic process, the variation of the AlEt3/initiator ratio permits to modulate the ROP rate and so to control the final block copolymer composition. Nevertheless, slight interferences between the two polymerizations were observed.