Synthesis of tertiary-butyl acrylate polymers and preparation of diblock copolymers using atom transfer radical polymerization

The synthesis of tert-butyl acrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is reported. This polymer was prepared using FeCl2 · 4H2O(PPh3)2 catalyst system in conjunction with methyl 2-bromopropionate as initiator, in bulk and in solution using acetone as a solvent. The addition of solvent was necessary in order to decrease the polymerization rate and to afford low polydispersity polymers. The number-average molecular weights of the resulting polymers increased in direct proportion to the monomer conversion, and the polydispersities (Mw/Mn) were as low as 1.2. In addition, the preparation of an AB diblock copolymer of poly (n-butyl methacrylate)–block-poly (tert-butyl acrylate) by ATRP is reported. The resulting polymers and copolymers were characterized by means of size exclusion chromatography and 1H-NMR Spectroscopy.