RAFT polymerization and thiol-ene modification of 2-vinyloxyethyl methacrylate: Towards functional branched polymers

A vinyl functional polymer, viz, poly(vinyloxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(VEMA) was synthesized by the RAFT polymerization of an asymmetric divinyl monomer, VEMA. This polymer, with pendant vinyloxyl groups, was subsequently reacted with three thiol compounds; 2-mercaptoethanol, cysteamine and 3-mercaptoproponic acid via the thiol-ene reactions. The resulting branched polymers contained hydroxyl, amino and carboxylic acid functionalities suitable for further reactions and conjugations.