Synthesis of Star Poly(<em>N</em>-vinylcarbazole) by Microwave-Assisted Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization (RAFT)

• Main Authors: Oana-Iuliana Negru, Mircea Grigoras
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-05-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: <em>N</em>-vinylcarbazole; RAFT polymerization; three-functional dithiocarbamate chain transfer agent; microwave-assisted polymerization; star polymers
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/4/2/1183

Controlled radical polymerization of <em>N</em>-vinylcarbazole (NVK) via microwave-assisted reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is described. As chain transfer agent, 1,3,5-benzyl tri (diethyldithiocarbamate), was used. The chain transfer agent, containing a 1.3.5-trisubstituted benzene ring as core and three dithiocarbamate functionalities attached through an intermediate for fragmenting covalent bonds, led to poly(<em>N</em>-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) with star architecture. Polymerizations were carried out in 1,4-dioxane as solvent, at 70 °C, and studied for different polymerization times and monomer/CTA/initiator ratios. The SEC molecular weight curves exhibit a trimodal distribution, assigned to the linear and star-star coupling polymers, accompanying the real star polymer (as main product).