Visible Light-Induced Living Radical Polymerization of Butyl Acrylate: Photocatalyst-Free, Ultrafast, and Oxygen Tolerance

Abstract

Butyl acrylate is polymerized in the living way under the irradiation of purple light-emitting diode (LED) or sunlight without photocatalyst at ambient temperature. 2-((Phenoxycarbonothioyl)thio) ethyl propanoate) is exclusively added and acted as an initiator and a chain transfer agent simultaneously in the current system. Poly(butyl acrylate) with well-regulated molecular weight and relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (Ð < 1.30) is synthesized. High conversion (>95%) can be achieved within several minutes. Polymerization shows oxygen tolerance. Near quantitative end-group fidelity of polymer is demonstrated by 1H NMR and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectra. (Figure presented.).