Tailored polymer microstructures prepared by atom transfer radical copolymerization of styrene and N-substituted maleimides

Abstract

In the present Feature Article, a kinetic strategy for controlling the microstructure of synthetic polymer chains prepared via a radical chain-growth polymerization process is presented. This approach was recently developed in our laboratory and relies on the controlled kinetic addition of ultrareactive N-substituted maleimides during the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene. This method is experimentally straightforward and can be applied to a broad library of functional N-substituted maleimides. Thus, this platform allows synthesis of unprecedented polymer materials such as 1D macromolecular arrays. The basic kinetic requirements, the experimental conditions, and the synthetic scope of this approach are discussed in details herein. The controlled radical copolymerization of styrene with N-substituted maleimides allows preparation of unique polymer microstructures. Indeed, we reported in recent years that small amounts of N-substituted maleimides can be placed at specific locations in linear polystyrene chains. Herein, we describe in details this research advance. The kinetic concept, the experimental conditions and the scope of this novel strategy are discussed in this feature article. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.