Synthesis of well-defined alternating copolymer composed of ethylmaleimide and hydroxy-functionalized vinyl ether by raft polymerization and their thermoresponsive properties

Abstract

Here we report the controlled synthesis of alternating copolymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of hydroxy-functionalized vinyl ether (DEGV) and ethylmaleimide (EtMI) using dithiocarbonate derivative (CPDB) as the RAFT reagent. The resulting alternating copolymer poly[ethylmaleimide-alt-(diethylene glycol mono vinyl ether)] (poly(MalMI-alt-DEGV)) had a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn < 1.4). These polymers are fully soluble in cold water (5◦C) and an aqueous solution of poly(MalMI-alt-DEGV) became turbid upon heating (using an incident wavelength of 600 nm and 1.0 mg mL−1 (0.1 wt %) polymer concentration), indicating phase separation above the cloud point temperature (Tcp). The Tcp of the polymer solution ranged from 15–35◦C, depending on the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymer.