Synthesis of block copolymers by mechanistic transformation from reversible complexation mediated living radical polymerization to the photoinduced radical oxidation/addition/deactivation process

A versatile strategy for the fabrication of block copolymers by the combination of two discrete living polymerization techniques-reversible complexation mediated living radical polymerization (RCMP) and photoinduced radical oxidation addition deactivation (PROAD) processes-is reported. First, RCMP is conducted to yield poly(methyl methacrylate) with iodide end groups (PMMA-I). In the following step, PMMA-I is used as macroinitiator for living PROAD cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether. Successful formation of the block copolymers is confirmed by 1H NMR, FT-IR, GPC, and DSC investigations.National Research Foundation (NRF)Submitted/Accepted versionThe authors acknowledge the financial support from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Project 120C121) and the Istanbul Technical University Research Fund and National Research Foundation (NRF) Investigatorship in Singapore (NRF-NRFI05-2019-0001)