Synthesis of Molecular
Bottlebrushes by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization with ppm Amounts
of Cu Catalyst
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Abstract
Molecular bottlebrushes were prepared by ICAR (initiators
for continuous
activator regeneration) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)
and supplemental activator and reducing agent (SARA) ATRP in the presence
of 50 ppm Cu-based catalyst. Poly(<i>n</i>-butyl acrylate)
(PBA) side chains were grafted from a polymethacrylate backbone resulting
in well-defined molecular bottlebrushes. Imaging of individual bottlebrush
macromolecules by atomic force microscopy corroborated the targeted
degrees of polymerization of the backbone and side chains. Initiation
efficiency was determined by cleaving the side chains to be around
50%