Polymer, Vol.44, No.13, 3721-3726, 2003
Synthesis of telechelic polyacrylates with unsaturated end-groups
A convenient, one-pot synthesis of telechelic and semi-telechelic polyacrylates with unsaturated end-groups has been developed. Atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl or n-butyl acrylate was initiated with either ethyl alpha-bromomethylacrylate or methyl dichloroacetate, as a monofunctional or difunctional initiator, respectively, and mediated with various Cu/amine complexes. Addition of excess ethyl 2-bromomethylacrylate was found to not only immediately quench the polymerization but also installed 2-carbethoxyallyl moieties on the ends of the polymer chains. The telechelic polymers were found to undergo thermally or photochemically induced crosslinking reactions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.