Preparation of hyperbranched polyacrylates by atom transfer radical polymerization, 4 - The use of zero-valent copper

The addition of zero-valent copper to the self-condensing vinyl polymerizat ion (SCVP) of novel AB* (meth)acrylic monomers using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) catalyst systems has allowed for their successful pol ymerization. Polymerization under homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst co nditions without additional Cu(0) were unsuccessful. The catalyst system th at was designed comprised of Cu(I) bromide, 4,4'-bis(5-nonyl)-2,2'-bipyridi ne, and Cu(0) metal (powder or turning). From H-1 NMR spectroscopy, the deg ree of branching was estimated for the acrylic polymers, DB = 0.48. The deg ree of branching could not be determined for methacrylates by this method d ue to overlapping signals in the H-1 NMR spectra.