Controlled radical polymerization catalyzed by CuCl/BDE complex in water medium. I. Polymerization of styrene and synthesis of poly(St-b-MMA)

The controlled radical polymerization of styrene in water medium, in the pr esence of polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether, catalyzed and initiated by Cu Cl/BDE [bis(N,N'-dimethylaminoethyl)ether]/R-X was studied. The results sho w that the molecular weight increased with conversion of the monomer. Using this controlled system, the block copolymer, poly(St-b-MMA), was successfu l synthesized in water medium. In reference to the system of CuCl/BDE/PhCH2 Cl, the polymerization may also occur in the micelle to produce a superhigh molecular mass (M-n = 1,500,000) polymer with monodispersion (MWD, M-w/M-n = 1.03). The Cu(I) and Cu(II) partition ratio in two phases, which may aff ect the reversible deactivation and debase the catalyst efficiency, was det ected. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.