Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate with anew catalytic system, FeCl3/isophthalic acid

A new catalytic system, FeCl3/isophthalic acid, was successfully used in th e reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) of methyl methacryla te (MMA) in the presence of a conventional radical initiator, 2,2'-azo-bis- isobutyrontrile. Well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was synthesi zed in an N,N-dimethylformamide solvent at 90-120 degreesC. The polymerizat ion was controlled up to a molecular weight of 50,000, and the polydispersi ty index was 1.4. Chain extension was performed to confirm the living natur e of the polymer. The kinetics of the RATRP of MMA with FeCl3/isophthalic a cid as the catalyst system was investigated. The apparent activation energy was 10.47 kcal/mol. The presence of the end chloride atom on the resulting PMMA was demonstrated by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.