Studies on microgels. 5. Synthesis of microgels via living free radical polymerisation

Statistical and star microgels of t-butylstynne-1,4-divinylbenzene (TBS-DVB ) have been synthesized via living free radical polymerization using tetram ethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) as a trapping agent. The alkoxyamines 1 and 2 were used as initiators to prepare statistical and star microgels, respect ively. The molecular weight of the resulting microgels was determined by si ze exclusion chromatography with an on-line multi-angle laser light scatter ing (MALLS) instrument. it has been found that living free radical polymeri zation provides a much better control over the formation of statistical mic rogels than traditional free radical polymerization and can be used success fully for the synthesis of star microgels. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.