Arm-first star synthesis

In the arm-first approach the arms are prepared and then self-assembled to form the core. There are two main variants that will be considered. 

The arm-first synthesis of star microgels by initiating polymerization or copolymerization of a divinyl monomer such as diviny lbenzene or a bis-maleimide with a polystyryl alkoxyamine was pioneered by Solomon and coworkers.692 693 The general approach had previously been used in anionic polymerization. The method has now been exploited in conjunction with NMP,692 6 ATRP69 700 and RAFT.449 701 702 The product contains dormant functionality in the core. This can be used as a core for subsequent polymerization of a monoene monomer to yield a mikto-arm star (NMP ATRP704). 

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