Atom transfer radical polymerization functional group tolerance

Similarly, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has been used by Matyjaszewski and others for the synthesis of polystyrene and polyacrylates witii controlled molecular weights. This process is bas on a Cu(I) assisted atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) One of the end groups is de ed by the structure of the initiator, whereas the other one contains an alkyl halide, such as chloride or bromide that can be converted to other functional groups. Additionally, the radical intermediates of ATRP are tolerant to many function groups, which can not be used directly in anionic or cationic processes, such as hydroxyalkyl, epoxy, enabling the direct synthesis of well-defined glycidyl, hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylates and other functional monomers. Percec and Barboiu have prepared polystyrene derivatives with efficient control of chain-end chemistry by the use of functionalized arenesulfonyl chlorides. 

The importance of radical polymerizations can be ascribed to the large variety of vinyl monomers that can be polymerized and copol erized and to the undemanding experimental conditions (7). Radical polymerizations require the absence of oxygen but can be earned out in the presence of water and other impurities. In addition, radical polymerizations are tolerant to many functional groups. Mth atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), it is now possible to conduct radical polymerizations in a controUed/ living fashion (2-4). Structural variables of polymeric chains such as molecular wei t, molecular weight distribution (4), copolymer composition (5-ri) and terminal functionalities can be controlled (7). Furthermore, a variety of molecular architectures can be prepared such as linear, branched and hyperbranched structures (8). 

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