Organotellurium compounds as initiators for controlled living radical polymerization

15 Organotellurium compounds as initiators for controlled living radical polymerization 

The use of several diorganyl tellurides as initiators for controlled living radical polymerization of styrenes has been investigated.  

R = Me R = PhCHMe, PhCRj, PhsCCOjEt, PhCHO R = Ph R = PhCHMe, PhCOSiMeg 

The efficiency of the polymerization was discnssed on the basis of the bond dissociation energy (BDEn) and the reactivity of the initiating radical towards styrenes. 

No reaction with 1,1-dialkyl, 1,1,5,5-tetralkyl and 1,5-diisopropyl dioxopentane. The obtained dichlorides are easily reduced to the corresponding 3,5-dioxotellurane by treatment with aqueous potassium bisulphite. 

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