Polymers and copolymers synthesized by means that yield a narrow range of molecular weights can have different properties than polymers synthesized by conventional means. In order to obtain such polymers, however, polymerization must be controlled. One type of controlled polymerization is the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process, which has characteristics of a living polymerization. The present invention discloses a group of dithioesters and trithioesters suitable as chain transfer agents for RAFT polymerization. The present invention also discloses RAFT polymerizations conducted in aqueous media.
通过产生分子量范围较窄的方法合成的聚合物和共聚物可能具有不同于传统方法合成的聚合物的性质。然而,为了获得这种聚合物,必须控制聚合反应。一种控制聚合的类型是可逆加成-断裂链转移(RAFT)过程,具有活性聚合的特征。本发明揭示了一组二
硫酯和三
硫酯,适用作为RAFT聚合的链转移剂。本发明还揭示了在
水性介质中进行的RAFT聚合反应。