Initiation of MMA polymerization by iniferters based on dithiocarbamates

Abstract

Twelve modified dithiocarbamates and a thiuramdisulfide used for the initiation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization were synthesized in this study. The polymerization of MMA was followed by determine the yield and molar mass of the obtained PMMA as a function of polymerization time. Four of the synthesized dithiocarbamates S-benzyl-N,N-dibenzyldithiocarbamate, S-allyl-N,N-dibenzyldithiocarbamate S-benzyl-N,N-diisobutyldithiocarbamate and S-benzoyl-N,N-diisobutyldithiocarbamate, as well as N,N,N',N'-tetrabenzylthiuramdisulfide acted as iniferters. They were active as the initiators of the photo and/or thermally initiated radical polymerization of MMA in bulk and inert solvents (benzene and toluene). S Benzyl - N,N - dibenzyldithiocarbamate can be successfully used for the initiation of MMA polymerization in a polar solvent such as dimethylacetamide.