Hyperbranched Polymers via RAFT Copolymerization of an Acryloyl Trithiocarbonate

Abstract

Hyperbranched copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and styrene were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in the presence of a novel acryloyl trithiocarbonate, namely 1-[3-(2-methyl-2-dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanylpropionyloxy)propyl]-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-ylmethyl acrylate. By employing an example of ‘click chemistry’, we were able to prepare the vinyl RAFT chain transfer agent (CTA) by copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an azido-functionalized trithiocarbonate and propargyl acrylate. The resulting CTA facilitated the preparation of highly branched poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and polystyrene. Interestingly, the branched PNIPAM demonstrated a reduced lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 25°C as opposed to the conventional value of 32°C expected for linear PNIPAM, an effect attributed to increased contribution of hydrophobic dodecyl trithiocarbonate end groups.