Photo-induced living radical polymerization of acrylates utilizing a discrete copper(ii)–formate complex

Abstract

A photo-polymerization protocol, utilizing a pre-formed and well-characterized Cu(II) formate complex, [Cu(Me₆-Tren)(O₂CH)](ClO₄), mediated by UV light is described. In the absence of additional reducing agents and/or photosensitizers, ppm concentrations of the oxidatively stable [Cu(Me₆-Tren)(O₂CH)](ClO₄), furnish near-quantitative conversions within 2 h, yielding poly(acrylates) with low dispersities (∼1.10) and exceptional end-group fidelity, capable of undergoing in situ chain extension and block copolymerization.