Simple and robust nitroxide-mediated polymerization with oxygen tolerance

Abstract

Nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) is a typical reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) with simple components and pure products. Here we present the first example of NMP with oxygen tolerance, using alkoxyamine 3-(((2-cyanopropan-2-yl)oxy)(cyclohexyl)amino)-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanenitrile (Dispolreg 007) as the initiator. Without traditional degassing operation, the resultant polymerization exhibited similar living and control behavior as the one performed under degassing. This oxygen tolerant NMP system was suitable for the homopolymerization of both 1,1-disubstituted monomers as well as the monosubstituted ones. And the chain extension based on macroalkoxyamines derived from Dispolreg 007 could also be performed without degassing. The characteristics of this oxygen tolerant and simple system may provide exciting new opportunities for increased versatility of NMP polymerization in the industrial fields.