ATRP synthesis of amphiphilic random, gradient, and block copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and n-butyl methacrylate in aqueous media.
Amphiphilic random, gradient, and block copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in water/2-propanol mixtures using a methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) (M(n) = 2000) macroinitiator. Kinetic studies indicate that the copolymerization is well controlled with molecular weights increasing linearly with conversion. Copolymers with molecular weights up to M(n) = 34000 and low polydispersities (M(w)/M(n) = 1.11-1.47) were prepared. The reactivity ratios were calculated for the copolymerizations catalyzed by CuBr/bpy, (r(DMAEMA) = 1.07, r(BMA) = 1.24). The thermosensitivity and aggregation properties of the random, gradient, and block copolymers significantly depended on the architecture of the copolymers. The lower critical solution temperature of MPEG-b-PDMAEMA(84) was 38 degrees C (5 wt % in water).
Lee
Sang Beom
SB
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, 1249 Benedum Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
Russell
Alan J
AJ
Matyjaszewski
Krzysztof
K
D007700:Kinetics; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009757:Nylons / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water
D008689:Methacrylates; D009757:Nylons; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C407037:poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate); C116863:poly(butyl methacrylate); D014867:Water