title: Catenated PS-PMMA block copolymers via supramolecularly templated ATRP initiator approach.
abstract: A novel route to synthesize catenated macrocyclic PS-PMMA block copolymers is demonstrated via combination of supramolecular chemistry and controlled radical polymerization (CRP). Polymerization of styrene with bromopropionate ester initiator coupled with phenanthroline Cu(I) complex affords a four arm PS macroinitiator, which upon further chain extension by polymerization of MMA generates a four arm PS-PMMA block copolymer. Intramolecular coupling of PS-PMMA-Br arms via low temperature styrene-assisted atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC) leads to the formation of PS-PMMA catenand, which generates the metal-free catenated macrocyclic PS-PMMA block copolymer after removal of Cu metal. The interlocked structures of catenated block copolymers are confirmed by GPC, NMR, and AFM image analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, TX 77204-5003, USA.
authors.forename: Ajay Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bunha
authors.forename: Joey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mangadlao
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Felipe
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pangilinan
authors.forename: Rigoberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Advincula
mesh_terms: D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic / Q000379:methods*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate