Photoinduced Controlled Radical Polymerization in Methanol

Abstract Photoinduced CRP of methyl methacrylate initiated by in situ generation of copper (I) complex from higher oxidation state species in methanol was investigated. The polymerizations proceeded in a well‐controlled manner under UV light at room temperature as evidenced by kinetic and chain extension studies. The evolution of molecular weight with conversion showed good correlation between experimental and theoretical molecular weights, which confirmed good control over polymerization and ensured a narrow MWD. The effect of the methanol on the polymerization was also investigated, and a better agreement between experimental and theoretical molecular weights with a quite narrow MWD was obtained by using methanol as solvent. magnified image