Germanium-and tin-catalyzed living radical polymerizations of styrene and methacrylates

Atsush Goto, H. Zushi, Norihir Hirai, Tsutomu Wakada, Yungwan Kwak, Takeshi Fukuda*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ge and Sn (non-transition-metal) catalyzed living radical polymerizations were developed. Low-polydispersity (Mw/Mn1.1-1.3) polystyrenes, poly(methyl methacrylate)s, poly(glycidyl methacrylate)s, and pol (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with predicted molecular weights were obtained with a fairly high conversion in a fairly short time. The pseudo-first-order activation rate constant kact for the styrene/ GeI4 (catalyst) system was large enough, even with a small amount of GeI4, to explain why the system provides low-polydispersity polymers from an early stage of polymerization. The retardation in the polymerization rate observed for the styrene/GeI4 system was kinetically proved to be mainly due to the cross-termination between the propagating radical with GeI3. Attractive features of the Ge and Sn catalysts include their high reactivity hence small amounts (1-5 mM) being required under a mild condition (at 60-80 8C), high solubility in organic media without ligands, insensitivity to air hence sample preparation being allowed in the air, and minor color and smell. The Ge catalysts may also be attractive for their low toxicity.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRadical Polymerization
Subtitle of host publicationKinetics and Mechanism
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Pages126-131
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9783527610860
ISBN (Print)9783527320561
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 31 2007
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Engineering
  • General Chemical Engineering

Keywords

  • Germanium
  • Iodide
  • Living radical polymerization
  • Non-transition metal
  • Tin

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