Synthesis of Poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene)viaNitroxide-mediated Radical Polymerization by a Novel Alkoxyamine

Bifunctional alkoxyamine bis-TIPNO derived from 2,2,5-trimethyl-4-phenyl-3-azahexane-3-oxyl （TIPNO） and α, ω-alkyl bromide by atom transfer radical addition（ATRA） was employed as “biradical initiator” for nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization（NMRP） of isoprene and styrene. The kinetics study for the polymerization of styrene at different time showed living features. The poly（styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene） （SIS） copolymers have two glass transition temperatures, indicating the immiscibility of the corresponding blocks.

A Stable Open-Shell Conjugated Diradical Polymer with Ultra-High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for NIR-Ⅱ Photo-Immunotherapy of Metastatic Tumor

Massive efforts have been concentrated on the advance of eminent near-infrared(NIR) photothermal materials(PTMs) in the NIR-Ⅱ window(1000–1700 nm), especially organic PTMs because of their intrinsic biological safety compared with inorganic PTMs. However, so far, only a few NIR-Ⅱresponsive organic PTMs was explored, and their photothermal conversion efficiencies(PCEs) still remain relatively low. Herein, donor–acceptor conjugated diradical polymers with open-shell characteristics are explored for synergistically photothermal immunotherapy of metastatic tumors in the NIR-Ⅱ window. By employing side-chain regulation, the conjugated diradical polymer TTB-2 with obvious NIR-Ⅱ absorption was developed, and its nanoparticles realize a record-breaking PCE of 87.7% upon NIR-Ⅱ light illustration. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that TTB-2 nanoparticles show good tumor photoablation with navigation of photoacoustic imaging in the NIR-Ⅱ window, without any side-effect. Moreover, by combining with PD-1 antibody,the pulmonary metastasis of breast cancer is high-effectively prevented by the efficient photo-immunity effect. Thus, this study explores superior PTMs for cancer metastasis theranostics in the NIR-Ⅱ window, offering a new horizon in developing radical-characteristic NIR-Ⅱ photothermal materials.

SYNTHESIS OF TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS OF STYRENE AND ISOPRENE BY A NITROXIDE-MEDIATED LIVING FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

The controlled free radical polymerization of styrene and isoprene initiated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) at 125 'C were performed. The obtained polyisoprene and polystyrene homopolymers served as macroinitiators for block copolymerization of isoprene and styrene to synthesize poly- (styrene-b-isoprene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene) diblock copolymers. Diblock copolymers with well-defined structures as well as controlled and narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained from the lower-mass polystyrene and polyisoprene homopolymers. These copolymers were found to be active as macroinitiators in the synthesis of the poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene-b-isoprene) triblock copolymers. 1H-NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used for the investigation of polymer structure, molecular weight and polydispersity (PD).

Nitroxide-Mediated Photo-Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization of Methacrylic Acid

The photo-controlled/living radical polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) was performed at room temperature by irradiation with a high-pressure mercury lamp using azo initiators and 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl as the mediator in the presence of (4-tert-butylphenyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate (tBuS) as the accelerator. Whereas the bulk polymerization yielded polymers with a bimodal molecular weight distribution in both the absence and presence of tBuS, the solution polymerization in methanol produced unimodal polymers with the molecular weight distribution of 2.0 - 2.3 in the presence of tBuS. The molecular weight distribution of the resulting poly (MAA) decreased with an in- crease in tBuS. The dilution of the monomer concentration also reduced the molecular weight distribution. The use of the initiator with a low 10-h half-life temperature also effectively controlled the molecular weight. The livingness of the polymerization was confirmed by obtaining linear increases in the first-order conversion versus time, the molecular weight versus the conversion, and the molecular weight versus the reciprocal of the initiator concentration.

Preparation of polystyrene/SiO_(2) nanocomposites by surface-initiated nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization

Polystyrene/SiO2 composite nanoparti- cles (PS-g-Silica) were prepared by an in-situ sur- face-initiated nitroxide-mediated radical polymeriza- tion. After SiO2 nanoparticles were treated by thionyl chloride (SOCl2), peroxide initiation groups were immobilized on their surfaces through a reaction with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Then surface nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization was initi- ated and polystyrene was grafted on the surface of SiO2 particles. Composite nanoparticles were char- acterized by IR spectra, transmission electron mi- croscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermogravimetry (TGA) and the results indicated that the surface-initiated nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization could be successfully used to synthe- size well-dispersive PS/SiO2 nanocomposites.

Elucidation of Acceleration Mechanisms by a Photosensitive Onium Salt for Nitroxide-Mediated Photocontrolled/Living Radical Polymerization

The acceleration mechanisms by a photosensitive onium salt for the nitroxide-mediated photocontrolled/living radical polymerization (photo-NMP) were determined. The photo-NMP of methyl methacrylate was performed by irradiation at room temperature using 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (MTEMPO) as the mediator and (2RS, 2’RS)-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) as the initiator. The polymerization was accelerated in the presence of (4-tertbutylphenyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate (tBuS) to produce a polymer with a molecular weight distribution as narrow as the polymerization in its absence. (±)-Camphor-10-sulfonic acid or 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate had no effect on the polymerization speed, suggesting that tBuS did not serve as the photo-acid generator for the photo-NMP. It was found that the acceleration of the polymerization was based on the electron transfer from MTEMPO into tBuS in the excited state to temporarily generate a free radical propagating chain end and an oxoaminium salt (OAS), the one-electron oxidant of MTEMPO. This electron transfer mechanism was verified on the basis of the fact that the photo-NMP in the presence of tBuS was still accelerated by triphenylamine, the electron transfer inhibitor, to partly produce a polymer with an uncontrolled molecular weight. The formation of an uncontrolled molecular weight polymer indicated the generation of a free radical propagating chain end due to the deactivation of the OAS by the triphenylamine. It was deduced that tBuS served as the electron acceptor from MTEMPO in the excited state to temporarily produce a free radical propagating chain end along with OAS, resulting in the acceleration of the polymerization.

NITROXIDE-MEDIATED FREE RADICAL SYNTHESIS OF MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS

The first TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of liquid crystalline monomer, 2, 5-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]styrene (MPCS), was carried out at 130 degrees C with BPO as an initiator. The molecular weight of the polymer can be varied from rather low values to high values while maintaining narrow polydispersity. It was observed that the polymerization of MPCS proceeded much faster than that of styrene. A tentative explanation for this fast polymerization was suggested.

On the Scaling Study for the A_f-A_g Type Free Radical Polymerization

根据Ａｆ－Ａｇ自由基加聚反应的数量分布函数，导出凝胶点附近的渐进分布函数和高分子矩的表示式．进一步应用标度变换，得到了描述溶胶－凝胶相变的广义标度律，从而揭示了Ａｆ－Ａｇ自由基加聚的固化反应是一个相变过程．

DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL CHIRAL IONIC LIQUIDS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE

Two new chiral ionic liquids, 1 -((-)-menthoxycarbonylmethylene)-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphateand 1-((-)-menthoxycarbonylmethylene)-3-hexadecylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, were designed an d prepared. Theirchemical structures were characterized by ~1H-NMR. Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate(MMA) in these two ionic liquids was carried out using AIBN/CuCl_2/bipy as the initiating system. The resultant well-definedpolymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was employed as a macroinitiator to induce the atom transfer radical polymerization ofmenthyl methacrylate (MnMA) in chlorobenzene, which yielded a PMMA-b-PMnMA diblock copolymer with narrow polydispersity.

Controlled Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Catalyzed by Hybrid Supported Iron Catalyst

A supported iron catalyst, which was prepared by anchoring FeCl2/FeCl3 on the cross-linking macroporous polyacrylate ion exchange resin, was evaluated via the controlled radical polymerization. When a small amount of CuCl2/ Me6TREN was added, the controllability of the polymerization over the iron-mediated catalyst was significantly improved（Mw/Mn = 1.23-1.73 ）, affording a polymer with a low residual metal via a simple catalyst separation procedure. After suitable regeneration, the supported iron catalyst could also he recycled. UV-Vis analysis showed that the additional copper catalyst could facilitate the radical deactivation process.

Synthesis of Comblike Poly(methyl methacrylate) by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization with Poly(ethyl 2-bromoacrylate) as Macroinitiator

Comblike poly(methyl methacrylate) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate with poly(ethyl 2-bromoacrylate) as a macroinitiator, which was prepared by conventional free radical polymerization of ethyl 2-bromoacrylate. The obtained comblike polymers were characterized by GPC and 1H NMR.

Controlled Radical Polymerization of Styrene in the Presence of Different Copper Complexes and Organic Halides

The polymerization behaviors of Styrene (St) in the presence of CuX/L [X=Cl or Br; L= 2,2 bipyridine (bpy), 1,10 phenanthroline (phen) or 4,7 diphenyl 1,10 phenanthroline (DPP) ] and R X (R=trichloromethyl, benzyl or allyl; X=Cl or Br) have been studied and examined. In a CuCl/bpy/RCl/St system, a bimodal GPC peak at the early stage of polymerization was observed, and a concept of multi active species was proposed to explain this phenomenon. In a CuCl/phen (DPP)/RCl/St system, the \%M\%\-n of polystyrene (PS) increased linearly with St conversion and ln[M] o/[M] also increased linearly with time, indicating the living nature of this system. Furthermore, the stability of the propagating active species in a CuBr/phen/RBr/St system is higher than that in the CuBr/phen/RBr/St system.

SYNTHESIS OF HETEROARM STAR-SHAPED POLYMER BY THE USE OF POLYFUNCTIONAL CHAIN-TRANSFER AGENT via CONVENTIONAL FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

Heteroarm star-shaped polymers were synthesized by conventional free radical polymerization in two steps by the use of polyfunctional chain transfer agent.In the first step,free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of a polyfunctional chain transfer agent,pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropinate).At appropriate monomer conversions,two-arm PMMA having two residual thiol groups at the chain center or three-arm PMMA having one residual thiol group at the core were o...

AQUEOUS STABLE FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES

An overview of aqueous polymerizations, which include emulsion, miniemulsion and suspension polymerizations, under stable free radical polymerization (SFRP) conditions is presented. The success of miniemulsion and suspension SFRP polymerizations is contrasted with the difficulties associated with obtaining a stable emulsion polymerization. A recently developed unique microprecipitation technique is referenced as a means of making submicron sized particles that can be used to achieve a stable emulsion SFRP process.

AMPHIPHILIC STAR-BLOCK COPOLYMERS BY IODIDE-MEDIATED RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

Amphiphilic star-block copolymers composed of polystyrene and poly（acrylic acid） were synthesized by iodide- mediated radical polymerization. Firstly, free radical polymerization of styrene was carried out with AIBN as initiator and 1,1,1-trimethyolpropane tri（2-iodoisobutyrate） as chain transfer agent, giving iodine atom ended star-shaped polystyrene with three arm chains, R（polystyrene）3. Secondly, tert-butyl acrylate was polymerization using polystyrene obtained as macro-chain transfer agent, and star-block copolymer, R（polystyrene-b-poly（tert-butyl acrylate））3 with controlled molecular weight was obtained. Finally, amphiphilic star-block copolymer, R（polystyrene-b-poly（acrylic acid））3 was obtained by hydrolysis of R（polystyrene-b-poly（tert-butyl acrylate））3 under acidic condition.

CONTROLLED RADICAL COPOLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE AND MALEIC ANHYDRIDE UNDER GAMMA RADIATION IN THE PRESENCE OF BENZYL DITHIOBENZOATE

The copolymerization of styrene (St) with maleic anhydride (MAh) under gamma radiation at room temperature in the presence of benzyl dithiobenzoate (BDTB) was found to display 'living' nature evidenced by constant concentration of chain radicals during the copolymerization, linear evolution of molecular weights with conversion and narrow molecular weight distribution (M-w/M-n = 1.23-1.35). The compositional analysis and the sequence structural information of the copolymers obtained from DEPT (Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer) experiments demonstrate that the copolymers obtained also possess strictly alternating structure.

Synthesis of Well-Defined Dendritic-Linear Diblock and Triblock Copolymers by Controlled Free Radical Polymerization

The design and synthesis of novel dendritic-linear block copolymers were described. The copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using dendritic polyarylether 2-bromoisobutyrate macroinitiator. ATRP carried out in bulk with CuBr/bipy catalyst at 120癈, yielded well-defined block copolymers with polydispersities less than 1.36.

Graft Copolymerization of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide to Cellulose in Homogeneous Media Using Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Hemocompatibility

In homogeneous media, N,N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMA) was grafted copolymerization to cellulose by a metal-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. First, cellulose was dissolved in DMAc/LiCl system, and it reacted with 2-bromoisobutyloyl bromide (BiBBr) to produce macroinitiator (cell-BiB). Then DMA was polymerized to the cellulose backbone in a homogeneous DMSO solution in presence of the cell-BiB. Characterization with FT-IR, NMR, and GPC measurements showed that there obtained a graft copolymer with cellulose backbone and PDMA side chains (cell-PDMA) in well-defined structure. The proteins adsorption studies showed that the cellulose membranes modified by the as-prepared cell-PDMA copolymer owns good protein adsorption resistancet.

A FACILE APPROACH FOR THE SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE) MEMBRANE VIA SURFACE-INITIATED ATOM TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

A novel approach for the surface modification of poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF)membrane was successfully realized through alkaline treatment,UV-induced bromine addition,and followed by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP)of methyl methacrylate(MMA).Chemical changes on the PVDF membrane before and after modification were analyzed with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR/FT-IR)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).Primary kinetic study revealed...

Reverse Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of (-)-Menthyl Methacrylate

The reverse atom transfer radical polymerization(RATRP) of (-)-menthyl methacrylate ((-)-MnMA) with AIBN(AIBN/CuCl2/bipyridine(bipy) or (-)sparteine((-)Sp) =1/2/4) initiating system in THF has been studied. The dependence of the specific rotation on molecular weight was investigated.