Macromolecules, Vol.43, No.1, 82-90, 2010
Synthesis and Properties of Tetrathiafulvalene End-Functionalized Polymers Prepared via RAFT Polymerization
The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique has been employed to synthesize various linear tetrathiafulvalene end-functionalized polymers. n-Butyl acrylate, N-isopropylacrylamide, and styrene monomers were polymerized in the presence of azobis(isobutyronitrile) and a new tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) trithiocarbonate derivative as reversible chain transfer agent. All RAFT polymerizations exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetics, a linear increase of the number-average molar mass (M-n SEC) with conversion and narrow molar mass distributions (polydispersity < 1.3). The resulting homopolymers exhibited alpha-TTF and omega-trithiocarbonyl end groups. Cyclic voltammetry Was Used to investigate the electrochemical properties of the TTF polymers. Finally, we have shown that the TTF moiety at the alpha-chain-end Could be specifically modified by complex formation with the tetracationic cyclophane cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT(4+)) in organic media. Electrochemical oxidation of the TTF moiety resulted in disassembly of the polymer inclusion complex (PIC).