The Effect of Mixed Ligands on the Polymerization Rate of SET-LRP in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

The mixed-ligand effect is investigated in single electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) of OEOMA in aqueous solution for the first time. Mediated by equimolar of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) and tris(dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me6-TREN), SET-LRP exhibits the highest polymerization rate while maintains living characteristics. The higher concentration of self-assembled micellar particles formed by amphiphilic initiator and monomer in aqueous solution under the influence of mixed ligands may be considered as one of factors for the mixed-ligand effect. A mixed-ligand effect is observed at 1:1 molar combination of tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me6-TREN) with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) during Cu(0) wire-catalyzed single-electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) of OEOMA initiated with PEG-derived initiator in aqueous solution. A higher concentration of self-assembled micellar particles of monomer (or initiator) is proposed as one of the reasons for the mixed-ligand effect.