Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene

Nikki Pullan, Max Liu, Paul D. Topham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Controlled polymerization of 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization has been demonstrated for the first time. 2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene, more commonly known as chloroprene, has significant industrial relevance as a crosslinked rubber, with uses ranging from adhesives to integral automotive components. However, problems surrounding the inherent toxicity of the lifecycle of the thiourea-vulcanized rubber have led to the need for control over the synthesis of poly(2-chloro-1,3-butadiene). To this end, four chain transfer agents in two different solvents have been trialed and the kinetics are discussed. 2-Cyano-2-propylbenzodithioate (CPD) is shown to polymerize 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene in THF, using AIBN as an initiator, with complete control over the target molecular weight, producing polymers with low polydispersities (Mw/Mn < 1.25 in all cases).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2272-2277
Number of pages6
JournalPolymer Chemistry
Volume4
Issue number7
Early online date29 Jan 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Apr 2013

Bibliographical note

Creative Commons attribution

Funding: Pera Technology, the European Commission and the EPSRC (Robinson Brothers Ltd). and through funding as part of the Framework Programme 7 SafeRubber project (243756).

Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Scheme showing CB
synthesis, GPC traces taken periodically throughout each RAFT polymerization
and spectral data for PCB synthesized using CPD CTA. See DOI:
10.1039/c3py21151g

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