Synthesis of block/graft copolymers based on vinyl benzyl chloride via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using the carboxylic acid functionalized Trithiocarbonate

Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene (St), vinyl benzyl chloride (vbc), tert-butyl methacrylate (tertBMA) and n-butyl methacrylate (nBMA) was investigated using carboxylic acid functionalized trithiocarbonate (R2). A series of random copolymer of styrene and vinyl benzyl chloride was prepared in order to control chloromethyl functionality in the copolymer, via RAFT polymerization. Addition to this, first-order kinetic behavior of the RAFT polymerization of vbc using R2 was also evaluated. A novel series of amphiphilic copolymers based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) with molar masses of 500 and 2000g/mol, functionalized polyvinyl benzyl chloride (Pvbc) were obtained via the Williamson-ether-synthesis. As chloromethyl functionality increases, the introduced PEG increases. Fractional precipitation, thermal properties and water uptakes of the amphiphilic polymer samples were evaluated. The new polymers can be the promising materials with high aqueous solubility capacity.