Computational Evaluation of the Sulfonyl Radical as a Universal Leaving Group for RAFT Polymerisation
The present study investigates the performance of the sulfonyl radical, i.e. •SO2Ph, as a universal leaving group in reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. The sulfonyl radical is widely used as a radical initiator and has already been proved successful as a leaving group in an atom-transfer radical polymerisation. Our results, obtained using high-level ab initio computational methodology under relevant experimental conditions, indicate superior performance of the sulfonyl compared with a reference cyanoisopropyl group in controlling RAFT of a wide range of monomers. Importantly, the presence of sulfonyl chain ends in the polymers so formed opens attractive possibilities for further functionalisation. Potential synthetic routes to the R-sulfonyl RAFT agents are discussed.
SEEK ID: https://publications.h-its.org/publications/517
DOI: 10.1071/CH12452
Research Groups: Computational Carbon Chemistry
Publication type: Journal
Journal: Australian Journal of Chemistry
Citation: Aust. J. Chem. 66(3):308
Date Published: 2013
Registered Mode: by DOI
Views: 5825
Created: 5th Nov 2019 at 14:34
Last updated: 5th Mar 2024 at 21:23
This item has not yet been tagged.
None