Vinylogous dithiocompounds for RAFT polymerization

Abstract : The present communication focuses on a novel range of dithioester agents for reversible addition fragmentation transfer polymerization (RAFT), comprising one given (ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl leaving group and an unsaturated, potentially substituted Z group. RAFT polymerization of styrene and ethyl acrylate was efficiently conducted using four original vinylogous dithio compounds. Controlled Mn with low Mw/Mn were obtained for most of the reported experiments. The peculiar addition-fragmentation mechanism of this class of RAFT agents caused a severe retardation during polymerization.