The synthesis of optically active poly(phenylethyl acrylate) via SET‐LRP

Abstract

We present the synthesis of optically active polymers derived from S‐phenylethyl acrylate and R‐phenylethyl acrylate for the first time. Cu(0) wire‐catalyzed single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) methodology which provides a feasible platform makes its new application in designing and developing these two polymers. At various degrees of polymerizations (DPs) ranging from 100 to 400, first‐order kinetics is observed. In all cases, SET‐LRP demonstrates a rapid polymerization rate while maintaining excellent control over polymer's molecular weight, polydispersity and chain‐end functionality. These advantages facilitate the development of both homopolymers and block copolymers through in situ chain extensions. The circular dichroism measurement confirms that the SET‐LRP method yields optically active polymers derived from two enantiomeric monomers, which exhibit mirrored spectra.