RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE WITH DIPHENYL DISELENIDE UNDER THERMAL OR PHOTOIRRADIATIONAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with diphenyl diselenide (DPDSE) in the presence of AIBN at 60°C was investigated. DPDSE was worked as a chain transfer agent (CTA). The chain transfer constant (C_tr) of DPDSE for MMA was estimated to be 1.43. On the other hand, DPDSE was functioned as a photoiniferter for the photopolymerization of MMA. In a limited range of conversion, both the polymer yield and number average of molecular weight ([Mbar]_n) increased with the reaction time, and the [Mbar]_n linearly increased with the yield. The terminal structure of poly(MMA) was investigated by the ⁷⁷Se NMR spectrum based on Methyl α-phenylseleno isobutylate (MSEPI) as model compound of the ω-chain end of poly(MMA). Further, photopolymerization of poly (MMA) containing phenylseleno group at ω-chain end as a polymeric photoiniferter with MMA effectively afforded a poly (MMA) having higher molecular weight.

Keywords:

• Radical polymerization
• Diphenyl diselenide
• Chain transfer agent
• Photoiniferter
• Methyl α-phenylseleno isobutylate
• Polymeric photoiniferter

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was supported by a grant-in-aid for Scientific Research (No. 10650865) from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture of Japan.