ATRP Synthesis of Amphiphilic Random, Gradient, and Block Copolymers of 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate and n-Butyl Methacrylate in Aqueous Media

• Published in: Biomacromolecules 2003-09, Vol.4 (5), p.1386-1393
• Main Authors: Lee, Sang Beom, Russell, Alan J, Matyjaszewski, Krzysztof
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Copolymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Kinetics; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Methacrylates - chemical synthesis; Molecular Weight; Nylons - chemical synthesis; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Solutions; Surface-Active Agents; Water
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/bm034126a

Amphiphilic random, gradient, and block copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in water/2-propanol mixtures using a methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) (M n = 2000) macroinitiator. Kinetic studies indicate that the copolymerization is well controlled with molecular weights increasing linearly with conversion. Copolymers with molecular weights up to M n = 34 000 and low polydispersities (M w/M n = 1.11−1.47) were prepared. The reactivity ratios were calculated for the copolymerizations catalyzed by CuBr/bpy, (r DMAEMA = 1.07, r BMA = 1.24). The thermosensitivity and aggregation properties of the random, gradient, and block copolymers significantly depended on the architecture of the copolymers. The lower critical solution temperature of MPEG-b-PDMAEMA84 was 38 °C (5 wt % in water).