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DOE OSTI · 1781575

Post-polymerization modification of polymethacrylates enabled by keto–enol tautomerization

Easterling, Charles P.·Coste, Guilhem·Sanchez, Jose E.·Fanucci, Gail E.·Sumerlin, Brent S.
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Abstract

We report a post-polymerization modification strategy to functionalize methacrylic copolymers through enol-ester transesterification. A new monomer, vinyl methacryloxy acetate (VMAc), containing both enol-ester and methacryloyl functionality, was successfully copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) by selective reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Post-polymerization modification of pendent enol esters proceeded through an “irreversible” transesterification process, driven by the low nucleophilicity of the tautomerization product, to result in high conversion under mild conditions.

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Easterling, Charles P., Coste, Guilhem, Sanchez, Jose E., Fanucci, Gail E., Sumerlin, Brent S.. 2020-04-15. Post-polymerization modification of polymethacrylates enabled by keto–enol tautomerization. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0py00383b

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