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Catherine Louise Moad

Other affiliations: DuPont
Bio: Catherine Louise Moad is an academic researcher from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. The author has contributed to research in topics: Chain transfer & Radical polymerization. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 19 publications receiving 5594 citations. Previous affiliations of Catherine Louise Moad include DuPont.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors proposed a reversible additive-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) method for living free-radical polymerization, which can be used with a wide range of monomers and reaction conditions and in each case it provides controlled molecular weight polymers with very narrow polydispersities.
Abstract: mechanism involves Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer, and we have designated the process the RAFT polymerization. What distinguishes RAFT polymerization from all other methods of controlled/living free-radical polymerization is that it can be used with a wide range of monomers and reaction conditions and in each case it provides controlled molecular weight polymers with very narrow polydispersities (usually <1.2; sometimes <1.1). Living polymerization processes offer many benefits. These include the ability to control molecular weight and polydispersity and to prepare block copolymers and other polymers of complex architecturesmaterials which are not readily synthesized using other methodologies. Therefore, one can understand the current drive to develop a truly effective process which would combine the virtues of living polymerization with versatility and convenience of free-radical polymerization.2-4 However, existing processes described under the banner “living free-radical polymerization” suffer from a number of disadvantages. In particular, they may be applicable to only a limited range of monomers, require reagents that are expensive or difficult to remove, require special polymerization conditions (e.g. high reaction temperatures), and/or show sensitivity to acid or protic monomers. These factors have provided the impetus to search for new and better methods. There are three principal mechanisms that have been put forward to achieve living free-radical polymerization.2,5 The first is polymerization with reversible termination by coupling. Currently, the best example in this class is alkoxyamine-initiated or nitroxidemediated polymerization as first described by Rizzardo et al.6,7 and recently exploited by a number of groups in syntheses of narrow polydispersity polystyrene and related materials.4,8 The second mechanism is radical polymerization with reversible termination by ligand transfer to a metal complex (usually abbreviated as ATRP).9,10 This method has been successfully applied to the polymerization of various acrylic and styrenic monomers. The third mechanism for achieving living character is free-radical polymerization with reversible chain transfer (also termed degenerative chain transfer2). A simplified mechanism for this process is shown in

4,561 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, two series of chain transfer agents (SC(Z)S−CH2Ph and SC(ZS−C(Me)2CN) were used for styrene polymerization.
Abstract: Free-radical polymerization in the presence of suitable addition−fragmentation chain transfer agents [SC(Z)S−R] (RAFT agents) possess the characteristics of a living polymerization (i.e., polymer products can be reactivated for chain extension and/or block synthesis, molecular weights are predetermined by RAFT agent concentration and conversion, narrow polydispersities are possible). Styrene polymerizations (110 °C, thermal initiation) were performed for two series of RAFT agents [SC(Z)S−CH2Ph and SC(Z)S−C(Me)2CN]. The chain transfer coefficients decrease in the series where Z is Ph > SCH2Ph ∼ SMe ∼ Me ∼ N-pyrrolo ≫ OC6F5 > N-lactam > OC6H5 > O(alkyl) ≫ N(alkyl)2 (only the first five in this series provide narrow polydispersity polystyrene ( trithiocarbonates ∼ dithioalkanoates > dithiocarbonates (xanthates) > dithiocarbamates. However, electron-withdrawing substituents on Z can enhance the...

577 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The RAFT polymerization as mentioned in this paper is a method for the control of free radical polymerization and its use in the preparation of narrow polydispersity polymers of various architectures.
Abstract: SUMMARY: This paper describes a versatile and effective method for the control of free radical polymerization and its use in the preparation of narrow polydispersity polymers of various architectures. Living character is conferred to conventional free radical polymerization by the addition of a thiocarbonylthio compound of general structure S=C(Z)SR, for example, S=C(Ph)SC(CH3)2Ph. The mechanism involves Reversible AdditionFragmentation chain Transfer and, for convenience of referral, we have designated it the RAFT polymerization. The process is compatible with a very wide range of monomers including functional monomers such as acrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and dimethy laminoethyl methacrylate. Examples of narrow polydispersity (51.2) homopolymers, copolymers, gradient copolymers, end-functional polymers, star polymers, A-B diblock and A-B-A triblock copolymers are presented.

136 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the chain transfer activities of a series of ω-unsaturated methyl methacrylate oligomers (dimer, trimer, tetramer, and a higher macromonomer with average chain length of 24 units) were evaluated over the temperature range 45−100 °C.
Abstract: The chain transfer activities of a series of ω-unsaturated methyl methacrylate oligomers [(dimer (1), trimer (2), tetramer (3), and a methyl methacrylate macromonomer with average chain length of 24 units (4)] have been evaluated in methyl methacrylate polymerizations over the temperature range 45−100 °C. Transfer constants were determined by analysis of the ln chain length distributions. The dimer (1) was found to be substantially less effective as a chain transfer agent than the trimer (2) or the higher macromonomers (3, 4) [CT(60 °C) 1, 0.013; 2, 0.19; 3, 0.31; 4, 0.21]. The transfer constants show only a small temperature dependence and no variation with conversion. No discernible retardation was observed in these polymerizations. A reduced yield of polymer observed at conversions >10% in bulk polymerizations of MMA carried out in the presence of 1−4 can be attributed to the absence of the gel (Trommsdorff) effect. The results are interpreted in terms of the addition−fragmentation mechanism for chain ...

134 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a new form of controlled growth free radical polymerization leading to narrow polydispersity polymers and/or block copolymers is described, based on the polymerization of monomers in the presence of macromonomers of general structure CH2=C(Z)CH2(A)n [(A n= radical leaving group, Z = activating group] and displays many of the characteristics of living polymerizations.
Abstract: A new form of controlled growth free radical polymerization leading to narrow polydispersity polymers and/or block copolymers is described. The process is based on the polymerization of monomers in the presence of macromonomers of general structure CH2=C(Z)CH2(A)n [(A)n= radical leaving group, Z = activating group] and displays many of the characteristics of living polymerizations. The process is most suited to methacrylic monomers but with the appropriate choice of reaction conditions (high temperatures and/or low conversions) it can also be applied to acrylic and styrenic monomers. The macromonomers are conveniently prepared by catalytic chain transfer to alkyl cobalt(III) complexes or by addition-fragmentation chain transfer. The factors which determine the efficiency of cobalt complexes for molecular weight reduction in free radical emulsion and solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate are also discussed.

88 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors proposed a reversible additive-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) method for living free-radical polymerization, which can be used with a wide range of monomers and reaction conditions and in each case it provides controlled molecular weight polymers with very narrow polydispersities.
Abstract: mechanism involves Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer, and we have designated the process the RAFT polymerization. What distinguishes RAFT polymerization from all other methods of controlled/living free-radical polymerization is that it can be used with a wide range of monomers and reaction conditions and in each case it provides controlled molecular weight polymers with very narrow polydispersities (usually <1.2; sometimes <1.1). Living polymerization processes offer many benefits. These include the ability to control molecular weight and polydispersity and to prepare block copolymers and other polymers of complex architecturesmaterials which are not readily synthesized using other methodologies. Therefore, one can understand the current drive to develop a truly effective process which would combine the virtues of living polymerization with versatility and convenience of free-radical polymerization.2-4 However, existing processes described under the banner “living free-radical polymerization” suffer from a number of disadvantages. In particular, they may be applicable to only a limited range of monomers, require reagents that are expensive or difficult to remove, require special polymerization conditions (e.g. high reaction temperatures), and/or show sensitivity to acid or protic monomers. These factors have provided the impetus to search for new and better methods. There are three principal mechanisms that have been put forward to achieve living free-radical polymerization.2,5 The first is polymerization with reversible termination by coupling. Currently, the best example in this class is alkoxyamine-initiated or nitroxidemediated polymerization as first described by Rizzardo et al.6,7 and recently exploited by a number of groups in syntheses of narrow polydispersity polystyrene and related materials.4,8 The second mechanism is radical polymerization with reversible termination by ligand transfer to a metal complex (usually abbreviated as ATRP).9,10 This method has been successfully applied to the polymerization of various acrylic and styrenic monomers. The third mechanism for achieving living character is free-radical polymerization with reversible chain transfer (also termed degenerative chain transfer2). A simplified mechanism for this process is shown in

4,561 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of recent mechanistic developments in the field of controlled/living radical polymerization (CRP) is presented, with particular emphasis on structure-reactivity correlations and "rules" for catalyst selection in ATRP, for chain transfer agent selection in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and for the selection of an appropriate mediating agent in stable free radical polymerisation (SFRP), including organic and transition metal persistent radicals.

2,869 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of living radical polymerization achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds by a mechanism of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) is presented in this article.
Abstract: This paper presents a review of living radical polymerization achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds [ZC(=S)SR] by a mechanism of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). Since we first introduced the technique in 1998, the number of papers and patents on the RAFT process has increased exponentially as the technique has proved to be one of the most versatile for the provision of polymers of well defined architecture. The factors influencing the effectiveness of RAFT agents and outcome of RAFT polymerization are detailed. With this insight, guidelines are presented on how to conduct RAFT and choose RAFT agents to achieve particular structures. A survey is provided of the current scope and applications of the RAFT process in the synthesis of well defined homo-, gradient, diblock, triblock, and star polymers, as well as more complex architectures including microgels and polymer brushes.

2,127 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A general overview of the preparation, characterization and theories of block copolymer micellar systems is presented in this paper, with examples of micelle formation in aqueous and organic medium are given for di-and triblock copolymers, as well as for more complex architectures.

1,856 citations