Symmetric RAFT-agent for synthesizing multiblock copolymers with different activated monomers

With a bifunctional symmetric RAFT agent well-defined polymer structures can be achieved. This paper shows the possibility to synthesize block copolymer systems consisting out of different activated monomers. With the novel bifunctional symmetric RAFT agent water-born polymer systems with a block structure (B-b-A-b-B) can be polymerized. The symmetric RAFT agent is designed to polymerize both more activated monomers (A) and less activated monomers (B). Due to the ability of a controlled radical polymerization of different activated monomers the dispersity of the resulting polymers is broader compared to common RAFT polymerizations. In regard to industrial applications like emulsifiers, stabilizers or viscosity modifiers the broader molecular weight distribution has no impact. Overall, this paper shows the possibility towards new functional polymers with unique properties.