AGET ATRP of methyl methacrylate by silica-gel-supported copper(II) chloride/2-(8-heptadecenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-ethylamine

Copper-mediated activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) were studied in the presence of 2-(8-heptadecenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-ethylamine (OLC) as ligands that served not only as ligands but also as reducing agents. Well-controlled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with narrow molecular weight distribution (M _w/M _n = 1.29) was prepared in the presence of Cu(II)Cl₂/OLC ligand via AGET ATRP. Chain extension of PMMA with MMA was successful and demonstrated well-maintained end-group functionality. Well-controlled PMMA with narrow molecular weight distribution was also prepared via AGET ATRP in the presence of Cu(II) and OLC without any additional reducing agent. A chemically modified silica gel with OLC immobilized on its surface coordinated with CuCl₂ was successfully used as a catalyst system for AGET ATRP of methyl methacrylate using ethyl 2-bromopropanoate as initiator. Also well-controlled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with narrow molecular weight distribution (M _w/M _n = 1.46) was prepared in the presence of SiO₂-OLC-Cu(II)Cl₂ complexes catalyst via AGET ATRP.